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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2007)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ --------------------------------- DECEMBER 21. 2007 JUStOUt.M film Alvin and the Chipmunks Juno You don’t go to a movie called Alvin and the Like an Internet-age version of Lana Turner Chipmunks expecting Jean-Luc Gixlard, or even Judd being discovered outside Schwab’s Drug Store back Apatow, so it’s a little tough to seriously criticize this in the ’30s, Diablo Cody was just an ex-stripper- innocuous yet insidious marketing-scheme-in-the- turned-blogger until her serial posts caught the form-of-a-Christmas-stocking-stuffer. Suffice it to | attention of a Los Angeles manager who helped her report that the little CGI chipmunks are sufficient get a hx>k published and encouraged her to work up ly adorable (although after a short while they start- ; a screenplay. The result is Juno, a film that’s already being called this year’s Little Miss Sunshine. Cody’s ed to really creep me out); Jason Lee spends nearly the entire film trying so hard to look earnest that script gives star Ellen Page and the entire cast a gold he ends up resembling an overworked children’s mine of material, and everyone gets a few g<xxl dentist; David Cross (of Mr. Show and Arrested scenes. Thankfully, the film avoids being a pro-life Development fame) made me laugh a few times I morality tale dipped in hipster attitude. My only doing his satire of an evil record producer; and the complaint is that—with its oh-so-indie soundtrack and relentlessly slick dialogue peppered with large audience of toddlers at the press screening laughed a few more times than I did. If you’re novelty slang—it’s maybe a little too hip. A- desperate to hear chipmunk-chirping, kindergarten —Tony LeTigre hip-hop versions of “The Christmas Song,” “Witch Doctor” and, God help us all, “Funky Town,” this King of California is your movie. B (if you’re 8 and younger) C- (for Michael Douglas stars as an excessively bearded, all other ages) wild-eyed man newly released from a mental institu —Jon Kretzu i tion attempting to pick up where he left off with his 17-year-old daughter (played by Marilyn Manson’s The Golden Compass old lady, Evan Rachel Wixxl.) Except that he seems This beautifully filmed, well-acted adaptation of less interested in repairing that damaged relationship Philip Pullman’s speculative fantasy novel is anoth than in using every means at his disposal—including er victim of the difficulty of adapting a subtle, , selling his daughter’s car and hocking his own most complex novel to cinema—namely, the thoughtful prized musical instrument—to pursue an insane quest nuance of that anti-authoritarian young-adult sci- for treasure supposedly buried beneath a Costco on fi adventure is set aside in favor of showy visuals the outskirts of the city. The strong performances and and simple, straightforward characterizations. Our lively soundtrack don’t quite bring to life the w<xxl- adolescent heroine Lyra is plucky and fearless; Mrs. j en script, although you can’t help being moved by the Coulter (skillfully, inevitably portrayed by Nicole ending. Now playing at Living Room Theaters B Kidman) is elegantly terrifying; there are flying —TL witches, pirates and animal companions; and the Kingdom of the Bears is full of serious ass-kicking. The Kite Runner In that—and the visuals and story remain Fans of Khaled Hosseini’s best seller will not be brilliant—it’s flashy, breathless fun. B disappointed by this faithful adaptation. Like the —Jemiah Jefferson book, the film is alternately fascinating and rnov- The Great Debaters This movie is based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas in the 1930s rural South. Denzel Washington directs and stars as Tolson, who formed a debaters club that went on to challenge Harvard with the help of a minister (Forest Whitaker). The unbelievable happens, and for the next 10 years the club wins the national challenge. This is a great, inspirational history piece that makes you think a lot about what and if things have changed. A —Yvonne P. Behrens I Am Legend Will Smith stars solo, alongside a dog, for about 70 percent of this film about a scientist who might he the last human alive in New York.. .except for some pesky vampirelike cannibals. Smith plays the role excellently, slipping between a serious search for a cure and the kind of madness that years of isolation might engender. The creatures are a bit too computer generated, hut there are a number of gixxl scares all around. Dog lovers will have a tough time with one scene, however. B + —Andy Mangels Ellen Page and Michael Cera portray teen parents in Juno. Johnny Depp gives Alan Rickman “the closest shave you'll ever know" in Sweeney Todd. ing, but is also rendered in the same deliberate, pair’s dementia-ridden father and Tamara Jenkins’ measured pace as the prose. Director Marc Forster pitch-perfect direction and screenplay—is a haunt (Finding Ne verland) and writer David Benioff (25th ing work suffused with both aching laughter and Hour) deliberately downplay the story’s inherent quiet anguish. Opens Dec. 25. A suspense, and the actors speak so softly they are —JK often drowned out by the clicking of the projector. I But The Kite Runner visits a world we need to | Sweeney Todd: understand. B The Demon Barber of Fleet Street —Floyd Sklaver Tim Burton’s film of Stephen Sondheim’s mixl- ern masterpiece is surprising for many reasons. National Treasure 2: Burton (along with David Lynch) is one of contem Book of Secrets porary cinema’s most unique visual stylists, but who Nicolas Cage (having a bad hair color day) would have thought he would create a film adapta returns as treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin tion as respectful of the composer’s original vision Gates, who is determined to discover the secret and m<xx1. Collaborating once again with his artis behind Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. This tic muse, Johnny Depp, he veers away from camp entertaining but quite predictable conspiracy theo and delves into the bleak, disturbing heart of the ry adventure features great action scenes and a nice piece, creating a work of savage beauty. ending, leaving chances for another Depp’s mordant lost soul is surrounded by an sequel. The strong supporting cast impeccable cast, with especially strong work from includes Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Alan Rickman as a viscous villain, newcomer Ed Harris and Harvey Keitel. B Sanders as Sweeney’s innocent apprentice (one of —YPB Burton’s masterstrokes is casting a Dickensian waif in this role) and Helena Bonham Carter as an P.S. I Love You unexpectedly realistic and moving Mrs. Lovett. Based on a novel by Cecelia Ahem, From the dazzling pnxluction design and this romantic comedy directed by cinematography to the sumptuous soundscape, Richard LaGravenese (Freedom Writers) gruesome Grand Guignol effects and rhythmic is definitely a tearjerker chick flick—but editing, Burton has created an artistic work that is a beautiful one. Hilary Swank and both a symbiotic visual extension of Sondheim’s Gerard Butler star as a happily married perversely gorgeous score and a haunting master • couple, until suddenly Butler dies and piece that stands proudly on its own merits. A leaves Swank a widow. With a little -JK help from her friends (Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon) and some messages from The Water Horse: her dead husband, Swank finds her way Legend of the Deep back to life after the tragedy. Grab your Remember those Disney animal movies like Kleenex box. B + Oscar, the Ornery Ocelot or Wally, the Wildcat Who —YPB Lost His Whistle? Substitute a CGI Loch Ness mon ster and match him up with a sweet though awfully The Savages wan little Scottish boy and you pretty much have The This depressing comedy deals with Water Horse. This interminable boy-and-his-sea- the inescapable dual tragedy of aging and serpent movie features some gorgeous scenery and having to deal with it. As a painfully real little else, save a totally wasted cast of gixxJ actors pair of intellectually advanced, emotion (Emily Watson and Brian Cox among them) having ally recessive siblings, two of our finest to deal with lots of high jinks involving Nessie American actors—Laura Linney and destroying kitchens, bathrooms and dinner parties. Philip Seymour Hoffman—manage to After the 500th shot of the title character rearing up traverse a delicate tightrope between out of the Lcx:h with a triumphantly yelping laddie subtle heartbreak and mordant humor. on his scaly back, you will begin to yearn for a repeat The result—abetted by the beautiful of Roscoe, the Wretched Raccoon. Opens Dec. 25. C- -JK© supporting work of Philip Bosco as the '
