Friday, July 6, 2001
Friday, July 6, 2001 |
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Movies
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Opening Today Kiss of the Dragon Jet Li stars in this action thriller about a man sent to protect somebody, only to have to kill him later. At least that's what I get from the preview. I don't think the plot really matters. Jet Li is in it and he's awesome. Enough said. Rated R. Now Playing A.I.: Artificial Intelligence A visually compelling and beautifully acted film about a robot boy that is programmed to love. Haley Joel Osment is incredible and Spielberg out-does himself as a director. This is dark in places but well worth the price of admission. Rated PG-13. 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. 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. Cats and Dogs Cats and dogs are mortal enemies. I guess we knew it all along. In this film, cats and dogs battle for supremacy and world domination. The movie has a list actors doing the voices for their furry friends. This looks very amusing. Rated PG. crazy/beautiful The lower case letters 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. 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. Pootie Tang The head writer for The Chris Rock Show and the entire cast teamed up 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. Scary Movie 2 This is a funny movie but it has lots of adult themes and gross out humor. Anna Farris is once again excellent as Cindy and performances from James Woods, Andy Richter, David Cross and Chris Ellliot really bolster the film. This is not for kids, contrary to what some terrible parents thought when I saw this film. Rated R. 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. Blow A film about the boom of the cocaine trade in California. I hear this film is a lot like Goodfellas. Johhny Depp and Ray Liotta star in this film. 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. 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. Kingdom Come This film, based on the play "dearly Departed" deals with a family going through 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. Recess: School's Out More appropriate now than it was originally released 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 Mummy Returns If you liked 'The Mummy' you will enjoy this sequel. It has the same brand of action and the same sense of humor thatmade the first film a hit. Brendan Fraser stars. 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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