Wednesday, August 8, 2001
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Wednesday, August 8, 2001 |
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Movies
By MICHAEL BOYLAN Opening Friday American Pie 2 The cast of the first film is reunited in this sequel set after the first year of college. The original was funny but it was not as good as all the hype claimed that it was. We'll see how the sequel turns out. Expect lots of sexually themed humor. Rated R. Osmosis Jones If you're a fan of bodily humor then this is the film for you. This animated film set in the body of a man who ate a bad meatball, played by Bill Murray, stars the voice talent of Laurence Fishburne, Chris Rock and David Hyde Pierce. It looks hilarious and the possibilities are endless. Rated PG. Rat Race A casino owner, played by John Cleese, has several teams race around the country looking for two million dollars. This stars Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Seth Green and could be a hoot. Rated PG-13. The Others A thriller set in England during World War II. Nicole Kidman awaits her husband's return from the war in a haunted house, while her children and the staff are terrorized by the house's former inhabitants. Rated PG-13. Now Playing America's Sweethearts What a cast! Billy Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and "America's Sweetheart" Julia Roberts all star in this film. The story revolves around a high profile couple's breakup and the assistant (Roberts) falling in love with the brokenhearted guy. This should be a smash hit. 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. 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. 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 the gang leader. At least, not in this movie. There will be lots of car chases, explosions and shouted declarations of love. Rated PG-13. Jurassic Park III Spielberg isn't directing and Jeff Goldblum isn't in the picture. Then, why am I so excited to see this third installment of the series? Because dinosaurs are awesome and William H. Macy is in the film. Look for big thrills and chills in this one and get in line early for tickets. Rated PG-13. 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. Legally Blonde Reese Witherspoon stars as blonde bombshell out to get her man back after he dumps her and goes off to Harvard Law School. This looks really cute and Reese Witherspoon is one of the more impressive young actresses out there right now. Rated PG-13. Original Sin: A noir mystery set in the exotic world of Cuba at the turn of the century. Luis Antonio Vargas, a wealthy coffee merchant, arranges a marriage through the mail but discovers that the woman who arrives to share his house is trouble. It's a story about the dangerous and sometimes lethal power of love. Antonio Banderas, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Jane, Allison Mackie. Rated R. Planet of the Apes Mark Wahlberg stars as an astronaut who crashes into the planet of the apes. This is different from the original and directed by Tim Burton. I hear it is a great film. Rated PG-13. Princess Diaries A girl goes from dork to princess in this film by the director of Pretty Woman. Julie Andrews stars as the girl's royal grandmother. Rated G. Rush Hour 2: The fastest hands in the East team up again with the biggest mouth in the West when legendary martial arts daredevil Jackie Chan teams with comedic powerhouse Chris Tucker. Should be fun. As seen at the end of the first movie, Detective James Carter (Tucker) travels back to Hong Kong with his new friend, Detective Lee (Chan). There, they fight Chinese crooks, and they may end up back in America at some point (Los Angeles and ultimately, even Las Vegas). 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 Elliot really bolster the film. This is not for kids, contrary to what some terrible parents thought when I saw this film. Rated R. The Score Robert Deniro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando all star in this film. Do you really need to know the plot? OK. Norton convinces Deniro to return to the criminal life-style one last time and Brando plays Deniro's fence. Three generations of incredible actors in one movie directed by Frank Oz, whom we all know as the voice of Miss Piggy. Rated R. Also Playing A Knight's Tale This was a great summer movie. A squire replaces his dead master in jousting tournaments and becomes a knight. This film had wonderful action scenes, a lot of humor and a good heart. Rated PG-13. Along Came A Spider Another film based on the books about Detective Alex Cross, played by Morgan Freeman. This film, like "Kiss The Girls," pits Cross against a brilliant serial killer. I'm sure this is a great way to escape the summer heat. Rated R. 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.
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 that made the first film a hit. Brendan Fraser stars. Rated PG-13. |
