Now Playing
by Tucson Citizen on Oct. 12, 2006, under Calendar, Local
Misako Uno (left) and Takako Fuji in “The Grudge 2,” which was not screened for critics.
OPENING THIS WEEK
“The Grudge 2,” Amber Tamblyn takes the spotlight from Sarah Michelle Gellar. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: The ghostly infection of rage lives on in a sequel to the horror hit. Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, disturbing images of terror, violence, and some sensuality. Length: unavailable. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“Infamous,” the other Truman Capote movie. AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: Author Capote sets off on a dark path as he creates the true-crime novel “In Cold Blood. Rating: R for language, violence and some sexuality. Length: 118 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 El Con.
“Jesus Camp,” kids toast marshmallows and find God. Washington Post’s grade: A. Synopsis: Documentary follows children at a summer camp where born-again Christians seek to shape their leaders of tomorrow. Rating: PG-13 for discussions of mature subject matter. Length: 85 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 El Con.
“Man of the Year,” a loud-mouth in the White House? Worse things have happened. AP’s grade: B-. Synopsis: Robin Williams is a political talk-show firebrand who winds up elected president. Rating: PG-13 for language including some crude sexual references, drug-related material and brief violence. Length: 115 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas.
“The Marine,” Wrestler John Cena goes after The Rock’s territory. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: An Iraq war veteran (Cena) takes on the thugs who kidnapped his wife (Kelly Carlson. Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, sensuality and language. Length: 93 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“One Night with the King,” the true story of Queen Esther. Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole star in this epic tale about a young Jewish orphan who rises from peasant to become Queen of Persia only to face the annihilation of her people. Rating: PG. Length: 122 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas.
CONTINUING
“Accepted,” “Revenge of the Nerds” meets “Old School.” AP’s grade: B-. Synopsis: Rejected by real universities, a teen (Justin Long) and his buddies start their own college. Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual material and drug content. Length: 92 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Century Gateway.
“All the King’s Men,” a remake of the 1949 film. Gannett’s grade: C. Synopsis: Louisiana politics get an all-star cast with Sean Penn and Jude Law. Rating: PG-13 for an intense sequence of violence, sexual content and partial nudity Length: 120 minutes. Playing at: Foothills Cinemas.
“America: Freedom to Fascism,” who says we have to file income tax returns? Grade: Not reviewed. Synopsis: Aaron Russo examines the systematic erosion of civil liberties in America and addresses such issues as money creation, federal income tax, voter fraud and a national identity card. Rating: Not rated. Length: 95 minutes. Playing at: The Loft Cinema.
“The Ant Bully,” maybe you should pick on someone your own size. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: Ants shrink a boy to their size and put him to work in their colony in an animated tale with voices by Nicolas Cage, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep. Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and action. Length: 90 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Crossroads Cinemas.
“Barnyard,” the original party animals. AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: When the farmer’s away, the livestock will play in this animated comedy featuring the voices of Kevin James, Danny Glover and Courteney Cox. Rating: PG for some mild peril and rude humor. Length: 84 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Century Gateway, Crossroads Cinemas.
“The Black Dahlia,” from director Brian De Palma. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: Hollywood brings in the big guns – Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank – for this take on the real-life, unsolved murder of an aspiring actress in the 1940s. Rating: R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language. Length: 121 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 Park Place, Crossroads Cinemas, Oracle View Cinemas
“Beerfest,” mmmmm beer. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: Broken Lizard, the gang that made “Super Troopers,” brew up a comedy about an Olympic-style beer-drinking spree. Rating: R for pervasive crude and sexual content, language, nudity and substance abuse. Length: 110 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“Cars,” Disney/Pixar’s world of automobiles offers fun for all ages. Citizen’s grade: A. Synopsis: A race car finds speed isn’t everything after it gets stuck in a sleepy burg in animation master John Lasseter’s tale. Owen Wilson and Paul Newman provide voices. Rating: G. Length: 96 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas.
“Click,” if only life were so easy. Gannett’s grade: C. Synopsis: Adam Sandler discovers a remote control that magically lets him control his work and home life. With Kate Beckinsale and Christopher Walken. Rating: PG-13 for language, crude and sex-related humor, and some drug references. Length: 97 minutes. Playing at: Century Gateway.
“Crossover,” more love and basketball. AP’s grade: D. Synopsis: Two street basketball players (Anthony Mackie and Wesley Jonathan) take on the reigning champs of the underground sport. Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and some language. Length: 95 minutes. Playing at: Century Gateway.
“The Departed,” Martin Scorsese takes a Hong Kong hit and makes it his own. AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: Scorsese directs Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson in a tale of cops and mobsters who plant moles in the enemies’ mist. Rating: R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material. Length: 150 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas.
“The Descent,” the caves have eyes. AP’s grade: B-. Synopsis: Six women are trapped on their annual cave-exploring trip and hunted by ravenous subterranean creatures. Rating: R for strong violence, gore and language. Length: 99 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View.
“The Devil Wears Prada,” David Frankel’s adaptation of Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling novel about the fashion world. Gannett’s grade: B+. Synopsis: Meryl Streep’s a demanding fashion magazine editor, and Anne Hathaway’s her put-upon assistant. Rating: PG-13 for some sensuality. Length: 106 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Century Gateway, Crossroad Cinemas.
“Employee of the Month,” only for Jessica Simpson fans. AP’s grade: D+. Synopsis: Dane Cook is a slacker who decides to try for the employee of the month award, just to win the affections of workplace hottie Simpson. Rating: PG-13 for profanity and sexual innuendo. Length: 103 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“Everyone’s Hero,” Christopher Reeve’s last project. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: An animated underdog story set in the world of baseball. Rating: G. Length: 85 minutes. Playing at: Century Gateway.
“Factotum,” based on the Charles Bukowski novel. AP’s grade: D. Synopsis: Matt Dillon stars as Bukowski’s alter ego, busy, busy, busy boozing and womanizing. Rating: R for language and sexual content. Length: 94 minutes. Playing at: The Loft Cinema.
“Flyboys,” nostalgia for a war Americans agreed on. AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: Young Americans with nothing to lose (James Franco among them) join a French army unit to fight Germany from the skies. Rating: PG-13 for war action, violence and some sexual content Length: 139 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 El Con.
“Gridiron Gang,” playing football in the joint. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: The Rock plays a probation officer who rehabilitates his flock with America’s favorite pastime. Rating: PG-13 for startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material, language. Length: 120 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“The Guardian,” “The Perfect Storm” meets “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Gannett’s grade: B. Synopsis: A Coast Guard rescue swimmer (Kevin Costner) and his protege (Ashton Kutcher) brave the icy waters of Alaska. Rating: PG-13 with violence, profanity, implied sex. Length: 136 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“Hollywoodland,” an exploration of fame and identity. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: A 1950s private detective (Adrien Brody) investigates the mysterious death of “Superman” star George Reeves (Ben Affleck). Rating: R for language, some violence and sexual content. Length: 126 minutes. Playing at: Crossroads Cinemas.
“The Illusionist,” a film with heart. USA TODAY’s grade: B. Synopsis: A magician (Edward Norton) is caught up in a murder tale in Vienna in 1900. With Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel. Rating: PG-13 for sexuality and violence. Length: 109 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas.
“An Inconvenient Truth,” global warming 101. AP’s grade: B+. Synopsis: Highly persuasive documentary captures former Vice President Al Gore delivering a multimedia presentation about the ill effects the present rate of emissions has on the environment. Rating: PG for mild thematic elements. Length: 100 minutes. Playing at: Crossroads Cinemas.
“Invincible,” based on a true story. AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: A substitute teacher and bartender (Mark Wahlberg) earns a Cinderella slot on a pro football team during open tryouts. Greg Kinnear co-stars. Rating: PG for sports action and some mild language. Length: 108 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View, Century Gateway, Crossroads Cinemas.
“Jackass: Number Two,” eww, eww, eww, part deux. Gannett’s grade: B. Synopsis: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the crew are back for another round. Rating: R Length: 103 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“Jet Li’s Fearless,” “Iron Chef” in the martial arts world.Gannett’s grade: C Synopsis: To restore his family’s good name, a master fighter (Jet Li, of course) must battle men representing four Chinese superpowers. Rating: PG-13 for violence and martial arts action throughout. Length: 103 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Foothills Cinemas.
“The Last Kiss,” “thirtysomething” for Gen X-ers. Gannett’s grade: C. Synopsis: Here’s an original idea – a bunch of old college buddies, one played by Zach Braff, with commitment issues. Rating: R for sexuality, nudity and language. Length: 107 minutes. Playing at: Century Gateway, Crossroads Cinemas.
“Little Man,” the Wayans brothers are back to their wacky ways. USA TODAY’s grade: C+. Synopsis: Keenen, Marlon and Shawn tell the tale of a man who mistakes a diminutive crook for his adoptive son. Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor throughout, language and brief drug references. Length: 97 minutes. Playing at: Grand View Cinemas.
“Monster House,” a rare animated movie with a plot. AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: Three kids take on a spooky building in an animated tale with voices by Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Nick Cannon. Rating: PG for scary images and sequences, thematic elements, some crude humor and brief language. Length: 90 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Century Gateway, Grand View Cinemas.
“Open Season,” yet another animated movie about animals. Gannett’s grade: B. Synopsis: A pampered grizzly bear (voiced by Martin Lawrence) learns about life in the wild in this animated comedy that also features the voice of Ashton Kutcher. Rating: PG, for rude humor, mild action and language. Length: 99 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas, DeAnza Drive-in.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” a new adventure for Capt. Jack Sparrow. Citizen’s grade: B+. Synopsis: Johnny Depp does the buccaneer thing again, battling Davy Jones for his soul. Rating: PG-13 (some violence, no nudity, no profanity). Length: 150 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16.
“The Protector,” another martial arts epic. Gannett’s grade: D+. Synopsis: A young Thai fighter (Tony Jaa) takes on the Mafia to rescue two pet elephants. Rating: Unrated. Length: 84 minutes. Playing at: De Anza Drive-in.
“Quinceañera,” the top prize winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival AP’s grade: B. Synopsis: The movie traces a rite of passage for a Hispanic teen (Emily Rios) amid culture clash in Los Angeles. Rating: for language, some sexual content and drug use. Length: 90 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 El Con.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” the one and only, starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon. Citizen’s grade: A. Synopsis: This pansexual cult classic screens every Saturday at midnight. Audience participation is a must. Tickets $5. Rating: R. Length: 96 minutes. Playing at: The Loft Cinema.
“School for Scoundrels,” you might want to take a correspondence course instead. AP’s grade: D+. Synopsis: A wimp (Jon Heder) ends up in an alpha-male showdown with the teacher (Billy Bob Thornton) of his confidence-building class. Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual content and violence. Length: 101 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Foothills Cinemas.
“The Science of Sleep,” from “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” director Michel Gondry. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: The lines blur between waking and dream life for a young eccentric (Gael García Bernal). Rating: R for language, some sexual content and nudity. Length: 105 minutes. Playing at: Century 20 El Con.
“Step Up,” a dance diva and a street rebel find perfect harmony. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: An at-risk Baltimore street dancer and an aspiring ballet dancer fuel each other’s dreams Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, brief violence and innuendo. Length: 98 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Century Gateway, Crossroads Cinemas.
“Superman Returns,” with a new actor in the title role. Citizen’s grade: B+. Synopsis: The Man of Steel (Brandon Routh), Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) and Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) are back at it. Bryan Singer directs. Rating: PG-13 for intense action violence. Length: 154 minutes. Playing at: Crossroads Cinemas.
“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” an auto racing comedy. AP’s grade: C. Synopsis: Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are NASCAR partners challenged by a French newcomer. Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence. Length: 97 minutes. Playing at: Oracle View Cinemas, Century Gateway, Crossroads Cinemas.
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” in case you were curious. AP’s Grade: D+. Synopsis: The formative years of deranged killer Leatherface are chronicled in this horror prequel. Rating: R for strong horror violence/gore, language and some sexual content. Length: 84 minutes. Playing at: Century Park 16, Century 20 Park Place, Century 20 El Con, Foothills Cinemas.
From staff and wire sources.
John Triton (John Cena) narrowly avoids a blast that levels a shack in which he'd been seeking clues about his wife's abduction in “The Marine,” which was not previewed for critics.
