Friday, June 23, 2006
MOVIE FRIDAY
NEW RELEASES
Click (PG-13); Wide release
Michael Newman is married to the beautiful Donna and they have two terrific kids, Ben and Samantha. But he doesn't get to see them much because he's putting in long, hard hours at his architectural firm in the elusive hope that his ungrateful boss will one day recognize his invaluable contribution and make him a partner. After staying up all night to work, a tired Michael becomes frustrated because he can't even figure out which of his remotes will turn on the TV. Michael sets out to find the perfect device to operate all his electronic equipment and stumbles into the back room of a Bed, Bath & Beyond, where an eccentric employee, Morty, gives him an experimental one-of-a-kind souped-up gadget guaranteed to change his life. Soon Michael is master of his domain, turning on every appliance with the click of a button. But the device has more startling functions. It can somehow muffle the barking of Sundance, the family dog--and even more astoundingly, fast forward through an annoying quarrel with his wife. Michael is fascinated by his new toy and a little freaked out as well. He decides to pay another visit to Morty, the guy who sold him the mysterious device. Morty tells Michael he gave him exactly what he asked for--a universal remote that lets him control his universe. Right before Michael's astonished eyes, Morty demonstrates the device's mind-boggling advanced features, including a function that lets Michael travel back and forth through his life at different speeds. Michael quickly becomes addicted to this new rush of power, which literally allows him to have his cake and eat it too. But before he knows it, the remote is programming him, rather than the other way around. And try as he might, a panicked Michael can't stop the device from deciding which events of his life he'll experience and which one's he'll miss. Only then does he begin to truly appreciate and embrace his life--the good, the bad and the ugly.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher Walken, Kate Beckinsale, David Hasselhoff, Sean Astin
Waist Deep (R); Wide release
"I'll always come back for you," single father O2 tells his young son Junior. This parental promise is put to the test when O2 is suddenly plunged into a do-or-die situation; trying to go straight for Junior's sake, this recently paroled ex-con is forced to go back outside the law after his son is kidnapped in a carjacking. The resulting chase and shootout have left Junior in the hands of Meat, the vicious leader of the Outlaw Syndicate. O2's shady cousin Lucky tries to mediate, but is caught between criminal and family loyalties. The only person who can or will help O2 get his son back is wily street-smart hustler Coco, whose path fatefully crossed O2's just moments before the kidnapping. When Lucky gets word to O2 that Meat expects $100,000 for Junior's freedom, O2 and Coco seize the opportunity to pit rival elements of the South Los Angeles underworld against each other. It's either all or nothing, realizes O2. With the clock ticking down, the heat between O2 and Coco rises as they become a lawbreaking couple, on an action-packed tear through a range of Los Angeles neighborhoods. Can they outwit the underworld and save Junior and themselves?
Starring: Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good, Eric Lane, The Game, Larenz Tate
The Great New Wonderful (R); Limited release
Dr. Trabulous is an orthodox psychologist who utilizes his unique insights to unearth the buried rage of an ordinary man who has witnessed an office tragedy. Emme Keeler, the ruthless proprietor of The Great New Wonderful--a leading purveyor of pastries to the New York society set--struggles to unseat NY's reigning Queen of Cake, to great success and profound consequences. Allison and David Burbage struggle to keep their marriage together, while they cope with their increasingly difficult and strangely self-possessed 10-year-old son. Avi and Satish--immigrants, best friends and security guards--travel around the city casually observing contemporary America until dramatic events force them to reevaluate their opposing perspectives. Judy Berman's routine is upset when she reconnects with a childhood friend whose passion for life kindles unexpected desires of her own. One year after 9/11, these stories reveal that being lost always precedes a new beginning.
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tom McCarthy, Judy Greer, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharat Saxena
Say Uncle (R); Limited release
Portland-based artist Paul Johnson, who happens to be gay, returns from his telemarketing job one day to some very distressing news--his closest friends, the Fabers, are moving to Japan, and they're taking Paul's two year-old godson Morgan with them. Shifting into serious denial mode, Paul misses their final departure, but ultimately faces the truth that the Fabers are gone and aren't coming back. When Paul's friend Russell convinces him to get back out in the world, Paul ventures out to play with some kids at the local playground. Watching Paul's natural, playful chemistry with the children, one local mother, Maggie Butler, wonders who this amazing Super Dad is. Upon further investigation, she determines that maybe Paul is up to no good and decides to rally her neighbors to take action.
Starring: Peter Paige, Kathy Najimy, Gabrielle Union, Anthony Clark, Lisa Edelstein
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Superman Returns (PG-13); Wide release; opens 6/28
The Devil Wears Prada (PG-13); Wide release; opens 6/30
Words of Wisdom
Let everyone sweep in front of his own door and the whole world will be clean.
Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.
I have found that the greatest help in meeting any problem with decency and self-respect and whatever courage is demanded, is to know where you yourself stand. That is, to have in words what you believe and are acting from.
Enlightenment is about seeing into your nature. ¶ 6/23/2006 04:45:00 AM
NEW RELEASES
Click (PG-13); Wide release
Michael Newman is married to the beautiful Donna and they have two terrific kids, Ben and Samantha. But he doesn't get to see them much because he's putting in long, hard hours at his architectural firm in the elusive hope that his ungrateful boss will one day recognize his invaluable contribution and make him a partner. After staying up all night to work, a tired Michael becomes frustrated because he can't even figure out which of his remotes will turn on the TV. Michael sets out to find the perfect device to operate all his electronic equipment and stumbles into the back room of a Bed, Bath & Beyond, where an eccentric employee, Morty, gives him an experimental one-of-a-kind souped-up gadget guaranteed to change his life. Soon Michael is master of his domain, turning on every appliance with the click of a button. But the device has more startling functions. It can somehow muffle the barking of Sundance, the family dog--and even more astoundingly, fast forward through an annoying quarrel with his wife. Michael is fascinated by his new toy and a little freaked out as well. He decides to pay another visit to Morty, the guy who sold him the mysterious device. Morty tells Michael he gave him exactly what he asked for--a universal remote that lets him control his universe. Right before Michael's astonished eyes, Morty demonstrates the device's mind-boggling advanced features, including a function that lets Michael travel back and forth through his life at different speeds. Michael quickly becomes addicted to this new rush of power, which literally allows him to have his cake and eat it too. But before he knows it, the remote is programming him, rather than the other way around. And try as he might, a panicked Michael can't stop the device from deciding which events of his life he'll experience and which one's he'll miss. Only then does he begin to truly appreciate and embrace his life--the good, the bad and the ugly.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher Walken, Kate Beckinsale, David Hasselhoff, Sean Astin
Waist Deep (R); Wide release
"I'll always come back for you," single father O2 tells his young son Junior. This parental promise is put to the test when O2 is suddenly plunged into a do-or-die situation; trying to go straight for Junior's sake, this recently paroled ex-con is forced to go back outside the law after his son is kidnapped in a carjacking. The resulting chase and shootout have left Junior in the hands of Meat, the vicious leader of the Outlaw Syndicate. O2's shady cousin Lucky tries to mediate, but is caught between criminal and family loyalties. The only person who can or will help O2 get his son back is wily street-smart hustler Coco, whose path fatefully crossed O2's just moments before the kidnapping. When Lucky gets word to O2 that Meat expects $100,000 for Junior's freedom, O2 and Coco seize the opportunity to pit rival elements of the South Los Angeles underworld against each other. It's either all or nothing, realizes O2. With the clock ticking down, the heat between O2 and Coco rises as they become a lawbreaking couple, on an action-packed tear through a range of Los Angeles neighborhoods. Can they outwit the underworld and save Junior and themselves?
Starring: Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good, Eric Lane, The Game, Larenz Tate
The Great New Wonderful (R); Limited release
Dr. Trabulous is an orthodox psychologist who utilizes his unique insights to unearth the buried rage of an ordinary man who has witnessed an office tragedy. Emme Keeler, the ruthless proprietor of The Great New Wonderful--a leading purveyor of pastries to the New York society set--struggles to unseat NY's reigning Queen of Cake, to great success and profound consequences. Allison and David Burbage struggle to keep their marriage together, while they cope with their increasingly difficult and strangely self-possessed 10-year-old son. Avi and Satish--immigrants, best friends and security guards--travel around the city casually observing contemporary America until dramatic events force them to reevaluate their opposing perspectives. Judy Berman's routine is upset when she reconnects with a childhood friend whose passion for life kindles unexpected desires of her own. One year after 9/11, these stories reveal that being lost always precedes a new beginning.
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tom McCarthy, Judy Greer, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharat Saxena
Say Uncle (R); Limited release
Portland-based artist Paul Johnson, who happens to be gay, returns from his telemarketing job one day to some very distressing news--his closest friends, the Fabers, are moving to Japan, and they're taking Paul's two year-old godson Morgan with them. Shifting into serious denial mode, Paul misses their final departure, but ultimately faces the truth that the Fabers are gone and aren't coming back. When Paul's friend Russell convinces him to get back out in the world, Paul ventures out to play with some kids at the local playground. Watching Paul's natural, playful chemistry with the children, one local mother, Maggie Butler, wonders who this amazing Super Dad is. Upon further investigation, she determines that maybe Paul is up to no good and decides to rally her neighbors to take action.
Starring: Peter Paige, Kathy Najimy, Gabrielle Union, Anthony Clark, Lisa Edelstein
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Superman Returns (PG-13); Wide release; opens 6/28
The Devil Wears Prada (PG-13); Wide release; opens 6/30
Words of Wisdom
Let everyone sweep in front of his own door and the whole world will be clean.
Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.
I have found that the greatest help in meeting any problem with decency and self-respect and whatever courage is demanded, is to know where you yourself stand. That is, to have in words what you believe and are acting from.
Enlightenment is about seeing into your nature. ¶ 6/23/2006 04:45:00 AM
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