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THE AMfTYVILLE HORROR (R)
Director Andrew Douglas and wrier
Scot! Kosar have subdivided their ver
sion of this True story* into a decent
little film about a haurtod housed
predilection for possession and a ter
ribly overt ghost story tult of ihe CG
phantoms we have become accustomed
to Ming. (Carmike); Ends Thursday
(Beechwood. Highway 17 Theatres)
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB (G)
1999 Wim Wenders' Academy Award-
nominated documentary, sparked by Ry
Cooder* encouraging this retired group
of aged Cuban musicians, virtually for
gotten sines Castro* 1959 takeover, to
record a CO. was personalty recom
mended to me by CNN* own Bill
Hemner (the Chad Lad of 2000). w4x)
saw the legendary group perform when
they visited Atlanta The film features
several globetrotting performances as
the group travels from Havana to
Amsterdam to Carnegie Hall, while also
chronicling the numerous decades in
Cuba during which these musicians
learned their craft Shows Friday. 5/13
(Nugi* Space)
CONSTANTINE (R) Unlike other occult
comic films. Constantine makes sense
A surprising boon is the casting: stars
Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz inhabit
their mordant neo-noir characters with
surprising ease. Ends Thursday
(Georgia Square 5)
CRASH (R) See Move Pick.
(Beechwood. Carmike)
DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN
(PG-13) Hilarious matron Madea* trek
to the big screen, seasoned with over
wrought melodrama, tastes about as
good as over-salted greens. Starring
Kimberly Elise and Charles McCarter.
(Georgia Square 5)
FEARLESS FREAKS (NR) Bradley
Beesley directed this feature-length doc
umentary on the genesis and evolution
o< The Flaming Lips. This is the
Southeastern premiere! Shows Monday.
5/16 (40 Watt)
FEVER PTTCH (PG-13) Drew
Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon are the
cutest couple to grace the screen in this
short calendar year. With its charming
actors and a couple ot decent sports/
life metaphors, Fever Pitch breaks a
curse ol its own. that o< the formulaic
romance. Ends Thursday (Carmike)
GODS & MONSTERS (R) 1996 Bill
Condon won an Academy Award for
Best Adapted Screenplay with this gor
geous, introspective biopic ol
Frankenstein director James Whale. Ian
McKeUan* award-winning tom as
Whale captures the desperation and
loneliness ot a man who finds himself
more and more out-of-sync with the
modern world The homosexual film-
maker's unlikely friendship with mus
cular gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan
Fraser in a performance of surprising
depth), a man mesmerized by his tales
of old Hollywood, breathes life back into
Whale, turning him into a version ol his
greatest cinematic creation. Shows
Thursday. 5/12 (ACC Library)
GUESS WHO (PG-13) Ashton Kutcher
is Simon Green who must brave the
childhood home ol his African-
American fiancee, ruled over by dys
peptic patriarch Percy Jones (Bernie
Mac) One just wishes the diverting flick
had spent less time on Simon and
Percy's pissing contest. (Carmike)
THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE
GALAXY (PG) Don! panic! The beloved
Douglas Adams novels long-awaited
hyperspace jump Iran page to silver
screen is a successful one, suffering
only a few atomical changes in its trans-
Alnght already about Vietnam!
moQrification. W/teftrirterS retains the
whimsy of Adams' prose, while allowing
the screen incarnation ot hitchhiking
earthling Arthur Dent (Martin Tim*
Freeman) to be less a passenger on his
galactic adventures The little tinkering
done by Adams never betrays the char
acters or the book's spirit. Freeman.
Sam Rockwell and Mos Def bumble
their way across the stars with their
character* expected stupefaction. With
his hair metal coif, Rockwell narcis
sistic. pseudo-Texan take on Zaphod is
boflo Only the pretty Deschanel seems
lost. Director Garth Jennings, weaned
on commercials, uses those sensibili
ties to create a bright and fanciful visual
universe befitting ol Adams' chimerical
legacy. Mayhap the Question of Life, the
Universe, and Everything is "how many
times will towel-waving hitchhikers view
this film during its initial theatrical run?*
(Beechwood. Carmike)
HOUSE OF WAX (R) honor is not
always solely about being scared wit
less. something at which House ot Wax,
yet another remake, occasionally suc
ceeds. The true strength of this Paris
Hilton shocker is that trait common to
70s exploitation and its progeny: being
mear.ashell to its characters Paris arid
company (Elisha Crthbert. Chad
Michael Murray and Jared Padalecki)
encounter some Louisiana rednecks
hell-bent on creating an entire town of
wax and end up decapitated, sliced and
gored (Fortunately. Miss Hilton gets in
a little striptease action before her
Voorhees-ian demise.) What with all the
injuries, bondage and the painful waxing
of Padatecki* facial hair, one gets the
impression director Jaume Cotlet-Serra
must have a huge S&M fetish His flick,
a Frankenstein's monster constructed
from pieces of horror movies past, bor
rows most of its appendages from The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (wax-faced
Vincent is a bootleg Leatheriace), but
has no brain whatsoever. The castmem-
bers, a collective of pretty faces, do
everything in their ponwr to get them
selves killed, though who cares about
the inanity ol the setup it the deaths are
horrible enough. I just wish the pro
ducers had gone through with the 3-D
gambit. A three-dimensional offing of
Paris Hilton would have rocked.
(Beechwood, Carmike)
IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE:
THE SHANE MACGOWAN STORY
(NR) 2001. This documentary about the
infamous Pogues frontman combines
archival and performance footage with
recent interviews. Shows Wednesday.
5/18 (Flicker)
THE INTERPRETER (PG-13) With its
murder at the UN plot and the most
dour duo since Ba&ran and Robin went
off anti-depressants. The Interpreter
should satisfy the adult hidden in us aft.
Translator Sytvia Broome (Nicole
woman) overhears a threat against the
murderous leader of an African nation,
whose protection is betaQ overseen by
Secret Service Agent Tobin Keffer (Sean
Perm). The doozy ota fiat act is tauter
than any Trim of toe past year, using its
location, the UN, to perfection
(Beechwood, Carmike)
KICnNG * 8CREAMM6 (PG) Rise.
loco refTMi. YtwI rorreirs uan3u/ma»on
from bawdy, do-anything-for-a-laugh
comedian to cuddty, family-friendly, do-
anything-that-will-not-lose-a-PG-
rating-for-a-taugh star is complete, as
he is finally saddfed with coaching a
pathetic team of losers that includes his
son. Directed by Bob Dylan* other son.
Jesse. Opens Friday (Beechwood.
Carmike. Highway 17 Theatres)
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (R) Director
Ridley Scott* take on yet another his
torical epoch delivers the goods even il
they are a bit familiar. When black
smith-turned-knight Baiian (a manlier
than usual Orlando Bloom) must
defend Jerusalem from vengeful
Muslim warriors ted by Saladin after
the Knights Templar (who must be evil,
considering Brendan Gleeson. histor
ical cinema* biggest bad guy. is their
leader) go on a bloody rampage. Scott
brings his A-garne. as wdl as siege
engines, burning oil, and thousands
upon thousands of CG combatants
Kingdom of Heaven has toe look and
feel oI historical veracity. Then again,
that look, from the particulate-rilled air
lo the omnipresent blue fitter, belongs
to Scott* last ancient epic, Gladiator
Yet Baiian* tale does not engage like
that ot Maximus, never elevating the
film beyond its gorgeously filmed battle
sequences, and no matter the film*
accuracy and attention to detail, its
postmodern take on the Crusades
strikes a note ot falsity. Romancing a
queen (Eva Green) and sermonizing
about sharing the Holy City. Batian is
tar too egalitarian and ecumenical tor
his day Though a finety crafted two-
hour-plus spectacle, this ancient
Kingdom is one to which we have trav
eled before. (Beechwood, Carmike)
KUNG FU HUSTLE (R) While Stephen
Chow* latest film tails to lly as high as
he aims, this cinematic smoothie, a
blend ol martial arts, musicals, and
slapstick comedy, lands enough
punches and kicks to bring a doofy
smile to even the most staunch realist
Ends Thursday (Carmike)
A LOT LIKE LOVE (PG-13) After
having sex in an airplane bathroom.
Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily
(Amanda Peet) embark on an olt-again.
off-again romance. Kutcher and Peet*
chemistry takes a little while to ignite
but by their silent war over fried rice,
both have won the hearts of each otoer
and me. (Beechwood); Ends Thursday
iCarmike)
MAN OF THE HOUSE (PG-13)
Tommy Lee Jones does what he does
best—scowl and be the lovable cur
mudgeon. while protecting a bunch a
cheerleaders who witnessed a murder.
(Georoia Square 5)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (PG-13)
Clint Eastwood* cleaned up this year at
the Oscars, with ftaty bringing home
Best Picture. Best Director, Best Actress
and Best Supporting Acta. Frankie
Dunn (Eastwood) begrudgingly takes on
female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary
Swank). tominQ her into a champi
onship contender and substitute tor fks
estranged daughter. (Georgia Square 5)
A MONSTER-IN-LAW (PG-13) Let
me get tms straight rwo-ume uscar
winner Jane Fonda has returned from a
14-year cinematic hiatus to costar In a
romantic comedy with J-lo? It must
raw been toe otsonguenea pedigree a
toe director and screenwriter, respon-
sole tor Legvty dkxxx ana oarxng,
respectively. Lopez plays Charlie vtoose
dreamy engagement to Kevin (Michael
MOVIE LISTINGS
Theater schedules often change after our deadline. Please call aheod.
A Lot Line Love 'PG-13) 12:40, 4:20. 7:15. 9:40 (ends
Th. 5/12)
Monster-in-Uw (PG-13) 12:45. 3:05. 5:25. 7:45. 10:05
ACC LIBRARY (613-3650)
Gods and Monsters (R) 7:00 (Th. 5/12)
BK1CHWOOO (546-1011)
The Amityville Horror (R) 2:20. 4:30. 7:20, 9:30 (ends
Th. 5/12)
Crash (R) 2:15, 4:45, 7:15. 9:45
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (PG) 2:10, 4:35,
7:10. 9:35
House of Wax (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:20. 9:55
The Interpreter (PG-13) 4:00. 7:00. 9:45 (add! times F.
5/13-Su. 5/15:1:05)
Kidring and Screaming (PG) 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40
(add! times F. 5/13-Su. 5/15: 1:00) (opens F. 5/13)
Kingdom of Heaven (PG-13) 2:00. 4:00. 5:00, 7:00,
8:00.10:00 (add! times F. 5/13-Su. 5/15: 1:00)
A Lot Like Love (PG-13) 2:05, 4:35, 7:05, 9:35 (new
times F. 5/13: 2:05. 4:35, 7:05)
Monster-in-Law (PG-13) 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 (opens
f- 5/13)
The Padfler (PG) 2:05. 7:40 (ends Th. 5/12)
Sahara (PG-13) 4:10, 7:10. 9:55 (add! times F.
5/13-Su. 5/15:1:10)
Unleashed (R) 2:20,4:50, 7:20. 9:50 (opens F. 5/13)
XXX: State of the Union (PG-13) 3:35, 4:3$, 6:55,
9:15,10:00 (new time F. 5/13: 9:35)
CARMIKE IS (354-0016)
The Amttyvfile Horror (R) 1:45. 4:15, 7:10, 9:30
Crash (R) 12:30. 2:50. 5:10, 7:30. 9:50
Fever Pitch (PG-13) 1:15, 4:45, 7:30, 9:55 (ends Th.
5/12)
Guess Who (PG-13) 12:50, 4:30, 7:15, 9*5
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (PG) 12:15. 2:40.
5:05. 7:30,9:55 (new times F. 5/13:12:30, 2:50, 5:10,
7:30. 9:55)
House of Wbc (R) 1:45, 4:30, 7:05, 9*0
The Interpreter (PG-13) 1300, AM. 7.-00,9:50
Kkfctaf and Snowing (PG) 12:30, 2*5, 5:00, 7:15,
9:30 (opens F. 5/13)
Kingdom of Heaven (R) L-00,4.-05, 7:10,10:15 (new
times F. 5/13 1.-00.4.-05,7:10)
Kang Fa Hustle (R) 7.-00,9:20 (ends Th. 5/12)
(opens F. 5/13)
Robots (PG) 1:30, 4:15 (ends Th. 5/12)
Sahara (PG-13) 1:10, 4:00, 7:00. 9:45
Unleashed (R) 1:30. 4:10. 7:00. 9:30 (opens F. 5/13)
XXX: State of the Union (PG-13) 12:45, 3to5. 5:25,
7*5. 10:00 (new times F. 5/13:1:15, 4:20. 7:20. 9:40)
FUCKER THEATRE A BAR (S46-0039)
If I Should Fall From Grace: The Shane MacGowan
Story (NR) 5:00. 8:00.11:00 (W. 5/18)
40 WATT CLUB (549-787!)
Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons (NR)
9:00 (Th. 5/12)
Fearless Freaks (NR) 9:00 (M. 5/16)
OEOROIA SQUARE 5 (548-3426)
Constantine (R) 4:05, 7:10, 9:50 (ends Th. 5/12)
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (PG-13) 4:10. 7:00.9:35
(add! times Sa. 5/14-Su. 5/15:1:30)
Man of the House (PG-13) 4:25, 7:05.9:25 (addl times
Sa. 5/14-Su. 5/15: 2:05)
Million Dollar Baby (PG-13) 4:00, 7:00,9:55 (addl
times Sa. 5/14-Su. 5/15:1:00)
The Ring TWo (PG-13) 4:15, 7:15.9*5 (addl times Sa.
5/14-Su. 5/15:1:45)
Robots (PG) 5:20, 7:30.9:40 (addl times Sa. 5/14-Su.
5/15:1.-00, 3:10) (starts F. 5/13)
HWY 17 DRIVE*114 THEATERS (213-7693)
The AnrttyvIUe Horror (R) 8*5 (ends Th. 5/12)
(Screen 2)
Klddng and Screaming (PG-13) 8*5 (opens F. 5/13)
(Screen 2)
Msnrtw In Lew (PG-13) 8*5 (opens F. 5/13) (Screen l)
XXX: State of the Union (PG-13) 8*5 (ends Th. 5/12)
(Screen 1)
IMP'S SPACE (227-1515)
Buena Vtsta Social dab (G) 9:00 (F. 5/13)
16 . FLAfiP0LE.COM 11, 2005
Vartan cTAHas’) is turned into a nuptial
nightmare by toe mother from Hell
(Fonda). Opens Friday (Beechwood.
Carm&e, Highway 17 Theatres)
THE PACtFER (PG) Vio Diesel has no
fun as Navy S£A.L Shane Wolf,
assigned baby-sitting detail in the name
of national security, so how can the
audience? Ends Thursday (Beechwood)
RETURN TO SIN CITY: A TRIBUTE ‘
TO GRAM PARSONS (NR) Special
showing of the new DVD produced by
Parsons'daughter Polly. The live con
cert. recorded in Los Angeles, has
musicians covering 21 of Parsons'
songs. With Keith Richards. Norah
Jones. Lucinda Williams. Dwight
Yoakam, Steve Earle, John Doe and
more. Shows Thursday. 5/12 (40 Watt)
THE RING TWO (PG-13) Naomi Watts
reprises her role as Rachel, alongside
David Dortman as her son Akton
Rachel and Aidan try to escape the
power of the unmarked videotape—
which is destroyed 20 min. into the
movie. Go figure. (Brandon Waddell)
(Geogia Square 5)
ROBOTS (PG) Smalltime invertor
Rodney CoppertwOom (Ewan
McGregor) is on the run from cutthroat
executive Phineas T. Ratchet (Greg
Kinnear) and his evil mother. Madame
Gasket (Jim Broadbert) While toe nar
rative is not so grand, the awesome
instances of computer animated wow
can make it appear so . Ends Thursday
(Carmike); Starts Friday (Georgia
Square 5)
SAHARA (PG-13) Breck Eisner* adap
tation of toe Clive Cussier bestseller
has Indiana Jones/ James Bond
knockoff Dirk Pitt (Matthew
McConaughey) stumbling upon a
world-endangering oceanic epidemic.
But do not feel sorry fa Pitt, who hooks
up with the most gageous W H O.
doctor ever (Penelope Cruz), while
palling around in the desert with child
hood chum Al (Steve Zahn). All hail the
big-budget summer movie! Light and
breezy, this one makes fa a nice couple
hours munching popcorn and not using
your brain. (Beechwood. Carmike)
STAR WARS: EPISODE III—
REVENGE OF THE S1TH (PG-13) The
long-awaited finale to George Lucas'
epic tale of good versus evil Finds young
Arakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen)
complef ing his conversion to the dark
side of toe Face, and transforming into
toe Darth Vader we all know and love
Staning Ewan McGregor, Natalie
Portman. Samuel L Jackson, and a cast
of CG thousands Special midnight
screening on Wednesday night. May 18,
fa toe Gber-geeks (You know who you
are 1 ) Parents, heed the PG-13 rating—
it* toe first in the series Violence and
death and childbirth, oh my! Look la
Flagpolds exclusive review in next
week* issue! (Margaret Moore) Opens
Thursday. 5/19 (Carmike)
UNLEASHED (R) Scripted by Luc
Besson (The Professional, The Filth
Element) but directed by The
Transporters Louis Letenier. Violence
ensues after marwai$ed-a-dog Danny
(Jet Li) escapes from owner Bart (Bob
Hoskins) and has his collar removed by
an elderty piano tuner (Morgan
Freeman). Opens Friday (Beechwood.
Carmike)
XXX: STATE OF THE UNION (PG-
13) This sequel to the 2002 cut-rate
James Bond flick trades in toe vwssy
X-treme sports guy fa gangsta soldier
Darius Stone (Ice Cube, a husky hero
fa the rest of us). Stilt present are toe
bloodfess videogame action, the ample
PG-13 cleavage, Samuel L Jackson
making some bank, and that tame,
white, gadget guy. The plot, someihing
about overthrowing the president, is
merely a cover fa toe flick* true inten-
lions, shooting up toe tapttoi.
(Beechwood. Carmike); Ends Thursday
(Highway 17 Theatres)
Draw Whttiir