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Fri., July 1, 2005

The Spokesman-Review

MOVIE	WHAT IT’S ABOUT	DETAILS	TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Opening today: Rebound	After a temper tantrum gets him fired from his college coaching job, Roy McCormick (Martin Lawrence) finds himself working at his old middle school, where he ends up coaching a team of hopeless losers.	Running time: 1:51 Rating: PG (mild language, thematic elements)	River Park Square : 1:45, 4, 7:15, 9:25. Spokane Valley Mall : 1:25, 3:45, 6:55, 9:25. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 11 a.m., 1:35, 4:20, 6:50, 9:20.
Opened Wednesday: War of the Worlds	Steven Spielberg directed, and Tom Cruise stars in, this second adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel about aliens invading the Earth.	Running time: 1:56 Rating: PG-13 (frightening sequences of sci-fi violence, disturbing images)	NorthTown Mall : 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:50, 2:05, 2:35, 3:30, 4:40, 5:10, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 9:20, 9:50, 10:20. River Park Square : 11:30 a.m., 12:15, 1, 1:30, 2:15, 3, 3:45, 4:15, 5, 5:45, 6:30, 7, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15, 9:45, 10:30. Spokane Valley Mall : 1, 1:30, 3:30, 4, 4:30, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 9:30, 10, 10:30. Post Falls : 12:05, 12:45, 2:30, 3:30, 4:55, 6:10, 7:20, 8:40. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15, 1:45, 2:20, 3:25, 4:40, 5:10, 7, 7:30, 8, 10, 10:30, 10:50.
Continuing: The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D ••	Lost in an imaginary world of superheroes, this Robert Rodriguez film involves a young boy (Cayden Boyd) who gets a chance to set things right in the real world when he is called to action by his favorite characters – Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner) and Lavagirl (Taylor Dooley). Not much more than a variation on Rodriguez’s better-conceived “Spy Kids” films, “Sharkboy” features mostly bad acting, stunts that feel as phony as they look and the obligatory messaging that makes family problems seems as easily solvable as a kindergartener’s riddle. Worst of all is Rodriguez’s insistence on his film being shot in 3-D, which makes it at times literally unwatchable.	Running time: 1:35 Rating: PG (mild action, some rude humor)	River Park Square : 11:40 a.m., 2, 4:45. Spokane Valley Mall : 12:30. Coeur d’Alene Discount : 1, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:05.
Batman Begins •••	Tortured by having witnessed his parents’ murder, rich and brilliant Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) takes off on a quest only to return to become the Dark Knight – a determined vigilante bent on cleaning Gotham City of the criminals who are making it a cesspool of lawlessness. This Christopher Nolan-directed film is a more muted “Batman,” one that shows not only how Wayne became obsessed with bats but also – as Tim Burton’s 1989 film does – how the young heir becomes obsessed his lifelong hatred of crime and those who cause it to happen.	Running time: 2:20 Rating: PG-13 (intense action violence, disturbing images, thematic elements)	NorthTown Mall : 12:30, 3:45, 7, 10:15. River Park Square : 12:35, 2:10, 3:40, 5:15, 6:45, 7:15, 8:40, 9:50, 10:20. Spokane Valley Mall : 12:25, 3:40, 6:50, 9:55. Post Falls : noon, 2:45, 5:35, 8:20. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): noon, 3:15, 6:45, 8:05, 9:55.
Because of Winn-Dixie	Abandoned by her mother, a 10-year-old girl (Annasophia Robb) adopts a homeless dog, names him after the local grocery store, then uses the pooch as a means of making over her life.	Running time: 1:46 Rating: PG (thematic elements, mildly strong language)	Free show at Garland : 9:30 a.m.
Bewitched ••1/2	When a former movie star (Will Ferrell) gets a chance at a comeback by starring in a television remake of “Bewitched,” he recruits a co-star (Nicole Kidman) without knowing that she’s a real witch. So when she discovers that he and his agent (Jason Schwartzman) are merely using her, he’s shocked when she begins casting spells on him. Not nearly as bad as it could have been, “Bewitched” benefits from its willingness to update the 1960s-era sitcom and from Kidman’s ability to play cute.	Running time: 1:40 Rating: PG-13 (language, sex and drug references, partial nudity)	NorthTown Mall : 12:05, 2:45, 5:15, 7:35, 10:10. River Park Square : 12:55, 1:35, 3:30, 4:25, 6:20, 7:05, 9, 9:35. Spokane Valley Mall : 1:40, 4:40, 7:15, 9:50. Post Falls : 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7, 9:10. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 10:50 a.m., 11:25 a.m., 1:30, 2, 4:15, 4:45, 6:55, 7:45, 9:35, 10:25.
Brazil ••••	Terry Gilliam’s 1985 film tells the story of Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce), a low-level bureaucrat existing in what’s been described most accurately as a “retro-futuristic” world. Lowry gets by with fantasies based on the classic ‘40s tune “Brazil,” but everything changes when the woman of his dreams (Kim Greist) stumbles into his life, a bizarre terrorist (Robert DeNiro) starts showing up and the government ends up arresting him Kafka-like for crimes he didn’t commit. Brilliantly conceived, with Oscar-nominated set designs and a “Monty Python” feel for the bizarre, yet never forgetting that evil reigns behind a kindly cultural mask, “Brazil” is Orwell cut with a bit of Mark Twain cynicism.	Running time: 2:11 Rating: R	Garland : midnight.
Cinderella Man •••	In the midst of the Great Depression, veteran fighter Jim Braddock (Russell Crowe) caught the attention of the nation when he fought heavily favored Max Baer (Craig Bierko) for the heavyweight championship. Director Ron Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”) has given us the boxing equivalent of “Seabiscuit,” portraying Braddock as someone who inspired a nation. Whatever the truth of that, Howard’s film does work, mainly because it captures a feel for the harsh life lived by those who endured the years of American want and because of Crowe’s quiet intensity as a man as capable in the ring as a fighter as he was outside of it as a husband and father.	Running time: 2:24 Rating: PG-13 (intense boxing violence, language)	NorthTown Mall : 11:55 a.m., 3, 6:35, 9:40. River Park Square : noon, 3:15, 6:25, 9:35.
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag	This IMAX film follows the exploits of an Air Force officer as he strives to survive Red Flag, an elite training exercise aimed at giving fighter pilots the skills they need to survive air-to-air combat.	Running time: :48 Rating: Not Rated	IMAX (Riverfront Park): noon, 2, 4, 6, 8..
Garfield •	While Garfield (voice by Bill Murray) gets used to the new house dog, Odie, his master Jon (Breckin Meyer) gets romantic with a pretty veterinarian (Jennifer Love Hewitt). The complication, so to speak, comes when a TV personality kidnaps Odie. Despite Murray, this film offers up not one funny moment, not one gag worth laughing at, unless you love to hear fat jokes. That, though, is about the only thing you’re apt to find objectionable, unless you like to have your children actually think about what they’re watching.	Running time: 1:27 Rating: PG (brief mild language)	Free show at Spokane Valley Mall 10 a.m. (Tuesday and Wednesday)
George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead ••	With the living dead having taken over the world, the last few humans live in a walled city. But threats within, as well as without, put everyone in danger. How many times can George Romero make the same film? This is the fourth “Dead” film that he has directed, and a fifth was a remake of his 1978 effort “Dawn of the Dead.” So what’s next? “The Really Early Morning of the Living Dead”?	Running time: 1:33 Rating: R (pervasive strong violence and gore, language, brief sexuality, some drug use)	NorthTown Mall : 1, 3:20, 5:30, 7:50, 10:25. River Park Square : 11:50 a.m., 2:20, 4:55, 7:30, 9:55. Spokane Valley Mall : 1:50, 4:20, 7:25, 10:10. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 11:55 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:40, 10:20.
Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets	A re-release of the 1984 IMAX film re-creating the exploration of the canyon by the earliest settlers to the 1869 trip by American explorer John Wesley Powell.	Running time: :35 Rating: Not Rated	IMAX (Riverfront Park): 3, 7, 9.
Herbie: Fully Loaded •••	When racing owner dad (Michael Keaton) loses his top driver (Breckin Meyer), daughter Maggie (Lindsay Lohan) finds our old friend, the magic Volkswagen of the film’s title, to save the day. The film owes more to classic Disney than any sense of the contemporary. But that’s not bad. The standard messages come across – truth, loyalty, doing the right thing, etc. – but they do so in a manner that is cut with just enough humor to entertain the wee ones.	Running time: 1:41 Rating: G	NorthTown Mall : 11:45 a.m., 2:40, 5, 7:30, 10. River Park Square : 11:30 a.m., 1:20, 2:05, 3:55, 4:35, 6:35, 7:20, 9:10, 9:45. Spokane Valley Mall : 1:20, 4:10, 6:45, 9:45. Post Falls : 12:35, 2:40, 4:55, 7, 9:05. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 11:10 a.m., 11:35 a.m., 1:40, 2:10, 4:25, 4:50, 7:20, 9:50.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy	Based on the best-selling series of novels written by the late Douglas Adams, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide” tells the story of an average Briton named Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) who, one day, is whisked away by his best friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) on a trip that takes them through the wonders, and dangers, of the universe.	Running time: 1:50 Rating: PG (thematic elements, action, mild language)	Garland : 12:20, 5. Coeur d’Alene Discount : 12:35, 2:45, 4:50, 7, 9:10.
Howl’s Moving Castle •••	A young woman (voice by Emily Mortimer), cursed to live in the body of an old crone (Jean Simmons), goes to live in the traveling castle of a notorious wizard named Howl (Christian Bale) and, with the help of the fire demon who powers the castle (Billy Crystal), addresses her problems while falling in love with the wizard.	Running time: 1:59 Rating: PG (frightening images, brief mild language)	River Park Square : 1:25, 4:10, 6:55, 9:40.
Interpreter ••1/2	After being told by a United Nations interpreter (Nicole Kidman) that she’s overheard the plans of an assassination plot, a Secret Service agent (Sean Penn) and his partner (Catherine Keener) have to decide whether she’s lying – or whether the plot is for real. Director Sydney Pollack keeps the level of suspense going long after the story has petered out, which is the film’s biggest problem.	Running time: 2:08 Rating: PG-13 (sexual content, brief strong language)	Garland : 9:35.
Kicking & Screaming ••1/2	Will Ferrell stars as Phil Weston, a vitamin salesman who is still intimidated by his winning-is-everything father Buck (Robert Duvall). Things begin to change when Phil agrees to coach his son’s youth-league soccer team, though not necessarily for the better. Phil develops something resembling a spine, but he loses all that distinguishes him from his dad. Lessons must be learned, etc.	Running time: 1:35 Rating: PG (thematic elements, language, some crude humor)	Garland : 2:45. Coeur d’Alene Discount : 3:05, 7:20.
Kingdom of Heaven ••1/2	A French blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) suddenly discovers a new life, offered to him by the noble (Liam Neeson) who claims him as his son. There’s a catch, though: Along with the title that comes with his patrimony, Balian has obligations … to the king, to the people and to the woman he loves. Director Ridley Scott and screenwriter William Monahan take us back to the 12th century, when the seeds to Middle East religious and ethnic conflict were first sown.	Running time: 2:25 Rating: R (strong violence, epic warfare)	Coeur d’Alene Discount : 12:45, 3:30, 6:15, 9.
Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West	This big-screen IMAX movie condenses the three-year Lewis and Clark expedition to 42 minutes, but what the film does, it does beautifully. Historical fact takes precedence in the National Geographic production; while actors play the members of the party, thankfully they mostly keep their mouths shut as Jeff Bridges narrates the bulk of the story. Director Bruce Neibaur does an exceptional job of capturing the glory and scope of the West, making us feel as if we are part of the expedition, seeing this vast country for the first time. - Jim Kershner, The Spokesman-Review	Running time: :42 Rating: Not Rated	IMAX (Riverfront Park): 11 a.m.
The Longest Yard	When an ex-football star (Adam Sandler) gets arrested and thrown into federal prison, his warden (James Cromwell) gives him a choice: play football or do hard time.	Running time: 1:54 Rating: PG-13 (crude and sexual humor, violence, language, drug references)	NorthTown Mall : 12:35, 3:10, 6:55, 9:30. River Park Square : 1:15, 3:50, 6:35, 9:20. Spokane Valley Mall : 12:50, 4:05, 6:40, 9:40. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 10:40 a.m., 1:25, 4:10, 7:15, 10:15.
Madagascar •••	When a group of animals, spoiled while living in the New York Zoo, decide to have a night on the town, they earn themselves a trip back to the wild – and they end up in Madagascar. The latest animated effort by the folks at DreamWorks, “Madagascar” – like others in the genre – plays to children and adults. The messages about friendship, loyalty and bravery are all here. And with “Ali G” Sacha Baron Cohen taking the role that Robin Williams typically plays, the film doesn’t miss a beat.	Running time: 1:20 Rating: PG (mild language, crude humor, some thematic elements)	NorthTown Mall : 11:40 a.m., 2:15, 4:20, 7:10, 9:25. River Park Square : 11:45 a.m., 2:10, 4:40, 6:50, 9:05. Spokane Valley Mall : 1:10, 3:35, 6:35, 9:35. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 11:20 a.m., 1:55, 4:35, 7:25, 9:45.
Monster-in-Law	Jennifer Lopez meets the perfect man (Michael Vartan), but does not get along with his mother (Jane Fonda).	Running time: 1:42 Rating: PG-13 (sex references, language)	Garland : 7:15. Coeur d’Alene Discount : 12:55, 3, 5:05, 7:05, 9:20.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith ••1/2	John (Brad Pitt) and Jane (Angelina Jolie) Smith live humdrum lives on the surface. But each one holds a secret from his/her spouse: He/she is an assassin. Problems arise because each is working for a competing governmental agency, and life gets particularly exciting when they are assigned to kill each other. But through all of this the jokes keep flying well enough to give the overall film a sense of fun. It’s during the final reel, when the violence becomes a bit too Peckinpahish, that the humor fades, and the film just doesn’t recover.	Running time: 1:35 Rating: PG-13 (sequences of violence, intense action, sexual content, brief strong language)	NorthTown Mall : 12:45, 4, 7:05, 10:05. River Park Square : 1:10, 3:55, 6:40, 7:10, 9:30, 10:10. Spokane Valley Mall : 12:45, 3:55, 7:05, 10:05. Post Falls : 2:15, 4:30, 6:45, 9.
Mystery of the Nile	A team of explorers takes us on a 114-day expedition to navigate the Nile, “from source to sea,” in this IMAX production directed by first-time filmmaker Jordi Llompart.	Running time: :45 Rating: Not Rated	IMAX (Riverfront Park): 1, 5.
The Perfect Man •	Hilary Duff plays a teen who, tired of her mother (Heather Locklear) moving them around in her search for a man, concocts a fictional perfect man. Trouble arises when mom wants to meet the real guy. It’s hard to imagine a movie that could possibly send so many wrong messages to young women. But, then, the title here isn’t “The Perfect Movie.” That, at least, would indicate that the filmmakers understood irony.	Running time: 1:38 Rating: PG (mildly suggestive content)	Coeur d’Alene Discount : 12:50, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:25.
Sahara ••1/2	“Sahara” has all the ingredients necessary for a two-hour trip into pure escapism, and it uses most of them well. Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn play buddies in search of a Civil War ironclad that, so the legend goes, went down bearing a cargo of Confederate gold. Went down in Africa, that is. There are lots of bangs and booms, the locations (Morocco and Spain) look great, Penelope Cruz joins McConaughey as the obligatory eye candy and Zahn has a number of funny one-liners. It’s no “Indiana Jones,” but that doesn’t mean “Sahara” won’t help you forget your troubles for a couple of hours.	Running time: 2:07 Rating: PG-13 (action violence)	Coeur d’Alene Discount : 12:40, 5, 9:15.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants •••	Four girlfriends, heading in different directions, decide to stay connected by sharing a pair of jeans that, incredibly, fits each perfectly. Based on the young-adult novel by Ann Brashares, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” is a rarity: a teen film that actually says something. The film explores such issues as prejudice, divorce, suicide, teen sex and teen death with an eye for honesty. It falters at points, but the film’s saving grace is the performances, mostly from America Ferrera (“Real Women Have Curves”) as the mixed-race daughter of a neglected dad (Bradley Whitford) and Alexis Bledel as the girl who finds first love in Greece.	Running time: 1:59 Rating: PG (thematic elements, some sensuality, language)	River Park Square : 1:05, 4:20.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron	The story of the taming of the West is told through the eyes of a horse in a family film that blends old-fashioned, hand-drawn animation with the computer variety.	Running time: 1:22 Rating: G	Free show at Spokane Valley Mall 10 a.m. (Tuesday and Wednesday)
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie	Our hero, SpongeBob SquarePants, leaves the town of Bikini Bottom to look for King Neptune’s stolen crown.	Running time: 1:22 Rating: PG (mild crude humor)	Free show at Garland : 9:30 a.m. (Monday-Thursday)
Star Wars: Episode III – Return of the Sith •••1/2	“Revenge of the Sith” tells the story of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) who, seduced by the dark side of the Force, succumbs to the will of emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), betrays his love Padme (Natalie Portman) and helps hunt down the remaining Jedi Knights, including his master Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and Yoda. Lucas is still an awkward screenwriter, and the first half of the film drags. When the climax does come, it’s as fitting, and more satisfying, ending to any of the six films.	Running time: 2:20 Rating: PG-13 (sci-fi violence, intense images)	NorthTown Mall : 12:20, 3:40, 6:40, 9:35. River Park Square : 12:25, 3:35, 6:40, 9:40. Spokane Valley Mall : 12:40, 3:50, 7:10, 10:20. Riverstone Stadium (Coeur d’Alene): 11:50 a.m., 3:20, 6:40, 10:05.