Opening Friday

Magnolia — The writer and director of Boogie Nights returns with this three hour homage to the films of Robert Altman. The film concerns 11 characters in Southern California whose lives interweave in many different ways. Tom Cruise is supposed to be a shoo in for Best Supporting Actor. Make sure you stay for the end. Rated R.

Now Playing

Anna and the King — Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fat star in this movie based on The King and I. This is not a musical. The sets look lavish, the actors look right and their big push for Oscar might be worthwhile. Rated PG-13.

Any Given Sunday — Outstanding performances, a good script and incredibly deft camera work and directing make this film a pleasure to watch. Jamie Foxx was incredible as “Steamin” Willie Beamen and football hasn't looked this good since we were doing the dirty bird. Rated R.

Bicentennial Man — Based on a story by Isaac Asimov. Robin Williams plays the robot that yearns to be human. It is directed by the Lord of Lame, Chris Columbus, and looks like more of his sentimental clap trap. Does anyone else wish that Robin Williams would play a bad guy or a guy you're unsure of? It just seems that every film he does is about a sensitive man/robot/creature on a very special journey. Boring. Rated PG.

The Bone Collector — This was a great book, so be careful of the film. Denzel Washington plays a paralyzed man who was formerly a detective. He helps a rookie cop track down a serial killer. It has been out for awhile, so it has to be pretty good. Rated R.

Cider House Rules — Based on the John Irving novel of the same name, the film deals with an orphan named Homer and the eccentric yet lovable people who live around him. This is in several theaters in Atlanta and should be around here soon. It is getting rave reviews. Rated PG-13.

Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo — A very funny movie that never strays too far from the steps of Adam Sandler's films. The gags involve jokes about sex, freakish people and profanity. I absolutely loved it. Rated R.

End of Days — Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to the big screen as a cop battling the forces of evil. How much you want to bet the story takes place in Los Angeles? Rated R.

Galaxy Quest — A cast of an old space drama gets zapped into space to save a race of aliens. Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver star. The reviews are mixed and it did not do as well as I thought it would opening weekend. Could Tim Allen not be the draw that we all thought? Rated PG-13.

The Green Mile — Stephen King's serial novel comes to the screen. This is not a horror film, but more of a spiritual drama. It is getting high praise all around, despite it's length and the brutality of an execution scene. Rated R.

The Insider — Russell Crowe and Al Pacino star in this film about a man revealing inside information on cigarette manufacturers to the news program 60 Minutes. This is based on a true story. It is not playing too close to home but it did clean up at the New York Film Critics awards, so give it a look. Rated R.

Man on the Moon — A wonderful look at the comic genius that was Andy Kaufman. Jim Carrey is wonderful as the oft-misunderstood Kaufman and the laughs just keep coming. This does not have what you would call a happy ending though, so be warned. Rated R.

Sleepy Hollow — Tim Burton returns with this dark piece about the legend of Sleepy Hollow. This is a great film but it is also very violent. Johnny Depp is perfect as the nervous Ichabod Crane. Rated R.

Stuart Little — Based on E.B. White's children's story, Stuart is a small mouse that lives with a normal sized human family. It looks like lots of new stuff was added for the kids and the traditional plot elements have fallen by the wayside. We shall see though. Rated PG.

The World is Not Enough — Another James Bond film with Pierce Brosnan as Bond. Brosnan is second only to Connery in my mind and the last two films have been a lot of fun. Expect more of the same. Any film with Denise Richards is a film worth seeing. PG-13.

The Talented Mr. Ripley — I am probably staying away from this until it hits the dollar theater. Though I hear the performances are very good and the film is shot beautifully, I hear it is boring, boring, boring. Rated R.

Toy Story 2 — Woody and Buzz are back and this time it's Woody who needs rescuing. Utterly enjoyable and possibly better than the first one. It has a great sense of humor and is the perfect holiday film. Stay in your seats to enjoy the bloopers. They have just been added to the credits. Rated G.

Tumbleweeds — A small, independent type feature that tells a similar story to the recent “Anywhere but Here.” Tumbleweeds is a mother/daughter on the road tale that is getting good reviews and recognition from all of the end of the year awards. Rated PG-13.

Also Playing

Blue Streak — Martin Lawrence plays a jewel thief who passes as a detective. If Eddie Murphy can do police comedy, Martin can do police comedy. I hear this is pretty good. Rated PG-13.

House on Haunted Hill — A remake of the classic starring Vincent Price, this film is very modern and very stylish. Geoffery Rush (Shine) plays the character Price played, while the rest of the cast runs around the deserted hospital screaming. Quite scary at times and very tongue in cheek in others, this movie was a thousand times better than The Haunting. Rated R.

Light It Up — A group of misunderstood inner city students get caught up in what grows into a hostage situation inside their school. They just want an education. What is wrong with this world? Can't some kids hold a gun on a security guard to get the attention they deserve? I never saw this film because I chose not to. Rated R.

Random Hearts — This looked promising when I first saw the previews, but I heard it was the worst thing Harrison Ford has done ever. It is a story of political intrigue, seduction, and murder. Many people passed in it's regular theater run, why waste a dollar? Rated R.

Runaway Bride — There was so much hype about Richard Gere and Julia Roberts teaming up again that you thought Sonny and Cher were reuniting. This opened to warm reviews this summer, but it didn't clean up at the box office. If you think you'll be surprised and entertained, you probably will. Rated PG.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace — Come on, admit it, you liked this movie. You went crazy when they went to the underground city and you cheered when Anakin blew up the space base. This was a lot of fun and it will be a while before part II comes out, so give it another chance. Rated PG-13.

Superstar — The film based on the popular Saturday Night Live character who sticks her fingers under her armpits when she is nervous. This looked pretty funny but it could be another It's Pat instead of being another Wayne's World. Rated PG-13.

Tarzan — A very good Disney movie about our favorite King of the Jungle. The animation is out of this world and it was refreshing to hear a soundtrack that did not feature Peabo Bryson. A great movie for the whole family and only a dollar right now. Rated G.

The Best Man — After a successful run in the regular theaters, this comedy is now at the dollar theater. It concerns a group of friends who begin to wonder about the characters in a book written by another friend. Rated R.

The Thomas Crown Affair — Rene Russo and Pierce Brosnan star in this remake. No need to see it though if you just want a Bond movie, cause there is a new Bond movie out. Rated R.

Three Kings — Set in the Gulf War, this is the story of four soldiers who go on a mission to recover some stolen gold. Starring Ice Cube, George Clooney, Spike Jonze and Mark Wahlberg, Three Kings got solid reviews and may pop up at the Oscars. Rated R.

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