About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (May 31, 2000)
BATTLEFIELD EARTH (PG-13) John Travolta hammers a few rails into the coffin holding his career with his awful performance in this truly 'wretched sci-fi adventure flick about a race of evil alien creatures who report back to the 'home office" for execu- “norKfance’’ fife. At least the film convincingly depicts the hardships of the baliet world—from the extremely difficult athletic work involved to such issues as corruption, bulimia, sexu ality and failure. Directed by Nicholas Hynter. With Peter Gallagher and movie. The true-life story follows a struggling, twice-divorced single mom (Julia Roberts} who lands a job at a smalt legal firm and finds herself tackling a direct-action lawsuit against a major public utilities com pany that is polluting a nearby town Jackie Chan stars in Shanghai Noon. live orders while trying exterminate humans. With Barry Pepper and Forest Whitaker. This is one of the dumbest and ugliest sci-fi films of the last few years. Based on the novel by Travolta's Scientology leader L. Ron Hubbard. Skip this and rent Planet Of The Apes. (Beechwood, Carmike) CENTER STAGE (PG-13) A surpris ingly solid drama about ballet, romance and power. Jody (Amanda Scholl) is an eager student with "bad feet and a poor turn ouf and a ten dency to be naive. Maureen (Susan May PreJt), the most competitive and technically talented student on campus, struggles between pleasing her sour-faced, overbearing mom (Debra Monk) and living normal Lilian Sliefel, (Beechwood) DINOSAUR (PG) Walt Disney Feature Animation’s prehistoric action-filled drama follows a dinosaur named Aladar who is raised from the egg by a clan of lemurs and eventu ally reunites with bis own kind. Combining state-of-the-art computer character animation with digitally- enhanced live-action backgrounds, the film features the voices of D. B. Sweeney, Julianna Marguiles, Alfre Woodard and Joan Plowright. (Beechwood, Carmike) ERIN BROCKOVtCH (R) Director Steven Soderbergh takes care to avoid the usual cliches found in so many big-budget courtroom dramas and delivers a solid, well-acted with toxic chromium. With Aaron Eckhart and Albert Finney. (Mall Inside) “FUCKER" (NR) This week features The Testament of Dr. Mabuse {1933), a tense police drama from German director Frit? Lang. A maverick police inspector investigates a crime where all clues point to a man whose been in as mental institution lor years—Dr. Mabuse. June kicks of a “summer series" of German features, shorts and documentaries. Call 546-0039 for more information. (Flicker Theatre) FREQUENCY (PG-13) Director Gregory Koblil’s [Primal Feat) chaotic and sentimental "what if" fartesy- drama follows a young New York cop OV1B LISTING Theater schedule! often change after ovr deadline. Pltose cad ahead. Out to the Mcmoriftl D*y Hott4*y, art tinwj *r« valid only through Thurtdoy, Juno 2* C»U tfee«t«ts for cur rent liftings or chock www.fUgpotft.com, AtC UB&ABY (613-3650) SokA* StgnoU (PC-13) 7:00 (Th, 6/1) BttCfifWOOD (546-lOn) Urlh (PC-13) 2:1$, 7:1* Coirtor Stag* (KJ-13) 4:50, 9:50 «*<**iit (PC) 1;45, 2:45, 3:45, 4:4$, 5:45, 6:45, 7:45, 8:45, 9:45 CMirtor (X) 4:00. 7:00. 9:5$ 2 (PG-13) 1:4$. 4:15, 4:45, 6:45, 7:15, 9:15, 9:45 Tn> (*> 3:00, 3:30. 5:00. 5:20, 7;00, 7:30, 9:00. 9:33 Shanghaf (PG-13) 2:00. 4:30, 7:05, 9:35 Tinwr C*4« (X) 2.25, 5:25, 7:25. 9:2b Wh*r* Th« Hwt Is (PC-13} ?:10, 4:40, 7:10, 9;4C CAftMUM I a (3M-Q016) r*rth (PG-13) 1:30% 7:00 (PC) 12:00, 1:00,. 2,00. 3:00, 4:00, 5.00. 6:00. 7:00. 8; 00, 9:00 (PC-13) 1 :'!■$, 4:11?, 705, 9:35 (H) 1:15, 4*8. 4:3.0, 7:20, 9:S0 l*v* A^5-13) 4:C0, 7:01 $;3S Miifhm: JmpmiMe 2 (PG-13) 1:15, 1:45, 4:00, 4:30, 7:00, 7:30, 9:45, 10:15 load Trip («) 12:30, 2:45, 5:00. 7:15, 9:30 Shanghai Woo* (K.-13) 1:30, 4:15, 7:15, 9:30 SmaUTinw Znxtki (PC) 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:10, 9:25 U-571 (PG-13) 2:tK>, 4:35, 7:15, 9:40 commcikb oarvaiw (335-2485) Ail show's irt dusk. Monday tnrcxitfi Suntey Mifrinns tapa«Vib4c 2(PG-13) Sewn 1 U-571 (PG-13) Straws 2 Whtr* IS* I* (PG-13) Screen 3 FUCNCB TKRATSX <546-0039) The Te*Uu**«t of IK Kahu«e (I*?) 8:30 (A fi/2, Ss. 6/3, M. 6/5, Tu, 6/6) OtCSOlA ftGIIAftl MAJUUn (543-153?) Erin *ro<h*vkh (X) 5:30, WytfcjSW* (PC) 5:35. 7:50 7** JU*d Ta (t Dsrwfc (PC) 5:50. 7:40 Stvem 6*y (Pu) 5:45,7:45 OSOft&IA TtitAmS (W9-991S) Mfr ty (8) 7:0-0, tO;Oa (W. S/ll. Th. fc/1) Gfcwt 6*91 Th* Way <rf th* (S?) 7 m 1C:00 {*, 4/7) (Janes Caviezel) who somehow goes 30 years back in time (by way of a ham radio signal bounced off a sunspot) and connects and converses with his late fatter (Dennis Quaid). The film twists and turns between seemingly impossible time-travel phenomena, parallel universes and weird, grim plot twists as it detours from a touching 'father-son’* story into a more complicated crime thriller. (Carmike) GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI (R) Indie-director Jim Jarmusch's (A Night On Earth, Down By Laul\ brutal, but much-anticipated gangsla drama infuses Japanese phi losophy, the Mafia world and violent street crime into an assassin’s (Forest Whitaker) persona! struggle to sur vive and find honor. Featuring music from Wu-Tang’s RZA. (Georgia Theatre) Stephen Fi ears examines the ups and downs of modern romance and never settles on a dean resolution, but rather meanders through the common fears, insecurities and life lessons involved in the never-ending quest to understand it The story unfolds in Chicago at an even, comfortable pace as the audience meets one colorful character after another. Starring John Cusack, I ben Hjejle, Lisa Boneb Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, Jack Black, Todd Louiso and Tim Robbins. (Georgia Theatre) LOVE AND BASKETBALL (PG-13) Director Gina Prince’s smart and warm-hearted romantic drama gets at more than just college hoop dreams; it follows two childhood friends, Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), as they grow up and into a complicated relationship in which basketball becomes a catalyst. miss jokes. The $t«y loosely follows a generic college kid with no person ality (Breckin Meyer), two unlikabfe ‘party hound" cohorts (Seann William Scott, Paulo Costanzo) and an exploited, likable. French Toast- lovin’ geek with a car (DJ Qualls) as they embark on an 1800 mile road trip. The iaughs are too few and far between, Canadian comedian Tom Green (known best for his obnoxious comedy styfe and his variety show on MTV) "narrates." Partially filmed on the UGA campus and around town. With Rachel Blanchard, Amy Smart. (Beechwood, Carmike) SHANGHAI NOON (PG-13) A kung-fu Western. When Imperial Guard Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) comes to America in the 1880s to rescue a beautiful kidnapped Chinese princess (Lucy Liu), he bumps into a bumbling gunfighter (Owen Wilson). The odd pair attempt to rescue the princess with much help from an Indian maiden (Brandon Merrill). Expect plenty of Chan's martial arts sequences and a lots ol low humor. (Beechwood, Carmike) SMALL TIME CROOKS (PG) Woody Allen’s latest is a silly and amusing old school-style comedy with a slew ot weird, silly plot twists surrounding a pack of hilariously Saffron Burrows stars in Tima Code. GLADIATOR (ft) This lengthy drama from direct or Ridley Scott {Blade Runnei) is a powerful examination of political power, jealousy, corruption and revenge cut with an armful of 'blood-in-the-mud" battle scenes. Set in 180 A.D., the story follows Maximus (Russell Crowe), a brave and loyal Roman General dedicated to his emperor (Richard Harris) and uncorrupted by the politics of the fledgling ’republic." After the emperor’s suspicious death following an extremely violent battle scene, his sniveling heir to the throne. Commoefus (Joaquin Phoenix), elbows his way info power and arranges to have Maximus and his family killed. The General escapes but winds up enslaved in a louring pack ot gladiators, He returns to the Roman Coliseum with revenge on his mind and leather on his chest. The film shifts from one complicated sub- plotto another, but most moviegoers wilt surely enjoy the impressive achon sequences, battle scenes and -politics! themes. With Connie Hie'sea Dj;mon Hounsriu and tbs tats Oliver Reel (Beechwood, Carmike) HIGH FIDELITY {ft} This quirky, bte lecweei, laugh-euHoud. rockin' and rollsn’ romantic comedy to director With Dennis Haysbert. (Carmike) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 (PG- 13) See Movie Pick, (Beechwood, Carmike, Commerce Drive-In) MY DOG SKIP (PG) Based on the late award-winning author Willie Morris’ best-selling memoir of his boyhood, this touching coming-ot- age story, set m Mississippi in 19-42. follows a nine-year-old (Frankie Muni?) who receives a Jack Russell Terrier puppy for his birthday and strikes up a unique friendship. Narrated by Harry Con nick, Jr. (Mali Inside) THE ROAD TO EL DORADO (PG) Two amiable gold-smitten swindlers, Tulio and Miguel (voiced by Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh), happen upon the legendary city of gold. El Dorado, where they are mistaken for gods in this Dreamworks animation delight (Geoff Carr] (Mat! Inside) ROAD TRIP (R) You've seen it aft before and in much better term bill net in Athens. Directed and co-written by Todd Phillips, this juvenile college romp attempts to operate within a familiar formula that began with Po/xySznd confined last year with Atrx-ffc-jn Pie. Unfortunately, the result tea shapeless, derivative, sometimes insensitive comedy lilted with tottery nudity and h:[-or* dim wilted characters. Allen plays an insecure ex-con with a “briiliarif plan to rob a bank. Tracey Ullman stars as his sardonic wife who is dead set against giving up their life savings ('( need our six G’s, honey,'" he begs) so that he can work with his utterly inept pals (Tony Oarrow, Jon Lovte and Michael Rapaporl). In a weird twist, the comedy shifts Irom the bungled burglary to a “rags-lo-riches' late poking fun at the snobbery and shal lowness of the New York elite and championing the blue-collar under class. It’s not Allen’s sharpest work— in fact some of it looks like a rough draft—but there’s some very funny dialogue and slapstick throughout, With Hugh Grant and Elaine Stritch. (Carmike) SMOKE SIGNALS (PG-13) T§33. A brilliant, dialogue-heavy drama about resolution and. mortality written, directed, co-produced and acted by Native Americans. An estranged son (Adam Beach) living on a reservation in Idaho has a deep resentment against his d-ied fatter, but tttes he should go to Phoenix and pick up his ashes anyway Ho has no money for the journey, but a nerdy tod (Evan Adams) does to otters to buy the bus ’texete if Victor will take tern ateng on tte trip. White by She: man PLA6POLE MAY 31, 2000
