Films Review July
CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE, THE (R)
Kasi Lemmons directed this smart, involving but ultimately sad tale of a schizophrenic who suspects that a homeless man found frozen to death in Manhattan park was actually murdered. Samuel L. Jackson is superior as Romulus Ledbetter, a former Julliard-trained musician whose bouts of paranoid schizophrenia have robbed him of his family, life and home. Living in a cave, Romulus is well known among the locals, including his daughter, a cop. When Romulus suspects that the death of a 20-year-old man was the work of his arch nemesis, no one believes him. Playing detective, Romulus gets closer to the truth, but will he be able to reach it without slipping into his delusions? Interesting look at the state of the mentally ill and homeless. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Colm Feore as the photographer Romulus suspects of murder. Most people missed this little gem in theaters. Here’s their opportunity to play catch-up. (Universal)
CITY ON FIRE (R)
Chow Yun Fat stars in this riveting Hong Crime crime caper that inspired Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs.” Yun Fat is dynamic as Ko Chow, an undercover cop who has infiltrated a vicious jewelry crime ring. Ko Chow’s assignment is especially risky since the last undercover cop ended up dead. That means gaining the trust of the gang, or at least one of the members. When a heist goes sour and ends up in a gun battle with the police, the gang begins to suspect that one of their own is a traitor. That sets the stage for an intense standoff where loyalties are tested and truths are revealed. Powerful stuff that never lets up. (Dimension)
DOUBLE TAKE (PG-13)
There are some laughs in this comedy about two mismatched friends who trade places with each other, but not enough to sustain its running time. Orlando Jones (“Evolution”) and Eddie Griffin (“Deuce Bigelow”) have fun with their respective roles, but writer-director George Gallo (“Wise Guys”) doesn’t seem to be on the same page. What results is a comedy with no focus. Orlando plays Daryl Chase, an investment banker at the top of his game. All that changes when Chase is framed for laundering drug cartel money and finds himself on the run from the Feds. Chase turns to street hustler Freddy Tiffany (Griffin) for help, but quickly learns that Freddy is wanted as well. In order to evade their captors, Chase and Tiffany trade places. Huh? Oh well, it allows the actors to ape the Gene Wilder-Richard Pryor moment in “Silver Streak” where Pryor teaches Wilder to be black. Most of the comedy is over the top and even worse, based on offensive stereotypes. Crooked Feds, crooked Mexican officials, crooked street hustlers, and crooked Emu farmers, all the sort of people you would want to spend 90 minutes with. (Touchstone)
FAMILY MAN, THE (PG-13)
Winning romantic comedy about a selfish, greedy man named Jack Campbell who is given a life-altering Christmas present. The Wall Street playboy finds his life turned inside-out when he wakes up Christmas morning and finds himself married with children. Even though the alternate life genre has been done to death, “The Family Man” really understands the formula and milks it for everything its worth. Director Brett Ratner finds every joyful in and out of the situation and plays to their strengths. Nicolas Cage is outstanding as Campbell, a man who expects everyone else to work on Christmas Eve if he does. His dedication may inspire his superiors, but they send his partners and underlings running. All that changes when Campbell gets a message that an old high school girlfriend, Kate (Tea Leoni) has called out of the blue. Campbell begins dreaming about what could have been if he married Kate, and when he wakes up on Christmas morning, his dreams have become a reality. Or have they? It’s hard to tell because Campbell’s new life is so real. Instead of being a Wall Street whiz, Campbell is a family man with a modest job and good friends. How Campbell takes advantage of this situation makes for grand viewing. Tea Leoni is excellent as Kate, a woman that would be very hard to let go, and Don Cheadle has some fun moments as Campbell’s guardian angel who provides him with a glimpse of an alternate life. A big hit in theaters, “The Family Man” will enjoy the same success on home video and DVD. (Universal)
GIFT, THE (R)
Despite a stellar cast and the filmmaking team responsible for “A Simple Plan,” “The Gift” lacks the suspense and immediacy it deserves. Here is a film about a bayou clairvoyant who can see other people’s futures but not her own that is predictable and transparent. Not a good combination. All of this is especially disappointing when you consider that the film was written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, who wrote “A Simple Plan” and “One False Move,” two exquisite slices of film noir. Adding insult to injury is director Sam Raimi, a brilliant craftsman who fails to find the film’s emotional core. He fails to make any of this matter, and despite his haunting images, there’s not much here to get excited about. Cate Blanchett does one of her wonderful American accents playing Annie, the recently widowed mother of three who makes ends meet by reading cards for the locals, including battered wife Valerie (Hilary Swank) and disturbed mechanic Buddy Cole (Giovanni Ribisi), all of whom hide deep dark secrets that take their toll on Annie. Greg Kinnear plays a local lothario, Katie Holmes a prodigal daughter, and Keanu Reeves the abusive husband looking for justice. Should be more than it is. Too bad it isn’t. (Paramount)
LUCKYTOWN (R)
Decent performances and direction fuel this thriller about a young woman whose desire to reunite with her long lost father triggers a violent series of events. Kirsten Dunst is outstanding as Lidda, heading to Las Vegas to find her father Charlie. What Lidda doesn’t know is that Charlie is up to his ass in alligators with the local mob, who plan to use Lidda as collateral until Charlie can make good. Director Paul Nicholas, working from a serviceable screenplay by Brenden Beseth that is equal parts road trip and gang drama, knows that he’s on familiar turf yet is smart enough to run instead of walk through it. He keeps the plot and cast moving so there’s little time to reflect on the film’s flaws. Interesting supporting cast includes Vincent Kartheiser, Luis Guzman and James Caan. (Studio)
MIMIC 2 (R)
Exciting direct-to-video sequel lacks the star power of the original, but more than makes up for it with good performances, adequate writing and decent special effects. Alix Koromzay returns from the first “Mimic,” playing entomologist Remy, who survived the first attack and now teaches high school biology. Despite making the dating scene, Remy can’t seem to find the man of her dreams. Making matters worse, every time she goes out with a man he ends up missing. This observation is not lost on detective Klaski (Bruno Campos), who suspects something more sinister than a female serial killer. What Alix and Klaski discover is that a “Mimic” from the first film has survived, and has set its sights on Alix. I popped this one in the moment I got it, and when I as done I felt privileged. Not a great film, but a very effective film that never slows down or gets too absurd. Fans of the first film will appreciate the effort. (Dimension)
PACT, THE (R)
A thriller of convenience, this video premiere was shot in 1998 and already feels dated. Familiar faces flesh out this Canadian production about a teenager who is placed in the Witness Relocation Program after he witnesses his parents murder. Hiding out in a private school in Montreal, the kid is shocked to learn that his one and only friend is actually a hit man sent there to silence him forever. He may not have seen the plot twist coming, but thanks to amateurish writing and direction, everything in this film is telegraphed in advance. Nothing subtle about any of this, strictly for fans of “B” thrillers. (Avalanche)
SAVING SILVERMAN (PG-13)
Sad waste of good talent. Jason Biggs (“American Pie”) plays Darren Silverman, a good natured, carefree guy who plays in a Neil Diamond tribute band with his best friends Wayne (Steve Zahn) and J.D. (Jack Black). Best friends since the fifth grade, it would take someone special to tear them apart. Enter Judith (Amanda Peet), a ruthless and conniving beauty who works her way into Darren’s life and convinces him to give up his friends and music. Dumbstruck by love, Darren tries to become the man Amanda wants him to be, much to the chagrin of his friends. Aware that Darren has been put under a wicked witch’s spell, they set out to rescue him. That means kidnapping Amanda so Darren will be free to fall in love with the girl of his dreams, a former high school crush who has just moved back into town. There are some laughs, and the cast all seem to be on the same page, but the script is so light and fuzzy that none of this seems to matter. (Columbia-TriStar)
SUGAR & SPICE (PG-13)
Hilarious, topical comedy about a group of cheerleaders who plan to rob a supermarket bank branch in order to help out a pregnant teammate. Cheerleaders are hot right now (“Bring It On”), and “Sugar & Spice” sizzles with pertinent one-liners and great, goofy performances from a cast that understands the absurdity of what they are doing. Even though the script is top heavy with cliches, its the way they are executed that makes the film so fresh and inviting. Marley Shelton is terrific as Diane, the captain of the team who falls for the new quarterback Jack (James Marsden), and winds up getting pregnant. When Jack and Diane’s situation gets worse, the girls conspire to rob a bank to help her out. How the team, which includes Mena Suvari, Rachael Blanchard, Sara Marsh and Melissa George, plot the heist is a lot of fun, a fun combination of “The Sting” and “Who’s Minding the Mint?” Things become complicated when a “B” squad cheerleader, played by Marla Sokoloff, recognizes their moves and uses the information against them. Not your typical teen comedy, “Sugar & Spice” has more in common with “Clueless” than “Tomcats.” (New Line)
ALSO NEW THIS WEEK:
SILENCE, THE (NR/New Yorker)
