|
Big Openings: May 23,
2008
By Myles
Hughes
Can Indiana Jones go a
4th round?!
As
is the tradition with summer sequels, you let one out of the gate, and
more must follow in rapid succession. After last week’s Prince
Caspian stole the box office crown from Iron Man, it’s time
for a new, slightly more dated franchise to return to the multiplex.
Joining the return of everyone’s favorite whip-cracking archaeologist
played by Harrison Ford (which admittedly narrows it down a bit) is a
double-dose of political satire and what looks to be this year’s take on
The Painted Veil. Let’s get to it.
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
Starring:
Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, and Cate
Blanchett
Synopsis:
After escaping capture from the Soviet Union, Dr. Jones sets out on a
quest to discover an ancient artifact from a lost city that could
potentially turn the tide of the Cold War.
Critics:
Just try to say that title five times fast. Evidently, getting your
mouth around such a feat is not too different from getting your mind
around the convoluted plot of this latest entry into Steven Spielberg’s
classic tomb-raiding saga. While the action sequences are mostly
top-notch and thrilling (provided they don’t slip too often into CGI,
which happens a lot in the second half), there is a meandering
mid-section involving much exposition and talky dialogue. Nevertheless,
it seems that Mr. Ford is still more than up to the challenge of his
stunts, and seeing him reunited with Karen Allen (his flame from
Raiders of the Lost Ark) is a kick. Of the new actors, only Shia
LaBeouf as Indy’s sidekick (and potentially his son? Ya think?) has a
deep enough part to ring true, whereas other talents like Blanchett and
Winstone are more or less put to waste.
Oscar Potential:
Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, maybe Best Visual Effects.
Other Artistic/Techs are a possibility.
Verdict:
If you love Indiana Jones, you more or less owe it to yourself to
see this film. If you don’t, you may not hate it, but you may not be
blown away either.
THE CHILDREN OF HUANG
SHI
Starring:
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Chow Yun Fat, Radha Mitchell, Michelle Yeoh, and
David Wenham
Synopsis:
A British journalist in wartime China (circa 1930’s) helps to transport
60-orphaned children across the landscape to safety.
Critics:
Joins the sadly long list of films that used the tragedy of foreign
nations as a backdrop for the emotional issues of white people. The
film, according to reviewers, is muddled and overly sentimental. On the
plus side, the photography is gorgeous, and most of the actors register
fairly well, though Chow Yun Fat is given little to work with.
Oscar Potential:
I might say Best Cinematography, but better films will come out before
the year is up.
Verdict:
Probably not worth your time, even if you can find it in limited
release.
WAR, INC.
Starring:
John Cusack, Marisa Tomei, Hilary Duff, Joan Cusack, and Ben Kingsley
Synopsis:
An assassin is called to intervene with a Middle-Eastern leader,
surrounded by the first completely corporate-sponsored war.
Critics:
Unfortunately, the star-studded cast can do little to help this overly
broad, almost-but-not-quite funny political satire (which was co-written
by Cusack). Everything feels a little too close to home, and the jokes
range from juvenile to just plain not funny. Cusack essentially seems to
be channeling his hit man character from Grosse Point Blank. Of
the performers, the only one to receive consistently strong praise is,
believe it or not, Hilary Duff as a Middle-Eastern pop sensation.
Oscar Potential:
Nil.
Verdict:
Looks like a misfire. If you’re looking for a decent comedy, I’m sure
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is still playing. If you’re looking for
social satire, just rent Dr. Strangelove.
POSTAL
Starring:
Zack Ward, Dave Foley, Verne Troyer, and J.K. Simmons
Synopsis:
An outrageous social and political satire about America, terrorism, and
everything in between.
Critics:
Being hailed as director Uwe Boll’s best film, to quote Renee Zellweger
in Leatherheads, is kind of like earning the distinction of being
the world’s tallest midget. Boll, responsible for such films as
Bloodrayne, Alone In The Dark, and In The Name of the King,
has crafted a film that’s obviously meant to provoke some kind of
reaction, including scenarios that recreate 9/11 and show President Bush
and Osama Bin Laden strolling into the sunset together. It’s all
undiluted trash, however, notable only for its overly energetic pacing.
Oscar Potential:
Roughly the same amount as Boll’s other masterworks.
Verdict:
It turns out that most major theatre chains have rejected the film
anyway, so there’s less of a chance you’ll even have to consider it.
Also worth checking out
if you haven’t already:
THEN SHE FOUND ME
– Helen Hunt’s directorial debut is still playing in limited release and
should be worth a look.
THE VISITOR
– I’ll keep pushing for it until it’s out of theatres: if you appreciate
film at all, this is an excellent choice.
REPRISE
– This highly praised foreign flick expands theatres this week and
should be worth seeing.
Coming soon:
SEX AND THE CITY
– Fans of the show might want to check it out, as well of fans of chick
flicks in general.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK
– We all want it to be better than the Ang Lee version, but the real
question is: will it be?
GET SMART
– Steve Carell has come a long way since his almost-nomination for
Little Miss Sunshine, and should give some comic vitality to this
reboot of a beloved TV show.
Email Us
|
