The Big Bounce [PG-13] Surfer-drifter-con
man Jack Ryan (Owen Wilson) goes to Hawaii and lands a job caring for an Walter
Crewes (Morgan Freeman), a judge on the island. “A movie that more than once
confuses the line between laid-back and lethargic, it wanders around slack-jawed
and weirdly inert.” (Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly) ShowPlace
West, ShowPlace East
Big Fish [PG-13] Son learns more about his dying father by reliving
his father’s stories and myths. “Big Fish is Tim Burton’s masterpiece.”
(Glenn Whipp, L.A. Daily News) ShowPlace West
The Butterfly Effect [R] Evan (Ashton Kutcher), mourning the death
of his girlfriend, finds he can go back in time and change the future. But every
change he makes goes wrong. “Dreary and overfamiliar.” (Dennis Lim, Village
Voice) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
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) ShowPlace West
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) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
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.)
Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
Girl with a Pearl Earring [PG-13] Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is a peasant
girl who is forced to work as a maid in the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer.
She eventually becomes the model for what becomes one of his most famous works.
“Visually, the film is breathtaking. And Johansson, while not looking much like
the Girl with the Pearl, does achieve a Vermeer — like sublimity, against
which the ill winds of 1600s Holland blow.” (John Anderson, Newsday)
Parkway Pointe
The Gospel of John [PG-13] The story of Jesus, narrated by Christopher
Plummer. “Feels like the longest Sunday school class ever.” (Chris Hewitt, St.
Paul Pioneer Press) Parkway Pointe
In America [PG-13] Eleven-year-old Christy (Sarah Bolger), a child
wise beyond her years, tells a coming of age story story about an Irish couple
(Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine) who try to find their way in the U.S. “If
the film is manipulative, at least it’s subtly manipulative.” (Chris Vognar,
Dallas Morning News) Parkway Pointe
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) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Monster [R] The true story of Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron), one
of America’s first female serial killers. “Digging deep down, Theron and the
movie give us empty lives, desperate romance and murderous rage. They bring
a monster to life.” (Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune) Parkway Pointe
The Perfect Score [PG-13] Six teenagers from diverse backgrounds conspire
to break into an SAT testing center to steal the answers.“Christensen
and most of the young men are barely there.” (Ed Park, Village Voice)
ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
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) White Oaks
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. ShowPlace West
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton [PG-13] A small-town girl wins a date
with a male celebrity. When the date goes better than expected, a love triangle
forms between the girl, the male celebrity, and the girl’s best friend. “The
movie’s got enough genuine wit to keep it a notch above most contemporary comedies.”
(Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News) Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
You Got Served [PG-13] Documents the competitive world of street dancing.Not reviewed. Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
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This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2004.
