BROKEN HEARTS CLUB, THE (R)

Engaging comedy-drama about a group of gay friends who find acceptance and tolerance in a West Hollywood bar called “Jack of Broken Hearts.” Timothy Olyphant heads up a terrific cast as Dennis, a 28-year-old photographer who is tiring of the one night stands and bar scene. He’s looking for Mr. Right and not Mr. Right Now. His friends aren’t much help. They all seem to be going through their own personal crisis. Although most of the characters border on stereotype, the talented cast keeps them from becoming caricatures. Dean Cain flashes a winning smile as a popular actor who likes his leading men more than ladies. I also liked John Mahoney’s maternal Jack, the owner of the bar who likes to dress up and entertain the crowd. Filled with heartwarming moments and honest reflections of life, “The Broken Hearts Club” may be about gay friends but it’s message is universal. (Columbia-TriStar)

LITTLE VAMPIRE, THE (PG)

Young charmer Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire) shines in this kid-friendly fantasy based on the popular children’s novels. Lipnicki stars as Tony Thompson, who is forced to leave his life and friends in San Diego behind for Scotland when his father is hired to build a new golf course and convention center. Tony’s loneliness concerns his parents, as do his persistent dreams about vampires. Enter Rudolph (Rollo Weeks), a young vampire who mistakes Tony for one of his own. When Tony helps Rudolph find a non-human meal, they become friends. We soon learn that Rudolph and his family are actually good vampires who don’t want to kill. They want to be human again, and with Tony’s help, they might be able to pull it off. Filled with great flights of fantasy and nifty special effects, “The Little Vampire” is lots of fun. The cast includes Richard E. Grant as the head of the vampire family, and Alice Krige as his wife. Kids will enjoy the magic show while adults will appreciate the heartfelt sentiment and life lessons. Available at sell-through. (New Line)

MEET THE PARENTS (PG-13)

For anyone seriously in love, meeting the in-laws can be a traumatic experience. Will they like me? Will they hate me? What will they like about me? Am I good enough? The heightened sense of expectation can turn common, ordinary in-laws into monsters. Now take that feeling and magnify it about ten times. That’s the microscope poor Greg Focker is under when he agrees to accompany his girlfriend home for her sister’s wedding. His worst fears are realized when he meets her father: Robert De Niro. Welcome to “Meet The Parents,” a riotous comedy so perfectly realized that it keeps you under its spell even when it reaches levels of absurdity. All of the elements of grand entertainment are in place: a crafty screenplay, snappy direction, and a winning cast headed up by De Niro as the suspicious in-law. Click title for complete review. (Universal)

SIRENS (R)

Dana Delaney is terrific in this made-for-cable thriller about a woman taking the law into her own hands to get justice. As Sally Rawlings, Delaney grows from a scared victim to a strong and fiercely determined avenger. Her target is the policeman (Keith Carradine) who was acquitted of murdering her ex-husband. Determined to discover the truth, Rawlings uncovers corruption at every turn. Her investigation goes nowhere until she decides to take matters into her own hands. That includes computer hacking and illegal surveillance. Director-writer John Sacret Young delivers strong performances and taut action. Carradine makes a good villain. (Paramount)

ALSO NEW THIS WEEK:

JUDGEMENT (NR/Cloud Ten)

TAKE DOWN (NR/Spartan)

This entry was posted on Friday, March 30th, 2001 at 11:36 pm and is filed under Film Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.