The low-down on this week’s premieres
Sort of a slow week for openings. Boy, shore do wish I had some sort of magical fast-forwardy device or something
OK. Really, I have no business being sarcastic about this. I happen to like Sandler, particularly in his more dramatic efforts. He’s convinced me (by way of P.T. Anderson and James L. Brooks) that he’s a natural, capable actor, and I very much look forward to the upcoming Empty City. Thing is, after that, he’s in something where he and Kevin James (King of Queens) play two guys forced to pretend they’re a gay couple. I just whatever. Guy’s gotta pay rent, I guess; I just like his serious stuff, and I guess I got greedy. Anyway, Click probably won’t be all that bad, contextually, as it seems to have committed to what is a thoroughly hackneyed, but potentially useful, gimmick. Plus Christopher Walken. (Question: Where, again, is the button that makes Kate Beckinsale fall for a Sandler type?)
Andy Garcia’s 50. Fifty! Man, what do these people put in their Fiji waters? Anyway, he apparently spent 16 years trying to get The Lost City made, and it was anything but easy (interview, page 23). (Sounds like someone coulda used a certain magic fast-forwardy thing ) The story follows a wealthy Cuban family in 1950s Havana, focusing on the effects of political turmoil on three brothers, the eldest of whom is played by Garcia. And, as always, there’s a girl — Spanish beauty Inés Sastre guess who she falls for. Go on, guess.
Model/actor/R&B artist/Russian cosmonaut Tyrese Gibson and rapper The Game star in Vondie Curtis-Hall’s Waist Deep, a “one-last-job” action film that answers the burning question: Can a dude direct Glitter and then still get hired to do another movie? Yes. Yes, he can.
Finally, in what may have the best shot at garnering (intentional) laughter, University of Kansas film professor Kevin Willmott’s mockumentary CSA: The Confederate States of America imagines a world where the South won the Civil War. Man, like we need another NASCAR-themed movie. (Ba-dum ching.)
And finally-finally, I’d like to take this space to apologize for cussing at Jim Davis last week. I’m sorry, Mr. Davis. You have my word: Should Garfield: Tokyo Drift be just around the corner, I’ll try harder to bite my tongue.
Have a good week.
Brian Villalobos
Local premiere dates for limited-release films are tentative and can change at the last minute. Please check your local theater listings to confirm showtimes.
