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MOVIE
DOPE.
by BALLARD LESEMANN
THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY
AND BULLWINKLE (PG) Based on
Jay Ward's original ‘Rocky And
Bullwinkle’ cartoons ot the late-1960’s,
this weak big-screen version is an
unwatchable disappointment. Director
Des McAnuff's blend ol computer ani
mation mostly looks forced and stiff;
and Jason Alexander, Rene Russo and
Robert De Niro all look ridiculous and
embarrassed. Ends Thursday (Mall)
AUTUMN IN NEW YORK (PG-13) A
romantic tear-jerker peppered with
moments of comedy about an aging
New York playboy (Richard Gere) who
falls in love “for the first time’ with a
sweet young woman (Winona Ryder).
With the inevitably thuggish Anthony
LaPaglia and the wonderfully cranky
Elaine Stntch. Directed by Joan Chen
and written by Allison Burnett. Opens
Friday. (Beechwood, Carmike)
BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE (PG-13)
Martin Lawrence goes “deep under
cover’ in this crude comedy about a
slick city detective who poses as an
obese Georgia grandmother. This is a
derivative comply consisting of little
more than a continuous string of gags
and one-liners revolving around the
same |Oke. but audiences are howling
anyway. Starts Friday. (Mall)
BLESS THE CHILD (R) A tense
looking supernatural thriller about a six-
year-old girl (newcomer Holliston
Coleman) with extraordinary, possibly-
otherworldly powers who may be
“mankind's last hope." With Kim
Basinger. Jimmy Smits. Rufus Sewell.
Ian Holm and Christina Ricci Directed
by Chuck Russell. Opens Friday.
(Beechwood. Carmike)
COYOTE UGLY (PG-13) Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer's mindless comedy
ol tackiness follows a 21-year-old.
small-town New Jersey girl (Piper
Perabo) as she descends into
Manhattan in hopes ol a songwriting
career She takes a cheap apartment in
Chinatown and gets a pb at Coyote
Ugly, a wild tavern
in the East Village
that resembles the
worst elements of
Cocktail and
MTVs "Spring
Break" specials.
With Adam Garcia.
Maria Bello. Tyra
Banks and John
Goodman. See
Movie Pick.
(Beechwood.
Carmike)
DISNEY’S THE
KID (PG) This
plucky family
comedy gets
syrupy (thanks
especially to the
obnoxious
musical cues), but
stays pretty well
on trade Bruce Willis plays a sarcastic
L.A. image consultant who. on the eve
of his 40th birthday, gets to meet him
self as an 8-year-old kid. He dismisses
the phenomenon as an oncoming ner
vous breakdown The pudgy kid. played
with convincing charm and wit by puuty
newcomer Spencer Breslin. can’t under
stand why he's been transplanted to his
future, either. The two develop c decent
rapport, however, and Willis’ cold heart
inevitably thaws With Emily Mortimer
and Lily Tomlin. Directed by John
Turteltaub (Beechwood. Carmike)
“EDWARD ABBEY: A VOICE IN THE
WILDERNESS" (NR) A documentary
about the controversial and influential
American author. The film Lonely The
Bra've was based on Abbey's novel
Brave Lonely. (Athens-Clarke Library)
“FLICKER” (NR) Wednesdays pro
gram features a collection of films called
“Talking Arvmal Films From The Golden
Years Of Hollywood’ consisting of throe
films from the 1930's with real animals
(donkeys, chickens, dogs, cats and
horses). Friday's and Saturday's pro
gram features The Blues Accordin' To
Lightnin'Hopkins (1969). a short docu
mentary directed by Les Blank about the
great Texas bluesman Lightnin'
Hopkins. Footage includes perfor
mances at an outdoor barbecue and a
black rodeo and a visit to his boyhood
town of Centerville, Texas Monday's.
Tuesday's and next Wednesday's pro
gram features Alfred Hitchcock's
Sabotage (1936), a suspense-thriller set
in London following a group of foreign
saboteurs who devise evil plans behind
the walls of a seemingly harmless
mevie theater. Call 545-0039 for more
information. (Flicker Theatre)
FREQUENCY (PG-13) James Caviezel
and Dennis Quaid star in director
Gregory Hoblit’s (Primal Fear) chaotic
and sentimental “what if’ fantasy-drama
about a ,oung. modern-day New York
cop who goes 30 years back in time (by
way of a ham radio) and connects and
converses with his late father. Starts
Friday. (Mall)
GLADIATOR (R) This lengthy drama is
a powerful examination of political
power, jealousy, corruption and revenge
with an load ol graphic battle scenes.
The story follows Maximus (Russell
Crowe), a brave, loyal, uncorrupted
Roman general screwed over by a
sniveling heir to the throne (Joaquin
Phoenix) who elbows his way into
'power The film shifts from one compli
cated subplot to another, but most
moviegoers will enjoy the impressive
action sequences, battle scenes and
political themes. Directed by Ridley
Scott Showing Monday and Tuesday.
(Georgia Theatre)
HOLLOW MAN (R) A tedious, gim
micky. poorly-written suspense-thriller
from director Paul Verhoeven (Basic
Instinct) about a “brilliant” group of
young scientists (most ot whom belong
in jail or the loony bin) at a dingy, top-
secret military lab who have just
unlocked the secret ot “invisibility." The
team's cocky leader, Sebastian Came (a
sneering Kevin Bacon), ignores the
risks, defies orders Irom his boss
(William DeVane in his “double-shot’
weekend performance) and tests the
dangerous procedure on himself. For
some unexplained reason, he immedi
ately becomes a psycho stalker and
goes about raping, molesting and mur
dering his colleagues and neighbors.
Although some special eflects depicting
the giuesome translormation from vis
ible state to “invisibility" are genuinely
impressive, the story goes nowhere.
Co-stars Elisabeth Shue and Josh
Brolin look embarrassed as they so their
best with the annoying dialogue and
ridiculous circumstances Avoid at all
costs (Beechwood, Carmike,
Commerce Drive-In)
MAD ABOUT MAMBO (PG-13) A
romantic comedy about a Catholic high
school student who tries to perfect his
soccer timing by practicing dance Ot
course, he tails in love wth his dance
partner With Keri Russell. Brian Cox
and William Ash Written and directed
by John Forte (Carmike) ’
ME, MYSELF & IRENE (R) Jim
Carrey suffers an extremely weird split
personality disorder in this disap
pointing “gross-out’ comedy from the
Farrelly Brothers He plays a mce-guy
cop living in Rhode Island in a town
where everybody constantly walks all
over him One day. he totally loses it
and becomes "Hank," a completely
unlikable. overly aggressive, sexist
menace. Enter Renee Zellweger (Jerry
Maguire), who pouts her way through a
rather drab performance as the schizo
cop’s love interest. With Chris Cooper.
Robert Forster, Richard Jenkins. Ana
and Little Tony Cox. (Mall)
NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE
KLUMPS (PG-13) In an impressive
follow-up to his breakthrough perfor
mance in the 1996 hit The Nutty
Prolessor (a remake of the 1963 Jerry
Lewis comedy), Eddie Murphy re
proves his comic capabilities and
delivers an uncharacteristically sensitive
take on reai family characters.
Unfortunately The Klumps bets every
thing on Murphy's abilities and barely
stays on track enough to set up each
punch line and sight gag. The story
mostly follows science professor
Sherman Kiump as he nervously deals
with his mounting affections aimed at
his colleague. Denise (Janet Jackson).
She and Sherman have fallen in love
while working on a “fountain ol youth"
tormula that restores potency and vigor.
The main crisis of the story, however,
involves Sherman's uninhibited Id—a
selfish and brash character known as
"Buddy Love’—that still exists inside
him. Love jumps out from Sherman's
subconscious at the worst possible
times and, thanks to an accident in the
DNA laboratory, manifests himself in a
slick, tacky human figure. While
Murphy is al his best in his depiction's
ol the variously flawed and likable
K'umps. the him merely touches these
characters and. instead, keeps its locus
on vulgarity rather than charm. Too bad
(Beechwood, Carmike. Commerce
Drive-In)
THE PATRIOT (R) At times moving
and complicated, the film assumes its
audience has already brushed up
heavily on its Colonial history and
bounces from one scenario to another
without thoroughly setting up any ol
them. Mel Gibson as a South Carolina
farmer who resists the call to arms pro
pels the film, but some scenes are so
poorly written it's hard not to laugh.
Heath Ledger stands out as the rebel
lious eldest son determined to fight for
the cause. English actors Jason Isaacs
and Tom Wilkinson are fantastic as fop
pish British olticers. (Beechwood,
Carmike)
THE PERFECT STORM (PG-13) A
salty tragedy, directed with a heavy hand
by Wolfgang Petersen from Sebastian
Junger's best-selling book. The story,
set in the fishing town ot Gloucester in
1991, gradually introduces a handful of
characters struggling to make life work,
be it on the sea or on land As the boat's
serious-minded, determined skipper,
George Clooney clocks in a strong per
formance as do Mary Elizabeth
Mastrantomo (Umbo), Mark Wahlberg,
Diane Lane, William Fichtner and the
invaluable John C Reilly Ends
Thursday. (Beechwood, Carmike)
POKEMON: THE MOVIE 2000 (G)
First off. if you are not familiar with the
Pok6mon universe, then basically
Pokemon are animals that trainers cap
ture and battle for point: and badges in
the popular kids' TV series and trading
card game l liked this movie, aside
from small children yelling "Pikachu" in
the movie theater. The main *hing I liked
was that this movie was not as cheesy
as the first Pokemon movie. So it you
have a couple ot bucks to blow, go and
see a matinee, because it is surprisingly
funny. Ends T hursday. [Alex Moore]
(Beechwood, Carmike)
THE REPLACEMENTS (PG-13) On
the heels of Oliver Stone's overly dra
matic Any Given Sunday comes this
romp from director Howard Deulch
(Odd Couple II, Grumpier Old Men),
This "underdog" sports comedy (based
loosely on the 1987 professional tool-
ball players' strike) follows a mis
matched crew of outsiders recruited to
play for a pro team. Will Keanu Reeves
deliver a believable performance as the
“scab squad" quarterback? It won't
mater because the great Gene Hackman
will carry this either way as the team
head coach. With veteran grouch Jack
Ward. Orlando Jones (of the recent *7-
Up’ ads). Welsh actor Rhys Hans
(Notting Hilt), and Swngers alumni
Brooke Langton and Jon Favreau.
Opens Friday. (Beechwood, Carmike)
ROAD TRIP (R) Sure, this is a big,
dumb, derivative college romp filled
with obligatory nudity and hit-or-miss
jokes, but it’s worth a look-see if only
for the inspired performance from
gangly, nerdy newcomer DJ Qualls as
the gleefully exploited, likable geek who
learns the ropes of life while on a ridicu
lous cross-country road trip Partially
filmed on the UGA campus and around
Athens Directed and co-written by Todd
Phillips. Ends Thursday. (Mall)
SCARY MOVIE (R) Directing from a
weird script written by Shawn Wayans,
Marlon Wayans. and others. Keenen
Ivory Wayans has assembled one of the
most over-the-top disgusting comedies
of the year This movie skewers scenes
trom recent slasher flicks and makes a
satirical attack on some of the catch-
phrases and cliches produced recently
ty American cinema Most of the
comedy is raucous, nasty and hit-or-
miss. but the “gross-out humor” sur
passes that ot American Pie, There's
Something About Wary and the recent
Me. Myself & Irene (Beechwood.
Carmike. Commerce Drive-In)
SHANGHAI NOON (PG-13) A silly bui
entertaining martiai arts Western that
makes little sense but gets big laughs
Starring Jackie Chari. Lucy Liu and
Owen Wilson (Mall)
SPACE COWBOYS (PG-13) A harm
less and amusing Hollywood flick about
the modern "post-Cold War’ world of
NASA directed by Clint Eastwood. The
unlikely story follows four veteran astro
nauts (Eastwood. Donald Sutherland,
Tommy Lee Jones and James Garner)
who—after over 30 years away from
duly—accept a dangerous assignment
to return to space one last time on a
secret mission involving a Russian
"satellite"-gone-haywire. The story
unfolds in two parts: the lirst few acts
introduce the four guys and all ol their
oid rivalries, grudges and love interests;
the latter hall involves a mysterious
governmental scheme. Expect plenty ot
running jokes involving sexually-
charged zingers and one-liners, some
decent special eflects and a very loose
final ad With James Cromwell. Loren
Dean, Courtney B Vance. William
MOVIE LISTINGS
Theater schedules often change after our deadline. Please call ahead.
ACC LIBRARY (613-3650)
Edward Abbey: A Voice In The Wilderness (NR) 7:00
(Th. 8/10)
Sprout Wings And Fly (NR) 8:15 (Th. 8/10)
BEECHWOOD (546-1011)
Autumn In New York (PG-13) 2:00. 4:15. 7:00. 9:15
(opens F. 8/11)
Bless The Child (R) 2:25. 4:50, 7:15. 9:35 (opens F.
8/11)
Coyote Ugly (PG-13) 1:20, 3:20, 5:20, 7:20, 9:20 (new
times F. 8/11: 1:20, 3:20, 5:20. 7:35, 9:30)
Disney's The Kid (PG) 1:30, 4:00, 7:10. 9:25 (new times
F. 8/11: 1:35. 4:00. 7:10)
Hollow Man (R) 2:15, 4.45, 7:15, 9:55
The Nutty Processor II: The Klumps (PG-13) 12:45,
2:00, 3:00. 4:15, 5:15, 7:00. 7:30. 9:15, 9:45 (new
times F. 8/11: 12:45. 3:00, 5:15. 7:30. 9:45)
The Patriot (R) 8:00
The Ferfect Storm (PG-13) 7:05, 9:50 (ends Th. 8/10)
Pokemon: The Movie 2000 (G) 12:55, 3:10, 5:25 (ends
Th. 8/10)
The Replacements (PG-13) 1:50, 4:20, 7:25, 9:50
(opens F. 8/11)
Scary Movie (R) 1:25, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30. 9:30 (new time
F. 8/11: 9:25)
Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:40, 4:30, 7:10, 9:40
Thomas And The Magic Railroad (G) 1:00, 3:05, 5:00
What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30, 4:10, 7:05, 9:55 (new
times F. 8/11: 1:30, 4:10, 7:00, 9:35)
X-Men (PG-13) 1:45. 4:20. 7:20, 9:35 (new times F.
8/11: 1:45, 4:20, 7:05. 9:20)
CARMIKE 1 2 (354-0016)
Autumn In New York (PG-13) 2:15, 4:35, 7:10, 9:25
(opens F. 8/11)
Bless The Child (R) 2:30, 4:55, 7:15, 9:35 (opens F.
8/11)
Coyote Ugly (PG-13) 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30. 9:45
Disney's The Kid (PG) 12:20, 2:35, 4:50, 7:05, 9:20
(new times F. 8/11: No 9:20 showing) .
Hollow Man (R) 12:30, 3:00, 7:00, 9:30
Mad About Mambo (PG-13) 12:30, 2:45. 5:00, 7:15.
9:20 (new times F. 8/11: 7:30, 9:40)
The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (PG-13) 1:15,
1:45, 4:00. 4:30, 7:00, 7:30, 9:30, 10:00 (new tines F.
8/11: 1:15, 4:00. 7:00, 9:30)
The Patriot (R) 8:00 (new time F. 8/11: 9:15)
The Perfect Storm (PG-13) 7:00, 10:00 (end Th. 8/10)
Pokemon: The Movie 2000 (G) 12:25, 2:40. 4:55 (ends
Th. 8/10)
The Replacements (PG-13) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30
(open: F. 8/11)
Scary Movie (R) 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7:00. 9:15
Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:15, 4:00, 7:00, 9:30
Thomas And The Magic Railroad (G) 1:30, 3:30, 5:30
What Lies Beneath (R) 1:00 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
X-Men (PG-13) 12:15, 2:30. 4:45. 7:00. 9:15
COMMERCE DRIVE-IN (335-2486)
All shows begin ot dusk, Monday through Sundoy
The Nutty Professor: The Klumps (PG-13) Screen 1
Hollow Man (R) Screen 2
Scary Movie (R) Screen 3 (ends Th. 8/10)
A -Men (PG-13) Screen 3 (starts F. 8/11)
FLICKER THEATRE (546-0039)
“Talking Animal Films From The Golden Years Of
Hollywood" (NR) 8:30 (W. 8/9)
The Blues Accordin' To Lightnin' Hopkins (NR) 8:30 (F.
8/11 & Sa. 8/12)
Sabotage (NR) 8:30 (M. 8/14, Tu. 8/15, W. 8/16)
GEORGIA SQUARE MALL In (543-1632)
The Adventure Of Rocky And Bullwinkle (PG) 5:40
(ends Th. 8/10)
Big Momma's House (PG-13) 5:40, 7:55 (12:25, 2:55
Si. & Su.) (starts F. 8/11)
Frequency (PG-13) 5:35, 8:00 (12:20, 2:45 Sa. 8. Su.)
(starts F. 8/11)
Me. Myself & Irene (R) 5:30, 8.10 (12:15, 2:50 Sa. &
Su.)
Road Trip (R) 5:35, 7:55 (ends Th. 8/10)
Shanghai Noon (PG-13) 5:45, 8:05 (12:30, 3:00 Sa. 8
Su.)
Where The Heart Is (PG-13) 8:00 (ends Th. 8/10)
GEORGIA THEATRE (549-9918)
Gladiator (R) 7:00, 10:00 (M. 8/14. Tu. 8/15)
Elizabeth Shue and Kevin Bacor. star in Hollow Man.
FLAGPOLE AUGUST 9, 2000