“Dr.
Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat”
1 reel (out of four)
See review
“Gothika”
2 reels (out of four)—reviewed by Chris Bellamy
See review
“The
Human Stain”
Miramax Films
Rated R
Opening at Madstone
(out of four)
“The
Human Stain” interweaves past and present in a poignant portrait
of people at odds with their roots.
Anthony Hopkins plays an almost-retired college professor who resigns
after a student accuses him of racism when he refers to two constantly
absent students as “spooks” and they later turn out
to be black. His wife dies after hearing the news, and he goes on
a mission to clear his name, making friends with a writer (Gary
Sinise) whom he tries to get to write his story. He eventually starts
an affair with a shady, scarred woman (Nicole Kidman) who left her
wealthy family to be in the lower class.
Oscar-winning director Robert Benton’s (“Kramer vs.
Kramer”) adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel might not
compare to the book, but still creates some very strong dramatic
moments about deception and human nature. While some odd casting
decisions make some moments a little awkward and Kidman looks
a little too sexy for her character, this is still a strong piece,
perhaps hindered by its big names and hype.
“OT:
Our Town”
Film Movement
Not rated
Opening at Madstone
(Not reviewed)
Scott
Hamilton Kennedy’s documentary “OT: Our Town”
looks at a Compton, Calif., high school that hasn’t put on
a play in 20 years. Two teachers and 24 teachers attempt to produce
Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” with no stage or
budget. The film looks at art and budget cuts and their impact
on pupils. After all, they had to do a junior high play.
“Shattered
Glass”
3.5 reels (out of four)
See review
“The
Singing Detective”
3.5 reels (out of four)—reviewed by Jamie Gadette
See review
“Sylvia”
Focus Features
Rated R
Opening at the Broadway
(Not reviewed)
Let’s
get depressed! Australian director Christine Jeffs follows 2001’s
“Rain” with “Sylvia,” based on the life
of poet Sylvia Plath. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Plath, with Daniel
Craig as her sometimes loving, sometimes philandering husband
Ted Hughes. For a special Salt Lake Film Society event, come to
the Broadway Centre (111 E. 300 South) at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday
for a special reading of Plath’s and Hughes’ poetry
before the film.
“Tibet:
Cry of the Snow Lion”
Artistic License
Not rated
Opening at Madstone
(Not reviewed)
Ten
years went into this documentary by Tom Peosay, which looks to explore
a wide variety of themes.
Filmed over nine trips to Tibet, India and Nepal (I assumed from
the title that the latter two aren’t as important), “Tibet:
Cry of the Snow Lion” shows “the rooftop of the world”
through yak caravans on Himalayan mountains (as recently dramatized
in “Himalaya”), Khamba warriors racing on horses, rare
rituals and the holy city Lhasa’s slums.
jeremy@red-mag.com
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