About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2000)
MOVIE DOPE„ by BALLARD LESEMANN A | A MXIJ Uif) > . HHl w ** ■ 1 I r- - ■ te* JHVJ I 4 ■Lj THE ART OF WAR (R) Weslev Snipes bounds through this aggravating action-thriller mess as an elite covert agent working tor the UN who must clear himself of murder charges and uncover an international plot on the eve of an historic summit with China Ends Thursday (Beechwood) AUTUMN IN NEW YORK (PG-13) This decidedly sappy Big Apple tear- jerker follows an aging womanizer (Richard Gere) who falls in love with a sweet young woman (Winona Ryder) who happens to be less than halt his age She can tell when he's lying simply by putting her hand on his heart The two seem perfect for each other, but not tor long. (Beechwood) BAIT (R> Fast-talking television and movie comedy actor Jamie Foxx (Any Given Sunday) slars in this crime- comedy as an ex-con used by a deter mined city cop (David Morse of The Green Mile) to lure a criminal master mind (Doug Hutchison) out of hiding With Mike Epps. Jamie Kennedy. Robed Pastorelh and David Paymer Directed by Antoine Fuqua Opens Friday (Beechwood) BELOVED (R) This complex and painfully emotional period drama com bines stunning pedormances and a cyclical story line with a sense ot his torical and linguistic speciticity A lormer slave from Kentucky named Settle (Oprah Winfrey) confronts her past when the ghost ol her slam infant (Thandie Newton) shows up The cast includes Danny Glover. Kimberly Elise and Beah Richards. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Tom Morrison Directed by. Jonathan Demme. Showing Thursday. 9/14. (Athens-Clarke Library) BLADE RUNNER (R) 1982. Ridley Scott's fantastic, futuristic thriller fol lows the “blade runner" Deckard (Harrison Ford) as he tracks down five renegade “replicants" who’ve hijacked a ship With Rutger Hauer, Sean Young. Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh ar rf n aryl Hannah. Showing Thursday. 9/14. (Tate) BRING IT ON (PG-13) Two rival California cheerleading squads square off in this deeply conventional teen comedy from first-time director Peyton Reed. Kirsten Dunst leads the giddy cast as the energetic, newly-elected captain of a San Diego cheerleading squad It's never clear why she's is so oui-"-ho about her hobby, she's smart, witty, optimistic and kind—basically the opposite of most of her teammates. Her team's main competition comes from a mostly black squad from East Compton led by the cool-headed Isis (Gabrielle Union). As the story follows her through the anxieties and hard ships of the season, she slides between being a typical "dumb blonde" and a truly compassionate, self-aware char acter willing to “do the right thing." Pervs will surely enjoy the endless stream of parity shots Sour-taced him bulls will frown. (Beechwood. Carmike) CECIL B. DeMENTED (R) More bizarre and cunning comedy from writer-director John Waters (Pecker. Pink Flamingos). This one follows a “terrorist indie-film director." played by Stephen Dorfl. and his renegade group ol teenage film bufts who kidnap a spoiled Hollywood star (Melanie Griffith) and force her to stai in their own production. With Alicia Will. Larry Gilliard Jr., Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Waters’ favorite Ricki Lake. Showing Tuesday, 9/19. (Georgia Theatre) THE CELL (R) Video and TV ad director Tarsem's visually stunning cin ematic debut is a wild crime thriller that makes weird use ol science fiction, serial murders, virtual reality and spotty psychology in an attempt to create a decidedly modernistic cine matic journey. Catherine (Jenniler Lopez) is an L.A child psychologist heavily involved in a project in which experimental technology is used to establish a link between her mind and others. Meanwhile, the local FBI is chasing a seriously schizophrenic mur derer (Vincent D'Oriolrio). One agent (Vince Vaughn) somehow deciphers the killer's ritual and figures out that the latest victim has only 40 hours to live before a clockwork mechanism brings about her death. Unlortunately. the killer is in a coma, so they enlist Catherine and the scientists, of course Enter the endless freak show visual montages. As the heroes venture into the killer's subconscious, the film loses its gup on the plot and blasts its viewers with relentless, frightening flashbacks. (Beechwood. Carmike, Commerce Drive-In) CHUCK AND BUCK (R) This indie comedy-drama from Miguel Arteta fol lows a nerdy. 27-year-old loser named Buck (Mike White, wtio also wrote the script) as he becomes a stalker who. after bumping into his childhood pal Chuck (Chris Weilz) at a hometown wedding, is determined to kick-start their pre-adolescent relationship They were best triends when they were young, but it just ain't like that no more 1 This is the Athens Premiere' Showing Monday. 9/18 (Georgia Theatre) THE CREW"(PG-13) It's back to a life ol crime for lour retired gangsters (Richard Dreyfuss, Burt Reynolds. Dan Hedaya and Seymour Cassel) in this grating comedy irom director Michael Dinner (Heaven Help Us) Ends Thursday (Carmike) DUETS (R) A road-trip comedy about six strangers from all walks of life who share the same obsession for karaoke Gwyneth Paltrow (The Talented Mr Ripley) leads the cast as an “innocent Vegas showgirl" searching lor family and love Huey Lewis (Shod Cuts) plays a "seasoned karaoke hustler" Expect loads of karaoke-singm' in bars and chain hotels set in Middle America. With Maria Bello (Coyote Ugly). Andre Braugher (Frequency). Paul Giamatti (Big Momma's House) and Scott Speedman (TV’s "Felicity") and Angie "Policewoman" D'Ckinson Directed by Gwen's dad Bruce Paltrow Opens Friday. (Beechwoodj “FLICKER” (NR) The downtown art- iiouse theater celebrates the early world ol film this week This week's program. “Origins Of The Motion Picture Part 1." features three short films Origins Ot The Motion Picture (1955) is a 21- minule documentary tracing the early development ol movie-making machinery and early engineering notions dating back to Da Vinci's time 4 Man Called Edison (1971) focuses on the mechanics and dynamics ol early-era cinema “Films Of Tiie 1890's" is a collection of early period silent films made between 1894 and 1899 The program will tie screened every night this week (except on Saturday, 9/16. when Hie "Circuses. Stars & Cowtmys" art opening and costume party kicks up). Call o4fi- 1)039 tor more information. (Flicker Theatre) HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME (R) The immortal 16th century Scottish warrior Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) returns in this fourth and final installment ot the tantasy-adventure series With Adrian Paul. AKA Duncan MacLeod, from the “Highlander" TV series (Beechwood. Carmike) HOLLOW MAN (R) A tedious, poorly- scripted suspense-thriller from director Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct. Showgirls) about a “brilliant" group of young scientists at a dingy, top-secret military lab who have just unlocked the secret ot “invisibility." The team's cocky leader (Kevin Bacon), ignores the risks, tests the dangerous procedure on him self and. for some unexplained reason, immediately becomes a psycho stalker and goes about raping, molesting and murdering his colleagues and neigh bors Awful. Ends Thursday (Carmike) THE HUSTLER (NR) 1961 “Fast Eddie" Felsen (Paul Newman) is a young, cocky pool player eager to infil trate the seedy underworld ol "profes sional" pool in this sharp, smoky, well- scripted drama Irom director Robert Rossen Jackie Gleason is excellent as pool shark/pro Minnesota Fats. With Piper Laurie. George C Scott. Michael Constantine, and the real Jake LaMotta Black and White Highly recommended Showing Monday 9/18 (Tate) NURSE BETTY (R) Director Neil LaPutef//? The Company Ol Men. Your Friends And Neighbors) steps side ways from his typically bleak comedic approach and carefully meanders through two parallel fantasies in this awkward but amusing romantic comedy Betty (Renee Zellweger with all her sweet, pouly. culeness) is a cheerlul small town waitress stuck in a bad marriage She is in love with a TV star, a dashing doctor named David Ravell (Greg Kinnear) off of a popular soap called "A Reason To Love.’ After she becomes an accidental witness to her scumbag husband's (Aaron Eckhart) violent assassination. Betty enters an ‘alternate reality" in which she believes she is “Nurse Betty," Dr. Ravell's long-lost love and escapes to L.A in a Buick which iust happens to hold a certain satchel ol drugs The two hitmen who wacked her hubby (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock) tollow after her Zanmess ensues The story could have used a bit more polish, but the scenes between Zellweger and Kinnear are priceless With Crispin Glover and Pruitt Taylor Vince. (Beechwood, Carmike)* NUTTY PROFESSOR II: TH* KLUMPS (PG-13) In a lollowup to his breakthrough performance in the 1996 hit The Nutty Prolessor. Eddie Murphy re-proves his comic capabilities and delivers an uncharacteristically sensi tive lake on real fanvly characters. (Beechwood, Carmike. Commerce Drive-In) THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF COMEDY (R) Director Spike Lee's rau cous concert documentary highlights some of the sharpest, raunchiest and tunmesl commentary and cultural criti cism coming out ol the African- American comedy scene Shot during a show r a packed arena in Cnarlotte. the him :;a[)tures the onstage and back stage action during the phenomenally successful “Kings Of Comedy " tour last winter Comedians Steve Harvey. D L. Hughley. Cedric The Enlerlainer and Bernie Mac crack on everything—con- temporary hip hop culture, the use and misuse ot profa .ty. typically "black" lamily misadventures the battle ot the sexes and class warfare. (Carmike) THE REPLACEMENTS (PG-13) This big. dumb sports comedy lakes a blurry look at pro loothall as it follows a gang of "never-been" mishts on then way to gridiron glory during a player's strike The result is little more than a clumsy pile of macho nonsense . but tfiai s all it aims for. Jack Warden and Gene Hackman have tun wi'h their roles as crusty football sergeants. Keanu Reeves looks and acts as dim as ever Ends Thursday. (Beechwood) SAVING GRACE (R) A dry. British dramady about a working class woman (the brilliant Brenda Blethyn of Secrets And Lies?nd Little Voice) who, with some help from her gardener (Scottish comic-actor Craig Ferguson), embarks on a scheme to grow and sell mari juana to raise funds for an ailing rela tive Her introduction to the under ground drug world is inevitably quite strange Directed by Nigel Cole (Carmike) SCARY MOVIE (R) Directing from a weird script written by Shawn Wayans. Marlon Wayans and others, Keenen Ivory Wayans has aisembled one ol the most over-the-top disgusting comedies of the year This movie skewers scenes from recent slasher flicks and makes * satirical attacks on some of the catcn- phrases and cliches produced recen'iv by American cinema Stads Friday (Beechvtjcd. Carmike) SMALL TIME CROOKS fPG) Woody Allens latest is a silly and amusing old-school-style comedy with a slew of weird, silly plot twists surrounding a pack of hilariously dimwitted charac ters Allen plays an insecure ex-ron with a “brilliant" plan tc rob a bank. Tracey Ullman stars as his sardonic wife who is dead set against giving up their life savings ("I need our six G's, honey.” he begs) so that he can work with his utterly inept pals (Tony Darrow, Jon Lovitz and Michael Rapaport) In a weird twist, the comedy shifts from the bungled burglary to a “rags-to-riches" 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 Sharpes' work, but there's some very funny dialogue and slapstick throughout. With Hugh Grant and Eiaine Stritch. Showing Friday. 9/15 through Sunday. C/17. (Tale) MOVIE LISTINGS Theoter schedules often change after our deadline. Please call ahead. ACC LIBRARY (613-3650) Beloved (R) 6:00 (Th. 9/14) BEECHWOOD (546-1011) The Art Of War (R) 4:45, 9:46 (ends Th. 9/14) Autumn In New York (PG-13) 5:25, 7:35 Bait (R) 2:15, 4:45. 7:16, 9:45 (opens F. 9/15) Bring It On (PG-13) 2:05, 4:20 7:05. 9:20 The Cell (R) 2:10, 4:30. 7:10. 9:30 (ends Th. 9/14) Duets (R) 2:00. 4:25. 7:00. 9:25 (opens F. 9/15) Highlander: Endgame (R) 3:15, 9:35 Nurse Betty (R) 2:20. 4*0. 7:20. 9:40 The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (PG-13) 5:15, 7:25 (add'l time F. 9/15-Su. 9/17: 1:00) The Replacements (PG-13) 2:15. 7:15 (ends Th. 9/14) Scary Movie (R) 3:30. 5:30. 7:40, 9:55 (add'l time F. 9/15-Su. 9/17: 1:30) (starts F. 9/15) Space Cowboys (PG-13) 2:05, 4:35. 7:05, 9:35 Turn It Up (R) 3:15, 5:15, 7:40, 9:50 (new times F. 9/15: 3:15, 9:50) (add'l time F. 9/15-Su. 9/17: 1:15) The Watcher (R) 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:55 (add! time F. 9/15-Su. 9/17: 1:00) The Way of the Gun (R) 2:00, 4:30. 7:00, 9:30 What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 2:00, 4:35, 7:10, 9:45 Whipped (R) 3:20, 9:55 (ends Th. 9/14) CARMIKE 1 2 (354-0016) Bring It On (PG-13) 1:35, 4:00, 7:00, 9:20 The Cell (R) 1:45, 4:20, 7:20, 9:40 The Crew (PG-13) 2:30 (ends Th. 9/14) Highlander: Endgame (R) 2:00, 4:10, 7:10, 9:10 Hollow Man (R) 4:30, 9:30 (ends Th. 9/14) The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (PG-13) 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 (add! showing starting F. 9/15: 2:15) Nurse Betty (R) 2:05, 4:40. 7:20, 9:45 The Original Kings Of Comedy (R) 1:30. 4:15. 7:05. 9:35 Saving Grace (R) 1:50. 4:05, 7:10. 9:25 Scary Movie (R) 2:20. 4:35. 7:30. 9:40 (starts F. 9/15) Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:40, 4:20, 7:00. 9:30 The Watcher (R) 2:10, 4:45, 7:25. 9:35 The Way of the Gun (R) 1:55. 4:25. 7:15. 9:45 What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30. 4:15. 7:00, 9:45 Whipped (R) 2:15, 7:15 (ends Th. 9/14) FLICKER THEATRE (546-0039) Origins Of The Motion Picture: Part 1 (NR) 8:30 (W. 9/13-W. 9/20) TATE CENTER (542-8646) Btade Runner (R) 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 (Th. 9/14) Small Time Crooks (PG-13) 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 (F. 9/15, Sa. 9/16, Su. 9/17) (add'l shewing F. 9/15 & Sa. 9/16: Midnight") The Hustler (R) 3:00, 6:00, 9:00 (M. 9/18) COMMERCE DRIVE-IN (335-2486) Alt shows begin at dark. Monday through Sunday The Cell (R) Screen 1 The Nutty Professor. The Klumps (PG-13) Screen 2 The Watcher (R) Screen 3 GEORGIA THEATRE (549-9918) Chuck And Buck (R) 7:00. 10:00 (M. 9/18) Cedi B. Demented (R) 7:00, 10:00 (Tu. 9/19) SPACE COWBOYS (PG-13) Clint Eastwood. Donald Sutherland. Tommy Lee Jones and James Garner star in this conventional yet entertaining action-comedy as astronauts who accept a dangerous assignment to return to sjiace one last tune on a secret mission involving a Russian "satellite’-gone-haywire I he story unfolds m two jiarts the fust lew ads introduce the four guys and all of their old rivalries, grudges and love inter ests; the latte, trail involves a myste rious government scheme Exjxxtt plenty of running jokes involving sexu ally-charged zmgers and one-liners, some decent special effects and a loose final act. Directed by Clint Eastwood (Beechwood. Carmike) TURN IT UP (R) This edgy tup hop drama chronicles the struggle ot Diamond (Pras Michel ol The Fugees). a Brooklyn rapper determined to escape the streets and realize his dreams He and his sidekick (Ja Rule) struggle to record an album (possibly using blood money) and transcend their ghetto lite The movie is choppy with weak acting, endless urban cliches and mixed rues- * sages. Iml ultimately ends on some thing of a positive note Sort of Heavy on the ijuntights Light on the musical performances. (Beechwoodj THE WATCHER (R) Someone wants to j.'.ay and il might be Keanu Reeves (The Replacements. The Matrix) FBI agent Joel Campbell (James Spader), who has been chasing serial killers tor years, flees L A for a new life m Chicago. Unfortunately, after a series of particularly gruesome mur ders. it becomes clear that his most elusive and cunning nemesis (Reeves) is starting a cat-and-mouse game with him With Marisa Tomei and Ernie Hudson Directed by joe Ct.arbaruc. (Beechwood. Caimike. Commerce Drive-In) THE WAY OF THE GUN (R) An ultra- violent. totally contusing "Western" wannabe written and directed by Christopher McQuarne. the guy who penned the script for The Usual Suspects Two sjirly kidnappers (Benecio Del Toro and Ryan Phillippe) looking for easy money run off a scared, expectant woman (Juliette Lewis) who's carrying the child of an enormously wealthy tycoon After con frontations with two stone-faced body guards (Taye Diggs and Nicky Katl). and a veteran "bag man" mercenary (the great James Caan), the scumbag kidnappers hightail it to Mexico where the movie immediately becomes a gruesome Charles Bmnson/Clinl Eastwood knock-off with extra, extra bullets and blood McQarne's weird script includes all sods of double- crossing, plot twists, mdden clues and relentless “criminal philosophy’ narra tion. but ultimately becomes a total mess The “spaghetti western" timpani and castanets in the soundtrack sound cool, though Good luck figuring what this one's about. (Beechwood. Carmike) WHAT LIES BENEATH (R) This weak, inluriatmg thriller stads out like a creepy love lelter to Hitchcock but su! ters from loo manv preposterous con trivances and eventually ends up like a Friday The 13th sequel Michelle Pfeitter and Harrison Ford are appar ently a wealthy, happily married Vermont couple, but trouble comes after their daughter’s exit to college The film effectively builds up to some very frightening moments but unlodu- nately relies too heavily on the new trick of sladhng the audience with a loud, sudden blast ol orchestral accent Directed by Robed Zemekis (Beechwood, Carmike) WHIPPED (R) Amanda Peet (The Whole Nine Yards) stars in this cutesy comedy about the dating game Written, directed and produced by new comer Peter M. Cohen Ends Thursoay (Beechwood. Carmike) m FLAGPOLE SEPTEMBER 13, 2000
