Entertainment

Here's what critics say about "Out to Sea:" Chris Hewitt/St. Paul Pioneer Press: It's turning out to be a bad summer to walk the gangplank. On the heels of the unseaworthy "Speed 2" comes another cruise-ship movie that doesn't sail, "Out to Sea." Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon are poorly trained dance instructors on board a ship and they play, well, the same guys they always play. . . . Matthau and Lemmon don't have enough scenes together, but they are good for a few laughs. . . . Yes, Matthau and Lemmon are funny, but is it too much to ask that they be given a script?

This is the restaurant era, and we love to eat out. We also love to complain about eating out. In a survey of 500 people conducted last year, Fodor's Travel Publications found a surprising variety of culinary cavils, from objections about the hand driers in restaurant rest rooms to the service being given at the next table.

Here's what the critics say about "Wild America:" Kevin Thomas/Los Angeles Times: "Wild America" is a delightfully far-fetched family adventure inspired by the real-life exploits of three teen-age Arkansas brothers during the summer of 1967. Credibility is stretched at every turn, but that adds rather than detracts from the fun because, even if everything didn't quite happen in real life as this movie depicts it, it should have.

Prepare for some "blow-me-down folk-a-delic rock" with Wenatchee's Michael Dickes Band.

Canadian folk rocker Sarah McLachlan had her sanity questioned when she proposed putting two women on a concert bill. Now she leads the all-woman Lilith Fair. Pictured below, clockwise, are Jewel, Cassandra Wilson and Suzanne Vega.

From left, Ewan McGregor, Tara Fitzgerald and Pete Postlethwaite in Mark Herman's "Brassed Off."

Those who need a break from the weekend basketball melee, can catch some live tunes at an outdoor concert on the corner of Third and Howard in Spokane Saturday. Twelve Northwest bands will perform starting at noon. Although the bands music styles vary greatly - from punk to folk - most have a basis in Christianity.

The first thing you need to know about "Face/Off" is that it's a horror movie. I say this up front because you could easily mistake the new film - which is certainly action-packed - for an action picture. But in fact, "Face/Off" uses the latest action techniques to heat up its horror effects. Which brings me to the second, third and fourth things you need to know about this movie: It's sick, slick and sensational.

In "My Best Friend's Wedding," director P.J. Hogan ("Muriel's Wedding") expertly adapted Ronald Bass' screenplay by making sure the musical score works in concert with the film's enduring sense of irony and by pulling fine performances from Julia Roberts and a talented supporting cast (especially Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett). The result of Hogan's efforts is one of the brightest movie romances in years.

II Moon Cafe 300 W. Sprague I am a huge fan of Steve Quinones. The man is a master of classic sauces and his Mexican food can truly be called authentic. Plus, any guy who's cooked for Frank Sinatra and who is a master of sauces is okey-dokey in my book. (He did so during his tenure at the posh La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, Calif.) Quinones is the executive chef and now also the dining room manager at the II Moon Cafe. His recent promotion is the reason I'm going to take a chance and suggest diners who have been disappointed with that place give it another try.

Papas Fritas loves to play music that makes people feel good. From left, Keith Gendel, Tony Goddess and Shivika Ashthana.

1. Snatched from the heavens as an infant and reared among mortals, the young hero battles Hades, god of the underworld, in "Hercules." 2. With voices by Tate Donovan and Danny DeVito, Hercules and the satyr Phil collaborate to save Thebes.

Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Mackintosh, Imogen Stubbs and Tony Stephens star in "Twelfth Night."

The Bob Curnow Orchestra wraps up a busy week with a one-night stand at Hobart's Saturday. The 19-piece big band recorded a batch of new Curnow-written charts, and tonight it performs a new-reading clinic for music educators. By Saturday, the group should be well-tuned and ready to play. Jazz fans are likely to hear a handful of new Curnow compositions - the former Stan Kenton arranger has been working up some Celtic-influenced "river dance" pieces - as well as a handful of his Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays charts. But the bulk of the evening will be turned over to performances of Bill Holman arrangements. Holman is best-known for his writing for the Kenton orchestra during the '50s but has written for everyone from the Fifth Dimension to the Count Basie and Buddy Rich orchestras.

Some of the hottest hot rods that ever cruised the roads will cruise through downtown Coeur d'Alene as part of the seventh annual Car d'Lane Classic Car Show. The cars will be parked along Sherman Avenue and some side streets Saturday. The show historically attracts more 450 restored and refurbished vehicles. The event, sponsored by the North Idaho Classic Car Club and Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association, starts with the cruise tonight at 7.

Laura Dern, middle, plays Ruth as a woman who won't be used by anyone.

1. Fat Paw, with shades of the Grateful Dead and Phish, plays Outback Jack's. 2. Cristopher Lucas returns to his hometown of Spokane for two performances this weekend.

While you're enjoying the lake in Coeur d'Alene this summer, there's no need to put up with a sand-filled picnic. This season is the perfect time to check out some of the city's interesting eateries. Here are a few of my favorite spots: Slide into a seat at the expanded sushi bar at Takara. The fish is flown in from Seattle regularly, so it's fresh. Maybe it's a boring choice, but I liked their California roll. Still, sushi is just a portion of the restaurant's Japanese menu. At a recent lunch, I was impressed with the light, crispy tempura. I only wish there were a few more slices of sweet potato in my order.

(Batman and Robin)