Eugene Weekly : Movies : 02.09.06
.MOVIE LISTINGS | MOVIE REVIEW ARCHIVE | THEATER INFO
OPENING OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See archived movie reviews.
Chicken Little: Disney's first fully computer-animated feature film is a comedy adventure that brings a satirical twist to the classic fable. Voices by Zach Braff, Garry Marshall, Joan Cusack, Steve Zahn. G. Movies 12.
Curious George: The Man in the Yellow Hat (Will Ferrell) tries his best to tame Curious George in this animated version of the beloved children's series. The inquisitive chimp passes the time by sipping lattes, ruining a woman's bubble bath and getting carried away by a bunch of balloons. Other voices include Drew Barrymore, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright and Dick Van Dyke. G. Cinemark.
Elvira Madigan: Based on a true story of a young Danish tightrope dancer who in 1889 palls passionately in love with a married Swedish army officer. In Swedish with English subtitles. 2/10 at 7 pm in 221 McKenzie Hall, UO. Free.
Final Destination 3: Yet another James Wong tale of a band of friends narrowly cheating death (this time by roller-coaster, no less!), and the grim reaper's subsequent pursuit of them. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead & Ryan Merriman. R. Cinemark.
Firewall: As creator of a state-of-the-art security system for a Seattle-area bank, Jack Stanfield (Harrison Ford) has cemented his reputation as a man who's thought of everything. But when a criminal (Paul Bettany) finds a way into Jack's personal life by targeting his family, everything Jack holds dear is suddenly at stake. PG13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Imagining Indians Film Fest: Includes 'Nanook of the North", "In the Land of the War Canoes", "The Business of Fancydancing", 'Christmas in the Clouds", "Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner", "Starting Fire with Gunpowder", "Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance", and "Skins". See 4 page insert this issue for details. 2/10-12, Bijou.
IMMI: Improvised Music and Moving Image Art Festival 2006: Improv music and progressive video art melded together for maximum spontaneity and sensory pleasure. The festival showcases both local & northwest musicians and media artists. 2/10-12 at DIVA 100 W Broadway.
Make it Funky: A world class lineup of artists – including the Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Lloyd Price, Bonnie Raitt & Keith Richards – pay tribute to the sound of New Orleans music. 2/15 at 7 pm in 128 Chiles, UO. Free.
Pink Panther: Bumbling French Inspector Jacques Clousseau (Steve Martin) must solve the murder of a world-famous soccer coach and catch the thief who stole his priceless diamond ring in this prequel to the 1964 classic. Also stars Kevin Kline, Jean Reno & Beyonce. PG. Cinema World, Cinemark.
Rumor Has It: This family comedy romance directed by Rob Reiner stars Jennifer Aniston, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Costner and Mena Suvari. I love it when Aniston wails, "We're the Robinsons," refering to the love affair between Dustin Hoffman and Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) in Mike Nichols' 1967 great film, The Graduate. PG-13. Movies 12.
The Passenger: In director Michaelangelo Antonini's gripping drama, correspondent David Locke (Jack Nicholson) – on assignment to cover an insurrection in North Africa – stumbles upon the corpse of an acquaintance. Disenchanted with his life, Locke makes a momentous decision: He assumes the dead man's identity, not knowing that he was a gunrunner for the insurgents. Also stars Maria Schneider. PG. Bijou.
Vovochka: When Vovochka, a spontaneous & inventive 10 year-old, arrives for holiday in a quiet suburban town humorous shenanigans begin, and life becomes less predictable and certainly less quiet. Russian with English subtitles. Plays at 7pm on 2/15 in Yamada Language Center, 111 Pacific, UO. Free.
CONTINUING:
Aeon Flux: Starring Charlize Theron and Marton Csokas and directed by Karyn Kusama (Girlfight), this futuristic sci-fi thriller is based on characters created by Peter Chung for the MTV animated series. PG-13. Movies 12.
Annapolis: James Franco (Tristan & Isolde) has one last shot to prove he has what it takes to become a naval officer. He enters the boxing competition and goes up against his nemesis (Tyrese Gibson). Directed by Justin Lin, film also stars Donnie Wahlberg, Chi McBride, Jordana Brewster and Vicellous Shannon. PG-13. Cinemark.
Big Momma's House 2: Martin Lawrence returns as FBI agent Malcolm Turner who goes undercover as "Big Momma," now a nanny housekeeper. Directed by John P. Whitesells, film also stars Nia Long and Emily Procter. PG-13. Cinemark.
Brigade, The: Aleksei Sidorov's 2002 critical and popular tale of the Russian "Mafia." The story follows four best friends as they choose a life of crime. Episode 6 of 11 begins at 9 pm on 2/15 in 111 Pacific, UO. In Russian with English subtitles. Free.
Brokeback Mountain: A rodeo rider (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a ranch hand (Heath Ledger) fall in love in Ang Lee's Western, adapted for the screen by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, based on a story by Annie Proulx. Also stars Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway and Randy Quaid. A great film; don't miss this one. It's perfect in every way. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. 2005 Academy nominations: leading actor, Heath Ledger; supporting actor, Jake Gyllenhaal; supporting actress, Michelle Williams; cinematography, Rodrigo Prieto; directing, Ang Lee; original score, Gustavo Santaolalla; best picture, Focus Features, Diana Ossana and James Schamus; adapted screenplay, Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana. Online archives.
Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Four siblings walk into a magic land and meet astonishing creatures who change their lives forever. Based on C.S. Lewis' timeless stories, the film is directed by New Zealander Andrew Adamson. It stars Tilda Swinton, Rupert Everett, Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone and children: Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes and William Moseley. PG. Cinemark. Online archives.
Constant Gardener, The: Directed by Fernando Meirelles (City of God) and adapted from a John Le Carre novel, this thriller stars the excellent Rachel Weisz and the quietly masterful Ralph Fiennes, playing a career diplomat who plunges into the mystery of his wife's murder. He uncovers a world-wide pharmaceutical industry criminal conspiracy. Also stars Danny Huston, Bill Nighy. One of the best films of 2005. R. Movies 12. Online archives.
Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story: Drama about a father (Kurt Russell) who, for the love of his daughter (Dakota Fanning), sacrifices almost everything to save the life of an injured racehorse and bring the filly back to her former glory. Also stars Kris Kristofferson, Elizabeth Shue. PG. Movies 12.
Flightplan: Jody Foster stars in this Brian Grazer-produced psychological thriller about a woman whose 6-year old daughter disappears without a trace mid-flight in a state-of-the-art aircraft. Directed by Robert Swenke, film also stars Peter Sarsgaard and Sean Bean. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Glory Road: Directed by James Gartner and based on a true story, the film follows Coach Dan Haskins (Josh Lucas) leading his 1966 Texas Western all-black starting line-up college basketball team to the NCAA national championship title. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Hoodwinked: Animated comedy gives Little Red Riding Hood's adventures at Grandmother's house a real kick in the seat. Stars Xzibit, Anthony Anderson, Glenn Close, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Warburton and Jim Belushi. PG. Cinema World.
Idiot, The: Directed by Vladimir Bortko, this 2003 screen adaptation of Dostoevsky's famous 19th century novel is appropriately faithful and beautiful. Episode 6 of 10 begins at 6 pm on 2/15 in 111 Pacific, UO. In Russian with English subtitles. Free.
Jesus is Magic: Sarah Silverman's comedy may not be for everyone, but she pulls out all the stops in this pseudo-storyline standup routine. R. Bijou.
King Kong: Peter Jackson's highly anticipated re-imagining of the original film stars Naomi Watts as an actress, Jack Black as an adventurous filmmaker, and Adrien Brody as a playwright. Their troubles begin when they capture a giant ape and bring him to the city. Love this movie! Very highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Matador, The: Critics love Pierce Brosnan's performance as a seedy hit-man working out of a Mexico City bar. Businessman (Greg Kinnar) accidentally meets up with him. Many margaritas, four countries and six months later, they have formed an unexpected bond. Written and directed by Richard Shepard, film also stars the excellent Hope Davis. R. Cinemark. Online Archives.
Match Point: Dramatic thriller from Woody Allen stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Emily Mortimer. Terrific upscale noir thriller sports classic Allen craftsmanship and outstanding performance by Rhys-Meyers. Very highest recommendations. R. Bijou. Online Archives.
Mrs. Henderson Presents: Stephen Frears' tale of a WWII burlesque house in London owned by an unapologetic snob (Judi Dench) and run by her music hall veteran (Bob Hoskins). Christopher Guest plays the censor who must be wooed to allow the girls to go the full monty. 2005 Academy Award nom for leading role: Dench. R. Cinema World.
Munich: Steven Spielberg's already controversial film about the secret Mossad assassins who tracked down the masked Palestinian terrorists who murdered 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics. Screenplay by Tony Kushner (Angels in America), film stars Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush, Daniel Craig, Mathieu Kassovitz and Ciaran Hinds. Very highest recommendations. 2005 Academy nominations: directing, Steven Spielberg; film editing, Michael Kahn; original score John Williams; best picture, Universal, Dream Works, producers Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel; adapted screenplay, Tony Kushner and Eric Roth. R. Cinema World. Online archives.
Nanny McPhee: Emma Thompson plays a frightful looking nanny with magical powers who enters the household of a recently widowed Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) to help control his seven ill-behaved children. Directed by Kirk Jones, film also stars Celia Imrie, Thomas Sangster, Angela Lansbury, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton. PG. Cinemark.
New World, The: Terrence Malick's new adventure drama re-imagines the first meeting between explorer John Smith (Colin Farrell) and his shipmates with the Native Americans who inhabited the land they intended to claim. The Algonquian Chief's favorite daughter (Q'Orianka Kilcher) saves Smith's life. Ecstatic and beautiful, it's a great film, not to be missed. One of 2005's very best films. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Producers, The: Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprise their award-winning Broadway performances in this adaptation by Susan Stroman of Mel Brooks-Thomas Meehan show, which was based on Mel Brook's movie, which was based on an earlier movie. So the material is familiar. But, hey, this movie also stars Will Ferrell, Uma Thurman and Andrea Martin. PG-13. Movies 12.
Rent: The acclaimed Broadway show based on Puccini's classic opera, La Boheme, comes to the small screen with performances by Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Heredia and Tracie Thoms. Set in New York's East Village, the film follows a group of artists struggling with obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic. PG-13. Movies 12.
Ringer, The: Comedy directed by Barry Blaustein stars Johnny Knoxville as a gambler posing as a contestant in the Special Olympics, which he plans to fix. Also stars Brian Ciox, Katherine Heigl. PG-13. Movies 12.
Saw 2: Bloody sequel to James Wan's grisly 2004 thriller stars Donnie Wahlberg. Movies 12.
Something New : Romantic comedy directed by Sanaa Hamri about a professional African American woman (Sanaa Lathan) who knows what she wants in a husband until she gets to know her white gardener (Simon Baker). Ensemble cast includes Golden Brooks, Mike Epps, Donald Faison, Taraji P. Henson and Felicia Walker. PG-13. Cinemark.
Syriana: Middle East thriller about oil and the treacherous politics of producers vs. business interests was written and directed by the great Stephen Gaghan (Traffic). Stars George Clooney as CIA agent, energy analyst Matt Damon and Washington attorney Jeffrey Wright. Also Chris Cooper, William Hurt, Mazhar Munir, Tim Blake Nelson, Amanda Peet, Christopher Plummer and Alexander Siddig. Don't miss. R. Cinema World. Online archives.
Tristan & Isolde: The legend of a princess and a warrior from the Dark Ages who threaten to sunder a tentative peace between England and Ireland. Film stars James Franco, Sophia Myles and Rufus Sewell. Lots of action sequences as well as tender love scenes. Recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Underworld Evolution: Sequel to Underworld continues the saga of war between the aristocratic Death Dealers and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). Stars Kate Beckinsale as the vampire heroine. Directed by Len Wiseman. Also stars Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Tony Curran and Derk Jacobi. R. Cinemark.
Walk the Line: Johnny Cash biography stars the excellent Joaquin Phoenix as the singer/songwriter, known as the Man in Black, and Reese Witherspoon (with dark hair) as singer, songwriter June Carter Cash, his second wife and partner for 35 years. Directed by James Mangold. Very highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinema World. Online archives.
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit: Nick Park's and Steve Box's outstanding creations, an eccentric inventor named Wallace and his long-suffering, silent but faithful dog, Gromit, finally reach the big screen in their first feature-length film. The mystery of a vegetable-ravaging "beast" must be solved to save the village's Giant Vegetable Competition, and our intrepid hero Wallace (voice by Peter Sallis) is just the man for the job. Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Careter) and Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes) co-star. Most excellent, divine comedy. G. Movies 12. Online archives.
When a Stranger Calls: Teen horror flick directed by Simon West, stars Camilla Belle as the babysitter who receives terrifying phone calls from inside the house! Also stars Brian Geraghty, Katie Cassidy and Clark Gregg. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Yours, Mine and Ours: When single parents Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Helen (Rene Russo) marry they have 18 children between them. The kids don't approve of the merger. Trouble follows. Co-stars Rip Torn and Linda Hunt. PG. Movies 12.
Zathura: Like the 1995 hit Jumanji, this tale of two brothers (Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bob) who find a peculiar board game in their basement and find out the game is true is far-fetched but fun. Jon Favreau directs, and film also stars Tim Robbins, Kristen Stewart. PG. Movies 12.
MOVIE THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th
Regal Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
Cinemark Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
