Eugene Weekly : Movies : 02.23.06
.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.
Ballets Russes: Documentary by Dayna Goldfine, Dan Geller and Gary Weimberg uses archival film clips and contemporary reviews to look at a most interesting portion of the history of classical ballet: the 20th century competition between two dance companies formed to fill the empty shoes of ballet impressario Serge Diaghilev. Delightful. NR. Bijou. See review this issue.
Cheaper By the Dozen 2: Steve Martin stars in this sequel to his 2003 family comedy, which also stars Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo and Hilary Duff. Directed by Adam Shankman (The Pacifier). PG. Movies 12.
Doogal: Animated family fare features voices by Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart. G. Cinemark.
Fun With Dick and Jane: Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni star as middle-class thieves in Dean Parisot's remake of the limp 1977 comedy starring Jane Fonda and George Segal. Also stars Alec Bladwin and Angie Harmon. PG-13. Movies 12.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Starring Daniel Radcliffe. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, this episode finds Harry's friends trying to help him through difficult times, as evidence of the presence of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) appears. Voldemort was last seen 13 years ago, the night he murdered Harry's parents. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Howl's Moving Castle: Hayao Miyazaki's (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) love story about a young woman cursed into an old woman's body. The girl must make her way in the world and find a cure. Beautiful animation and powerful stories characterize Miyazaki's films. Don't miss this one. 2005 Academy Award nomination: animated feature film. PG. Movies 12. Online archives.
Last Chance for Eden: Latest film from internationally acclaimed diversity lecturer and documentary filmmaker Lee Mun Wah, who will show the film at 6:30 pm on 1/24 in Building 19, Room 226, LCC campus.
Madea's Family Reunion: PG-13. Cinemark.
Running Scared: R. Cinemark.
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye: Rock video compilation contains quintessential classics from 1980s. LateNite Bijou.
Skidoo: Otto Preminger's rarely seen 1968 farce is "part prison caper flick, part '60s acid manifesto." Stars Jackie Gleason, Carol Channing, Groucho Marx and many others. Shows at 7 pm on 2/25 in Tsunami Books. Donations accepted.
Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada: One of the best Westerns in years, Tommy Lee Jones's directorial debut follows the course of a friendship between a ranch foreman and an illegal immigrant worker. Set in West Texas border country, complete with hotdogs with high-powered rifles "protecting the borders." Very good film. R. Bijou. See review this issue.
Through the Fire: Portland Trailblazers basketball star Sebastian Telfair leads his Coney Island team to the city championship, while deciding whether to go to college or turn pro. Documentary directed by Jonathan Hock, it will air on ESPN at 8 pm on 3/12 followed by Cinema Libre DVD release. Opens on 2/24 at Corvallis's Darkside Theater.
Transamerica: Felicity Huffman plays Bree, an educated transsexual woman who passes as a genetic girl, who discovers that during her life as a man, she fathered a child. Toby, now a jailed teenager, wants to meet his dad. Written and directed by Duncan Tucker, the film belongs to Huffman. 2005 Academy Award nominations: leading actress, Feiliciy Huffman; original song, "Travelin' Thru." R. Cinema World.
Twenty-four Hour Party People: Fabulous film about Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan), an ambitious local TV reporter who discovers the Sex Pistols and turns Manchester, England into the 1970s dance club hot spot. Brilliant. Directed by Michael Winterbottom. Pop history of the era as seen by the man who thought it was his world. Cinematographer, Robby Muller. Highly recommended. R. Plays at 7 pm on 3/1 in 180 PLC, UO. Free.
UO Cultural Forum Queer Film Festival: Films include documentary Gay Sex in the '70s (7 pm); three stories that take place over a Mothers Day weekend Loggerheads (8:30 pm); and "a refreshing new classic for the horror genre," Hellbent (10 pm) on 2/25 in 180 PLC, UO. $3 admission. A 6 pm reception will be held in PLC Courtyard, weather permitting.
We Are From Kronstadt: Efim Dzigan's 1936 film takes place in 1919, during the revolutionary war, as heroic Red sailors fight invading bourgeoisie White invaders. Plays at 7 pm on 1/1 in 111 Pacific, UO. In Russian with English subtitles.
CONTINUING:
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. Whitesell, film also stars Nia Long and Emily Procter. PG-13. Movies 12.
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 8 of 11 begins at 9 pm on 3/1 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. 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. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.
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.
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.
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.
Date Movie: This spoof of the prolific romantic comedy genre that stars Alyson Hannigan, Jennifer Coolidge and Fred Willard is rate PG13 for "continuous crude and sexual humor." Continuous. How can you go wrong? It's bound to be another laugh-until-you-pee movie from the writers of Scary Movie, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. PG13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Eight Below: Inspired by a true story of three members of a scientific expedition to Antarctica who are air-rescued but must leave their loyal dogs behind. They form a rescue mission six months later. Directed by Frank Marshall. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World.
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: 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.
Freedomland: A single mother (Julianne Moore) reports a car-jacking with her son still in the car. Based on Richard Price's best-selling novel, this racially charged thriller is directed by Joe Roth and also stars Samuel Jackson. R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Idiot, The: Directed by Vladimir Bortko, this 2003 screen adaptation of Dostoevsky's famous 19th century novel is appropriately faithful and beautiful. Episode 8 of 10 begins at 6 pm on 3/1 in 111 Pacific, UO. In Russian with English subtitles. Free.
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. 2005 Academy Award nominations: art direction, set decoration; sound editing; sound mixing; visual effects. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
M 3-D The Movie: Mix together the sugar of 70's style campy erotica with the ginger of nonsensical comedy, cover it in a rich coating of 3D, and you get a movie confection that, like all sweets, can't possibly be good for you, but is too delicious to resist. Bijou provides the 3D glasses so you can see one of the few skin flicks in 3D on the Big Screen! Bijou. Latenite.
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, Judi Dench; costume design, Sandy Powell. R. Cinemark. 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.
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.
Pride & Prejudice: Jane Austen's romantic, witty and emotionally delicious romance stars Keira Knightley as Lizzie and Matthew Macfadyen as the man she loves to hate, Mr. Darcy. Playful and pleasing but with strong subtext of the situation of poor women, this excellent social comedy has stayed timely since its publication in 1813. Highest recommendations. 2005 Academy Award nominations: Keira Knightley, leading role; art direction and set decoration; costumes, Jacqueline Durran; and original score, Dario Marianeli. PG. Movies 12. Online archives.
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.
Rumor Has It: This family comedy romance directed by Rob Reiner stars Jennifer Aniston, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Costner and Mena Suvari. PG-13. Movies 12.
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. 2005 Academy Award nominations: Supporting actor, George Clooney; original screenplay, Stephen Gaghan. R. Cinema World. 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. 2005 Academy Award nominations: leading actor, Joaquin Phoenix; leading actress, Reese Witherspoon; costume design, Arianne Phillips; film editing, Michael McCusker; sound mixing. PG-13. 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. Cinemark.
World's Fastest Indian: The life story of New Zealander Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins), who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle—a bike which helped him set the land-speed world record in 1967.Sweet movie is very strongly recommended. PG13. Bijou. Online archives.
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.
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
