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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2003)
13.2QQ3- v<2> <£> B ad S anta If E lf is the perfect family holi- lay film, Bad Santa is the perfect adult holiday film. Billy Boh Thornton (just nominated for a Golden Globe for this part) plays a dninken Santa Claus who also happens to he, along with his dwarf sidekick, a safecracker and thief. Rarely has a movie this vulgar been so side-splittingly funny; it’s Christmastime as if John Waters had directed a script by T he Simpsons writers on crack. — Andy M angels T he B arbarian I nvasions Frcnch-Canadian auteur Denys Arcands 1986 film T he D ecline o f the A m erican Em pire, about the ideals and doubts of a group of Montreal baby boomers, had a thoughtful awareness and sophistica tion (including a then- progressive depiction of homosexuality) that were, in the Reagan ’80s, unusu al and welcome. A rcands T he Barbarian Invasions is a worthy sequel; his explo ration o f contemporary North American life is, 17 years on, as engaging as it was in '86. W hen the dying Rémy (Rém y Girard) gathers his friends— including Claude (Yves Jacques), now living with his partner in Italy— the circle ruefully grapples with the failings of their lives and their generation as evidenced by tumbled familial relationships and a decidedly non- utopian stxdety. Arcand has achieved a truly personal, gentle sociopolitical epic. — Christopher M cQ uain ^ ¿S'* ^ T he C ooler Character actor William H. Macy takes center stage in this intense dramedy about a sad sack whose odd job requires him to jinx gamblers at a Las Vegas casino. But when lady luck (Maria Bello) enters his life, his cruel bass (A lec Baldwin) flips out. O ne of the more enlightening films about Sin City, with strong support from Paul Sorvino as a lounge singer who is way past his prime. — Jim Radasta n What's popped L T he L ast S amurai It’s 1876, and tradition al Samurai warriors must fight the emperor’s army against the West’s assimilation of Japan. Sounds like a tough battle, but they’ve found a secret weapon— Tom Cmise! In this Asian version of D ances with W oltvs, he defeats from the U.S.-Japanese alliance to fight for a nobler cause and fall in love with one of its women. Ken Watanahe as Samurai Katsumoto leads a number of solid performances in what is otherwise recycled material. — Lisa Bradshaw and what's flopped, In a theater near you. T he L ord of the R ings : T he R eturn of the K ing Hear ye, hear ye, let it be known this is the first film on which I’ve ever bestowed the coveted five- kernel rating. Not having been a filmgix'r who slathered over the first two entries in this epic trilo gy from director Peter Jackson, it surprised even me. The Return o f the King surpasses those in depth of story, cinematography, character development and sheer beauty of sound over imagery. The battle scenes have been continually gixxl, but this time they reference their own brutality and hopelessness. And the women get meatier parts. I know you won’t miss this movie, but don’t miss this movie. — LB < & < & < ■ & (& > S hattered G lass ‘'■''J. dud, bottom of the but; d%> < y o n l y if you’re really hungry <r^!> <*£> gixxl effort, pass the salt ¿2i> mmmm, tasty! <£><%> <g> < 3> <£> 8ct the o’ com the Clemes in this riveting true story about Stephen Glass, a reporter who fabricated stories for The N ew Republic. A likable charmer, he slowly unravels as his co-workers (including Peter Sarsgaard and Chloe Sevigny— a mini Boys D on’t Cry reunion) begin to doubt his credibility. -JR S omething ’ s G otta G ive Subm itted for your approval: an alternate universe in which a renowned playwright (D iane K eaton) falls for her daughter’s boyfriend, a cadaverous hip-hop mogul (Jack N icholson), because he calls her “flinty.” Writer/director Nancy Meyers (W hat W om en Want) somehow manages to fill her film with characters whose words and actions have no bearing on any reality with which I’m familiar. -JR Hayden Christensen devs penance for A ttack o f * r.» ALL RiNTALS-5DAYS Arthouse ★ Foreign i f Cult Classics i f Gay & Lesbian Documentaries i f Asian Cult i f The Latest Chart Busters The toot—hard to find movies! DVD/VHS Rental and Sales World Beat Rock Soul Womens Oldies Ja zz Folk Gospel Cajun Country New Age Bluegrass Soundtracks Musicals Lounge Big Band Comedy Reggae Spoken Word and m o r e ... EAST PORTLAND • 32nd & E Burnside St. • 231-8926 M U S IC I M IL L E N N IU M NW PORTLAND • 23rd & NW Johnson • 248-0163 C ontinental lo ca Club B a th s rioN S i g r e a t 2640 Nt Alberta ■ S03.288.406/ 7 Days a week 8 AM • I I PM The Most Men The Most Times The Most Populen 2 3 I0 N Lombard- 503.289.8408 /Days a week 10 AM - 12 AM NOW OPEN! 1136 NVf Lovejoy - 503.796.2825 7 Days a week 10 AM-11 PM Locally Owned and Operated iti iFû C l u b P o r t l a n d WA nfxfl 303 aw 12th & Stark Portland, OR 3 m k clubpdx.com
