“LOOK! Up her skirt!”

Peter Sobczynski has his way with My Super Ex-Girlfriend

PLUS: reviews on Lady in the Water, Monster House, Clerks II, concert reviews on Linda Ronstadt and Say Anything, and more!

ENTERTAINMENT TODAY

PUBLISHER KRIS CHIN

MANAGING EDITOR CECILIA TSAI

GUEST EDITOR ERIC BYLER

ART PRODUCTION DAVID TAGARDA

TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR KATSUYUKI UENO

COPY EDITOR JULIAN CAMILLIERI

WRITERS ADAM BARNICK FRANK BARRON JULIAN CAMILLIERI WARREN CURRY BROOKE DAMMKOEHLER CLAYSON DEBURGER SHIRLEY FIRESTONE JANOS GEREBON 11 MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND MICHAEL GUILLEN 4 THE BEATLES’ LOVE

INDEX JONATHAN W. HICKMAN TRAVIS MICHAEL HOLDER TINA KIM KAT KRAMER M. Y. LEE MICHAEL LEVINE ERIC LURIO MARY MALLORY SCOTT MANTZ TONY MEDLEY DAWN MILLER KYLE MOORE STEVEN SNYDER ENTERTAINMENTVOL.38 | NO.41 | FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 TODAY PETER SOBCZYNSKI SEAN REYNOLDS GAIL ROBERTS ANNIE ROLLINS FILM THEATRE SUSIE ROTEMAN BRAD SCHREIBER 12 MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND 4 IN “LOVE” WITH THE BEATLES BETH TEMKIN Super Ex has a great premise and Uma Thurman in fetish gear. Travis Michael Holder reviews Cirque du Soleil’s tribute to KIM VOYNAR The Beatles, and looks back onthe 60’s revolution MARCI WEINER Let’s hope it’s as funny as this review by Peter Sobczynski. RUSTY WHITE 11 CRITIC WARS PART II, “CLERKS II” THAT IS 5 A “LOVE SONG” WORTH LISTENING TO CARTOONISTS Steven Snyder rips on Kevin Smith and his Clerks sequel, Kyle Moore reviews opening night of Chaim’s Love Song at the PHIL CHO but guess who comes to his rescue! Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre MARK DARCOURT DREW-MICHAEL ANNIE ROLLINS 13 “MONSTER HOUSE” CAPTURES KIDS TELEVISION And Michael Guillén obsesses over Kathleen Turner PHOTOGRAPHERS 8 “ANGELA’S EYES” DEBUTS ON LIFETIME KATSUYUKI UENO 14 REVENGE OF M. NIGHT SHYMALAN M. Y. Lee reviews the new crime drama starring Abigail Spencer SALES Peter Sobczynski compares Shymalan’s Lady in the Water to another KIRT KISHITA lady in water, this one in a classic by Robert Altman MUSIC PRESTON WEBSTER ALICIA APAGHIAN 9 LINDA RONSTADT ONE NIGHT ONLY 15 “SHADOWBOXER” LIKELY TO OFFEND Kat Kramer reflects on Linda Ronstadt’s one-night only concert It certainly offended ET critic Tony Medley, who may never CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR at The Gibson Amphitheatre in Hollywood DANIEL ESPINOSA forgive Cuba Gooding, Jr. for starring in it 10 SAY ANYTHING FINDING FEET EXECUTIVE OFFICE 16 “FIRST TIME” FOR EVERYTHING Brooke Dammkoehler reviews new local band Say Anything, First time feature director Nick Guthe talks about how he 2325 WEST VICTORY BLVD, SUITE 5 currently fronting for Dashboard Confessional BURBANK, CA 91506-1226 attracted an all-star cast, including Nikki Reed (Thirteen) OFFICE (818) 566-4030 and Alec Baldwin, for his neo-neo noir Mini’s First Time Fax (818) 566-4295 COLUMNS COMING SOON: 15 “SWEDISH AUTO” DESERVES A SPIN 5 HOLLYWOOD INSIDER with Dawn Miller www.EntertainmentTodayOnline.com Warren Curry recommends Derek Sieg’s Swedish Auto, in ET’s weekly feature, “Films You Ought to See, But Will You? 6 HOLLYWOOD BEAT by Marci Weiner BOOKS Property of Entertainment Today. 12 WHO KILLED EDGAR ALLAN POE? FOOD Reproduction without written Sean Reynolds reviews The Poe Shadow by Mathew Pearl, a novel 7 DINING WITH SHIRLEY FIRESTONE consent is prohibited. inspired by the confusing details of Poe’s death in 1849 Shirley Firestone recommends Lucia’s in Pacific Palisades All rights reserved. The views of the reviewers and writers of this publication are their own, 22 FUN, GAMES, AND...ASTROLOGY!!! and do not necessarily reflect those of the management of Comics, sudoku and expert advice on love and sex from our psychic astrologers Lady Kastsura and Suki Yaki — Entertainment Today. ©2006 and, news alert, it’s a humor column, not an authentic, scientific horoscope... that will come next week!

|| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Theater Review the designers and creators GIVE YOUR have done everything in their power to recall that global phenomenon known PRODUCTION A as Beatlemania. Beginning with real live Nowhere Men shuffling alone onto the DRAMATIC RESPONSE! stage to reluctantly visit a modest “Nowhere Land,” four scrim-obscured sides of the 360-degree stage ENTERTAINMENT soon open grandly into a TODAY brave new world. Acrobats dressed as sailors scale ropes leading from a deep pit to THEATER GUIDE the rigging high above, twirling around the dismal scene of WWII-torn Liv- CALL 818-566-4030 erpool when John Lennon was born during the final Blitz. As brick walls burst and four small mop-topped children cower in their In LOVE beds, the chillingly omni- scient voices of The Beatles with The Beatles again fill the enormous space to harmonize their glorious a thanks to Cirque du Soleil cappella classic “Because.”

All the Beatles’ invented characters appear — includ- ing Eleanor Rigby, Father McKenzie, Sgt. Pepper, Lady Madonna, Mr. Kite, and the Walrus — as the chronology of The Beatles’ music journeys from the early goofy enthusiasm through the drug-medita- tion years and on to a spec- tacular finale of “Sgt. Pep- per’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The 90-minute ride is like nothing anyone has ever seen before, thanks to the creators’ ability to make it all thrillingly imposing yet surprisingly intimate. Populated not only with typical Cirque aerialists and gymnasts (ranging in age from 9 to 72) but with street performers, ballet artists, hip-hoppers, tap and break dancers — some of them pulled right off the The Beatles’ LOVE, now at the Mirage in Las Vegas, performs on the former stage of Siegfried and Roy curb having never been on a stage before — there In The Beatles’ LOVE, Cirque couldn’t be a better or more devoted TicketHolders with and MGM-Mirage have joined homage to the The Beatles than Travis Michael Holder forces with Apple Corp Ltd. to LOVE. stage a musical revolution of sorts, The opening of Cirque du bringing together the most imagi- The scariest thing for me sitting Soleil’s newest — and best — per- native, successful composers of the among the first people to see LOVE manent Vegas attraction is simply previous century with the most was an audience dotted with ancient too much to write about in one col- innovative troupe of performance gray and white heads, reminiscent umn. This week I’ll tell you what to artists working today. Bowing at of the group usually assembled for expect as a suitably agape member every turn to the Fab Four’s ground- opening night of some old musical of the audience at The Beatles’ LOVE. breaking sound, LOVE miraculously warhorse at La Mirada Civic. My And next issue I’ll give you a engineers new life into the Beatles’ thought, as the walls came alive with behind-the-scenes peek — includ- enduring music. LOVE is a once in the sound of The Beatles cranked to ing exclusive photos I took during a lifetime experience, even for a full volume, was this might not rehearsals and an interview with the worshipful, chronic Cirque du Soleil appreciate the decibel level for a legendary Sir George Martin, pro- groupie like me. Vegas audience. Usually wearing Travis’ Oklahomo!, Third Stage ducer of all the original Beatles what Rita Rudner calls clothes that albums and co-musical director Unlike previous Cirque produc- make her want to go up to them and Critic’s Picks: tick…tick…BOOM!, Coronet with his son Giles of this tions, LOVE is a celebration of the say, “Excuse me, but what are you presentation. era in which The Beatles soared, and thinking,” these are people who || ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 Column toric revolution. But it pales in comparison to Q/A with a career woman what occurred in the late 60’s and early 70’s (before disco strip- mined the experience), Hollywood Insider with introducing sounds that laid the ground- Dawn Miller work for the unstoppa- ble musical freedom of today. Jacquie Jordan is the Co-Exec- utive Producer of Sunday Morning For those of you Shootout on AMC, as well as the who worship the days Executive Producer of Square Off of my youth, you on the TV Guide Channel. Jacquie should: there was noth- is also the author of Get on TV, ing like it. And which was published in January by Author and TV producer Jacquie Jordan Cirque du Soleil ‘s The Beatles’ LOVE features a cast of sixty-two with ages ranging from 9 to 72 nowhere will you be Sourcebooks and was recently fea- able to absorb the expe- tured in Selling Power Magazine walk out of Mamma Mia at the of LOVE, break dancing (them, not rience better than by heading to the and Entrepreneur Magazine. She Do you have any tips or advice Mandalay Bay with their foot-long me) till nearly dawn, I realized what Mirage to let your mind soar and runs a media coaching and media for those looking to get into your margaritas in hand as soon as the a remarkable impact my generation your body groove to the wonder of consulting firm for high level talent industry? People often cling to their ideas musical director hits the downbeat. made on the world in general and The Beatles as though discovering and corporate executives. But no, not this time. The minute the future of music in particular. As them for the first time. P like they are their only ideas. The the sounds of John, Paul, Ringo, and young people continually quiz me best advice I would offer to those John’s vocals filled the huge audito- about my days touring in Hair, Tickets are available at any MGM- Describe your typical day. looking to get into the industry is to rium, all those gray heads came booking the Troubadour in its artis- Mirage box office in Vegas or by My day starts with quiet morn- believe that they are worth more alive, bopping like psychedelized tic heyday, or working for Jim Mor- calling (800) 963-9634. ings - meditation or journaling than the value of just their one idea. flower children just as we did 40 rison and The Doors, their adora- because it’s the only time I’ll have years ago. Those ancient heads, you tion for “our” era is obvious, unlike for myself. Then, spin or jogging, Travis Michael Holder has staff morning production meetings What are some current projects see, were my contemporaries, some- when we Boomers were kids, listen- that you’re working on? thing that made me want to go back ing with moderate interest to our been writing for ET since 1990. Also and network conference calls. It’s an award-winning actor, he has I’m in the process of setting up to my suite, melt into the pillowtop parents wax nostalgic about swing- the balance between keeping many authored five plays produced in LA, two books that my producing part- ing to Tommy Dorsey or listening balls up in the air, the eye on the big mattress, and pull the covers over including Surprise Surprise, soon to be ner and I have optioned Will Cook to Rosie Clooney warbling about picture, with a focus on every single my own rapidly graying head. a feature film. His first novel,Waiting for Sex and Straight Girls Guide to the cost of doggies in windows. detail. Also, listening to the input for Walk, will hopefully be published Sleeping with Chicks, as well as a few There is nothing wrong with those before he jettisons his corpulent frame and feedback of the powers that-be, But after dancing the night away life rights stories. Currently, I’m at the wonderful after party, toe-to- simpler days of American music off the Hollywood Sign. while delivering the best product trying to find the right script for a toe with the performers and artisans that paved the way for our own his- possible within budget and dead- Vampire/Death Row Project. For lines. Followed by, returning phone television, if I’m not working on Theater Review calls, watching tapes and keeping up raising the profiles of my Guest- on e-mails. If I’m not at business pert’s, we’re trying to set up a great dinners, then I spend evenings Love Song comedy pilot script, in addition to Chernoff’s worth a listen doing charity supported work. I’ve our many unscripted reality and talk had the opportunity to initiate many Chapman), children (Ryan James projects. In addition to my next industry related events for various and Diana Martin), and his book, we created an online business charities. endearing best friend of 35 years, called TVGuestpert.com as a Oscar (Elliot Goldwag). Michele resource for TV Producers to find Bernath is also a crowd favorite in What do you like about your job? their next guest expert because the a number of small supporting I always say that I have traveled demand to match producing col- roles, particularly that of a lusty the world through the people that I leagues with TV Guests became too matchmaker. After many years of get to meet and work with - I’ve overwhelming to do single-handed- suffering in silence over the slights been able to tell all types of stories ly through my media consulting God has dealt him, a trip to Israel through my work-from producing business. with his wife brings Chaim a inmates on death row to Hollywood much-needed catharsis and sur- A-listers to moms with a cause and prising reconciliation. everything in between. I’ve had the Who are some of your opportunity to book, produce and influences? My eighty year old grandmother, Although the production oversee some 10,000+ TVGuest- she was an opera singer. Pavarotti hadn’t quite found its feet by pert’s on television over the course Left to Right: Diana Martin, Stan Mazin, Ryan James, and Irene Chapman was one of her choir boys and she opening night, Chernoff ’s script of my career, so far. Stan Mazin plays Chaim hits its marks, and director Larry was directed by the late Jose Ferrar. by Kyle Moore Shotsky, a retired Brooklyn mail- Eisenberg brings the show home I think it must have been wild to be man who relates his life story for to a misty-eyed and powerfully What are the challenges you face a career woman in the 50’s and 60’s Most people, if we find our- the benefit of his newfound friend emotional conclusion. Even a goy in your line of work? while raising a family at that time. selves in a park on a nice day and and captive audience, Kelly Burke like me, I was verklempt. If only The biggest challenge is turning some old mensch starts yakking (Suzie Ruckle). Mazin gives a rich Canter’s had been right next door. a “no” into a “yes”. P What book are you currently away at us, we’d want to maybe and detailed performance in an reading? fake an aneurysm to get out of the emotionally chal- What was the most interesting In the bedroom: Woman in the situation. In Marvin Chernoff ’s lenging, wide-rang- Chaim’s Love Song project you have worked on? Alabaster Jar by Margaret Starbird. Chaim’s Love Song, a lonely young ing role, and is an Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre Without stating the obvious, it In the kitchen: Naked Chocolate by woman from Iowa is transplanted affable conduit for 10900 Burbank Blvd. would have to be Sunday Morning David Wolfe. In the living room: to Brooklyn, befriends an old Jew- the New York Jewish North Hollywood, 91601 Shootout. The experience of running Chronicles Volume I by Bob Dylan, ish man, and winds up learning all experience. Chaim’s general admission $20, students and seniors $18. Shootout has been like getting paid On the patio: The Undomestic God- about life, love, loss, family, friend- stories are supported For reservations: to go to film school while doing my dess by Sofie Kinsella. In my bag: ship, and the true nature of by appearances by his (818) 700-4878 or www.lcgrt.com day job. Boffo! by Peter Bart. P pigeons. wife Sarah (Irene

|| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Book Review Column Shadow revives Poe Phantom dazzles in Vegas pers proceed to depict Poe as an by Sean Reynolds incorrigible, insignificant storyteller. Quentin vows to continue to protect American Apparition him after death from those “carping How shall the burial rite be read? muckworms that crowded around The solemn song to be sung? the scene of Poe’s death like hungry The requiem for the loveliest dead, little flies.” That ever died so young? Quentin’s search for justice lures Mathew Pearl, author of the him away from Baltimore, and his widely successful suspense mystery, lucrative law practice, sending him The Dante Club, focuses his second on a long ocean voyage to uncover novel on the confusing details of the factual basis for Poe’s detective Edgar Allan Poe’s death in Balti- stories about C. Auguste Dupin, more during the fall of including The Murders 1849. The Poe Shadow in the Rue Morgue and is a sharp tale of inter- The Purloined Letter. national subterfuge, He is consumed with interwoven with his- the idea that the real torical facts and per- life investigator can suasive characters. Poe unravel the threads of remains a talisman for Poe’s destruction. His the horror genre, and quest is complicated, Pearl resurrects the however, when two shadowy gothic story- unique individuals are teller who invaded the located in France who pre-Civil War Ameri- fit the personage of can psyche with his Dupin. One is a mal- haunting poems and short stories. contented genius and recluse named Auguste Duponte. “There are many Brett Barrett and Elizabeth Loyacana in Phantom of the Opera, playing twice nightly at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Pearl begins his novel, “I PRES- stories to hear of Duponte. He was house, abloom with 5,000 roses. ENT TO YOU, Your honor and a great genius. Duponte, they say, week on PBS. Recent guest stars Hollywood Beat with Joining Webber and Director Hal gentlemen of the jury, the truth would know a thief was going to include John Schneider, Fabian, Marci Weiner Prince, was comedy icon Carol Bur- about this man’s death and my life.” take your jewels before the thief and Jack Jones. nett, Sheldon & Dr. Miriam Adel- The narrator, Quentin Hobson did.” The other is an egotistical son (owners of the Venetian) and Clark, is a young, successful lawyer English lawyer and self proclaimed The Phantom of the Opera has Robert Goulet, to name a few. Even Hot off the Press living in Baltimore. A fan of Poe’s Baron with the same last name as found his new lair at the Venetian Roy Horn (along with his partner short stories, he corresponds by mail the character Dupin. His French Hotel in Las Vegas. From the Proving he is not just another Siegfried Fischbacher) joined the with the infamous author, initially wife serves as scout and henchman, moment you check in, you can pretty face, film and TV actor,Lou audience in a standing ovation for commenting on The Raven. “If the and adds a dangerous romantic hear the score of the longest run- Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) who the Phabulous Phantom. raven sits at the top of the chamber quality to the affair. ning musical being piped through appears regularly on the hit CBS door, what lamp-light would be the hotel lobby. There is even a series King of Queens, as himself, behind him in such a way as to cast Eventually both men travel to gift shop (located near the Casino) Memorial for Jay Bernstein has been cast as a series regular on a shadow to the floor?” Eventually Baltimore to solve the mystery of featuring Phantom items for a new sit-com. He has been cast as Poe responds, thanking him for his the author’s death. The two detec- Phantom Phans like moi. Along with 400 friends and a “Ghost,” the spirit of the deceased interest and offering a brief expla- tives work separately, competing for family, we attended a second Memo- father of NY actor/comedian nation of the shadowy dilemma. a resolution while the plot is com- And wait until you enter the rial Service for super agent Jay Ber- Tucker Brown, who the show is “My conception was that the brack- plicated further by a pair of brutal 1,800 seat playhouse designed to nstein at Paramount Studios. Far- built around. The Only Man I Love, et candelabrum affixed against the foreigners stalking the Baron and look like the l9th Century Opera rah Fawcett, who was with Jay when Tucker Brown, is filming in loca- wall, high up above the door and his wife. Quentin risks his reputa- Garnier in Paris, created to house he died, was not present, as she was tions in LA and NY (the setting of bust.” Quentin is delighted with tion, practice, fiancé, and eventually the Phantom Spectacular. Com- in Texas, visiting her Dad who had the show). Our sources tell us since the candid reply. In all he writes his life traveling a road of political poser Andrew Lloyd Webber stat- open heart surgery. However, Ferrigno’s success on King of nine letters, and receives four in corruption, editorial indiscretion, ed on opening night, “It’s a dream Susanne Somers, who credits her Queens, he has been serious about return, often mentioning Poe’s and personal revelation. Quentin come true. We can do things here show biz success to him, held up the starring in his own show. Look for ambitions for his proposed journal, sums up his infatuation (and possi- that we could never have done in fort, and even sang “Bye Bye Baby” it as a mid-season replacement in P The Stylus. Poe’s fundraising efforts bly Pearl’s) saying of Poe: “He was any other context.” ( Jay’s favorite song). 2007. for The Stylus are hindered by the America — an independence that press, constantly printing rumors of defied control, even when being Because there are two shows The hit of the his immoral habits, questions about controlled would have benefited every evening, there are two casts evening was a superb- his sanity, improper romantic dalli- him. Somehow Poe-truth is all per- performing in the $40 million dol- ly edited film about ances, and general excessiveness. As sonal to me.” lar production. We were pleased Jay’s life and loves, a lawyer, Quentin promises to bring to witness Anthony Crivello as the featuring Stacey suit against any false accuser Pearl’s academic background (a Phantom, and Elizabeth Loyacano Keach, who starred as attempting to damage Poe’s efforts graduate of both Yale and Harvard) as the delicate Christine. Although Mike Hammer in the to launch The Stylus. Their emerging is evident by his fastidious attention the show has been reduced to a 95 TV series produced relationship is tragically severed, to detail, vivid descriptions, and tac- minute version, all of the songs are by Bernstein. however, when the author is found tile imagery. “Then came that cold, included. And you will get to see wandering the streets of Baltimore drizzling afternoon when the noon- the famous chandelier rise and fall, Kudos to Bob muttering incoherently, apparently day sky was the same at six in the as well as the other dazzling effects Williams, a pal of drunk and disoriented. He dies morning as it would be at six at which thrilled audiences through- Jay’s since childhood. shortly after in a hospital that is night. Fog everywhere. It drifted out the world. Bob is producing known for the sordid practice of like fingers in your face and jabbed Branson Jubilee, a TV buying corpses from grave robbers in your eyes and down your throat.” At the opening night soirée, variety show hosted P for medical dissection. The newspa- the Venetian’s main ballroom was by Jimmy Osmond, transformed into a crimson opera that begins airing this The late mega-manager Jay Bernstein with Farah Fawcett || ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 Restaurant Review Lucia’s Italian offers flair to spare

®

Located in the Pacific Palisades, Lucia’s menu by Chef Cathy Halter attracts gastronomers from around the city

American dishes. Some starters prepared with high-protein penne, Dining with were the amazing taste of Grilled chicken, and a roasted vegetable Shirley Firestone Pear & Gorgonzola Pizzetta, Kau- medley ($5.95 - $15.95). aiian Baby Back Ribs with papaya A delightful find that could barbecue sauce, also Tuna Tartare Mondays are “2-For-1 Pasta have been tucked away anywhere Sashimi with avocado, spicy mayo, Nights” at Lucia’s. On Tuesdays, in the world, Lucia’s is located in a and grilled crostini. We especially it’s “Wine Discovery Night,” when sweetheart of a neighborhood and enjoyed the dungeness crab cakes all wines — whether purchased by has the feeling of an inn. There and stuffed mushrooms (using the bottle or glass — are offered at Guip Photos: Amy were no heads glued to cell phones. 4-cheeses). a 50% discount. And akin to a blast from the past, it had natural charm, making the Salads included Salmon a la Check out their cocktails, all Italian gods smile just from the Livorno, featuring blackened salm- made with Han Soju, a traditional aromas in the air. Founded by on, capers, and goat cheese with Asian liquor similar to premium Morten Kaag and John Halter of balsamic vinaigrette. There’s also a vodka. A distilled form of sake, Taste and Pizzetta restaurants in wide variety of traditional and con- soju originated in the 1300’s in West Hollywood, along with man- temporary pizzas (or you can design Korea. My favorite is the Apple aging partner Michael Halter, your own from 30 ingredients). Martini, served with an apple float. Lucia’s has been a favorite for resi- They also feature a wonderful Cape dents of the Pacific Palisades, lur- Pasta’s vary from Spaghetti Cod, and a list of others, including ing celebrities and diners from Bolognese to Fettuccini Verona the tasty Lemon Drop. Beer & BroadwayLA.org other areas. with sautéed shrimp, roasted garlic Ales are from Italy, Mexico, Ire- 213.365.3500 or 714.740.7878 pesto, goat cheese, and pine nuts. In land, and USA. And the wine list A PRESENTATION OF This is a cozy place, with white addition, Halter’s menu features is select, with many by the glass. www.siteforrent.com Box Office Opens Daily at 10am. linened tables throughout two mushroom-crusted Ahi tuna with inviting dining rooms, and large gorgonzola polenta paired to a mer- This fall, the restaurant is framed mirrors adorning walls of lot sauce, and a hefty Kobe Beef unveiling their new wine bar, add- ENTERTAINMENT TODAY • 4” X 8” • BW red brick. Track ceiling lighting Cheeseburger with optional cara- ing more seating, and adding some RUN DATE: 7/14/06 • DEADLINE: 7/7/06 seemed to drop shadows between melized onions, fontina cheese, and new dishes to the menu. During RENT the tables to support a feeling of wild mushrooms. the winter months, Lucia’s will be CLIENT: CENTER STAGE ADVERTISING intimacy. Along with art, knick- serving a menu of specialty hot nack shelves, a small bar, and wine Along with the steaks, chicken, chocolates. Opens for dinner every cellar cabinet, you’ll find candle- veal, and “Mamma’s Meatloaf,” night at 5:00 PM. P light almost everywhere. And there were entrées of Mac- while unpretentious, it’s becoming adamia Nut Crusted Hali- a major destination for gastrono- but, also a marvelous Lob- mers. However, with it all, the ster Cannelloni made in a “star” of the evening was the cui- huge pasta shell with juli- sine, beginning with their fantastic enned vegetables and goat basketed warm focaccia (Italian cheese. bread) topped with flavorful “doodads.” Throughout the menu are healthy options, such Executive Chef Cathy Halter as the low carb “Mock” introduced a menu with an exten- Mashed Potatoes, (made sive collection of Italian specialties with cauliflower puree) while adding the allure of new and Penne a la Magro,

Lucia’s 538 Palisades Dr., Pacific Palisades (310) 573-1411 Healthy options at Lucia’s include Mock Mashed Main Courses, $13.95-$21.95, Pizza from $9.49-$19.95 Potatoes made from cauliflower www.luciasitaliankitchen.com

|| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Television Television Oscar winner on radio legend Corwin to lead off Cinemax short doc series

mas are the mature questions asked what is played will resonate today. by Jonathan Hickman and dealt with about the United And placing things in a modern States’ involvement in WWII and context isn’t hard. Oddly, on my Radio isn’t dead, today, it’s the costs exacted. The focus by Cor- way back to work after lunching adapted. There was a time before win is often intimate and necessarily with The Golden Age of Norman Cor- television when 60 million Ameri- adult. win, I heard today’s reining king of Eyes for Lies cans tuned into the radio as a major the radio airwaves, Rush Limbaugh, source of news and entertainment. Modern interviews include dis- bemoaning those that have been At the height of that time, the stan- cussions with Robert Altman, Wal- expressing displeasure with what Lyriq Bent and Abigail Spencer in Lifetime’s new series, Angela’s Eyes dard was Norman Corwin who has ter Cronkite, and Norman Lear has been referred to as Israel’s “dis- often been called the “poet laureate among others who count themselves proportionate” response to the kid- encodes his words and gestures with by M.Y. Lee of radio drama.” as admirers of Corwin. And Cor- napping of their soldiers. Referring secret messages during her first visit win himself reminiscences about the to WWII, Limbaugh explained how Nowadays, it seems like every to the penitentiary in over a decade. Chief among Corwin’s achieve- golden age of radio and his golden the military deaths of Japanese out- studio and their sister (network) is ments on radio was his VE Day time in it. Today, as shown in the numbered American military dead trying their hand at a procedural Unfortunately, Spencer as Ange- broadcast on May 5th, 1945, enti- film, he continues his work as a col- by something like 22 to 1. Winning drama with a female lead, and a la is no Kyra Sedgwick — or Patri- tled “On A Note of Triumph.” lege professor making his way in a war, according to Limbaugh, twist. Angela’s Eyes, Lifetime’s ver- cia Arquette for that matter. She’s Filmmaker Eric Simonson’s short and out of the classroom with the meant killing more of them than sion of TNT’s The Closer or NBC’s easy on the eyes but unconvincing documentary A Note of Triumph: The assistance of a walker. His mind is they kill of us. Regardless of wheth- Medium, focuses on Angela Henson as an audacious yet vulnerable FBI Golden Age of Norman Corwin won still sharp even if his body is failing. er you subscribe to the Limbaugh (Abigail Spencer), an FBI agent agent — too whiny to convey audac- the Academy Award for Best Short According to his website, www.nor- camp, the power of radio to provoc- with the superpower ability to tell ity and too melodramatic to convey Subject in March of this year. And mancorwin.com, Corwin celebrated atively challenge is still very potent. when a person is lying. vulnerability (perhaps due to her on July 27th, Cinemax will debut his 96th birthday on May 3rd, And without the work of those like years as a soap opera star). the film as part of a short documen- 2006. Corwin, the airwaves would not, In the pilot, Angela teams with tary series with the short films love it or hate it, be what they are her partners, techie geek Dozer ( Joe The writing and execution are nominated for the recent Oscars. To acquaint the present genera- today. Cobden) and slightly skeptical sometimes clunky and clichéd. Dan tion with Corwin and his work, token minority Leo (Lyriq Bent), McDermott and Scott Shepard The Golden Age of Norman Cor- Simonson uses several editing tech- A Note of Triumph: The Golden on a Scott Peterson-like case involv- (North Shore, Tru Calling) supply win is an excellent blending of audio niques. I liked how he faded in the Age of Norman Corwin will air on ing a man whose wife goes clips from the original broadcasts old photos very, very slowly from Thursday, July 27th (7 pm ET/PT), missing. Angela’s uses her and interviews including Corwin black as original Corwin radio on Cinemax. This will kick of a built-in lie detector to read himself. The significance of Cor- drama clips played underneath. In series of Academy-nominated short witnesses and suspects, and win’s work in radio was tremendous, one scene, he fades into what looks films premiering on consecutive eventually solves the case. as evidenced by this documentary like a bomb drop, spinning the fade Thursdays. The Mushroom Club will with testimony from many who in while the audio clip plays dra- air on August 3rd (7 pm ET/PT), Angela’s special gift, particiated. Corwin’s audio dramas matically. In another, he fades from God Sleeps In Rwanda on August while helpful in her profes- featured the voice talents of the one photograph that is still dimly lit 10th (7 pm ET/PT), and conclud- sional life, comes with cer- then Hollywood elite including into old black and white moving ing on August 17th (7 pm ET/PT) tain drawbacks on a per- Edward G. Robinson, James Stew- footage never quite permitting the with The Death of Kevin Carter: sonal level. Angela wants art, and Orson Wells. Many of fade to run completely up. I was Casualty of the Bang Bang. P to like the man she’s dating these “A” list actors lent their voices surprised how this simple technique (Peter Hermann), but it Abigail Spencer and Peter Herman for little or nothing just to be a part was so right for the somber doesn’t help that she is able Jonathan W. Hickman serves of Corwin’s then experimental radio material. to deduce everything about him. A their characters with unintentionally as Editor-in-Chief, columnist, programming. Director Simonson film critic, and deep philosopher at make-out session is interrupted amusing dialogue like “You have a sprinkles in clips from these read- The brevity of this documentary Entertainment Insiders. For more when she spies a picture taken by gift for spotting lies, Angela?” and ings coupling them with old WWII somewhat limits one’s ability to fully writing by Jonathan W. Hickman, his ex-wife and declares, “I’m sorry, “the plot thickens,” delivered with photographs. What is striking appreciate the content of Corwin’s go to: www.EInsiders.com I didn’t know you were married.” the utmost seriousness rather than about the content of the radio dra- radio messages during WWII. But Later, the relationship is nearly the hint of camp they probably destroyed when he discovers she’s require. placed a tracker in his cell phone because she “has difficulty trusting But to be fair, the crime story people.” But thank goodness we’re provides audiences with exactly watching Lifetime, which means what they want and expect. And Angela can win him back with a the promising long-term story arc heartfelt confession involving Angela’s family and that also reveals her the secret messages is not backstory. only intriguing but clever. The pilot hints that further Angela’s parents investigation may reveal that were notorious Angela’s parents are innocent spies convicted by of the espionage charges for the U.S. govern- which they are serving time. ment for selling Angela’s Eyes should do fine secrets abroad. As for now, since summer pro- a girl, her parents’ gramming is limited and subterfuge provided people love their crime dra- a crash course in Boyd Gaines mas. Hopefully the series detecting lies, and their conviction will focus on its strengths — inspired her to become an FBI crime stories with a couple big agent. The pilot explores her com- twists and an engaging family story P plicated relationship with her incar- arc. cerated father (Boyd Gaines), who Eric Simonson’s documentary on radio legend Norman Corwin won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject. Corwin is now 96 years old. || ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 Television Music announced that her favorite song Stars, writers, baloons from that period of “The Golden Just One Look Age of Song” is “Lush Life” by the then teenager/composer Billy invade Rose Bowl Linda Rondstadt in concert Strayhorn, “who must have been CBS welcomes Television Critics Association the loneliest teen ever,” she com- mented before launching into a torch rendition. She sang a soulful by Frank Barron version of “Adios” by Jimmy Webb, and brought the crowd to its feet When Pasadena politicians with “Somewhere Out There” as a think of the Rose Bowl, they dream duet with Arnold McCuller - one of a potential NFL pro football of her backing vocalists, who joined team. When UCLA students think Ronstadt along with Marlena Jeter of the Rose Bowl, they look forward to kick-off the “greatest hits” por- to another winning football season tion of the concert with “Just One at the hallowed facility. And when Look.” Other highlights included CBS thinks of the Rose Bowl, they “Blue Bayou,” “Poor, Poor Pitiful see a place to throw an unforgettable Me,” and a lovely version of party for the Television Critics Linda Rondstadt “Quireme Mucho.” Rondstadt Association, with members visiting turned sixty last week and she is from all over the nation to get the Gary Sinise star of CSI: New York by Kat Kramer to sing many different musical styles busier than ever with more stops dish on the networks’ new fall including pop, folk, country, stan- on her summer tour. On July 25, lineup. Robert David Hall, usually The timeless pop icon of the dards, jazz, and Latin. She opened her new album, on Vanguard found in the morgue on CSI: Crime 1970’s – 90’s, Linda Ronstadt per- with a series of classics from The Records, hits the stores. It’s called We entered the event through Scene Investigation, just got back formed a one-night only concert at Great American Songbook, starting “Adieu, False Heart” and she joins the same tunnel football teams have from a cross-country tour on behalf The Gibson Amphitheatre in Uni- with “What’s New” (from her Ann Savoy on the pop rock CD, used to enter the Rose Bowl for of disabled persons. Hall does a tre- versal City. Often referred to as a famous album of the same title also featuring musician Joel Savoy generations. The famed UCLA mendous service lobbying for rights “chameleon,” the veteran chanteuse which she recorded with Nelson (acoustic guitar). At The Gibson Marching Band greeted the celebri- and inclusion for the disabled. has been the “Meryl Streep of Riddle back in the early 1980’s) Amphitheatre concert, Richie ties and scribes with the Bruin fight Song” for more than two decades. then followed with “Straighten Up Furay opened the show and per- song and other tunes. The first The Amazing Race producers/ Long a favorite of the baby boom- And Fly Right,’ “Bewitched, Both- formed various tunes from his cur- glimpse of the inside of stadium had creators Bertram Van Munster and ers, Rondstadt has also managed to ered And Bewildered”, and “Some- rent album “Heartbeat Of Love.” many standing in awe. Surrounded wife Elyse Dagnieri were escorted capture the attention of the young- one To Watch Over Me.” The Furay, the founder of Buffalo by 100,000 seats, it was by publicist Char- er generation, which was evident at audience loved it. Her voice was Springfield, received a standing humbling to realize the lie Barrett, and the show. The Streep comparison pure and strong, and she delivered ovation. P vastness of the one let it be known is due to her versatility and passion several “money notes.” She hundred yard gridiron, they had just and what a feat it must come back from be to run its length for a scouting vaca- a touchdown. tion in Thailand. They also toured Overhead, the Kuwait to con- Goodyear blimp sider it for a flashed the words, future Amazing “Welcome TCA mem- Race location. bers, from CBS.” Scoreboards at each Star of the end of the field flashed new legal drama the same greeting. At Shark, James midfield, a humongous Woods was CBS eye was painted Virginia Madsen enjoying all the on the grass. There were dozens of attention from the throngs of food and drink booths on the field, reporters. And the gals were and giant human-like balloons delighted by the immaculately waved and fluttered in the wind. dressed Peter Bergman of The Young and the Restless, a soap that has been The celebrities and writers got a the number one rated daytime chance to test their skills at punting, drama for 17 years! passing, and even a game of touch football. Gary Sinise, star of CSI: Actress Sprague Grayden, from NY, jumped at the opportunity to the new drama Jericho, was hanging throw spirals to out with Jason Ritter. In his sitcom his co-stars. The Class, Ritter gets to show off his Sinise chatted comedy chops, inherited from his about taking late father John Ritter. And gor- time out from geous Virginia Madsen couldn’t his show to visit help but gush about being part of the troops over- producer John Wells’ new heist seas. “I take my drama Smith. ‘Lieutenant Dan Band’ and Meanwhile, CBS honcho Leslie James Woods of Shark we play for Moonves sat back surveying his them,” says the Forrest Gump actor, fiefdom. I had to ask Moonves if he who modestly brushes off any fuss was going to take part in the kick- made about going on the handshake ing contest? With his usual smile tours with the USO. “Our soldiers and fast wit, Moonves replied, “No. P are making the real sacrifice.” I do that at my office every day.” || FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Concert Review Say Anything should’ve played everything

by Brooke Damnkoehler

Before I’d even heard a note, based on name alone— after the 1989 Cameron Crowe teen flick—I expected Say Anything to be an emo band under the influence of the 1980’s— all the bad, the good, and the ugly music from that decade. Attending their concert at the Gibson Amphi- theatre (they are currently on tour in support of Dashboard Confessional), I happily found their music to be a power- pop-punk hybrid informed by everything from Queen, to Pavement, to Faith No More, to Fugazi. Yes, I was pleas- antly surprised. They performed “Belt,” “Woe,” “Alive with the Glory of Love,” “The Futile,” and “Admit It.” Sadly for me, a newly convert- ed fan, their set was far too short.

The atmo- sphere of the Back row: Jake Turner, Alex Kent, Jeff Turner Front Row: Coby Linder, Max Bemis, Parker Casse concert was that of a frenetic group therapy session, with singer/song- writer Max Bemis working hard to break the barrier between the performers and the audience. With such a strong connection between Bemis and the fans, at times I felt as if I had crashed a party I had not been invited to. But one couldn’t accuse Bemis of insincerity. I could see the sparkle in his eye as he winked at us and invited us come along on the journey with him.

Unaccustomed to big venues, the band (aside from the drummer and the bass player) seemed to be feeling its way through the set — no more looking at your instruments guys! As this tour progresses, Say Anything should find their presence and be able to hold its own with the charis- matic Bemis.

Say Anything is not just the average emo band. There is something more here. It is not just because Bemis wears his heart on his sleeve as the genre demands, he also has a critical eye towards the entertainment industry and his rock star status — and all that it affords his ego and libido.

“And the record begins with a song of rebellion,” says Bemis as he introduces the first song “Belt.” After all, rock is hardly about real rebellion anymore. It is about selling the commodity of rebellion.

The lyrics are compellingly literate in a playful way. When was the last time you heard the word “gendarme” in a rock song, or any song for that matter? Max then rhymes “gendarme” with “charm.” On the other end of the spec- trum is “Alive with the Glory of Love.” Commencing with a flourish that recalls David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” this song’s upbeat, infectious melody is juxtaposed with some strange lyrics: “Our Treblinka is alive with the glory of love!” It paints a picture of obsessive sex and love, “each day in hiding beneath the wormwood,” against the back drop of a concentration camp. “Wormwood” and its reference to a Nostradamus quatrain aside, the story that the song imparts, with all its gruesome imagery, recalls the movie The Night Porter. Watch it, and you’ll know what I mean.

I look forward to a sophomore album from Bemis and Say Anything. In the meantime, I’ll be sure to catch them next time they play Los Angeles as headliners.P

|10| ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 Film Review Clerks still fresh or beyond expiration date? ET critics disagree on Kevin Smith’s Clerks II, made 12 years after the original

we’ve come to expect by Steven Snyder for another day over Smith’s career. By Peter Sobczynski at Quik Stop, In 1994, against all possible odds, Kevin Randal’s rude sexual com- On the surface, the mere existence of Clerks 2 seems facing the world Smith’s black-and-white Clerks found a spir- mentary? Check. Dante’s like an admission of defeat on the part of writer/direc- by providing it ited band of fans, among them Miramax’s anal-retentive flailing? tor Kevin Smith. After all, he was the one who with coffee and Harvey Weinstein. The rest is now part of Check. Silent Bob’s last- announced after the release of Jay and Silent Bob the paper. But Hollywood legend, as Clerks went on to minute outburst? Check. Not Strike Back that he was going to abandon his so- Smith pulls the become a cult sensation. Through the years, to mention the rampant called “Askewniverse” to devote his time to more rug out from one teenager after another has immersed homophobia, racism, and mature works —films that would allow him to under us by hav- himself in the film’s vulgarity-laden comedy, misogyny that runs underneath stretch beyond Jay and Silent Bob. While I ing the place nodding along with a sense of humor that Jay’s ethnic jokes and sex jokes. personally liked his first such effort,Jersey Girl, may have been sophomoric to the core, but immediately go it was roasted by fans angry at him for not up in flames. also had a heart, and an ear for truth. Exhibit There are some Rosario Dawson and Brian O’Halloran providing more of the Instead of taking A: The infamous oral sex joke that shocked moments in Clerks II same, panned by critics this opportunity to let their lives finally bloom some viewers, but hit a nerve with many that evoke memories CLERKS II for its naked sentimen- (literally, as the film shifts to color), we cut to a others who had already had the debate with of the vibrant, unpre- Directed by Kevin Smith tality, and ignored by a year later and we find them in another soul-kill- friends: What exactly counts as sex anyway? dictable pulse that Starring: Brian O’Halloran, public that had grown ing McJob manning the counter of a Mooby’s characterized its pre- Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Trevor sick of the hi-jinks of fast-food restaurant. While Randall is perfectly Thanks to Clerks, Smith got the big stu- decessor. More often Fehrman, Jennifer Schwalbach, co-stars Ben Affleck content to fritter his life away, Dante plans to dio contract and the big budget to direct the than not, it occurs Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and Jennifer Lopez (so launch himself into adulthood by marrying debacle that was Mall Rats before returning when the story slows 98 minutes, Rated R much so, in fact, that Emma ( Jennifer Schwalbach, a.k.a. Mrs. Kevin to his indie roots with Chasing Amy. Then down enough Miramax attempt- Smith) and moving with her to Florida to man- came the more ambitious – some foolishly to extricate ed to combat this age one of her father’s car washes. Set on called it audacious – Dogma, the more mar- itself from this (2 out of 4 stars) by making the sur- Dante’s last day before leaving, we find Randall keted and mainstream Jay and Silent Bob rut of obsceni- (3 1/2 out of 4 stars) prise first-reel dealing with the approaching loss of his best Strike Back (a three-ring-circus of Smith- ties and permit death of Lopez’s character a key friend, Dante dealing with his feelings towards isms), and the 2004 disaster that was Jersey a conversation to take place. Take Ran- publicity point). sexy co-worker Becky (Rosario Dawson), and Girl. With Clerks II, Smith makes another dal’s ribbing of Elias (Trevor Fehrman), a Jay & Silent Bob ( Jason Mewes and Smith) just trip to the bank to cash a “View Askew” co-worker at Mooby’s, over his obsession In view of Jersey Girl’s failure, it is dealing… in the parking lot outside. check, recycling the same charac- with the new “Transformers” easy to read Clerks II as a desperate ters for yet another payday. Thus, movie and his relationship with bid to regain the audience that had Like the original Clerks, many of the scenes we have come full circle. a girl who’s a bit confused about abandoned him. And yet, the in Clerks II are little more than excuses for her sexuality. Or take Dante’s film is more than a rehash of Smith to indulge in his passion for hyper-verbal Much like Smith’s characters behind-closed-doors talks with familiar characters and jokes. It exchanges choked with elaborate profanity and in Clerks II, who spin their wheels Becky (Rosario Dawson), channels the dreams, anxieties, even more elaborate analyses of virtually any in hopes of breaking free of con- Mooby’s manager, who con- and frustrations of an overeducated subject that comes up – favorite topics include venience stores, fast food joints, fronts him about his growing and underemployed generation try- race (Randall innocently uses the phrase “porch and Jersey, only to discover that anxiety over moving to Florida ing to cope with an arrested adoles- monkey,” discovers that it is a derogatory racial the best they can hope for is more with his fiancé, where he’ll cence that has somehow extended term, and launches a campaign to “reclaim” it of the same, so too does Smith’s work at his future father-in- into their 30’s. And, it does so with for non-racists), sex (too many examples to get career seem stuck forever in neu- law’s car wash. A three- Jeff Anderson as Randal the same detail and nuance employed into), and all aspects of contemporary Ameri- tral, his hand slapped whenever way argument when the characters were first introduced a can culture (Randall hilariously and accurately he tries to reach beyond the formula that between Randal, Elias, and a decade ago. The result is a work that may be derides the Lord of the Rings films as little more was cast in stone 12 years ago. So what you customer about the superiority of the least essential entry in Smith’s filmog- than umpteen hours of people walking: “Even have here is Clerks re-mixed, reorganized, Lord of the Rings over Star Wars revives raphy, but also a smarter and more the f------trees walked!”) This stuff is all very and regurgitated – something that feels and memories of Randal’s classic epiphany in thoughtful one than you might expect funny and it will come as a relief for some to looks an awful lot like the original, but lacks 1994, that the destruction of a second from a film that devotes a good portion discover that Smith hasn’t lost his gift for writ- its inventiveness and rebelliousness. Death Star in Return of the Jedi likely of its third act to a profane act with a ing this kind of smart, spiky dialogue. Howev- caused the deaths of a lot of innocent donkey. er, there is a more serious undercurrent When we last saw Dante (Brian workers. But too little of the film is like throughout the film, exploring how the two O’Halloran) and Randal ( Jeff Anderson), this. While the first Clerks was crude, the Clerks II begins as the first one heroes separately cope with the impending end they were workers at a convenience store and crudeness accompanied the thoughts of rela- did — with black-and-white footage of their longtime relationship, and their sepa- a video rental store. Now, it’s a different day tively intelligent, albeit immature, slackers. of Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and rate futures. It is Smith’s ability to tackle real but the same setup: they both work at Moo- Here, it is lewdness for lewdness’ sake, as if Randall ( Jeff Anderson) arriving issues in a sly and off- by’s, Smith’s fictionalized McDonald’s, where Smith solved a case of writer’s block by hand manner – not just every customer is greeted by the cry of a throwing anything and everything into a the sex jokes and gross- mooing cow. screenplay – swears, racial epithets, dance out gags – that has made sequences, bestiality, and celebrity cameos his work so fascinating Here they waste away the days as they – in hopes that something would stick. to watch. always have, Dante filling the hours with the minutiae of cleaning windows and doing They’re all playing funny, and we’re all While it might be crosswords, while Randal uses the joint’s one playing amused. Those who know stretching matters to computer to post insults on blogs and look Smith’s universe will enjoy the homecom- call O’Halloran and up porn. Outside, the newly religious Jay ing, like we always do, but then we’ll Anderson great actors, ( Jason Mewes) and the religiously mute come to the film’s final shot – a homage they are perfectly at Silent Bob (Smith) dance their silly dances, to one of Clerks’ first scenes, where Dante home with the more hurl their offensive insults, sell their drugs, sits bored behind the counter while a serious moments that and stare off into oblivion – just like always. neurotic customer compares expiration occasionally crop up. A dates on the milk – and sense another For most of the film, we’re watching the opportunity missed to see Smith take the P see CLERKS on p. 15 same setups build up to the same payoffs next step. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith reprise their roles as Jay and Silent Bob in Clerks II |11| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Film Review on forever without inspiring one genuine laugh.

Look…! Up her skirt! Another problem is the ill- advised construction of the story. The whole idea of a super-heroine (and come to think of it, this film would never have been made — cer- tainly not as a comedy — if the gen- ders were reversed) getting revenge on an ex doesn’t even kick in until the film is nearly two-thirds of the way over — in the meanwhile, we are treated to one scene after anoth- er in which Jenny acts clingy, pos- sessive, and mildly destructive while Matt stands around looking sheep- ish long after any potential comedy has been milked from the idea. The special effects are also a disappoint- ment — few of them work as come- dy (with the exception of what gets hurled through the window) and none are spectacular enough to work simply as eye candy. This is espe- cially bewildering considering that director Ivan Reitman proved him- self an ace at blending comedy and visual effects withGhostbusters . And you would think that with an idea as potentially promising as this one, the screenplay could have found a Luke Wilson and Uma Thurman sail over New York City in My Super Ex-Girlfriend way to tell its story without having tionships co-worker Hannah (Anna Faris) — ously in the Spider-Man and X-Men to rely on such stale comedic stock went south. and she proceeds to use her super- films— but My Super Ex-Girlfriend characters as the wacky best pal On the sub- powers to make his life a living hell. makes a couple of miscalculations (Rainn Wilson) and the snarky boss way, he meets In the world of bad break-ups, it is so grand that they grind the film to (Wanda Sykes) to fill out the not- Jenny John- not uncommon for one party to a halt. One is that instead of mak- exactly-extended 90-minute run- son (Uma scrawl a nasty message on the side ing Jenny an endearing neurotic, ning time. Thurman), a of the other’s car — but few besides driven to distraction when her per- sexy/dowdy Jenny would take the extra step of sonal life isn’t as clear-cut as her There are times, however, when art historian, then launching the car into outer professional one, Don Payne’s things begin to jell and you can imagine the movie everyone pre- Luke Wilson is all but defenseless against Uma Thurman as G-Girl and impresses space. After Jenny causes him to screenplay makes her a nasty, spite- her by recov- lose his job and nearly kills him by ful and vindictive type whose sumably saw in their heads when MY SUPER ering her purse from a purse- throwing something through a bed- romantic miseries are mostly her they signed on. The high school EX-GIRLFRIEND snatcher. They start dating and Matt room window slightly bigger than a fault and whose reaction to getting flashback explaining how Jenny begins to notice some odd things rock (this might have been the fun- dumped is so over-the-top that it is became G-Girl is an amusing riff about her – she’s a little high-strung, niest bit in the film if the trailers creepy instead of funny. Tossing the on origin stories. The ever-laconic (2 out of 4 stars) a little needy, and she always seems hadn’t given it away), Matt finds car into space? Sort of funny. Turn- Wilson gets a few laughs with some Directed by Ivan Reitman to have to run off to the bathroom himself driven to desperation and ing on her heat-vision to scrawl an of his ultra-dry line readings. And, Starring: Uma Thurman, just as a major disaster looms. But becomes ensnared in a plot by the obscenity into Matt’s forehead and while it probably won’t go down as Luke Wilson, Anna Faris, he is able to overlook those odd evil Professor Bedlam (Eddie nearly boiling his pet goldfish? Not one of her great performances, Eddie Izzard, Rainn Wilson, Izzard) to strip her of her powers funny at all. Actually, the film’s Thurman is a sexy and silly wonder Wanda Sykes details because a.) she looks like Uma Thurman and b.) she is so once and for all. entire attitude towards women is a as G-Girl. As she did in zz, she 95 minutes, Rated P-13 aggressive in the sack that not only little on the creepy side — the only effectively cuts loose from her usual does the earth move, the bed does as Like I said, this is a promising way that Payne can think of to con- persona as a reserved goddess and by Peter Sobczynski well — nearly through the wall. idea for a movie — a goofball spoof clude his story is to have to two lead throws herself into an otherwise Finally, after shocking Matt by get- of the notion of the flawed superhe- female characters engage in a street- silly role with far more gusto than it My Super Ex-Girlfriend has so ting hit head-on by a truck with ro that has been explored more seri- smashing cat-fight that seems to go frankly deserves. As for the sight of much going for it – a promising nary a scratch, Jenny lets Matt her in her various fetish-inspired premise, a director adept at handling in on her big secret — she is outfits — plenty of capes, spandex, both comedy and large-scale special really G-Girl, the city’s top and short skirts (even while flying) effects, and the ideal actress in the superheroine, thanks to magi- — all I can say is that I can think of title role – that I found myself giv- cal powers bestowed upon her many people who would willingly ing it the benefit of the doubt, even by a meteor she touched when turn to a life of super-villainy just to after one bumpy and ill-conceived she was a gawky teenager. be accosted and boxed around by P sequence after another. Unfortu- her. nately, it never manages to catch For a while, the relation- fire. My Super Ex-Girlfriend is a ship is swell — especially Jen- sour, unpleasant, and vaguely misog- ny’s unique version of the Peter Sobczynski writes for the ynistic mess that becomes even mile-high club — but eventu- Liberty Suburban Chicago more frustrating during the isolated ally, her neediness, possessive- Newspapers chain and on-line at moments where things do come ness, and jealousy begin to www.efilmcritic.com. He can also be together, only to fall to pieces once drive Matt crazy and he heard on the nationally syndicated again. Mancow’s Morning Madhouse radio decides to break up with her. program. Comments, complaints, Needless to say, she doesn’t questions, threats and Milla Jovovich’s Luke Wilson is Matt Saunders, take this very well — especially phone number can be sent to him at an amiable dope who is gun-shy on since she is convinced that [email protected]. dating after his last couple of rela- Matt has dumped her for cute Luke Wilson as Matt Saunders and Uma Thurman as Jenny Johnson/G-Girl |12| ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 Film Review “I reall y like d the framin g stor y, which wo rked in such contr ast to the inner story, a nd it g ave it enou gh dis tance to le t us f eel ho w ab surd and rotten the worl d can be wit hout feeling it so much that we wan t to ‘ turn off.’” Monster House captures kids -David Jacobson, d irector DOWN IN THE V ALL EY and DA HMER.

MONSTER HOUSE

(3 out of 4 stars) Directed by Gil Kenan Starring: Michael Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Turner, Nick Cannon, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Catherine O’Hara, Jon Heder, Fred Willard 91 minutes, Rated PG

by Michael Guillién

With her searing debut in Body Heat (1981), Kathleen Turner arrived on the cinematic scene a few degrees hotter than any femme fatale I had ever seen. Her shift into comedy in Romancing the Stone revealed an unexpected but welcome range. And her voice as Jessica Rab- bit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Mitchel Musso as DJ and Spencer Locke as Jenny Monster House If you haven’t seen the end, you haven’t seen… provided one of the best lines ever: has a grudge to settle, and has no rides at the carnival can be exhaust- “I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that qualms about lifting itself right off ing after all — but restraint will The Lucky Girl way.” That voice — which time has its foundation to chase people down come later in his career. It’s good to only perfected — is back, this time the street. Location, location, loca- know that the Spielberg/Zemeckis she’s not only bad, she’s monstrous. tion, indeed! tradition of feel-good adventure And purposely drawn that way. flicks has found its protégé. Monster House captures the may- SATURDAY, JULY 22nd at 7:15pm Motion-capture animation cre- hem perfectly with kids that really Rated PG, perhaps more accu- ated a successful stir with The Polar seem like kids. They talk like kids rately PG-13, the film is uncertain Express, graduated to the creation of and act like kids, even when placed of its audience. Is it for kids, for HORNDYK E INDUSTRI AL FAB RICATI ONS PRESE N TS A TLG PROJECT PR ODU CT ION “THE LUCKY GIRL” MA DD EN PAGE Gollum and Kong in the Peter Jack- in fantastic and improbable situa- teens, or for the adults chaperoning RINGO GENE HAYD EN DEIR DRE WALL ACE CHAD STANSBUR Y GERR Y K A TZMAN A N D TIFFANY AUMAN MUSIC BY BRAY GHIGLIA CO -PRO DU CE RS GREG DUNIGAN MARK TH ORNDY KE W AR DROB E JUST INE W U son franchises, and has now been tions. Granted, all the adults in this them? Crude potty humor, mixed EDI TO R CHRIS THORND YKE PR ODU CT IO N D ES IG N ER JUST INE WU D IRECTOR OF PH O TO GR APHY SCOT T CARRITHERS lifted a notch higher in Gil Kenan’s story are ineffectual caricatures that signals about inappropriate behav- EX EC UTIV E PRO DU CE R TERESA GRA YSON PRO DU CE D BY CHRIS TH ORNDY KE Monster House. Here, unlike The only serve to heighten the heroic ior, and a thematic obsession with WRI TT EN A ND D IREC TED BY CHRIS TH ORNDY KE Polar Express, the characters are subjectivities of the three heroes the uncomfortable shift from child- www.danceswithfilms.com more expressive, not less, as anima- who — realizing the house across hood into puberty make it question- www.m yspace.com/theluckygirl tion frees them from the limits of the street is eating people (mainly able that this movie is for young 323-317-0685 natural motion. I won’t say the adults, and perhaps rightfully so) — kids. It’s more for grown-up kids movie is an instant classic, but I will bravely set out to take care of the recalling their own latchkey say the technical wizardry is fun and problem armed with bottles of resiliencies. appealing. Turner’s performance is cough syrup, squirt guns, and a few delightful, and, in my estimation, sticks of dynamite. Lerner as Chowder especially one of the main reasons to see this rings true as the chubby sidekick Halloween-themed scary movie With a choice ensemble of who overcomes his cluelessness with thrill ride. celebrity voices, and introducing the sheer bumbling bravado. His facial perfectly-cast talents of newcomers expressions alone are worth the What kid hasn’t been fascinated Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, and price of admission. Along with by a scary looking house in the Spencer Locke, Monster House is an Kathleen Turner’s voice. P neighborhood? For DJ, Chowder impressive first feature by Kenan, and Jenny, it isn’t just their imagina- who was plucked straight out of tion that transforms the windows UCLA film school with the ink For blogs, interviews, and reviews into eyes, the front door into a gap- barely dry on his diploma. Monster by Michael Guillén, ing mouth, and a Persian runner rug House could probably have benefited go to: www.TheEveningClass. into a frog-like tongue. This house from a little restraint — too many

Mitchel Musso as DJ, Spencer Locke as Jenny, and Sam Lerner Chowder in Gil Kenan’s feature debut, Monster House |13| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Film Review Confusion in Water compounded on land

LADY IN THE WATER investigate and winds up fall- eyed stare that you party but a narf — a sort of water acting career consisting entirely of ing unconscious into the will soon recog- nymph who has been sent from her gradually expanding roles in his own (1 out of 4 stars) water. When he comes to, nize on the faces world to ours to make contact with films). Even if he could act, the fact Directed by M. Night Shyamalan he is safe and sound in of anyone who a writer whose work will be misun- that he would actually dare to cast Starring: Paul Giamatti, his apartment and he makes it derstood in his own time but will himself in such a part is an act of Bryce Dallas Howard, has been joined by a through this one day save the world. Naturally, hubris so startling that it winds up Jeffrey Wright mysterious young film to the end. there are a couple of hitches to all of subverting what little dramatic ten- woman (Bryce Dallas this. For starters, neither the narf sion there is in every scene in which 110 minutes, Rated PG-13 Howard) wearing Eventually, nor the writer have any idea of who he appears. (And, I’m not quite sure by Peter Sobczynski one of his shirts and Cleveland dis- each other is. A more pressing what the narf is supposed to do with nothing more. She covers that she problem is that an ugly dog-like him aside from offering a keep-up- How could the writer/director has some nasty is not a college creature called a scrunt is lurking the-good-work message from the who gave us such crisply paced, seri- scratches on her girl who wan- outside, waiting to chomp down on undersea kingdom.) ous-minded, and intriguing works legs, and, the dered away the narf to prevent her from com- as The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and kind of vacant, from a stoner’s pleting her mission. We soon learn Shyamalan is so busy screwing Signs (up until its dreadful final reel) glassy- that narfs and scrunts appear in an around with these diversions that also be responsible for one of the ancient Korean fable, and that some even his commendable qualities as a most convoluted and incompetent of the people in the building director — his ability to slowly gen- films to come around in a long time? complex appear in it as well. erate a palpable sense of menace and Hell, even The Village, which was These people unknowingly dread without relying too heavily on generally derided, contained a basic possess the power to help cheap shocks and his facility with storyline one could follow (even if Cleveland and the narf over- actors—wind up falling by the way- practically everyone who saw it come the scrunt. side. Shyamalan had the good taste guessed the big plot twist in the first to hire Giamatti and Howard five minutes and spent the next 100 You might expect Shya- (whose work in The Village was that fervently praying that it couldn’t malan to ease viewers into film’s only highlight) but perversely possibly be so stupidly obvious). such oddball conceits, but gives them nothing to do. Giamatti Watching M. Night Shyamalan’s he seems to take a perverse has little to work with beyond his Lady in the Water is like listening to thrill in making it extra dif- character’s stuttering (which magi- someone trying to tell a long and ficult for anyone to figure cally vanishes around the narf), and elaborate joke, forgetting to include out what the hell is going while Howard has a nice, other- important information and end- on. For instance, all this worldly aura early on, she spends lessly doubling back. Anyone who stuff about narfs and scrunts the second half of the film as an sees it will fully understand why is explained by a screaming increasingly pale zombie with a dis- Disney executives famously reject- Korean lady and translated concerting resemblance to Martin ed the screenplay despite Shyama- by her daughter who, more Short’s Jackie Rodgers Jr. character lan’s track record with them. often than not, goes off onto from Saturday Night Live. The lady strange tangents of her own. in the water in Short Cuts was treat- Paul Giamatti stars as Cleve- To add to the confusion, the ed with more dignity. land Heep, a lonely building narf decides to stop speak- superintendent who, like most ing, resulting in endless In the past, Shyamalan has Shyamalan heroes, is still griev- scenes in which the openly compared himself to Steven ing over a long-ago trage- apartment residents ask Spielberg and Alfred Hitchcock. If dy that has all but her pertinent questions this is true, then Lady in the Water destroyed his life. and she responds by will probably go down as his 1941 His apartment pointing at the wall or or Marnie — a work widely rejected complex seems to tugging her earlobe. as an artistic and financial disaster be populated Enter Farber (Bob Bal- after a string of well-received popu- almost entirely by aban) who turns out to lar favorites. Of course, in the years weirdos. And, there be a creature even more since those films were released, they Bryce Dallas Howard and Paul Giamatti star in Lady in the Water. appears to be some- Inset: M. Night Shyamalan on set. Cindy Cheung as Young-Soon vile and repulsive than a have both received a critical reevalu- one sneaking into Choi. Bob Balaban, with Giamatti, as a doomed film critic. scrunt — a film critic. I’m ation that has somewhat rehabili- the pool in sure that Shyamalan devised tated their reputations. Shyamalan the wee hours of Farber, who serves no real may well bounce back from this the night and purpose other than to arro- debacle — especially if the experi- gunking it up. gantly get everything wrong, to ence convinces him to listen to story Cleveland take symbolic revenge on all of notes or perhaps even work from decides those who criticized The Village by someone else’s script — but I’m to feeding him to a giant scrunt. guessing that even the most devoted of future fans will be hard-pressed And yet, even this is far from to consider Lady in the Water any- the low point of the film. That comes thing more than a cinematic case of with the introduction of the writer temporary insanity. P who will be misunderstood in his own time, but revered by future Peter Sobczynski writes for the Liberty generations and play a deci- Suburban Chicago sive role in the very future Newspapers chain and on-line at www.efilmcritic.com. He can also be of mankind. Shyamalan heard on the nationally syndicated decided that the only Mancow’s Morning Madhouse radio person who could program. Comments, complaints, questions, threats and Milla Jovovich’s properly essay this phone number can be sent to him at role is himself [email protected]. (based on an |14| ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 Film Review CLERKS from p. 11 climactic scene in a jail cell finds Nothing learned in Boxer them shifting from weirdo comedy Gooding says he to genuine drama without missing a thinks the film will beat. Dawson is funny, sexy, and full attract “people who of radiant good cheer throughout. aren’t afraid of contro- And while I am happy that Smith versy and think out of ignored the temptation to devote a the box in terms of rela- large portion of the film to the pop- tionships, but under- ular characters Jay & Silent Bob stand when they’re (perhaps dedicating an entire fea- being exposed to some- ture to them taught him that they thing truly great as a life are best deployed in small doses), I lesson.” will note that they get some big laughs this time, and if he ever Great as a life les- decides to center another movie on son? Mikey and Rose them, I hope he seriously considers are portrayed as sympa- Jay’s rant about space travel as a thetic characters, even possible scenario. The only bum as they are gunning performance comes from Schwal- bach, whose Emma is such an people down in cold SELF SERVICE STORAGE PROVIDING blood. The horror of annoying shrew that you can’t 24 hour electronic security believe that Dante would give up Climate controlled environment murder is diminished Variable vault sizes everything for her. To be fair, this is Convenient location by the way it’s handled. 24 hour access We never get to meet or due as much to the fact that it is a Economical rates know the victims, so weakly written part as it is the fact 818-769-KISS(5477) there is no sense of loss that she simply can’t act. when they are dis- KISS MEDIA VAULTS Cuba Gooding Jr. is a killer for hire in Shadowboxer patched. We see them: Clerks II probably won’t bring www.kissvaults.com bang! they’re dead with new fans into the Kevin Smith SHADOWBOXER a bullet hole between the eyes. No camp, but it is a smart and funny 4444 Vineland Ave., No. Hollywood, CA 91602 pain, no fear, no suffering, no emo- film that contains a number of big laughs (including the inevitable pol- (1 out of 4 stars) tion. One minute they are minor Directed by Lee Daniels characters; the next minute they are luting of the food ordered by a par- ticularly hateful customer, and Ran- Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., corpses. Helen Mirren, Vanessa Ferlito, dall’s hilarious announcement that Stephen Dorf, Macy Gray Set in Philadelphia, the film was the donkey show has gone awry). It also contains, in its last shot, argu- 93 minutes, Rated R shot in six weeks on a tight budget and it shows. The film also contains ably the most quietly disturbing some pretty awful acting. Joseph final image to appear in an other- by Tony Medley Gordon-Levitt (Dr. Don), who had wise amiable comedy since the a sparkling career as a child star in haunting conclusion of Dazed and In Shadowboxer, Cuba Good- the TV series 3rd Rock from the Confused. While watching Clerks II, ing, Jr. continues the descent he Sun, delivers his lines like he’s never you may recognize yourself or your started with Dirty, a movie so pro- read one in his life. Macy Gray’s friends in the characters on screen fane it exceeded any known bounds Neisha comes off like a puppet. and you may even find yourself of propriety. Here, he stars in a film examining your own life choices with enough depravity to offend It is a wonder how this film afterwards. And, I can almost guar- virtually everybody. escaped an NC-17 rating. Sex antee that you will think twice scenes couldn’t get more graphic before getting into an argument Mikey (Gooding) and Rose without showing actual intercourse. with anyone working behind the counter of a fast-food joint before (Helen Mirren) are vicious cold- The film includes frontal male P blooded contract killers, in the nudity, complete with condom. receiving your meal. employ of a psychopath named Normally, the Classification and Clayton (Stephen Dorff ). Rose is Rating Administration is too Peter Sobczynski writes for the Liberty Suburban Chicago also a pedophile, although the movie uptight about sex and nudity while Newspapers chain and on-line at isn’t explicit about this. But she generally ignoring violence, low www.efilmcritic.com. He can also be killed Mikey’s father, who killed moral tone, and socially destructive heard on the nationally syndicated Mikey’s mother, and all this hap- points of view. Here, the movie Mancow’s Morning Madhouse radio pened when Mikey was around 7- should have been rated NC-17 program. Comments, complaints, years-old. When we meet them based on its non-sexual content questions, threats and Milla Jovovich’s phone number can be sent to him at they are lovers. Apparently Rose alone. [email protected]. raised Mikey and then bedded him. Shadowboxer is in-your-face Suspecting infidelity, Clayton filmmaking by people with a moral puts a contract on his pregnant wife, compass badly misdirected. There’s ADVERTISE IN Vickie (Vanessa Ferlito), and on nothing remotely entertaining about everyone who witnessed his recent this film. P spell of spousal abuse with a cue stick. Mikey and Rose are the kill- Reviews by Tony Medley can also be ers, but after dispatching various found in The Tolucan Times, The witnesses without a hitch, Rose Larchmont Chronicle, and at the ENTERTAINMENT faulters when Vickie drops her baby Movie Review Query Engine TODAY just as they are about to plug her. (mrqe.com), RottenTomatoes.com, There is no premise to this film and TonyMedley.com. He is also the CALL FOR INFORMATI0N AND RATES author of Sweaty Palms: The Neglected other than the point that killers are Art of Being Interviewed which has OR people too, and that’s not a premise. sold over a half million copies. 818-566-4030 [email protected]

|15| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Film Lightning strikes for Guthe’s First Time

Writer/director Nick Guthe and writer/ actress Nikki Reed (Thirteen) talk about their collaboration in the new film Mini’s First Time

by Julian Camellieri

In 1999 when writer/ director Nick Guthe first penned the script for Mini’s First Time, the film’s even- tual lead actress Nikki Reed, was in grammar school. Alec Baldwin and Nikki Reed star in Mini’s First Time “I often joke that we were wait- ing for her to grow up,” Guthe said “I didn’t go out and join an escort Reed was speaking of an experi- cles or lightning ued to work on the in an interview at the Meridian service or go out and have an affair ence documented in the critically bolts to get a film film as a producer. Hotel in Beverly Hills, “Because with an older man. But I found a acclaimed, semiautobiographical made and it is usual- [Nikki] was only 11 when I wrote way to relate to her.” film Thirteen, in which Reed co- ly the case,” Guthe Guthe said that the script.” starred with Rachel Evan Woods said. the film would not Soon after Mini enlists as a and Holly Hunter, and co-wrote have been made “if not Now 18, Reed was 16 when she high-class, under-age prostitute, she with director Catherine Hardwicke. Six years ago, for [TriggerStreet’s] performed the role of Mini — a finds herself in a darkened hotel However, Guthe insists that it was Guthe was working belief in me that I sexy, affluent teen living in a part of room with her stepfather Martin Reed’s attitude that scored her the in Los Angeles as a could do it, this radio Los Angeles where all the residents (Alec Baldwin), a stoic, high-rolling role, not the fame she achieved from screenwriter, explor- interview I heard, and indulge in classically immoral executive. Martin has no idea until Thirteen. ing all avenues to get my wife’s good idea. behavior, the worst of which seems afterwards that he has just had sex one of his scripts Those were three of to be Mini’s irredeemably selfish with his manipulative stepdaughter. “It wasn’t a difficult choice. I made. His wife, the seven lightning mother, Diane During the knew within five minutes of meet- Heidi, who is also a bolts.” (Carry-Ann resulting affair, ing [Reed] that she was perfect,” screenwriter and writer/director Nick Guthe Moss), who swaps Mini revels in said Guthe. “First of all, she was the often collaborates on Brunetti convinced masseur/gigolo the thought of only actress who came to an inter- scripts and pitches with her hus- Guthe to send his script to Baldwin’s tips with fellow being caught by view who was not actually tarted up. band, came up with an idea for a people. (Guthe had sent the script trophy wives when her mother with I just thought that the real mini movie about a friendship between a to the actor when he first wrote it she isn’t screaming her stepfather at wouldn’t try to impress me. She celebrity and his impersonator. “We and even got a meeting set up, but it for margaritas in any moment. wouldn’t care if she got the role.” needed an actor who was going to was cancelled at the last minute the morning, or Before long, play [the celebrity]. We were like, with no explanation.) The second offering monthly she’s convinced Asked why his other lead actor, ‘Who can we get?’” Guthe said. time around proved to be more sexual advances to Martin to plot Baldwin, has been notably absent “And I was driving my car and I fruitful as Baldwin signed on. With her comically with her to get from efforts to promote Mini’s First heard an interview with [Kevin the high profile actor attached, creepy neighbor her mother out Time, Guthe speculated that it may Spacey] on national public radio Guthe was able to secure Reed and ( Jeff Goldblum). of the picture. have to do with personal issues. “He talking about his company and how the rest of the ensemble cast. Mini compensates has a custody battle with his wife, it was set up to find undiscovered for a lifetime “Aside from which is pretty well publicized,” voices.” Both Guthe and Reed are opti- without affection the just the Guthe explained. “In this movie he mistic about their futures in the by seeking an script being plays a man in a horrible marriage Heidi suggested they send the movie industry. Guthe is attached array of “first Nikki Reid appealing, I was who intentionally drives his wife celebrity script, along with Mini’s to direct his wife Heidi’s celebrity times,” a scandal- attracted to crazy, and then kills her, and then First Time, to Spacy’s production impersonator script, and has two ous list of sins that would make any playing someone that was so differ- beats the neighbor to death. I know company, TriggerStreet. Spacey’s more scripts in the works. Reed is parent shudder. ent from myself,” Reed said. “Mini he’s brilliant in the film. Actors are producing partner Dana Brunetti working on her next screenplay as grew up in a household where she not the roles they play. They are became very interested in the Mini’s well. “She has asked me to read her “It was just [Nick and I] for six was not loved at all and wasn’t given playing roles and it is intellectually First Time, and after a couple of latest script, which I will do,” Guthe weeks before we started shooting. any attention and yet had plenty of dishonest to connect the two.” years focusing on other projects, said. “She is a very smart person. I He played all the characters and I resources. I grew up in a house began seeking money and talent. know she will direct a movie one played Mini. That was my way of where my mom over-loved me to The long road to getting Mini’s Spacey felt the older man/younger day too. I know she will. She is diving into [the character], just the point where I was claustropho- First Time from script to screen was woman relationship between Mar- obviously a very good writer. I think becoming close with her instead of bic at times and I moved out at 14 filled with bumps along the way. tin and Mini was too similar to his she really enjoys the entire process imitating what she did,” Reed said. because of it.” “They often say it takes seven mira- role in American Beauty, but contin- of filmmaking.”P |16| ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 FORD SEEKS HBCU GRADUATES FOR 2006 BLACK COLLEGE ROAD TRIP

Warren Curry champions the quiet and moving, Swedish Auto in ET’s weekly feature on outstanding indie films in search of distribution

SWEDISH AUTO

(3 out of 4 stars) Directed by Derek Sieg Starring: Lukas Haas, January Jones, Gordon Bass, Anne Brown DEARBORN, MICHIGAN—Calling all recent HBCU Graduates! 97 minutes, Not Rated Did you love your college experience and want to share it with others? Ford is seeking two passionate Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates to participate in the 6th annual 2006 Black by Warren Curry College Road Trip to promote Ford’s hottest vehicles and its latest community outreach efforts at various HBCU football classics throughout the country. Swedish Auto needs about half See the Country... Spread the Word its running time to fully sink its The Roadies will travel more than 8,500 miles across the U.S. in 13 weeks visiting more than 10 HBCU hooks into you, but the payoff is Football Classics games in cities like Atlanta, Orlando and Tennessee. While on the road, they will meet certainly worth the wait. Starting with young people throughout the country talking with them about the importance of seeking a higher off like a somewhat unfocused and education, provide community service, appear regularly on the syndicated television show “Inside the Game” and travel in a decked out all-new Ford. Roadie candidates should be interested in learning and oddly pitched drama, it’s a film that executing Ford’s latest Bold Moves grassroots marketing communications, public affairs and promotions gradually sneaks up on the viewer. campaign. Roadies need to be passionate about their HBCU experiences and be willing to share them with young people. Passion for black college football is a must! You ultimately find yourself absorbed in the central characters’ Roadie Applicant Requirements: HBCU candidates interested in making a bold move and becoming a Roadie need to do the following: plights before even being aware of Lee Weaver with Lukas Haas at the repair shop. Inset: Haas, January Jones. • Create a 60-second video on why you should be selected to become it. In this methodical but not slow a roadie—VHS or Beta Cam SP format film, director Derek Sieg’s script the diner Carter and his co-workers backs not to feel contrived. At this • Write a one-page essay on what your HBCU experience meant to you • Supply a copy of your resume with three references never reveals its hand too early and frequent for lunch. Much like point in their lives, Carter and Dar- • Supply proof of your HBCU graduation keeps you guessing which direction Carter, Darla is an introvert, but has la’s dealings with hardship are basi- • Candidates need to be 21-25 years of age with a background in communications, marketing, public affairs or related degrees. it will take until the final scene. more immediate problems plaguing cally second nature. The film’s calm, her life, primarily her abusive step- restrained tone is maintained Deadline and Where to Send Applications: Set in a small Virginia town, father, Shelley (Tim deZarn). Cart- throughout thanks to the absence of Entry deadline is - AUGUST 1, 2006 Send applications to: URBAN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP Swedish Auto features an appropri- er and Darla develop a simmering melodrama, and gorgeous, poetic c/o Damon White ately subtle lead performance by romantic bond — one that’s never cinematography of Richard V. 19600 Catawba Ave. 301C • Cornelius, NC 28031 Lukas Haas as Carter, a reclusive free of trouble, due to both their Lopez, which establishes the town [email protected] twenty-something man who works own inherent flaws and those of the as an important character in its own as a mechanic at Leroy’s Swedish world and people around them. right. Auto Shop. The shop’s owner, Leroy (Lee Weaver), is an encouraging The film’s first act is a bit hap- Haas and Jones speak volumes ARE YOU A TALENTED, presence in Carter’s life, quite the hazard, leading us to believe that through body language and expres- opposite of his antagonizing son, Carter is more troubled than he sions rather than dialogue. Com- Bobby (Chris Williams), the shop’s turns out to be. Little is explained pared to his performance as a shady AGGRESSIVE only other employee. Having lost about the genesis of Darla’s fascina- crime figure in Brick, Haas feels his parents in a car accident when tion with Carter, so we’re left to more natural here, and Jones, who accept that these played a similarly stifled young SALESPERSON? two wayward souls woman in The Three Burials of are basically bound Melquiades Estrada, is quietly confi- by fate. While their dent in her vital role. She is a young initial connection actor to keep an eye on. feels forced, Sieg EXPERIENCED ACCOUNT develops Carter and An aspect of the story that Darla’s relationship doesn’t feel fully fleshed out is Cart- in a believably com- er’s infatuation with the violinist. EXECUTIVES WANTED plicated way. Both After working so diligently early on characters, due in to establish Carter’s preoccupation ENTERTAINMENT TODAY IS no small part to with the woman and her music, Sieg their shortcomings, largely abandons this subplot until SEARCHING FOR SEASONED are easy to like and the final act when it’s tied up in an it’s difficult not to inconclusive fashion. This element CANDIDATES TO JOIN OUR hope for their union of the story could be discarded Director Derek Sieg to succeed. entirely with little (if any) adverse ADVERTISING/SALES DEPARTMENT he was a child, Carter leads a soli- effect on the movie. tary life. His sole refuge is the music When Leroy allows Carter to SEND RESUME TO: of a local violinist named Anne refurbish an old, beat-up Volvo, the Sieg, however, gets almost every- ENTERTAINMENT TODAY (Brianne Davis). Carter is so fond film appears to settle into an easy thing else right, and has made an 2325 W. VICTORY BLVD., Suite 5, of the woman’s talent that he rhythm, but unexpected complica- assured, well- rounded film that becomes a harmless stalker, listen- tions disrupt the false sense of secu- belies the fact that he is a first-time BURBANK, CA 91506 P ing to Anne play from various hid- rity. Unable to convince her mother feature director. PHONE: 818-566-4030 ing spots. to leave Shelley, Darla’s taxing home life continues its downward spiral, Reviews by Warren Curry also appear FAX: 818-563-1258 It turns out that Carter isn’t the while Carter encounters unforeseen on Entertainment Insiders (www. einsiders.com) and can be heard e-mail: [email protected] only stalker in town. He has his troubles in the workplace after trag- on the podcast Filmmakers Pod own secret admirer in the person of edy strikes. The storytelling is (www.filmmakerspod.com). Darla ( January Jones), a waitress at relaxed enough to allow these set- |17| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY

Movie Listings Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Nacho Libre ★★ (PG) Man Jared Hess’ sporadically funny Nacho ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (PG-13) Libre is a messy film carried through on Wassup Rockers This concert documentary the misanthropic charisma of its lead An affectionate portrait of seven Now playing... gathers solid interviews, Jack Black. Lots of unique sketch type nonconformist Latino punk rock anecdotes, recitations and comedy can’t make this incomplete story skaters who square off on their home tribute performances that work. And this despite some inspired turf in South Central against hip- present a fairly engaging moments from anti-star Black. (JH) hop gangstas and skinhead cholos, portrait of the wry, dark poet AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Pacific’s and then take crosstown buses to who became a distinct voice in The Grove 14, Mann Glendale Exchange 10, Beverly Hills to devastate the rich pop music. Unlikely to appeal Laemmle One Colorado Cinemas, AMC Loews White pseudos. Part documentary, much beyond Cohen’s loyal Universal Studios and AMC Loews Universal Stu- part narrative reconstruction, and fans or bring converts to the dios and IMAX Theater, Pacific Paseo 14, AMC part ridiculous fantasy. Not Larry brooding whimsy and dense Theatres Burbank, AMC Theatres Burbank Town Clark’s best, nor his most polished, wordplay of his songs. But the Center but certainly his sweetest. (MG) reclusive Cohen offers warm Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Laemmle One and amusing recollections. ★ ★ Colorado Cinemas, Mann National (David Germain, Associated The Oh in Ohio 1/2 (R) Press) Priscilla (Parkery Posey) is a beautiful ★ ★ ★ and successful executive at a corporation Water (PG-13) 1/2 Laemmle Sunset 5 An unflinching look at the life of a designed to attract business to Cleve- Mini’s First Time ★ ★ ★ land. Her marriage to husband Jack widow in 1930’s India. A window, is (R) (Paul Rudd) and her life seem to be left at a home for cast out widows Alec Baldwin excels in this going very well, except for the fact that where she is expected to spend the predictable neo-neo-noir, she has to deal with the colossal bum- rest of her life. (JH) derived from films like Malice mer of never having had an orgasm. Mann Beverley Center Theatre and The Last Seduction rather There are several funny, touching, and than the classics that defined even sexy moments in writer-director Who Killed the Electric Car? (PG) the genre. Title character Billy Kent’s depiction of Pricilla’s chaot- ★★★1/2 is Baldwin’s stepdaughter ic sexual awakening. But an uneven The killers of the electric car were (Nikki Reed) who first beds tone that wanders as aimlessly as the so good—so efficient—most of us him, then enlists him in a movie’s heroine causes The Oh in Ohioto forgot it existed. But in Chris Paine’s plot to do-away with her come off as patchy & incomplete. ( JC) documentary, we focus our attention, desperate housewife mother Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Academy 6, Landmark not on the problem, but on the (Carrie-Anne Moss). When Westside Pavilion solution. If you were depressed by the detective assigned to case Inconvenient Truth, you’ll be horrified turns out to be yet another ★ ★ ★ by Electric Car. (SS) well-known actor (Luke The Omen 2006 (R) is an awfully good film. Surprisingly, it ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Laemmle Wilson), it’s only a matter Playhouse 7, Landmark Nu-Wilshre, Laemmle Pitates of Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest has grosseed 258 million U.S. domestice box office to date of time before the long arm exceeds its predecessor but could not have been made without it. Though it has Town Center Theatre ★ ★ of the law catches up with The Break-Up (PG-13) in the Garden of Good and Evil. Both (Breckin Meyer) romantic getaway with Baldwin, or Reed, or both. (JC) been a while since I’ve seen the Richard ★ ★ One might be inclined to walk into a were fine films, but you can’t do things his girlfriend ( Jennifer Love Hewitt) in ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Laemmle Play- Donner directed original, I believe that X-Men: The Last Stand 1/2 as nuanced as some novels and remain the 2006 remake is fairly faithful to its (PG) screening of The Break-Upthinking that the United Kingdom. Garfield gets the house 7, Pacific Sherman Oaks 5, the title says it all. Except in this case, it faithful unless you’ve got a miniseries Mann Criterion source. But instead of feeling like a dirty The third, and supposedly final doesn’t. Now if the film had the more lasting a total of four or five hours. This royal treatment when he switches places impostor (ala Van Sant’s technically installment hints at “X4.” It’s appropriate title of “The Argument,” is not to say that Akiva Goldsman and with Prince, a royal cat with his own ★ ★ ★ excellent but something missing entertaining enough, and it’s certainly La Moustache (NR) far superior to some of the other then that would have been more like it. Ron Howard didn’t TRY. They did a estate. Trouble arises when Lord Dargis Psycho), this version is sleeker and more (SM) damn fine job of doing an almost exact A simple argument over facial hair consistently entertaining than the first. recent superhero flicks to come flying AMC Loews Universal City 18 & IMAX, The transcription of the Dan Brown novel, aims to claim the same piece of property, between Marc Thiriez (Vincent Lindon) ( JH) Regency Valley Plaza off the Marvel Comics conveyor belt Grove, Pacific Culver Stadium 12, Pacific Galleria but the simple fact is that the book was which he is in line to inherit. ( JC) and his wife Agnes (Emmanuelle Devos) (especially 2004’s The Punisher and leads to a crisis of identity and existence ★ ★ ★ Stadium 16 better at when expectorating conspiracy Mann Beverly Center, Mann Plant 16 Only Human (R) ★ ★ ★ 2005’s Elektra). But the film lacks theories than doing chases. (EL) when Marc shaves off his moustache. What should have been a standard trip Over The Hedge (PG) Thes Keillor’s understated, unpretentious identity. Keanu Reeves stars as Bob However I will admit that the film focus, the dialogue is weak and there Arctor, za drug-addicted undercover ★ ★ ★ Mann Beverly Center Cinema, Academy 6, Marc is continually told that things he home to Spain for television reporter computer-animated big screen adapta- radio show from a mythical, benign, does contain one bit that actually made are far too many underdeveloped Cars 1/2 (PG 13) An Inconvenient Truth once held dear — his friends, his father, heartwarming, American hinterland. cop all but permanently ensconced in a Pixar is unique in the history of movies. Regency Valley Plaza ★ ★ ★ ★ Leni (Marian Aguilera) becomes a tion of the popular comic strip series me laugh as hard as anything else characters, resulting in a franchise that (PG) even his moustache — have never created by Michael Fry and T Lewis is a Altman’s direction is as laid-back and second identity as “Fred” (created by a that I have seen this year: a gym class ends on a relative whimper rather than It’s the only studio not to have ever pro- Is Al Gore doing a Chicken Little act bit tense when she announces to her “scramble suit,” a hologram of sorts that ★ ★ ★ existed. As Marc tries to escape from Jewish family that her new boyfriend clever, charming and often funny movie unostentatiously clever as Keillor’s show. sequence featuring an activity more the X-cellent bang that it deserved. duced a flop. Even Walt Disney himself Devil Wears Prada (PG-13) in An Inconvenient Truth? I wish he his crisis, the plot becomes as fragile as With Keillor himself as writer and self- masks his identity) ordered to spy on during his heyday would produce the Rafi (Guillermo Toledo) is Palestinian. that the whole family can enjoy. (SM) hazardous than even dodgeball. This bit (SM) The concept of fashion as art is a theme were. This stunning documentary about his reality, ending with suspense and Mann Beverly Center Cinema, Regency Valley effacing star, Altman comes up with a his own alter ego and his friends. For is so weird and unexpectedly hilarious Mann Beverly Center Cinema, Mann Culver occasional financial disaster. But not given a proper send-up in The Devil global warming is a well-reasoned, It also doesn’t help that Leni’s family ambiguity, while still full of symbolism. Plaza, wonderfully substantial, light-hearted viewers, it’s tough to anchor feelings or a that it makes you wonder who the Plaza, AMC Theatres Burbank Pixar. The only bad movie they ever pro- Wears Prada. And when that art is worn clearly-proven, intelligent, cogent, ( JC) is a bit on the quirky side, with an rooting interest in a mind-fried character overly anxious mother Gloria (Norma and wistful film. In it, the radio show people were that came up with it and duced was a short called Boundin’ and by the likes of Meryl Streep, you can irresistible torrent of scientific data, in Laemmle Music Hall, Laemmle Town Center is taking place against the suddenly with shifting identities, but he’s all we that doesn’t really count, which leaves Aleandro), boistrous father Ernesto ★ where they were when the rest of the ★ forgive the softness of the film. Prada a curiously warm, engaging, often funny Theatre Peaceful Warrior (PG-13) pending demise of station WLT, sold have. Even if we don’t quite connect script was being written. (PS) You, Me and Dupree 1/2 (PG-13) expectations so high as to cause breath- deals with adult issues but handles adult presentation. What an entertaining (Mario Martin), and awkwardly straight When college gymnast Dan Millman to an evil Texas conglomerate, making emotionally, Bob/Fred’s situation keeps Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Laemmle Playhouse 7, You, Me, and Dupree is a mediocre film ing trouble to see them up close. (EL) situations from a distance to make it horror movie this is! ( JG) brother David (Fernando Ramallo). (Scott Mechlowicz) suffers a serious us interested in his plight, wondering Little Man 1/2 star (R) this the last hurrah. There is lots of Landmark Nu-Wilshire AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Pacific’s appropriate viewing for a large audience Five Star Theatres, Los Feliz 3, ArcLight Cinemas Worse still, Rafi is prone to embarrassing injury, the limitations of his abilities backstage “reality,” and - above all if he can stop himself from drowning. that squanders the talent of its stars. Calvin (Marlon Wayans) is a midget Laemmle Fairfax Cinemas, The Grove 14, Pacific’s Culver Stadium 12, Mann spectrum. And while this may help at Hollywood, Mann Glendale Exchange 10, Laem- situations. ( JC) seem irreversible. That is until he meets - fabulously stick-in-the-brain good (AB) The off-kilter humor that earned Joe criminal who along with idiot colleague Laemmle Town Center Theatre Superman Returns ★ ★ ★ Glendale Exchange 10, AMC Loews Universal the box office, it waters down the effec- mle Playhouse 7, AMC Theatres Burbank Town Socrates (Nick Nolte) a strange man music. Surprisingly effective vocals by Los Feliz 3, ArcLIght Cinerama Dome, ArcLIght and Anthony Russo Emmy Awards for Imax, AMC Theatres Burbank, AMC Theatres tiveness of the story. ( JH) Percy (Tracy Morgan) is forced a ditch a who can channel different levels of Cinemas Hollywood, The Grove, Mann Glendale (PG-13) Center 6, AMC Theatres Century City 15, AMC Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Virginia Arrested Development is missing from Burbank Town Center 8, AMC Theatres Santa Laemmle Grand, Five Star Theatres Los Feliz 3, stolen diamond inside physical and mental power. Along with Madsen, Woody Harrelson, and John C. Exchange 10, Pacific Paseo 14, Mann Culver Does the big screen still need a Theatres Santa Anita 16, Laemmle Monica Superman? The answer is a resounding Monica 7, AMC Theatres, Century City 15, Pacif- ArcLight Cinemas Hollywoo, AMC Theatres the purse of rising Chica- a young lady named Joy (Amy Smart), Reilly. Yes, they also act in the context Plaza, AMC Theatres Burbank Town Center 6, Dupree, a formulaic romantic comedy Magic Johnson Theatre, The Grove, Mann Glen- go businesswoman Van- the two help Dan to become a “peaceful of monologues and interweaving stories. yes. It may take itself a little too seriously, highlighted by too few chuckle- ic’s Culver Stadium 12, National Amusements The Keeping Up With The Steins ★★★ The Bridge, Century City 15, Laemmle Monica and the love story tends to overwhelm dale Marketplace 4, Laemmle One Colorado , essa (Kerry Washington). warrior” and find his place in the world. ( JG) Bridge: cinema de lux (PG-13) the gee-whiz fun of it all, but Superman inducing moments. Soon after thair AMC Loews Universal Studios and IMAX The- After following Vanessa ( JC) Mann Beverly Center, Academy 6 ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Mann Beverly The Bar Mitzvah (Hebrew for “first Strangers with Candy ★ Returns is a very good movie— it’s not wedding, Carl (Matt Dillon) and Molly Center Cinema, Laemmle Playhouse 7, Mann (R) Click ★★ (PG-13) ater, Pacific’s Paseo 14, Pacific’s Culver Stadium blessing”), is one of the most important and her husband home, Roughly four times the length of a quite super, but it’s definitely good. Criterion (Kate Hudson) take in Dupree (Owen Since a magical remote control turns 12, AMC Theatres Burbank ceremonies in the Jewish religion. In Percy and Calvin hit Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s normal episode, Candy unfortunately Director Bryan Singer’s clever device olden times, a 13-year-old boy would upon the perfect idea – Chest ★★★(PG-13) Wilson) who has fallen on hard times. out to be the cause of Adam Sandler’s does not contain a similar multiple to link to previous Superman films by come up to read the torah at the they will dress Calvin up A relatively entertaining film often Road to Guantanamo ★ ★ ★ (R) of laughs. The film is a smug and incorporating John Williams’ theme The first morning the newlyweds find problems in his latest comedy, I couldn’t Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift help but hope that a real fast-forward ★★ (PG-13) synagogue for the first time. Then he as a baby and leave him hobbled by a rambling screenplay and Based on a true story of three men of dreary slog through largely unfunny music, familiar dialogue, and unused Dupree sleeping nude on their plush button would appear out of nowhere The first two were to some extent hits, would be given a party prior to being on their doorstep in a a running time about thirty minutes Middle Eastern descent wrongly material that will completely bewilder footage of Marlon Brando will surely longer than necessary. The real selling leather couch. As Dupree’s stay at the and bail me out of the last 40 minutes. and so the studio really had no choice kicked out of the house and forced to basket, and when they imprisoned for 2 years, Guantanomo newcomers while testing the patience give longtime fans the chills. (SM) get a job. (EL) point is the magnificently fruity Johnny Laemmle Grande, University Village, Five Star Peterson residence becomes longer That’s because despite an amusing set- but to make a third. It’s all the usual take him in, he can grab should anger everyone who sees it. If of loyal fans of the show. Amy Sedaris up that aims higher than you’d expect crap. The racing scenes are to some Mann Beverly Center Cinema Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. In Dead you embrace this film’s humanist stance, as Jerri Blank is best in small doses. Theatres Los Feliz 3, AMC Theatres Magic John- and longer, efforts are doubled then the diamond and sneak Man’s Chest he has here taken the role far you will be appalled by the injustice it from a Sandler comedy, Click tunes out extent exciting. But when the camera son Theatre, The Grove, Mann Glendale Exchange redoubled to get him out. Wilson has with an ending that’s sappy, redundant isn’t on fast cars, the action stops dead in The Lake House ★ ★ 1/2 (PG) out. You might enjoy this beyond mere impression into the kind depicts and more ready than ever to film if don’t require actual of demented realm that only the most CAPSULE AUTHORS: 10, Landmark Rialto Theatre, IMAX, Pacific Paseo special on-screen radiance that can and not nearly as funny as the hour or its tracks making the film boring more A time warp allows architect Alex Wyler criticize the “war on terror.” If your pol- 14, AMC Theatres Burbank so that preceded it. (SM) often than not. If you like watching cars (Keanu Reeves) to correspond with humor in your comedies, supremely confident of performers ever itics place you on the other side of the earn him instant trust (see The Life dare to enter. In a film that comes close JC – Julian Camillieri ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, AMC Theatres crash, Tokyo Drift might be for you. Doctor Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock). or if you simply want to dividing line, you might view this as a ★ ★ Aquatic and his early work in Bottle Magic Johnson Theatre, The Grove, Mann Glen- Although race car fans might be left Forster lives in the future. Not all that peep inside the freak to proving that there really can be too shortsighted propaganda piece created WC – Warren Curry Waist Deep 1/2 (R) wanting as the action becomes gridlock far in the future, about two years to be show to see if it really is much of a good thing, Depp somehow solely for the purpose of eliciting knee How do you recycle old clichés without Rocket). But without the constant dale Exchange 10, AMC Loews Universal Studios manages to leave audiences hungry for JG – Janos Gereben anyone noticing? Change the location of IMAX Theater, Pacific’s Paseo 14, Pacific’s Culver when the drama kicks in. (EL) exact. And as luck would have it they as bad as it looks. Answer: jerk reactions. In the end, the film forces gabbing of Vince Vaughn, Wilson’s AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Mann more. (PS) one to ponder whether basic human course. Tyrese Gibson ster in a Wesetern Stadium 12, AMC Theatres Burbank, AMC The- live in the same house. In Forster’s it is. (PS) University Village MG – Michael Guillén eclectic magnetism isn’t enough to Glendale Exchange 10, Mann Beverly Center future Alex moved out well before. Laemmle Grande, University Village 3, Five Star rights— i.e. the right not to be tor- relocated to the modern day inner city. aters Burbank Town Center 8, National Amuse- 3, AMC Theatres Magic John- Cinema, AMC Loews Universal Studios and Theatres Vista Theatre, AMC Theatres Magic tured— should be extended to all, even JH – Jonathan W. Hickman The acting is fine, but the script is so carry the show. (JH) Reeves and Bullock both do a decent son Theatre, The Grove, Mann ments The Bridge: cinema de lux, AMC Loews IMAX Theater, AMC Theatres Burbank, Regency job, and Christopher Plummer as Alex’s Johnson Theatre, Pacific’s The Grove 14, Mann those who intend to harm us (or, in this uneven that it almost boggles the mind. Laemmle Grand, ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Glendale Exchange 10, AMC Glendale Marketplace 4, El Capitan, Mann Glen- EL – Eric Lurio Universal Studios and IMAX Theater Valley Plaza father delightfully chews the scenery. case, share the same skin color with The good parts are so good and the bad AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, The The Lake House is a one hankie weepy Loews Universal Studios and dale Exchange 10, Laemmle One Colorado Cine- those who have harmed us in the past). SM – Scott Mantz parts are so bad that it averages out at IMAX Theater, Mann Culver mas, AMC Loews Universal Studios and IMAX somewhere around the lower end of Grove, Mann Glendale Marketplace 4, Laemmle Da Vinci Code, The ★★ 1/2(PG-13) Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties ★(PG) for gals who really don’t want to see any (WC) Laemmle 1 Colorado, Laemmle TM – Tony Medley Time to state the obvious: the movie of the superhero action flicks that usual- Plaza, AMC Theatres Burbank, Fairfax mediocre. (EL) One Colorado Cinemas, AMC Loews Universal In the Garfield sequel, the sarcastic SS – Steven Snyder AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Mann was NEVER going to be as good as the ly come out this time of year. (EL) AMC Theatres Burbank Town A Prairie Home Companion Studios and IMAX Theater, Pacific’s Paseo 14, feline (voiced again by Bill Murray) ★★★★ ★ ★ ★ Beverly Center Cinema, AMC Universal IMAX, book and everyone knows it. Remember Mann Glendale Exchange 10, Mann Beverly Cen- Center 6, AMC Theatres Bur- (PG-13) A Scanner Darkly (R) PS – Peter Sobczynski AMC Theatres Burbank the first Harry Potter film or Midnight crashes his owner Jon Arbuckle’s ter Cinema, Academy 6, AMC Theatres Burbank bank Town Center 8 Parker Posey in The Oh in Ohio Robert Altman’s star-studded ensemble An almost-animated, pitch-black National Amusements The Bridge: cinema de lux, P piece was inspired by Garrison meditation on perception, paranoia and Regency Valley Plaza |18| ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006

Movie Listings Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Nacho Libre ★★ (PG) Man Jared Hess’ sporadically funny Nacho ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (PG-13) Libre is a messy film carried through on Wassup Rockers This concert documentary the misanthropic charisma of its lead Reviews DVD Inside Scoop Box Office Interviews Features Contests Messageboard Search An affectionate portrait of seven Now playing... gathers solid interviews, Jack Black. Lots of unique sketch type nonconformist Latino punk rock anecdotes, recitations and comedy can’t make this incomplete story skaters who square off on their home tribute performances that work. And this despite some inspired http://www.einsiders.com/features/obituaries.php turf in South Central against hip- present a fairly engaging moments from anti-star Black. (JH) hop gangstas and skinhead cholos, portrait of the wry, dark poet AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Pacific’s and then take crosstown buses to who became a distinct voice in The Grove 14, Mann Glendale Exchange 10, MICKEY SPILLANE screen and TV. For my money, Stacy Keach was the best Mike Beverly Hills to devastate the rich pop music. Unlikely to appeal White pseudos. Part documentary, Laemmle One Colorado Cinemas, AMC Loews Hammer. He starred in the 1980’s CBS series Mike Hammer much beyond Cohen’s loyal Universal Studios and AMC Loews Universal Stu- Died July 17, 2006 part narrative reconstruction, and fans or bring converts to the dios and IMAX Theater, Pacific Paseo 14, AMC and reprised the role in several made-for-TV movies as well as part ridiculous fantasy. Not Larry brooding whimsy and dense Theatres Burbank, AMC Theatres Burbank Town By Rusty White the 1997 TV series Mike Hammer, Private Eye. Darren McGavin Clark’s best, nor his most polished, wordplay of his songs. But the Center but certainly his sweetest. (MG) reclusive Cohen offers warm played the title role in the 1950’s TV series Mike Hammer. Mike Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Laemmle One and amusing recollections. Mickey Spillane, the last of the Hammer films run the gamut from classic to poor. Kiss Me Colorado Cinemas, Mann National The Oh in Ohio ★ ★ 1/2 (R) (David Germain, Associated great tough guys, died of undis- Deadly starring Ralph Meeker is considered one of the greats Priscilla (Parkery Posey) is a beautiful Press) Water (PG-13) ★★★ 1/2 Laemmle Sunset 5 and successful executive at a corporation closed causes at the age of 88. from the Film Noir genre. It is ironic that the film is so good designed to attract business to Cleve- Mickey Spillane was the real deal. A because director Robert Aldrich turned Mike Hammer from an An unflinching look at the life of a ★ ★ ★ widow in 1930’s India. A window, is Mini’s First Time land. Her marriage to husband Jack tough guy who wrote about tough American Icon into a brutal sadist. Mr. Spillane was a conserva- (R) (Paul Rudd) and her life seem to be left at a home for cast out widows Alec Baldwin excels in this going very well, except for the fact that guys, he created Mike Hammer, one tive who hated communism. Robert Aldrich was more left of cen- where she is expected to spend the predictable neo-neo-noir, she has to deal with the colossal bum- of the greatest fictional detectives of ter politically. Kiss Me Deadly is a great, if somewhat strange rest of her life. (JH) Mann Beverley Center Theatre derived from films like Malice mer of never having had an orgasm. all time. Mike Hammer has been portrayed by such actors as film, but it is not indicative of Mickey Spillane’s work. I, the Jury and The Last Seduction rather There are several funny, touching, and than the classics that defined Stacy Keach, Armand Assanti, Darren McGavin, Ralph Meeker, was the first Spillane novel to be turned into a film. The results even sexy moments in writer-director Who Killed the Electric Car? (PG) the genre. Title character Billy Kent’s depiction of Pricilla’s chaot- and Spillane himself. Spillane gave his no-nonsense detective were fair. The 1982 remake featured Armand Assanti giving a ★★★1/2 is Baldwin’s stepdaughter ic sexual awakening. But an uneven the sexiest secretary imaginable. Velda was erotic on the page brutal performance as Hammer. Spillane played the role himself The killers of the electric car were (Nikki Reed) who first beds tone that wanders as aimlessly as the and has been portrayed by some very beautiful actresses includ- in the 1963 film The Girl Hunters. Even though he wasn’t a so good—so efficient—most of us him, then enlists him in a movie’s heroine causes The Oh in Ohioto forgot it existed. But in Chris Paine’s plot to do-away with her come off as patchy & incomplete. ( JC) ing Shannon Whirry and Pamela Anderson. I remember the lurid great actor, this movie remains a guilty pleasure. It features documentary, we focus our attention, desperate housewife mother Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Academy 6, Landmark covers of Spillane’s paperback classics from my childhood. Tough beautiful, widescreen Black and White photography, Shirley Eaton not on the problem, but on the (Carrie-Anne Moss). When Westside Pavilion brutes fighting it out and beautiful broads bursting the buttons of in a bikini, and a badass Mike Hammer as his creator saw him. solution. If you were depressed by the detective assigned to case Inconvenient Truth, you’ll be horrified turns out to be yet another their tight, white cotton shirts. The even more provocative cover Spillane began writing for comic books before WWII. He enlisted by Electric Car. (SS) The Omen 2006 ★ ★ ★ (R) well-known actor (Luke in the military and served during WWII. His first novel sold several ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Laemmle is an awfully good film. Surprisingly, it of his later novel The Erection Set featured one of his ex-wives Wilson), it’s only a matter million copies and he never looked back. Thanks Mickey for hours Playhouse 7, Landmark Nu-Wilshre, Laemmle of time before the long arm exceeds its predecessor but could not Sherri Malinou! I wasn’t sure what I would find when I picked up have been made without it. Though it has one of Spillane’s books at age 11. I fell in love with the detective of reading pleasure. Hope Velda was waiting for you on the other Town Center Theatre ★ ★ of the law catches up with The Break-Up (PG-13) in the Garden of Good and Evil. Both (Breckin Meyer) romantic getaway with Baldwin, or Reed, or both. (JC) been a while since I’ve seen the Richard novel, which lead to my love for Film Noir. Spillane wrote more side. Donner directed original, I believe that X-Men: The Last Stand ★ ★ 1/2 One might be inclined to walk into a were fine films, but you can’t do things his girlfriend ( Jennifer Love Hewitt) in ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Laemmle Play- than two dozen books, many of which were brought to the big screening of The Break-Upthinking that as nuanced as some novels and remain house 7, Pacific Sherman Oaks 5, the 2006 remake is fairly faithful to its (PG) the United Kingdom. Garfield gets the source. But instead of feeling like a dirty The third, and supposedly final the title says it all. Except in this case, it faithful unless you’ve got a miniseries Mann Criterion Hi there! If you discover a mistake that needs to be corrected or have a tip for a film industry obituary that I have overlooked please feel free to doesn’t. Now if the film had the more lasting a total of four or five hours. This royal treatment when he switches places impostor (ala Van Sant’s technically installment hints at “X4.” It’s appropriate title of “The Argument,” is not to say that Akiva Goldsman and with Prince, a royal cat with his own ★ ★ ★ excellent but something missing contact me. I would appreciate it if you would send links to news articles confirming any tips. Also, with all of the computer viruses out there, entertaining enough, and it’s certainly La Moustache (NR) far superior to some of the other then that would have been more like it. Ron Howard didn’t TRY. They did a estate. Trouble arises when Lord Dargis Psycho), this version is sleeker and more please do not send e-mails with attachments. I automatically delete those. You can contact me at “[email protected].” Thanks! (SM) damn fine job of doing an almost exact A simple argument over facial hair consistently entertaining than the first. recent superhero flicks to come flying AMC Loews Universal City 18 & IMAX, The transcription of the Dan Brown novel, aims to claim the same piece of property, between Marc Thiriez (Vincent Lindon) ( JH) Regency Valley Plaza off the Marvel Comics conveyor belt Grove, Pacific Culver Stadium 12, Pacific Galleria but the simple fact is that the book was which he is in line to inherit. ( JC) and his wife Agnes (Emmanuelle Devos) (especially 2004’s The Punisher and leads to a crisis of identity and existence ★ ★ ★ Stadium 16 better at when expectorating conspiracy Mann Beverly Center, Mann Plant 16 Only Human (R) ★ ★ ★ 2005’s Elektra). But the film lacks theories than doing chases. (EL) when Marc shaves off his moustache. What should have been a standard trip Over The Hedge (PG) Thes Keillor’s understated, unpretentious identity. Keanu Reeves stars as Bob However I will admit that the film focus, the dialogue is weak and there Arctor, za drug-addicted undercover ★ ★ ★ Mann Beverly Center Cinema, Academy 6, Marc is continually told that things he home to Spain for television reporter computer-animated big screen adapta- radio show from a mythical, benign, does contain one bit that actually made are far too many underdeveloped Cars 1/2 (PG 13) An Inconvenient Truth once held dear — his friends, his father, heartwarming, American hinterland. cop all but permanently ensconced in a Pixar is unique in the history of movies. Regency Valley Plaza ★ ★ ★ ★ Leni (Marian Aguilera) becomes a tion of the popular comic strip series me laugh as hard as anything else characters, resulting in a franchise that (PG) even his moustache — have never created by Michael Fry and T Lewis is a Altman’s direction is as laid-back and second identity as “Fred” (created by a that I have seen this year: a gym class ends on a relative whimper rather than It’s the only studio not to have ever pro- Is Al Gore doing a Chicken Little act bit tense when she announces to her “scramble suit,” a hologram of sorts that ★ ★ ★ existed. As Marc tries to escape from Jewish family that her new boyfriend clever, charming and often funny movie unostentatiously clever as Keillor’s show. sequence featuring an activity more the X-cellent bang that it deserved. duced a flop. Even Walt Disney himself Devil Wears Prada (PG-13) in An Inconvenient Truth? I wish he his crisis, the plot becomes as fragile as With Keillor himself as writer and self- masks his identity) ordered to spy on during his heyday would produce the Rafi (Guillermo Toledo) is Palestinian. that the whole family can enjoy. (SM) hazardous than even dodgeball. This bit (SM) The concept of fashion as art is a theme were. This stunning documentary about his reality, ending with suspense and Mann Beverly Center Cinema, Regency Valley effacing star, Altman comes up with a his own alter ego and his friends. For is so weird and unexpectedly hilarious Mann Beverly Center Cinema, Mann Culver occasional financial disaster. But not given a proper send-up in The Devil global warming is a well-reasoned, It also doesn’t help that Leni’s family ambiguity, while still full of symbolism. Plaza, wonderfully substantial, light-hearted viewers, it’s tough to anchor feelings or a that it makes you wonder who the Plaza, AMC Theatres Burbank Pixar. The only bad movie they ever pro- Wears Prada. And when that art is worn clearly-proven, intelligent, cogent, ( JC) is a bit on the quirky side, with an rooting interest in a mind-fried character overly anxious mother Gloria (Norma and wistful film. In it, the radio show people were that came up with it and duced was a short called Boundin’ and by the likes of Meryl Streep, you can irresistible torrent of scientific data, in Laemmle Music Hall, Laemmle Town Center is taking place against the suddenly with shifting identities, but he’s all we that doesn’t really count, which leaves Aleandro), boistrous father Ernesto ★ where they were when the rest of the ★ forgive the softness of the film. Prada a curiously warm, engaging, often funny Theatre Peaceful Warrior (PG-13) pending demise of station WLT, sold have. Even if we don’t quite connect script was being written. (PS) You, Me and Dupree 1/2 (PG-13) expectations so high as to cause breath- deals with adult issues but handles adult presentation. What an entertaining (Mario Martin), and awkwardly straight When college gymnast Dan Millman to an evil Texas conglomerate, making emotionally, Bob/Fred’s situation keeps Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, Laemmle Playhouse 7, You, Me, and Dupree is a mediocre film ing trouble to see them up close. (EL) situations from a distance to make it horror movie this is! ( JG) brother David (Fernando Ramallo). (Scott Mechlowicz) suffers a serious us interested in his plight, wondering Little Man 1/2 star (R) this the last hurrah. There is lots of Landmark Nu-Wilshire AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Pacific’s appropriate viewing for a large audience Five Star Theatres, Los Feliz 3, ArcLight Cinemas Worse still, Rafi is prone to embarrassing injury, the limitations of his abilities backstage “reality,” and - above all if he can stop himself from drowning. that squanders the talent of its stars. Calvin (Marlon Wayans) is a midget Laemmle Fairfax Cinemas, The Grove 14, Pacific’s Culver Stadium 12, Mann spectrum. And while this may help at Hollywood, Mann Glendale Exchange 10, Laem- situations. ( JC) seem irreversible. That is until he meets - fabulously stick-in-the-brain good (AB) The off-kilter humor that earned Joe criminal who along with idiot colleague Laemmle Town Center Theatre Superman Returns ★ ★ ★ Glendale Exchange 10, AMC Loews Universal the box office, it waters down the effec- mle Playhouse 7, AMC Theatres Burbank Town Socrates (Nick Nolte) a strange man music. Surprisingly effective vocals by Los Feliz 3, ArcLIght Cinerama Dome, ArcLIght and Anthony Russo Emmy Awards for Imax, AMC Theatres Burbank, AMC Theatres tiveness of the story. ( JH) Percy (Tracy Morgan) is forced a ditch a who can channel different levels of Cinemas Hollywood, The Grove, Mann Glendale (PG-13) Center 6, AMC Theatres Century City 15, AMC Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Virginia Arrested Development is missing from Burbank Town Center 8, AMC Theatres Santa Laemmle Grand, Five Star Theatres Los Feliz 3, stolen diamond inside physical and mental power. Along with Madsen, Woody Harrelson, and John C. Exchange 10, Pacific Paseo 14, Mann Culver Does the big screen still need a Theatres Santa Anita 16, Laemmle Monica Superman? The answer is a resounding Monica 7, AMC Theatres, Century City 15, Pacif- ArcLight Cinemas Hollywoo, AMC Theatres the purse of rising Chica- a young lady named Joy (Amy Smart), Reilly. Yes, they also act in the context Plaza, AMC Theatres Burbank Town Center 6, Dupree, a formulaic romantic comedy Magic Johnson Theatre, The Grove, Mann Glen- go businesswoman Van- the two help Dan to become a “peaceful of monologues and interweaving stories. yes. It may take itself a little too seriously, highlighted by too few chuckle- ic’s Culver Stadium 12, National Amusements The Keeping Up With The Steins ★★★ The Bridge, Century City 15, Laemmle Monica and the love story tends to overwhelm dale Marketplace 4, Laemmle One Colorado , essa (Kerry Washington). warrior” and find his place in the world. ( JG) Bridge: cinema de lux (PG-13) the gee-whiz fun of it all, but Superman inducing moments. Soon after thair AMC Loews Universal Studios and IMAX The- After following Vanessa ( JC) Mann Beverly Center, Academy 6 ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Mann Beverly The Bar Mitzvah (Hebrew for “first Strangers with Candy ★ Returns is a very good movie— it’s not wedding, Carl (Matt Dillon) and Molly Center Cinema, Laemmle Playhouse 7, Mann (R) Click ★★ (PG-13) ater, Pacific’s Paseo 14, Pacific’s Culver Stadium blessing”), is one of the most important and her husband home, Roughly four times the length of a quite super, but it’s definitely good. Criterion (Kate Hudson) take in Dupree (Owen Since a magical remote control turns 12, AMC Theatres Burbank ceremonies in the Jewish religion. In Percy and Calvin hit Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s normal episode, Candy unfortunately Director Bryan Singer’s clever device olden times, a 13-year-old boy would upon the perfect idea – Chest ★★★(PG-13) Wilson) who has fallen on hard times. out to be the cause of Adam Sandler’s does not contain a similar multiple to link to previous Superman films by come up to read the torah at the they will dress Calvin up A relatively entertaining film often Road to Guantanamo ★ ★ ★ (R) of laughs. The film is a smug and incorporating John Williams’ theme The first morning the newlyweds find problems in his latest comedy, I couldn’t Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift help but hope that a real fast-forward ★★ (PG-13) synagogue for the first time. Then he as a baby and leave him hobbled by a rambling screenplay and Based on a true story of three men of dreary slog through largely unfunny music, familiar dialogue, and unused Dupree sleeping nude on their plush button would appear out of nowhere The first two were to some extent hits, would be given a party prior to being on their doorstep in a a running time about thirty minutes Middle Eastern descent wrongly material that will completely bewilder footage of Marlon Brando will surely longer than necessary. The real selling leather couch. As Dupree’s stay at the and bail me out of the last 40 minutes. and so the studio really had no choice kicked out of the house and forced to basket, and when they imprisoned for 2 years, Guantanomo newcomers while testing the patience give longtime fans the chills. (SM) get a job. (EL) point is the magnificently fruity Johnny Laemmle Grande, University Village, Five Star Peterson residence becomes longer That’s because despite an amusing set- but to make a third. It’s all the usual take him in, he can grab should anger everyone who sees it. If of loyal fans of the show. Amy Sedaris up that aims higher than you’d expect crap. The racing scenes are to some Mann Beverly Center Cinema Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. In Dead you embrace this film’s humanist stance, as Jerri Blank is best in small doses. Theatres Los Feliz 3, AMC Theatres Magic John- and longer, efforts are doubled then the diamond and sneak Man’s Chest he has here taken the role far you will be appalled by the injustice it from a Sandler comedy, Click tunes out extent exciting. But when the camera son Theatre, The Grove, Mann Glendale Exchange redoubled to get him out. Wilson has with an ending that’s sappy, redundant isn’t on fast cars, the action stops dead in The Lake House ★ ★ 1/2 (PG) out. You might enjoy this beyond mere impression into the kind depicts and more ready than ever to film if don’t require actual of demented realm that only the most CAPSULE AUTHORS: 10, Landmark Rialto Theatre, IMAX, Pacific Paseo special on-screen radiance that can and not nearly as funny as the hour or its tracks making the film boring more A time warp allows architect Alex Wyler criticize the “war on terror.” If your pol- 14, AMC Theatres Burbank so that preceded it. (SM) often than not. If you like watching cars (Keanu Reeves) to correspond with humor in your comedies, supremely confident of performers ever itics place you on the other side of the earn him instant trust (see The Life dare to enter. In a film that comes close JC – Julian Camillieri ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, AMC Theatres crash, Tokyo Drift might be for you. Doctor Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock). or if you simply want to dividing line, you might view this as a ★ ★ Aquatic and his early work in Bottle Magic Johnson Theatre, The Grove, Mann Glen- Although race car fans might be left Forster lives in the future. Not all that peep inside the freak to proving that there really can be too shortsighted propaganda piece created WC – Warren Curry Waist Deep 1/2 (R) wanting as the action becomes gridlock far in the future, about two years to be show to see if it really is much of a good thing, Depp somehow solely for the purpose of eliciting knee How do you recycle old clichés without Rocket). But without the constant dale Exchange 10, AMC Loews Universal Studios manages to leave audiences hungry for JG – Janos Gereben anyone noticing? Change the location of IMAX Theater, Pacific’s Paseo 14, Pacific’s Culver when the drama kicks in. (EL) exact. And as luck would have it they as bad as it looks. Answer: jerk reactions. In the end, the film forces gabbing of Vince Vaughn, Wilson’s AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Mann more. (PS) one to ponder whether basic human course. Tyrese Gibson ster in a Wesetern Stadium 12, AMC Theatres Burbank, AMC The- live in the same house. In Forster’s it is. (PS) University Village MG – Michael Guillén eclectic magnetism isn’t enough to Glendale Exchange 10, Mann Beverly Center future Alex moved out well before. Laemmle Grande, University Village 3, Five Star rights— i.e. the right not to be tor- relocated to the modern day inner city. aters Burbank Town Center 8, National Amuse- 3, AMC Theatres Magic John- Cinema, AMC Loews Universal Studios and Theatres Vista Theatre, AMC Theatres Magic tured— should be extended to all, even JH – Jonathan W. Hickman The acting is fine, but the script is so carry the show. (JH) Reeves and Bullock both do a decent son Theatre, The Grove, Mann ments The Bridge: cinema de lux, AMC Loews IMAX Theater, AMC Theatres Burbank, Regency job, and Christopher Plummer as Alex’s Johnson Theatre, Pacific’s The Grove 14, Mann those who intend to harm us (or, in this uneven that it almost boggles the mind. Laemmle Grand, ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, Glendale Exchange 10, AMC Glendale Marketplace 4, El Capitan, Mann Glen- EL – Eric Lurio Universal Studios and IMAX Theater Valley Plaza father delightfully chews the scenery. case, share the same skin color with The good parts are so good and the bad AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, The The Lake House is a one hankie weepy Loews Universal Studios and dale Exchange 10, Laemmle One Colorado Cine- those who have harmed us in the past). SM – Scott Mantz parts are so bad that it averages out at IMAX Theater, Mann Culver mas, AMC Loews Universal Studios and IMAX somewhere around the lower end of Grove, Mann Glendale Marketplace 4, Laemmle Da Vinci Code, The ★★ 1/2(PG-13) Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties ★(PG) for gals who really don’t want to see any (WC) Laemmle 1 Colorado, Laemmle TM – Tony Medley Time to state the obvious: the movie of the superhero action flicks that usual- Plaza, AMC Theatres Burbank, Fairfax mediocre. (EL) One Colorado Cinemas, AMC Loews Universal In the Garfield sequel, the sarcastic SS – Steven Snyder AMC Theatres Magic Johnson Theatre, Mann was NEVER going to be as good as the ly come out this time of year. (EL) AMC Theatres Burbank Town A Prairie Home Companion Studios and IMAX Theater, Pacific’s Paseo 14, feline (voiced again by Bill Murray) ★★★★ ★ ★ ★ Beverly Center Cinema, AMC Universal IMAX, book and everyone knows it. Remember Mann Glendale Exchange 10, Mann Beverly Cen- Center 6, AMC Theatres Bur- (PG-13) A Scanner Darkly (R) PS – Peter Sobczynski AMC Theatres Burbank the first Harry Potter film or Midnight crashes his owner Jon Arbuckle’s ter Cinema, Academy 6, AMC Theatres Burbank bank Town Center 8 Parker Posey in The Oh in Ohio Robert Altman’s star-studded ensemble An almost-animated, pitch-black National Amusements The Bridge: cinema de lux, P piece was inspired by Garrison meditation on perception, paranoia and Regency Valley Plaza |19| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY

ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Classifieds

Get all the latest entertainment industry information at www.InfoList.com

INDUSTRY JOBS and TRAINING CASTING NEW CBS SHOW HELPS YOU GET MOTIVATED, GET WORK! MARKETING COORDINA- CREW NEEDED FOR HIRING EDITOR, GRAPHIC CASTING FOR ABC SHOW: We are casting people who have a hard TOR & SALES PROMO- INDIE FEATURE ARTISTS, AND CAMERAMAN SET FOR LIFE! time getting motivated for a new TION COORDINATOR (approx 16 shoot days over 2-3 weeks) AT SAIGON TV primetime reality show for CBS. We are NEEDED AT WITHOUT A Ultra Low Budget Indie seeking various If you’ve ever had a dream about quitting looking for people who are depending on BOX! positions and locations for an August Saigon TV (KXLA Channel 44) is one of your job, paying off your bills, and being friends or relatives to support them and Sales Promotion Coordinator for shoot in the San Fernando Valley area the leading Vietnamese television networks, set for life, you need to audition for the are not contributing to the household. The Growing Independent Film Network (predominantly Woodland Hills). and we are looking for an experience game show that’s making that dream person may be someone who sleeps till Withoutabox, the world’s leading Shooting starts in mid- August. We need Production Crew: 1. Editor come true! From the Producers of Deal noon, spends the day in front of the tv, network for independent film, is looking 1st and 2nd AD’s, each at a flat rate of 2. Graphic Artists 3. Cameraman or No Deal and Extreme Makeover: and the night out with friends, but doesn’t for a take-charge Sales Promotion $600 cash total, Gaffer/Lighting Preferably Vietnamese speaking and Home Edition, comes ABC’s newest have the motivation to get off the couch Coordinator. The range of projects is Technician With Their Own Equipment resides in Orange County. television hit show that could help you be and get a job. This show will help families quite wide, so we seek a can-do & Truck at a flat rate of $3600 total, Set TO SUBMIT: Set For Life. It’s a fast-paced, high- get to the root of the problem, and help individual of great spirit who is also a Decorator with graphic design knowledge Email your resume and cover letter to: energy battle in two rounds. Round One: the person find a job and apartment! No detail fanatic, and has an interest in to build a few simple web pages during [email protected] Or via regular mail to: Play to win the highest cash prize. Round drugs or incarceration stories and no furthering the independent growth and pre-production, then handle product Saigon TV Applications Two: beat the odds and name your actors. The person should be over 21. promotion of film internationally. placement, wardrobe, set decoration, and 14776 Moran Street payday! You could end up with monthly Please email Allison at Reporting directly to the VP Marketing, production design duties at a flat rate of Westminster, CA 92683 payments of $1000, $10,000 or $50,000 [email protected] you will interact with our entire team— $600 cash total, Hair & Wardrobe person Saigon TV is also broadcast in for months or even years! Casting or call 323-201-2515. and with outside partners, and vendors. to work for a flat rate of $600 cash total, San Francisco - KTSF: Channel-26 directors are looking for dynamic, Thus, superior writing and interpersonal Grips, A.C.’s, P.A.’s, Interns, or College- Comcast AMFC-4 enthusiastic participants who are ready to CASTING FEMALE HOST FOR skills are definitely required. Ability to Aged Actors/Actresses interested in being Online TV at www.saigontivi.com be Set For Life. Participants must be VIDEO CHANNEL complete research projects and accept involved with our production may also (more than a million viewers!) legal US resident and at least 21 years of Looking for female host to be the administrative challenges are also key! submit inquiries. We’re also seeking to age. Employee’s of The Walt Disney face of our Portable Hollywood Qualifications: 2 years’ experience in shoot in a BAR at $250/Day, a COFFEE ENTERTAINMENT Company or Endemol are not eligible. mobile channel seen in over 50 countries. Host must be energetic, marketing and/or sales, including shop at $250/Day, and a HOUSE or APT. JOURNALISM SEMINAR SET FOR LIFE is holding the following location at $150/Day, preferably in or near witty, and not afraid to talk to anyone creation and management of communi- Become an Entertainment Writer or local open call: ties and networks as a means of the San Fernando Valley. (We have SAN DIEGO, CA on the red carpet. Must have a Movie Critic! Come learn how to solidifying and expanding the Compa- standard insurance policies in place). Thursday, July 27th, 7:30pm-10:30pm & experience reading from teleprompter ny’s b-to-b and b-to-c market segments. Please send a resume via email to make your dream a reality with Dan Friday, July 28th, 1pm-6pm and doing impromptu interviews. Salary is 30K a year. [email protected] or mail to Cox, who has masterd the unwrittend Downtown Johnny Brown’s Email headshots, demo reels, links to: TO APPLY: please email your resume Roger Lim, P.O. Box 261221 rules of studio-level entertainment 1220 Third Ave. [email protected] and cover letter with the subject line Encino, CA 91426 journalism, and can teach you tried San Diego, CA 92101 (Gaslamp District) For more info on the channel, go to www.portablehollywood.com “Sales Promotion Coordinator” to: and true ways to pitch your story ideas [email protected] GRAPHICS DESIGN INTERN and hook your readers from the start. SCRIPTS WANTED BY Wednesday, July 26, 2006 HOSTING INTENSIVE NEEDED PROD CO WITH 6:45om - 9:30pm WITH HOST, CASTING OFFICE MANAGER / Entertainment Today is seeking STUDIO FIRST LOOK DEAL COORDINATOR POSITION For more info: www.learningannex. DIRECTOR & MANAGER hard working individuals to join MARKI COSTELLO OF CMEG Seeking scripts to go into production, AT TULCHIN com and go to the Los Angeles our creative team. Work 1-2 days You may go out commercially or ASAP. We have funding and a first look ENTERTAINMENT classes - simply enter coupon code Immediate Job Opening at Tulchin a week. Background in Adobe In theatrically, but are you going out as a deal w/ a major studio!!! We’re looking for GUNDDC and get $10 off. Entertainment/Tulchin & Associates for Design and Illustrator preferred. host? Hosting is blowing up and Smart Horror, Noir, Thriller, or Suspense. it’s a great avenue to make money, so Officer Manager/Coordinator Position. Job duties include layout design, The budget is 500k-1M. We’re looking for Producer’s Rep/Entertainment learn from the best! creating ads, eating pizza at 2 AM, ADVERTISING SALES • Learn the secrets of nailing a host something that can have commercial appeal Attorney’s office immediately seeking and graphic illustration. Non-paid, but also garner indie credibility. office manager/coordinator with interest MANAGER WANTED! audition. Email any questions, or logline, in film and TV international and but school credit available. Entertainment Today is seeking • Learn how to break down host domestic sales and financing, marketing, Email your resume to aggressive individuals to act as copy and make the best choices. synopsis, and writing sample if you have it publicity, distribution, and entertainment cecilia@entertainmenttodayonline. an Advertising Sales Manager. • Learn how to work and interact [email protected] with a co-host. law. Organized multi-tasker, PC com with the subject “Graphics Candidates must posses great • Learn how to work with a proficient with Internet skills, 55 wpm Intern”. communication skills, self-motivation, typing, and solid administrative and teleprompter and read que cards. a solid work ethic, and an outgoing Register at www.infolist.com accounting skills. Strong knowledge/ • Learn how to service a product interest in independent film and festival WEBDESIGNER/ attitude. Job duties include managing while incorporating your by JULY 31st circuit an asset. Entry-level position with DEVELOPER WANTED regional sales accounts, contacting personality. FOR A CHANCE TO WIN: great potential for advancement. AIA Studios is looking for a freelance web potential clients for advertisements, • And much more! • $50 Gift Certificate at TO APPLY: e-mail cover letter and designer/developer to work with us on an organizing sales database, and Marki Costello coaches privately Virgin Megastore! ongoing basis to maintain our website. resume to: [email protected] making lots of money. Must have for every major network and she is • Final Draft Pro Software! Our ideal candidate is proficient in • 10 Free Script Copies OR fax to: (310) 914-7927 experience selling advertisement. coming to your city! building and maintaining XHTML/CSS- LOS ANGELES / July 22-23 and each for 10 winners! based websites, experienced in web-based Please email your resume to cecilia@ August 19-20 Register at • 1000 Color Business Cards CASTING ASSISTANTS graphical design using either Photoshop/ entertainmenttodayonline.com www.infolist.com for more info • $1000 Gift Card at Bradford Portrait (Full-Time and Part Time) ImageReady or Adobe (formerly with the subject “Advertising Sales and to get a $100 off! Studio! We are one of the entertainment industries Macromedia) Fireworks and having Manager.” leading commercial casting companies. We knowledge of PHP programming would specialize in casting high profile campaigns, be nice, but isn’t absolutely required. Must multi-content, cross-market, sponsored have both design and development content, product launches, and celebrity experience. Email your resume and any driven campaigns. Our employees’ website links with samples of your work to It’s easy to place a classified ad in backgrounds are creative and diverse and Denise at: [email protected] foster a dynamic and exciting work environment. These positions offer excellent opportunities for growth within a casting ASSISTANT TO MUSIC company and to gain valuable working COMPOSERS knowledge of the entertainment industry. Administrative position, which is available The location is Hollywood and we are hiring immediately, assisting two music composers full time and part time positions. Knowl- in Santa Clarita. It is a full-time position, ENTERTAINMENT edge of computers (both PC’s and MAC’s) with salary based on experience. A TODAY and proficiency in both Excel and Word is wonderful opportunity to work for a required. Graphic design skills, including growing company already established in web design a huge plus. Please denote if you television. Production experience preferred. just email your request to [email protected] are fluent in any foreign language. Email your resume to Julia at Please email cover letter and resume to: [email protected] [email protected] |21| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY Astrological forecasts SUDOKU by Lady Katsura and Suki Yaki The ultimate logic puzzle WARNING: This is a humor piece, not intended to guide your life decisions. We are no longer calling it “For Women Only” but if you read on, you’ll The object of the game is to fill in the blank cells with the numbers 1 to 9 such that: see it still kind of is. Soon we’ll test our psychic sensors for gay men only. 1) Every row should have the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 (in any order).

Capricorn (December 22 – January 20) 2) Every column should have the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (in any order). Did you ever notice that whenever you walk into a room people stare at you? It’s not 3) Every 3x3 bolded square should have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (in any order). because you’re that funny, enigmatic, smart or mysterious – it’s because you look like Naomi Campbell’s younger sister. So quit complaining that you never had a knack for numbers, can’t keep a steady job, and get lost in your own house. YOU’RE HOT.

Aquarius ( January 21 – February 18) 2 5 3 9 6 The guy in the cubicle behind you may not be what he seems. Next time he leaves for Answers to July 14's sudoku lunch, sneak a peak at his coffee mug. That will tell you everything you need to know. If 9 1 Answer to last week’s puzzle: it’s plain, he’ll be plain. If it’s got some stupid cartoon on it, he won’t be able to take you 1 5 7 6 4 3 2 8 9 seriously. If it has a moose head on it, this is the man for you. 8 4 3 9 5 2 6 7 1 Pisces (February 19- March 19) 9 6 2 7 8 1 5 4 3 Your seventh moon is straddling Veronica Mars, which means it’s time to hit the dating 9 4 7 9 5 4 1 6 8 3 2 scene again. Who cares if you’re newly divorced and seven months pregnant with your 6 2 4 8 3 7 9 1 5 fourth child? Men like women who NEED them and you’re the perfect candidate. 1 6 7 5 Nursing Bras are IN. 3 1 8 2 9 5 4 6 7 5 4 8 2 7 5 8 1 3 2 4 7 9 6 Aries (March 20 – April 19) 4 3 6 5 7 9 1 2 8 Our psychic sensors tell us you’re nearing the addiction phase with your plucking. Stop 5 7 1 2 2 7 9 1 6 8 3 5 4 while you still have eyebrow hairs left. Eyebrow pencil was invented as a supplement, not a replacement. 1 3 6 8 4 7 Taurus (April 20- May 20) We know you’ve wanted to start up your own All-Female Auto Repair Shop since you 8 3 took your first mechanics class in high school. What’s stopping you? Hit your rich ©2006 Entertainment Today friends up for the start up cash and trust me they’ll be thanking you for it in a year.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) SUDOKU CONTEST! This week you need to tell it like it is. Speak your mind and don’t hold back. If his hair looks stupid, he needs to hear it. If your boss is being an ass, let her know. Scared you’ll First 10 with correct answers will win free movie tickets. get fired? Oh no. This week you’ll get promoted for that kind of honesty. It’s almost Send correct answers to like you’re omniscient. Entertainment Today at 2325 W. Victory Blvd, Suite 5, Burbank, CA 91506-1226 Cancer ( June 21 – July 20) Now is not the time to try new things. You already threw your neck out trying to stretch that wet suit over your big ol’ head. Sounded harmless until the chiropractor said he wouldn’t touch you unless you got an MRI. Then you bit it skateboarding in Venice. Pul-eeze. Just because you’ve lost some weight and are getting laid, you are not the bionic woman. Chill out!

Leo ( July 21 – August 20) That new guy really DOES like you for your personality. You’re really not his body type AVID EDITING at all. The good news is that he is not an ass man, so you can lighten up on the lunges Feature films, TV Shows and Demos and eat that croissant for breakfast.

Virgo (August 21 – September 20) Blue Water Digital That guy behind you in line at the coffee shop was undressing you in his mind. If you had mustered up the courage to ask him to a movie – you would have discovered he’s a 818 269-3256 ~ [email protected] brain surgeon with a passion for kids, traveling, and cunnilingus. He would have asked you to marry him in 7 months and you’d be on your way to becoming a Stepford wife.

Libra (September 21 – October 22) Curiosity killed the cat but it seldom kills a swinging single gal in Los Angeles. If you’ve SPIRITUAL PSYCHIC CENTER never batted for the same team, now is the time. ANDRA Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) S Couples that play together stay together. Blood and Death 3: Attack of the Bloodsoaked Zombies may not be your favorite X-box game, but you’ll get the hang of it soon. There’s (310)557-6782 only one other thing he plays with and he doesn’t want you to touch it right now. 1012 SOUTH ROBERTSON Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) Good news is that your date from three weeks ago is coming back to your life. He LOS ANGELES, CA knows how to treat a woman right. Bad news is that he likes smallish breasts...okay, completely flat. I know you think of Susanna as your less attractive side kick (admit it!) but I wouldn’t invite her over while he’s in the apartment. Not until you’ve secured a FOCUSING ON ANALYSING, ENERGIZING, few more dates with him.

P BALANCING YOUR SPIRITUALITY.

|22| ENTERTAINMENT TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 The Hot Zone by Mark Darcourt ENTERTAINMENT SURVEY TODAY We’d like to get to know you better!!! Please help us serve you by filling out this brief survey.

The first 30 surveys will receive a complimentary movie/theater tickets to upcoming shows. Tickets are given out on a first come first serve basis.

Sex: (circle) Male Female

Age: ______years old

Is this your first time reading Entertainment Today? (circle one) Yes No

If no, how long have you been a reader of Entertainment Today? ______years Walker and Prescott.com by Drew-Michael How often do you read Entertainment Today? (circle one) Every week Twice a month

Once a month Almost Never

In this issue, which article did you find most interesting? ______

In this issue, which article did you find least interesting? ______What section would you like to see added in the future? ______

Where did you pick up this issue: ______What city do you live in: ______

Nirvana by Annie Rollins What is your profession: ______

Comments: ______

Contact information (to send movie tickets):

Name: ______

Address: ______

Email: ______

Skinny Panda by Phil Cho Please cut along the dotted line and mail your survey to Entertainment Today.

2325 West Victory Blvd, Suite 5 Burbank, CA 91506 or email: [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR READING

ENTERTAINMENTTODAY

|23| FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT TODAY