Movie Guide
Director: Richard Sylvarnes. With DJ Mendel, Miho Nikaido, Thomas Jay Ryan, Lisa Walter. (83 min.)
Sterritt *** A physician, a fortune teller, and a possibly reincarnated wife are the main characters of this spooky, atmospheric tale. Beautifully photographed.
Director: George Butler. With John Kerry, Thomas Oliphant, Max Cleland, voice of Ben Affleck. (92 min.)
Sterritt **** Documentary about Kerry's experiences as a soldier and protester during the Vietnam era. Put into production long before Kerry's presidential candidacy, the absorbing account reflects Butler's long experience with nonfiction film, going back to "Pumping Iron," the picture that put Arnold Schwarzenegger on the map in 1977.
Director: David O. Russell. With Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts, Jude Law, Lily Tomlin. (106 min.)
Sterritt ** See review.
Director: Jay Russell. With Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Morris Chestnut. (115 min.)
Staff *** As firefighter Jack Morrison (Phoenix) waits for his buddies to evacuate him from a collapsing warehouse, he relives his 10 years with the department. The clunky flashback storytelling doesn't detract much from the believable vignettes of fire fighting, rescues, and sudden death, as well as the job's pressures on home life. It may keep you asking why men and women choose this lifestyle. It will make you grateful they do. By M.K. Terrell
Directors: Vicky Jenson, Rob Letterman, Eric Bergeron. With voices of Will Smith, Renée Zellweger, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie. (90 min.)
Sterritt ** Animated feature about a little fish who poses as a macho underwater dude after a shark's accidental death makes him look like a hero, pleasing the late shark's vegetarian brother but irking his "godfather"- like dad. The screenplay isn't remotely as funny as it tries to be, and the visual style is equally unexciting.
Director: Jim de Sève. With gay couples seeking marriage. (82 min.)
Sterritt **** Informative documentary about the recent history of efforts to legalize gay marriage, tying these in with the history of marriage as an institution. Packed with information.
Director: Michael Schultz. With Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Debbie Morgan (94 min.)
Sterritt *** Visited on death row by a compassionate clergyman, a badly abused African-American woman recalls the events that landed her there. The screenplay is overwrought at times, but the acting is superb by any standard.
Director: John Waters. With Tracey Ullman, Chris Isaak, Selma Blair, Johnny Knoxville. (88 min.)
Sterritt ** A bonk on the head turns a woman into a sex addict, so she joins a support group with other afflicted folks. The humor is more childish than raunchy, but it's interesting to see that becoming a big-time Broadway impresario hasn't led Waters to sell out his affection for gross-out gags.
Director: David R. Ellis. With Kim Basinger, Chris Evans, William H. Macy. (94 min.)
