Eugene Weekly : Movies : 11.16.06

.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.

Al Franken: God Spoke: Documentary about comedian-turned-activist Al Franken, shot mostly during the beginning of Air America and the 2004 presidential election. Not rated. Bijou.

America: Freedom to Fascism: Director Aaron Russo's film explores the erosion of civil liberties in America. The film received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival; CBS Radio said it "Makes Farenheit 9/11 look like Bambi." 7 pm Nov. 16, Cozmic Pizza. Free.

American Hardcore: Documentary exploration of the American hardcore punk scene in the early '80s. Interviews with band members can be fascinating, but the film seems unfocused — though the live footage is gritty enough to make you flinch. R. Bijou. See review this issue.

Casino Royale: Bond gets blond as Daniel Craig (Munich, Infamous) steps into the role in what's said to be a rebooting of the whole franchise, turning it into something darker and, well, better. With Judi Dench and Eva Green. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark (also showing in digital).

Flicka: The remarkably ageless Alison Lohman (Matchstick Men) once again plays a teen, this time one who would rather work on her father's ranch (and work with wild mustang Flicka) than go to college. PG. Movies 12.

Happy Feet: Warner Bros. chases some March of the Penguins dough with this animated film, starring Elijah Wood as a cute lil' guy in search of his soul mate. (OK, so they were working on this one first. Still.) With Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Hidden in Plain Sight: 2003 documentary, narrated by Martin Sheen, about the School of the Americas. 5 pm Nov. 17, 175 Knight Law, UO. Free.

Horror Fest: Nine horror films — including Reincarnation, Unrest, Dark Rider, Grave Dancers, Abandoned, Penny Dreadful, Wicked Little Things, Hamiltons and Hood of Horrors — take over the screens. Cinemark.

Jackass: Number Two: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera and crew regroup for more nasty, brutal, naked, crude, snortingly funny pranks and stunts. Don't try this at home. R. Movies 12. (10/5)

Let's Go to Prison: Will Arnett, better known as Gob on Arrested Development, winds up in jail with Chi McBride and Dax Sheperd — the latter of which connived to get him there. Frankly, if it's got Arnett, that's all we really need to know. Hopefully. R. Cinemark.

Llaguno Bridge: Documentary about the media's role in the 2002 coup d'état against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. 7 pm Nov. 16, 175 Knight Law, UO. Free.

Pink Floyd: "In-Concert" series presents Pink Floyd in San Tropez, France and playing for a San Francisco radio station. Both recorded in 1970. Bijou LateNite.

Rois et Reine: Much lauded in France, this film follows the complicated and emotional lives of two former lovers played by Emmanuelle Devos and Mathieu Almaric. "As smart and emotionally resonant as it is entertaining," said the Los Angeles Times. Part of the Tournées Film Festival. Bijou.

They Called Him Robert: When an inventor creates a robot copy of himself, a woman teaches him until the robot is more feeling than his creator. In Russian with English subtitles. Not rated. 7 pm Nov. 21, 111 Pacific, UO. Free.

Topsy-Turvy: British director Mike Leigh leaves contemporary social drama behind for this rollicking, savvy tale of the fertile collaboration of Gilbert and Sullivan, as they struggle to bring The Mikado to the stage in 1880s London. Academy awards for costumes and makeup. R. Screening hosted by representatives of the Eugene Opera. 8 pm Nov. 18, DIVA. Free.

CONTINUING:

Babel: The last fim of a thematic trilogy for director Alejandro González Iñárritu follows four emotional, affecting storylines on three continents, exploring their connections and breakdowns. Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal and astonishing newcomer Rinko Kikuchi. R. Bijou. Cinemark. (11/9)

Barnyard: When the farmer's away, the cows will … order pizzas and throw a party? Don't think too much about this animated feature or you might begin to wonder why Otis (Kevin James) has udders. PG. Movies 12.

Borat: Sacha Baron Cohen (of "Da Ali G Show") plays the title character, a Kazakhstani reporter creating a documentary while road-tripping across the U.S. The subtitle, "Cultural Learnings of American for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," ought to tell you something. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. (11/9)

Cars: The animation wizards at Pixar (Toy Story, Finding Nemo) team up with Disney for the story of a rookie race car (voiced by Owen Wilson) taking an unexpected detour on his way to a big race. Bonnie Hunt and Paul Newman also voice characters. G. Movies 12. (6/29)

Departed, The: Martin Scorcese's new film is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a cop undercover in the mob; Matt Damon is the gangster mole in the police force. Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg round out the stellar cast. R. Cinema World. Cinemark. (10/12)

Facing the Giants: More life lessons on the football field, but this time with a hearty dose of Christianity when the coach turns to God for inspiration. PG. Cinema World.

Flags of Our Fathers: Clint Eastwood's new film explores the story behind the iconic image of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima during WWII. "A film of awesome power and blistering provocation," says Rolling Stone. R. Cinemark.

Flushed Away: Aardman Features (Wallace and Gromit) teams up with Dreamworks for the story of a pampered pet mouse (Hugh Jackman) who finds himself, after a trip down the drain, in London's bustling rodent underground. With Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen and Jean Reno. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Good Year, A: Russell Crowe stars in the Ridley Scott (Gladiator)-directed adaptation of Peter Mayle's novel about a high-powered London banker who finds a new life in a French vineyard he inherits. Boy, sounds rough. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Gridiron Gang: In a variation on at least a dozen other inspirational sports movies, The Rock plays a counselor at a juvenile detetion facility who teaches his young charges life lessons via football. PG-13. Movies 12.

Harsh Times: Christian Bale stars as an ex-Army ranger who, after failing to find a job with the LAPD, slips into an old life of crime and violence. With Eva Longoria and Freddy Rodriguez, and directed by the writer of Training Day. R. Cinemark.

Invincible: Mark Wahlberg stars in the based-on-a-true-story tale of Vince Papale, an ordinary guy who made the team at an open tryout for the Philadelphia Eagles. With Greg Kinnear and Elizabeth Banks. PG. Movies 12. (8/31)

Little Miss Sunshine: Directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton guide a stellar cast (particularly Paul Dano, Steve Carell and Abigail Breslin) through a quirky family trip on the road to the titular beauty pageant. Sweet, smart and funny, though you can see the road bumps coming a mile off. R. Bijou. (8/24)

Man of the Year: Supposedly, Robin Williams' unlikely president in this film, a satirical comedian who ran as a joke, is partly based on Jon Stewart. Which is odd, because the previews aren't nearly as funny as "The Daily Show." With Christopher Walken and Lewis Black. PG-13. Movies 12.

Marine, The: The WWE's John Triton plays a Marine who, upon his return (against his will!) from Iraq, sees his wife kidnapped by a gang leader and … no. Just no. PG-13. Movies 12.

Monster House: Three kids face off against a creepy neighborhood house that's something other than haunted. With the voices of Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve Buscemi and Jon Heder. PG. Movies 12. (7/20)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest: Johnny Depp reprises his role as over-the-top swashbuckler Jack Sparrow in the second Pirates film. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are the in-love eye candy, with Bill Nighy all betentacled as watery bad guy Davy Jones. PG-13. Movies 12. (7/13)

Prestige, The: Two magicians (Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman) see their slight friendship turn to rivalry in Christopher Nolan's (Batman Begins) new film. Competition grows as the men do, each trying to outdo the other's performance. With Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine and David Bowie. PG-13. Cinemark. (10/26)

Return, The: Current scream queen Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a young woman who discovers, through eerie visions, a strange connection to a past murder. With Sam Shepard. PG-13. Cinemark.

Santa Clause 3, The: Santa (Tim Allen) faces off against Jack Frost (Martin Short), who's trying to take over Christmas. G. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Saw 3: Scary clown-faced villain Jigsaw is on his deathbed. Yeah, right. There's something about a doctor who has to keep Jigsaw alive and a former victim working on a plot of his own, but this moneymaking B-movie franchise doesn't need us to tell you it's going to be nasty, scary and gory. R. Cinemark.

Shortbus: Hedwig and the Angry Inch star John Cameron Mitchell directs a cast of young, pretty, sexually troubled (and adventurous) New Yorkers who connect at an underground club called Shortbus. Explicit, warm, funny and refreshingly sex-positive. Not rated. Bijou.

Step Up: A kid from the wrong side of the tracks brings hip hop to a ballet school – chiefly, to a privileged dancer whose main problem in life is finding a partner for her senior showcase. Goodness! What will happen? PG-13. Movies 12.

Stranger Than Fiction: Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) begins to hear a voice (Emma Thompson) narrating his life — and he doesn't like where the story's going. Marc Forster's (Finding Neverland) new film has a stellar cast and an intriguing premise; we sincerely hope this one can deliver. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this issue.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby: Will Ferrell and NASCAR. What more do you need to know? OK, well, Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) and his racing partner face a new challenge when a French Formula One driver (Sacha Baron Cohen) arrives on the scene. PG-13. Movies 12. (8/10)

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

Cinemark Theaters

Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway Mall

Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall