Wednesday, July 31, 2002
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Wednesday, July 31, 2002 |
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Movies
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Opening Friday Master of Disguise It will be very good to see Dana Carvey back on the silver screen. In this comedy he stars as a waiter who learns he comes from a long line of masters of disguise and must use his powers to save his family. Let us hope that this is better than some of his earlier ventures as a leading man. Anyone remember "Opportunity Knocks" or "Clean Slate?" I didn't think so. Rated PG. Signs The director of "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable" returns with this thriller about crop circles and a possible alien invasion. I say possible because this guy is always throwing curveballs at the audience. Mel Gibson stars as a farmer in the middle of this drama. Rated PG-13. Now Playing Austin Powers in Goldmember This is the movie I have been waiting all summer for. Mike Myers resumes his roles as Austin, Dr. Evil, that really gross, fat guy and the new villain, Goldmember. Michael Caine also stars as Austin's father. This should be as good as the other two, if not better. Rated PG-13. Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course This film based upon the successful Animal Planet series has Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri, trying to protect a crocodile who has swallowed something that some bad guys want. Along the way, Steve will introduce the audience to other animals in the Outback. Rated PG. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Sandra Bullock stars in this film about a group of women who have a special bond of friendship. Ashley Judd, Maggie Smith and Ellen Burstyn also star in this film. Rated PG-13. Eight Legged Freaks This movie looks like a lot of fun. David Arquette and Kari Wuhrer star in this film, brought to you by the makers of "Independence Day." The plot focuses on spiders that have mutated overnight into giant killing machines. It is up to a ragtag bunch of people to save the town. I have high hopes for this one. Rated PG-13. Halloween: Resurrection I wish they would stop making these movies. They will never be very good. I know that now. Michael Meyers comes back...again. This time to his house where a greedy Web site has locked a group of teens in the seemingly safe house (He's really dead this time, right?) for a Web cast that is being watched around the world. Jamie Lee Curtis is back once again as well. I was so disappointed with "Jason X," that I fear this movie will be just as bad. Rated R. K-19:The Widowmaker Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson star in this film based upon a true story of a Russian submarine, a brave captain (Ford) and his valiant crew. If you like this type of movie, meaning claustrophobic military action, you will probably like this. Rated PG-13. Like Mike Lil' Bow Wow stars as a small fry who finds some shoes with the initials "MJ" in them. The shoes turn out to be magical and Lil' Bow Wow wows the NBA. A bunch of real NBA stars are in the film. Rated PG. Lilo and Stitch This film from Disney deals with a rogue alien who lands in Hawaii and is adopted as a dog by a little girl. The previews, which have involved some of the more memorable Disney characters of late, have been great. Let's hope the move is as good. Rated PG. Men In Black II Pay no attention to the critics. They are way too harsh to this movie. If you liked the first film, you will like this one. It is that easy. The jokes are plentiful, the aliens look great and Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are great together. Plus, there is a great cameo from David Cross, who is one of my comedy heroes. Rated PG-13. Minority Report Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg team up for this film based on a story by Phillip K. Dick. The visuals were very impressive and the plot twists kept me guessing. Hey, it's got Tom Cruise and was directed by Steven Spielberg. What more could you ask for? Rated PG-13. Mr. Deeds Not as silly as "Billy Madison" but not as sicky sweet as "Big Daddy," this film gives Sandler fans what they want, which is a good time. In the future he should go back to the style of "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore" though, movies that were just too funny. Rated PG-13. Reign of Fire It is the year 2084 and the world is teeming with dragons. Matthew McConaughey and Christian bale are among some of the people trying to bring them down and save the world. Give them an 'A' for originality and hope that the film can live up to its potential. Rated PG-13. Stuart Little 2 A sequel to the wildly popular film based on E.B. White's classic children's book. The original cast returns and there a few new surprises, including the Falcon, a new nemesis for Stuart and Snowball to team up and thwart. Rated PG. The Bourne Identity Matt Damon plays a man with amnesia and something implanted in him. When people find out he is alive, they try to destroy him because of what he knows. This is a great action film with soe truly amazing sequences, including a car chase through the streets of Paris. Rated PG-13. The Country Bears Disney presents a live action film about The Country Bears, a band trying to save their music hall, and Little Bear, a bear that was adopted by a human family. It looks cute and is definitely aimed at the wee ones. Rated G.
Also Playing Bad Company Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins team up in this action comedy that underachieved at the box office. Rock is often hilarious and Hopkins is one of the greats but this movie did not do very well with critics or audiences. Rated PG-13. Changing Lanes Ben Affleck and Samuel Jackson star as two men who meet during an accident on what is a very bad day for both of them. The day gets worse as they continue to antagonize each other and ruin each others lives. Rated R. Enough Jennifer Lopez plays an abused housewife who has had enough of running from her abusive husband. She learns self-defense and prepares to kill him the next time he attacks. Rated R. Ice Age A very cute film about three creatures during the Ice Age trying to return a human child to its tribe. The voices of Denis Leary, John Leguizamo and ray Romano are featured. Rated PG. Juwanna Man Ewww. This movie about a Rodmanesque basketball player forced to dress like a woman and play in a WNBA type league looks like a one joke film. That one joke may be good for a few laughs early on but I'm sure it gets pretty tired by the end. Rated PG-13. Panic Room Jodie Foster stars in this intense film made by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club). Three burglars break into the house searching for something that lies inside the only safe room in the house, the panic room. This was well acted and directed. Rated R. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron If you like animation then this might be a good choice. The story focuses on a horse that cannot be tamed by the cavalry. A Native American man befriends the horse and tries to make sure that it is not captured. Rated G. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Far superior to the Epsiode I, this film focuses on an older Anakin and the growing rift in the Universe between good and evil. There is lots of action and some really fun surprises. It is definitely worth a dollar. Rated PG. The New Guy DJ Qualls, the weird looking guy from "Road trip" stars as a geek who becomes the coolest guy in school after learning how to be cool from prison inmates. I heard the first 10 minutes of this thing at the drive in and it was awful. Rated R. The Rookie This film, based on the true story of Jim Morris, is very inspirational. Morris is one of the oldest rookies to ever play Major League baseball. This is perfect for the whole family. Rated G. Undercover Brother This was a pretty good satire. Eddie Griffin was actually used very well and lived up to his comedic potential and the surrounding cast complemented him instead of trying to upstage or outshout him. There were a lot of laughs and should be fun for older kids and adults. Rated PG-13. Unfaithful Diane Lane and Richard Gere star in this film about an unfaithful wife and her husband who finds out about it. It is an erotically charged thriller directed by the king of erotically charged thrillers, Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction). Rated R.
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