Friday, June 29, 2001

Movies

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Opening Today

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence Stanley Kubrick began working on this film before his death. After his passing Steven Spielberg began to film it. The story focuses on Haley Joel Osment as a robot who is programmed to be a surrogate son. This looks very impressive. Rated PG-13.

Baby Boy John Singleton directed this film about a young man who learns responsibility after years of mooching off of his mom and fooling around. Ving Rhames, Omar Gooding and Snoop Dogg star in this film, which was also written by Singleton. Rated R.

crazy/beautiful The lower case eletters are on purpose, though I have no notion of why. This movies deals with a troubled rich girl, played by Kirsten Dunst, who falls for a Hispanic boy at her high school. It's a star crossed love type of thing. Rated PG-13.

Pootie Tang The head writer for The Chris Rock Show and the entire cast teamed uyp to make this film about one of the funniest recurring characters on the program. Expect satire and outrageous comedy from a talented group of people. Rated PG-13.

Now Playing

Atlantis: The Lost Empire The newest Disney animated feature. This story focuses on a group of scientists who find the lost city of Atlantis. The animation looks like classic Disney. Enjoy. Rated PG.

Dr. Doolittle 2 The animals can talk and Eddie Murphy as Dr. Doolittle can hear them. The first film had many great comedians doing animal voices, including Norm MacDonald, Chris Rock and Albert Brooks. Expect more of the same. Rated PG.

The Fast and the Furious When you are part of a gang that races muscle cars illegally in L.A., you should never fall in love with the sister of a rival gang member. At least, not in this movie. There will be lots of car chases, explosions and shouted declarations of love. Rated PG-13.

Moulin Rouge Baz Luhrmann, the director of Romeo and Juliet, has more visual tricks up his sleeve with this film set in the Moulin Rouge at the turn of the century. Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent, who was fantastic in Bridget Jones' Diary, star. Rated PG-13.

Pearl Harbor A love triangle between two men in the armed forces and a nurse, set against the backdrop of World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The film cost $135 million and stars Jon Voight, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ben Affleck, Alec Baldwin and more. Rated PG-13.

Shrek The voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow are featured in this computer-generated, surefire hit. I found it lacking a little, though I can't place my finger on exactly what. There were very funny parts and Eddie Murphy was terrific, but they didn't carry some jokes far enough and others were carried too far. The kids will love it and don't let this review stop them. Rated PG.

Swordfish John Travolta and Halle Berry star in this action packed film about hackers and government money. I hope it is good. For my money, Travolta was never better than when he was in Face/Off, which was one of the best action films of the last 10 years. Rated R.

Tomb Raider Angelina Jolie stars as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Yes, this is based on the video game and it looks pretty cool. I just wonder if there is a plot and character development and dialogue. If so, we may be in for a treat. Rated PG-13.

Also Playing

Angel Eyes A Chicago cop is haunted by a mysterious man that has suddenly come into her life. This film, which stars Jennifer Lopez, did surprisingly well in the theaters and was fairly well received by critics. Rated R.

Cast Away Tom Hanks stars as a man obsessed with time. That is, until his plane crashes and leaves him on a deserted island for four years. This is an amazing film and Hanks is awesome. Rated PG-13.

Chocolat The Academy Award nominated film about a conservative small town that is knocked on it's ear by a chocolate shop. The people I know who have seen this film really enjoyed it. Rated PG-13.

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles "That's not a knife, this is a knife." It's still funny after all these years. If you are looking for a family oriented comedy, this is your best bet. Rated PG.

Driven Sylvester Stallone helps a young driver become a champion in the racing world and in life in this film. Stallone wrote the screenplay while buddy Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger) directed. I heard this is really boring. Rated PG-13.

Enemy At The Gates Set in World War II, a German soldier and a Russian sharpshooter play a deadly game of cat and mouse. Based on a true story, this film stars Jude Law, Ed Harris and Joseph Fiennes. Rated R.

Kingdom Come This film, based on the play "dearly Departed" deals with a family going thrrough the ordeals of a funeral for the nasty family patriarch. The play is hysterically funny and the movie, which stars Whoopi Goldberg, ll Cool J and more, should be too. Rated PG.

Joe Dirt David Spade plays a redneck with a mullet in search of his long-lost parents. This comedy did not get good reviews, but Spade fans won't (and shouldn't) care. Rated PG-13.

O Brother, Where Art Thou Visually stunning and well acted and directed, this movie still left me wanting. There are laughs and the soundtrack is great but it never challenged for Best Picture and I think it wanted to. The story revolves around three escaped convicts on the lam and is looslely based on The Odyssey. Rated PG-13.

Recess: School's Out More appropriate now than it was orioginally relelased in March. The kids from the Disney cartoon are on summer vacation and one of them must solve a mystery going on at the school. Rated G.

Save The Last Dance A girl's mother dies and she is forced to attend an inner city school. Her dream is to dance professionally and through the help of a young man, she achieves her dream. Rated PG-13.

The Tailor of Panama Geoffery Rush and Pierce Brosnan star in this film about spies, double crosses and political intrigue. This played in select theaters and looked interesting. Rated R.

Trumpet of the Swan Based on E.B. White's novel, this animated film deals with a swan that plays with a band. It is no Charlotte's Web, but so few things are these days. Rated G.


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