---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ --------------------------------- 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 '