Bad Santa [R] Two cons, dressed
as Santa and his elf, work the holidays at malls. They’re not doing it to spread
holiday cheer. “The foulest holiday movie I’ve ever seen — and the funniest.”
(Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune)
Calendar Girls [PG-13] The women of the Rylstone Women’s Institute
in North Yorkshire drop everything for a good cause. Stars Helen Mirren and
Julie Waters. “A grown-up comedy that is warm, winning and sexy.” (Ray Bennett,
Hollywood Reporter)
The Cat in the Hat [PG] The popular Dr. Seuss tale comes to life in
a film starring Mike Myers. “Comes scarily close to being the most unendurable
Hollywood creation of the last dozen years.” (Michael Atkinson, Village Voice)
Cheaper by the Dozen [PG] The Baker family moves from a small Illinois
town to the big city after dad gets his coaching dream job. Steve Martin and
Bonnie Hunt star in this remake. “Martin and Hunt, reliable pros though they
are, don’t stand a chance against the force arrayed against them: the bald cliches,
unspeakable dialogue, and cheap sentimentality of the script . . .” (Jim Lane,
Sacramento News & Review)
Cold Mountain [R] A wounded Confederate (Jude Law) embarks on a perilous
journey back home to Cold Mountain, N.C., to reunite with his sweetheart (Nicole
Kidman). Based on the novel by Charles Frazier. “Cold Mountain reiterates a
universal truth, and a message of hope.” (Chuck Koplinski, Illinois Times.)
Elf [PG] A giant elf (Will Ferrell) wreaks havoc on an elf community so he’s sent away to find he true identity. “Wan Christmas concoction.” (Ed Park, Village Voice)
Haunted Mansion [PG] A ghost teaches a workaholic the importance of
family during a visit to a haunted house.“I know I’ll take some sort
of perverse pleasure in watching Eddie Murphy terrorized by dark spirits.” (Joshua
Tyler, Film Hobbit)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King [PG-13] Final part of trilogy,
as hobbits Frodo and Sam journey to Mount Doom in Mordor. “As a model for how
to bring substance, authenticity and insight to the biggest of adventure yarns,
this trilogy will not soon, if ever, find its equal.” (Kenneth Turan, Los
Angeles Times)
Paycheck [PG-13] Jennings (Ben Affleck) has part of his memory erased
and must struggle to find out what he’s been up to for the past five years.
“Forgoes originality in favor of stock thriller trappings.” (Jeanne Aufmuth,
Palo Alto Weekly.)
Peter Pan [PG] Peter Pan takes the Darling family children to Never
Never Land. “You do, you do, you DO believe in fairies!” (John Patterson, L.A.
Weekly)
Something’s Gotta Give [PG-13] Fifty-something Erica Barry (Diane
Keaton) plays reluctant host to her daughter’s 60-something boyfriend, Harry
(Jack Nicholson), and sparks fly. “Something’s Gotta Give can be formulaic,
but watching the incandescent Nicholson and Keaton, all loose and funny and
sharing jokes about reading glasses, is a rare treat.” (Eleanor Ringel Gillespie,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Stuck on You [PG-13]The relationship between co-joined twins
Bob (Matt Damon) and Walt (Greg Kinnear) gets tested when Walt convinces them
to move to LA. “There’s a daft sweetness and inclusiveness at work that sustains
the . . . movie long after the notion of attached brothers boxing or quarterbacking
or manning a burger joint’s kitchen fails to stir the chuckle meter.” (Michael
Atkinson, The Village Voice)
This article appears in Dec 25-31, 2003.
