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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2002)
may 17. 2002 * J u s t o u t 45 A bout a B oy Chris and Paul Weitz ( American Pie) directed this adaptation of a novel by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) about a spoiled man (Hugh Grant) who tries to pick up chicks by posing as a single dad. Sounds like an episode of Three’s Company, but things get serious when he meets a troubled kid (Nicholas Hoult) who turns his life around. —Jim Radosta dance here), but instead they come off as a bunch of arrogant bullies, squatters and showoffs who are fixated on their glory days. -JR ^ H ollywood E nding No surprises here; it’s vintage Woody Allen. He’s a neurotic New York hypochondriac whose filmmaking career is essentially over. His producer ex-wife (the ravishing Tea Leoni) wants to help him make a comeback with a new script, but, alas and alack, her new fiancée (Treat Williams) runs the studio and can’t stand him. The question is, who could? Tired is the notion that beautiful young women would continue to fall for this annoying old man. Still, he’s hilarious and so is the film. — Lisa Bradshaw H uman N ature About a Boy: It’s not as cheesy as it looks < & > < C % > What could’ve been a profound statement on the human condition ends up being a trite satire on rigid gender roles— men are homy, women are needy. Yawn. At least Rhys Ifans (Hotting Hill) entertains as a wild child forced to return to civilized society. Ambitious yet ultimately unsatisfying. D ogtown and Z-B oys So, what becomes of all those cute skater dudes when they grow up? You’ll wish you never asked. This documentary about the creators of extreme skateboarding would have you believe they were revolutionary pioneers (hyperbole is in annoying abun -JR P anic R oom < C £ > In the “for what it is” category: For what it is— an action suspense thriller, basically— Panic Room is a success. Director David Finch er (Seven, Fight Club) offers the usual showy, technophilie camera tricks, and it’s filmed in his patented slick, dark Dank ’n’ Damp<ovision (which actual- " ly does befit the story). We also get to see Jodie Foster dis play the fiercest maternal instincts this side of Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. — Christopher M cQuain J What's popped f I and what's flopped, In a theater near you. S pider -M an After he’s bitten by a mutated spider, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) develops superpowers. He leams the hard way that with great power comes great responsibility, and he uses his abili ties to save lives and battle the evil Green Goblin. Well acted, spectacular special effects, a fun plot that stays true to its comic book roots— what more could movie audiences want in a summer film? • —Andy Mangels dud, bottom of the bag <&> only if you’re really hungry <jÇi good effort, pass the salt £S><&£S><& mmmm, tasty! < g i < $ > < g > £ S > < £ ‘ get the big tub o’ com dark scenes work, and a brooding Hayden Christensen plays the man who will be Darth Vader with barely subdued anger. Plus, less Jar-Jar Binks, and Yoda kicks ass with his light saber! — AM Y T u M ama T ambien <^(£§><5^yt> S tar W a r s : E pisode II— A ttack of th e C lones W hile its title might sound like San Fran cisco circa 1980, the latest George Lucas film is anything but gay. A lternating between dark and depressing scenes and end less chases, you can alm ost count off the video game opportunities. Thankfully, the Using storytelling quirks similar to those in Amélie, director/co-writer Alfonso Cuaron somehow achieves the impossible: A teen sex comedy that actually shows sex. A buddy movie in which one friendship’s limits truly are put to the test. A coming-of-age road trip where the characters arrive // in a much different place by the end of their journey. Don’t miss it. —JR , Le Meitour Gallery UNIQUE J — The only museum where you get to take the treasures home. 7814 SW C apito l Hwy, Portland • 503/246-3631 < es? ‘Really Cool Stuff A fun collection • 5 * 1 ________ Handmade «a Silk & Runners of Antiques, S if t s 4 Home Furnishings Natural Area Rugs j Floor Coverings ^ UK l | | 1 | W Êt\ ^ A V y 4 ^1 Collectible & War Rugs Wall Hang ings 7650 SW Capitol Hwy / 503.244.7381 ~www.zingogallery.com~ üÊH&e Jfabort ntique Home Furnishings 7858 SW Capitol Highway • (503) 293-5034 • in ■ ■■. Open Tue-Sat 10-6 Sundays 11-5 Made in Afghanistan. Persia & Kazakhstan East West Oriental Rugs (503) 203-4330 7642 S.W. Capitol Hwy.. Portland 97210 whimsical cards, ßlfyis. jewelry A a r t 7872 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland 5 0 3 /2 *4 6 - 6 2 6 7 www. really -cool - stuff. com /HuUnomaft “Outage, Advertisers... Wondering how to attract more business? Then place your ad here. Call 503-236-1253 for rates ____
