The Italian Job
Three stars
PG-13
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Ed Norton, Seth
Green
A group of highly skilled crooks pulls off an impossible theft
but forgets to account for one important logistical detail: a
double-cross from within. When the traitor’s hiding place is
discovered, the thieves execute a daring plan to retrieve their
spoils.
The Italian Job
Three stars
PG-13
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Ed Norton, Seth Green
A group of highly skilled crooks pulls off an impossible theft but forgets to account for one important logistical detail: a double-cross from within. When the traitor’s hiding place is discovered, the thieves execute a daring plan to retrieve their spoils.
A heist movie that’s fast-paced, stylish, exciting and, most importantly, fun. The mechanics of the crime take a back seat to the interactions of the characters, which is a welcome change from the more recent entries in this genre.
Finding Nemo
Four stars
G
Starring Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres
Marlin, a skittish clown fish, loses his entire family in an unfortunate underwater incident save his son, Nemo. When a scuba diving dentist takes Nemo home to his office fish tank, Marlin sets off to rescue him.
Pixar hits another one out of the park. The vastness of the ocean provides ample opportunities for Pixar’s CG artists to play. The ample eye-candy serves to support, not distract from, the clever story and charming characters. Adults without kids will just have to go by themselves.
Wrong Turn
Two stars
Opens May 30, 2003
Starring Eliza Dushku
Rated R
A West Virginia camping trip goes horribly wrong when a group of young, attractive hikers get a flat tire on the backroads of West Virginia. In addition to being lost and hungry, they’re being hunted by inbred hillbillies who want to eat them.
Roger Corman meets Dario Argento, produced by Stan Winston. True fans of the “hunted by hillbillies” slasher category (think Texas Chainsaw Massacre or The Hills Have Eyes) will have a lot of fun at this over the top summer horror entry. Everyone else will probably just be grossed out.
Bruce Almighty
Two Stars
Rated PG-13
Starring Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman
When TV reporter Bruce Nolan is passed over for promotion to an anchorman position, he melts down. When he curses God for his misfortunes, God gives Bruce the chance to prove that he could do better by bestowing His powers upon him.
Carrey once again teams with director Tom Shadyac (Liar, Liar, Ace Ventura) to provide a tale of personal redemption through goofball antics. Although Carrey tones down the over-the-top physical comedy he’s become famous for, Bruce probably will be of greatest interest to only the more devoted among his fans.
The In-Laws
Two stars
Rated PG-13
Starring Michael Douglas, Albert Brooks
Mild-mannered podiatrist Jerry Peyser goes to great lengths to keep order in his life. But his plans for a perfect wedding for his daughter are interrupted by Steve Tobias, his future in-law who happens to be a rogue CIA agent.
A remake of the 1979 film of the same name which starred Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, that retains the premise of the original but quickly veers into a different direction. The gags are predictable, but not entirely unfunny. Those unfamiliar with the original should be mildly amused while rabid fans would be well-advised to stay away.
Down With Love
Two Stars
PG-13
Starring Ewan MacGregor, Renee Zellweger
When Barbara Novak pens a tome admonishing women to be independent of men, a wrench is thrown in to the romantic schedule of confirmed bachelor Catcher Block. “Catch” sets out to make Barbara fall in love with him to exact his revenge.
This reenactment of a Rock Hudson/Doris Day-type romantic comedy can’t decide if it’s a parody or tribute. The pace of the verbal patter and the eye-popping Technicolor sets are well executed, but the story is presented with such detached irony that viewers will have a hard time deciding if they’re supposed to be having fun or not.
The Matrix: Reloaded
Three stars
Rated R
Directed by The Wachowski Brothers
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Ann Moss
As Neo, Trinity and Morpheus continue to do battle with deadly agents inside The Matrix, the machines have launched a massive assault on Zion, the last human city on Earth. Further details of Neo’s prophesy are revealed but to fulfill it, he may have to choose between ending the war or saving those he loves.
Most of the fun of the first Matrix was in discovering the various layers of truth. With those layers revealed, the Wachowskis are left to mostly simple exposition. Fortunately, there is so much mind-blowing action that you probably won’t notice what the story lacks.
