The Adventures of Pluto Nash (PG-13) The worst movie of the summer, for sure, and quite possibly the stinkiest thang of the whole year. Everything you've heard about Pluto Nash is true. Ostensibly a comedy, there's barely one healthy laugh in the entire mess, which plays out like the most boring, unimaginative sci-fi action movie you might ever be unlucky enough to see. Eddie Murphy stars as an interstellar night club owner on the run from a shadowy underworld figure. Also stars Randy Quaid and Rosario Dawson.
Austin Powers in Goldmember (PG-13) The least fabulous of all the Powers entries to date but still good, disposable fun. Goldmember is really just a loosely connected series of gags, routines and set pieces (not that the other two movies weren't) with much of the humor coming off as more raunchy and obsessively screwier than ever. As usual, Dr. Evil and Mini-Me steal the show, although Myers gets off a few good licks with the latest addition to his roster of villains, the revolting and thoroughly irritating title character. Highlights include a brief trip back in time to 1975, a quick visit to swingin' Tokyo and, best of all, a series of cameos that begin and end the film on such a high note that everything else feels just a little flat. Stars Mike Myers, Beyonce Knowles, Michael York and Seth Green. 
Australia: Land Beyond Time (PG) The film takes us Down Under to the flattest, driest continent on earth, immerses us in parched, otherworldly landscapes and introduces us to tons of incredibly odd and supremely adaptable animals — from cute koalas and feisty dingoes, to an endless variety of bizarrely shaped lizards, to the amazing and little-understood kangaroo. Animal lovers will want to pounce on this one. 
Blood Work (R) Clint Eastwood's latest is a workmanlike and wholly unremarkable thriller about a retired FBI agent with a brand new heart transplant and a serial killer on his tail. Eastwood stars and directs and, as in almost all of his films, there are some nicely detailed, low-key moments here. Most of the movie is far too predictable and very close to being an outright bore, however, and there are several dramatic moments that wind up seeming unintentionally funny (one being old Clint's lovemaking scene with yet another starlet 30 years his junior). Also starring Jeff Daniels, Anjelica Huston, Wanda De Jesus and Tina Lifford. 
Blue Crush (PG-13) For all its faults, this is one surf movie that takes its cue more from Bruce Brown's Endless Summer than from Baywatch. Offering a glimpse into the lives of a group of young female surfers in Oahu, Blue Crush is a fairly interesting movie when it's just following its characters around. When the film attempts to tell us a story — something about finding love, regaining your confidence and becoming the best darned surfer in the word — it's predictable, shallow and not very good. The movie is unusually watchable, though, for such a lame narrative. It pays consistently close, respectful attention to the ins and outs of surf culture, from the beauty and sheer power of the sport to the particulars of the young, Twinkie-gobbling high school dropouts who are its devotees. Stars Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Matthew Davis and Sanoe Lake.
The Bourne Identity (PG-13) Matt Damon plays an amnesiac who also just happens to be a world-class fighter, linguist, escape artist — in fact, he pretty much possesses all the skills of a top-notch spy/sleuth/assassin. Complicating matters is the fact that, even as he tries to reclaim his memory, Damon's being hunted by the ultimate bad guys who appear to be his old bosses — our old pals, the CIA. The Bourne Identity is basically an action movie, but it's an overly murky one that lacks a real sense of urgency or purpose. 
City by the Sea (PG-13) Coincidences and emotional baggage are piled on to predictably numbing effect in City by the Sea, director Michael Caton-Jones workmanlike tale of crime, urban decay and familial dysfunction. Robert De Niro stars as a Manhattan cop who moved away from the now deteriorating community of Long Beach when his marriage went bad. Now, many years later, De Niro's character is emotionally distant to his current girlfriend (Frances McDormand) and investigating a murder in which it just so happens the primary suspect is none other than his estranged, junkie son (James Franco). The movie is populated by characters with names like Snake and Spider, and full of images of ruined buildings and other physical signifiers of the various wasted lives on display (De Niro keeps remarking, This place used to be so bee-yoo-tiful). The plot moves along in an overly transparent, slightly clunky manner, and, outside of Franco, none of the actors turn in particularly memorable performances. De Niro isn't bad here but, frankly, his performance is mostly just another reminder that this is a man who stopped caring a long time ago about being a great actor. On the other hand, there's not much room for greatness here. De Niro's role in City by the Sea isn't one that really demands much beyond just showing up and facing the camera. Also stars Eliza Dushku. Opens Sept. 6 at local theaters.
The Country Bears (G) A bear cub raised by humans sets out to discover his roots and winds up hanging with an all-bear band in Nashville. Stars Haley Joel Osment, Christopher Walken and Charles S. Dutton.
(Not Reviewed)
The Fast Runner (NR) The Fast Runner is a movie that breaks all sorts of new ground (while sifting through some of the oldest ground on earth), and it's doubtful that you've ever seen anything remotely like it. This is the world's first Inuit production, and it relates a timeless Inuit legend told and retold over the centuries. The basic story revolves around Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaaq), who has a thing for a local beauty named Atuat (Sylvia Ivalu), even though she's already pledged to a nasty-tempered type called Oki (Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq). There's plenty of juicy, bad behavior in the film's universal tale of secrets, lies, lust, murder, rape, revenge and seal blubber — but the bulk of the movie is concerned with carefully observed details of 11th century Inuit life. Out attention is constantly directed to hands at tasks — cutting, lifting, fanning fires — to the stitching on a garment, to the snot frozen on the upper lip of an infant, to the tending of the seal oil perpetually burning in the center of a room. This is a movie about life's simple pleasures and pains (primal, if you will), and the film depicts it all with austere but enormous beauty. The Fast Runner can be somewhat confusing for much of its deliberately paced 172-minute running time, but once you get past that, the film creates a totally believable and ultimately seductive environment. Also stars Sylvia Ivalu, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq, Lucy Tulugarjuk and Madeline Ivalu. Playing at Channelside Cinemas. Call theater to confirm. 
feardot.com (R) A series of murder victims are linked by a Web site they've all visited. Stars Stephen Dorf, Udo Kier and Stephen Rea.
(Not Reviewed)
Full Frontal (PG-13) Steven Soderbergh is back in full-blown experimental mode with this film-within-a-film-within-a-fantasy, in which the director seems to be having the time of his life creating what amounts to his own free-floating, self-contained universe. Full Frontal unfolds like a puzzle that begs to be put together even as it resists being solved. It's unclear for the longest time how the film's characters are related to one another, and we keep getting additional bits of information that suggest that everything we think we know is wrong. All that we do know is that most of the characters are either directly or peripherally connected to the movie industry, most of them have serious personal issues, and several of them are responsible for the movie that appears within the movie from time to time. Stars Julia Roberts, Blair Underwood, Catherine Keener, David Hyde Pierce and Mary McCormack. 
The Good Girl (PG-13) There's not a whole lot that's particularly memorable about the slightly better than passable black comedy The Good Girl. Outside of some clever comic dialogue and a handful of amusing bit characters, this is a more or less lackluster film about lackluster lives. Lackluster existence numero uno belongs to the aptly named Justine Last (Jennifer Aniston, de-glammed and limp-haired), a frustrated young Texan leading a life of quiet desperation from behind the checkout counter of the Retail Rodeo. Just turned 30, unhappily married and childless, Justine strikes up a friendship with a 22-year old loner (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's named himself after the hero of The Catcher in the Rye. Friendship soon crosses the line into romance, or at least sex, and from there into obsession, paving the way for Justine to begin realizing there's no way she's ever going to be happy without first removing a few people permanently from her life. The Good Girl manages to display good-natured affection for most of its characters, even when they're being stupid or petty, but the film is never quite able to transcend its flat, cartoonish origins. Director Miguel Arteta's basically naturalistic directorial style proves an awkward fit with a story that, despite its traces of noir intrigue, is basically absurd. Also stars John C. Reilly and Tim Black Nelson. Held over at Tampa Theatre. Call theater to confirm.
Lilo and Stitch (PG) Another hit from the Disney team, although not quite out of the ballpark. Lilo and Stitch is basically a brightened-up, kid-friendly reinvention of the Frankenstein story, in which a manmade monster (or, in this case, alien-created critter) comes to grips with his own, um, uniqueness and, in the process, finds something not unlike a soul. Disney's extraterrestrial Frankenstein is Stitch, a big-eyed, genetically altered experiment who crash lands on earth and hooks up with a lonely little Hawaiian girl named Lilo.
Like Mike (PG) Hip-hop mini-icon Lil' Bow Wow makes his, um, acting debut as a tiny teen who dons a pair of magical sneakers to become a great NBA star. Also stars old-timer Morris Chestnut and Jonathan Lipnicki.
(Not Reviewed)
Martin Lawrence Live After traipsing around as a medieval knight and in a fatsuit in some forgettable recent films, Lawrence returns to what he allegedly does best: standup. The material is raunchy and offensive and perhaps even shocking. What else would you expect? Reviews have been generally unkind.
(Not Reviewed)
The Master of Disguise (PG) Dana Carvey gets a chance to showcase his considerable skills at mimicry as a multi-morphing sleuth battling a brilliant criminal mastermind. Expect lots of special effects and big, fat, physical comedy. Also stars Brent Spinner and Jennifer Esposito.
(Not Reviewed)
Men in Black II (PG-13) Although it might just have well been titled Men in Black I, Slight Return, this briskly paced 80-some minute romp offers considerable fun, particularly for the undiscriminating summer viewer. There are no real surprises here to speak of, with the movie's main characters and wisp of a plot basically just reprising them. The chemistry between stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones still works, although it's a bit more labored and even more minimalist than in the original. The nasty little talking dog steals the show. Also stars Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson and Rip Torn.
Minority Report (PG-13) The best movie of the summer, and one of the best movies of recent years, Steven Spielberg's sci-fi noir boasts a fascinating premise beautifully expanded into a provocative and consistently gripping feature-length film. Based on a story by Philip K. Dick, Minority Report takes place in a not-so-distant future where crimes are predicted and criminals arrested before they actually commit their offense. Tom Cruise plays the top cop who becomes the glitch in a perfect system when he finds himself falsely accused and on the run. Minority Report is an exciting movie and, dare I say it, an important movie, made timelier than ever in the preemptive political environment of today. Although there's plenty of action, Minority Report is anything but an action movie; it's a smart, tough and tantalizing remapping of the familiar territory known as the crime thriller. Also stars Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton and Max Von Sydow.
Mr. Deeds (PG-13) Adam Sandler's latest is a remake of Frank Capra's classic populist comedy from 1936, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, in which a sweetly eccentric but basically ordinary guy suddenly comes into a huge amount of money, resulting in a close encounter with all the worldly garbage that comes with great wealth. In many ways, the remake is surprisingly faithful to Capra's original. What really separates the two versions, though, is the great divide between original star Gary Cooper and Adam Sandler — a leap of faith that says more about our culture than we might care to acknowledge. Also stars Winona Ryder, John Turturro, Peter Gallagher, Jared Harris and Steve Buscemi.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG) Nia Vardalos stars in this sweet-natured, sporadically amusing adaptation of her one-woman show about a plain Greek-American woman who transforms herself into a babe and hooks up with her Prince Charming — who, much to the chagrin of her loud and proud Greek family, turns out to be as WASP-y as they come. In all, Greek Wedding probably worked better on stage than on the big screen. Also stars John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin.
Possession (PG-13) Two stuffy academics begin an affair while researching the lives of a pair of long dead poets who also had a secret relationship. By most accounts, director Neil LaButte in a softer, gentler mood. Stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart and Jeremy Northam.
(Not Reviewed)
Road to Perdition (R) Director Sam Mendes follows up American Beauty with a densely textured but occasionally magnificent gangland epic. Tom Hanks stars in an uncharacteristically ambiguous role as a paid killer who doesn't like what he does, but does it anyway. Targeted by his former boss and a couple of mad dog killers, Hanks and his young son take to the road seeking revenge and survival, and finding (this is a Hollywood movie, after all) redemption. While not as immediately hooky as Mendes' debut, Perdition may just be an even better film. Also stars Paul Newman, Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stanley Tucci, Daniel Craig and Tyler Hoechlin.
Serving Sara (PG-13) Ex-Lawyer turned process server Joe (Matthew Perry) is assigned to serve divorce papers to Sara (Elizabeth Hurley). Joe's early attempts are stymied by an unscrupulous and oafish co-worker played by Vincent Pastore of Sopranos' fame. Their vacuous efforts to thwart each other's strategy and serve Sara first fail to deliver laughs. If Sara is served, she will lose half the share of her millionaire husband's assets. Upon their predictable encounter, an empathic Joe agrees to abet Sara who in return offers a lucrative reward. What transpires is a cross-country pursuit to salvage Sara's fortune that eventually leads to the Lone Star State. When all the characters finally arrive in Texas, sub-par gags follow, as well as a brief dabble in Tom Green-style humor. At this juncture, it is a race by all the players to capitalize on what they feel they deserve. Many humorless attempts at poking fun of redneck culture. Maybe, slightly entertaining for a rainy day. Also stars Bruce Campbell and Cedric the Entertainer.
—Corey Myers
Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure (PG) An engaging mix of history, drama, fascinating archival footage and breathtaking, state-of-the-art photography, Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure tells the incredible true tale of an epic battle for survival in the wake of a failed expedition to cross Antarctica in 1914. Playing at IMAX Dome Theater at MOSI. Call theater to confirm.
Signs (PG-13) The least convoluted but, in some ways, the least compelling movie yet from M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable). Mel Gibson stars as a faith-challenged former clergyman who spends most of the movie sweating bullets and waiting, along with the rest of the world, for a devastating attack from hostile extraterrestrials. The movie is all mood — ominous, still and full of apocalyptic mystery. Nothing much happens, but it's good, uncomplicated pulp entertainment, with a vaguely spiritual underpinning that rises to the surface in the last act. Also stars Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones and Rory Culkin.
Simone (PG-13) Andrew Niccol, who previously explored the virtual life and designer humanity in The Truman Show and Gattaca, is up to his old high-concept tricks again, but this time in the context of his breeziest and most down-to-earth movie. Al Pacino stars as a Hollywood filmmaker who stumbles upon a revolutionary program that allows him to create a computer-generated actress who's so lifelike and charismatic the entire world is fooled into believing she's real. The movie is consistently watchable and filled with clever asides, but isn't nearly as strong or deep as either of Niccol's previous efforts. Whereas the somber Gattaca and the cosmic cartoon The Truman Show both seemed a tantalizing beat ahead of the curve, Simone is just a half-beat behind it. The movie's message is important but not framed with much impact, and Simone winds up feeling mostly like just a slightly smarter than average screwball comedy. Also stars Catherine Keener, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Winona Ryder.
Space Station (PG) New IMAX featurette documenting a pair of voyages to the international space station floating high above planet Earth. The multinational crews include a mix of American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts. At IMAX Dome Theater.
(Not Reviewed)
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (PG) Just to get the caveats out of the way, this is even more of a turn your brain off at the door and just enjoy it sort of affair than the first one, but if you're down with that, the sky's the limit. Like its predecessor, Spy Kids 2 is an unapologetically silly little romp that's so full of energy and sincerity it's almost impossible to dislike. It's not a great movie, but it's a pretty darned good kids' movie because it does what it does very well and, most important of all, it almost never condescends to its audience. As in the first time around, there's not much story here, but plenty of zingy action, cool gadgets, scary monsters (but not too scary), fabulous eye candy and sheer momentum. Stars Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Steve Buscemi, Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara.
Stuart Little 2 (G) Teeny tiny tykes will eat up this barely 75-minute sequel to Stuart Little, but most grown-ups will either be bored out of their skulls or find their teeth tingling from all the sugar-coated sap. Despite the expensive-looking production values and state-of-the-art CGI effects, Stuart Little has the bland, throwaway feel of a direct-to-video sequel. There wasn't much of an edge to the first Stuart project, but in this one, virtually everybody is as sweetly innocuous as the title rodent. Stars Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie and the voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith and Nathan Lane.
Sunshine State (PG-13) John Sayles' new film is set in a run-down Florida beach town in danger of being swallowed up by teams of competing out-of-state developers. The locals are conflicted about what to do, and the whole thing is further complicated by all sorts of factors, not excluding the various characters' race, gender and age. Sunshine State weaves a rich, complicated web, both personal and political, threading a series of smart little character sketches into an appealing mix of soap opera and ideology (not to mention some great one-liners). Stars Angela Bassett, Edie Falco, Timothy Hutton, James McDaniel and Mary Steenburgen.
Swimfan (PG-13) Jesse Bradford and Erika Christensen star in this thriller about a high school swimming star who has a one-night stand leading to tangled and dangerous consequences.
(Not Reviewed)
Tadpole (R) This year's big break-out film from Sundance is hardly worth the fits of ecstasy some have claimed to experience in its presence, but it's enjoyable enough, and occasionally even a charming little ditty. Aaron Stanford stars as 15-year-old Oscar, a Upper East Side preppie whose obsessive love for his 40ish stepmother (Sigourney Weaver) makes for all sorts of complications and is the hub around which this modest but often clever farce revolves. Also stars John Ritter and Bebe Neuwirth. Now playing at Burns Court Cinema. Call to confirm.
Ultimate X (PG) Not your standard IMAX movie by a long shot, Ultimate X cops an attitude that's almost as edgy and irreverent as its subject matter — those Extreme Sports featured in ESPN's popular X Games, like BMX biking, skateboarding, street luge, wakeboarding, speed climbing and all other manner of daredevil events. The stunts and tricks are spectacular, and so are the wipeouts. Featured are skaters Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist and Bucky Lasek, BMX stunt riders Ryan Nyquist and Cory Nasty Nastazio and Moto X rider Carey Hart. At Channelside IMAX. Call theater to confirm.
Undisputed (R) Wesley Snipes stars as a professional heavyweight boxer who's falsely accused of a crime and winds up in jail, where he goes up against the prison boxing champ. Also stars Ving Rhames.
(Not Reviewed)
XXX (R) A movie so relentlessly forward propelled that we hardly even have a chance to catch our breath and realize how utterly idiotic it all is. Vin Diesel is the star here, and he's very much in the mold of other terrible actors who get paid to anchor big, comic book movies (think Keanu in The Matrix or Arnold in almost anything). Diesel (who names these guys, anyway?) plays Xander Cage, X for short, a bald, tattooed slab of flesh given to looking straight into the camera and screaming lines like, I live for this shit! Enter Samuel L. Jackson in a wig and with latex scar tissue over half his face, as an NSA agent looking for fresh blood to combat a group of international bad guys. X is recruited, infiltrates the bad guys' group, and spends the rest of movie striding around in a ratty sheepskin coat, pulling off outrageous stunts and shouting glib catch phrases while clobbering baddies and saving the world. Also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Asia Argento and Michael Roof.
—Reviewed entries by Lance Goldenberg unless otherwise noted
This article appears in Sep 4-10, 2002.
