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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2008

NEW IN TOWN

Seven Pounds ***

In this drama, a depressed IRS agent (Will Smith) decides to help seven strangers overcome their difficulties - but he also is carrying a horrible secret. Things are further complicated when he falls for a woman (Rosario Dawson) with a heart condition. To give away more would be unfair, but expect a message about giving, forgiveness and redemption. The movie is directed by Gabriele Muccino, who directed Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness," a role that earned Smith an Oscar nomination. See review, page 5. 123 minutes. (PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality)

Slumdog Millionaire ***

Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is an Indian boy from the Mumbai slums who makes it onto the India version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." He is one question away from winning the 20 million rupee prize when the show breaks for the night, and he is arrested on suspicion of cheating. Over the course of the night, he tells police his life story and each part reveals about he knew answers for the show. 120 minutes. (R; for some violence, disturbing images and language)

The Tale of Despereaux **½

While visually stunning, this animated film runs into trouble when trying to fit all three tales from Kate DeCamillo's Newberry Award-winning book, plus a fourth one to wrap everything up. The movie focuses primarily on Despereaux, a tiny mouse who befriends a princess. In addition to beautiful animation, the film also has clever references to other films. Features the voices of Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Robbie Coltrane, Tracey Ullman, Emma Watson, Kevin Kline and Frank Langella. 100 minutes. G.

Yes Man **½

Jim Carrey returns to comedic territory with a heartwarming message in this film about a negative bank loan officer who decides to change his life by saying "yes" to everything - every request, every opportunity that comes his way. This leads to some bad things (a bar fight, running out of gas in the middle of nowhere, little sleep) and a good thing (meeting Alison, played by the lovely Zooey Deschanel). Unfortunately, the funny runs out before the movie runs out of time, and it falls victim to preaching and being trapped by its own silly conceit. See review, page 4. 104 minutes. (PG-13; crude sexual humor, profanity and brief nudity)

TAMPA THEATRE

A historic film house at 711 Franklin St. in downtown Tampa; (813) 274-8981. Tickets for regular screenings: $9 adults, $8 students with ID, $7 seniors age 55 and older, military and children 12 and younger. Weekend matinees: $7. Admission includes pre-show Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ mini-concert.

It's a Wonderful Life

This holiday classic is, appropriately, the final movie in the Tampa Theatre's Holiday Classic Series. It's so good they are showing it twice. For those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing it., the 1946 film (directed by Frank Capra) stars Jimmy Stewart as a man who, when visited by an angel, learns the life he thought insignificant is a pretty big deal, after all. 130 minutes. Not rated.

Show times: 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Synecdoche, NY ***½

Charlie Kaufmann, the screenwriter who wrote "Being John Malcovich," "Adaptation" and "The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," makes his directorial debut. Not surprisingly, it's about a self-obsessed guy, this time a theater director (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who wants to build a life-size replica of New York for his next production. The film also stars Catherine Keener, Michelle Williams and Emily Watson. 126 minutes. (R; profanity, some sexual content and nudity)

Show times: 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday

STILL IN TOWN

Animalopolis (not reviewed)

Making its Tampa debut at the Imax Dome Theater at the Museum of Science and Industry, this film takes viewers up close and personal with a variety of wildlife, including bears, cheetahs, lions, crabs and the often-overlooked cape buffalo. The 12 segments are light-hearted and funny, so don't expect a "when animals attack" sort of thing. (Not rated)

Australia **

When Baz Luhrmann directs a film, you know you're going to get two things: stunning visuals and romance. Both are on display here, but what is lacking over the three hours of this film is consistent storytelling. Nicole Kidman is an English aristocrat who inherits her dead husband's ranch in northern Australia. Soon she finds herself battling a cattle baron who wants control of her land and herd. She also finds herself falling in love with the man who is helping her, The Drover (Hugh Jackman), a cattle driver who is (shocking!) a rugged, handsome rebel who lives by his own rules. Before the movie is over, they find themselves in Darwin when the Japanese attack, trying to save the life of an aboriginal boy. 165 minutes (PG-13; some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language)

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (not reviewed)

A pampered dog from Beverly Hills (voiced by Drew Barrymore) ends up lost in Mexico and needs the help of some local, colorful dogs to find her way back home. 91 minutes (PG; some mild mature themes)

Bolt **½

Seriously, can kids get enough of anthropomorphic animals? Apparently not. And so the little tykes - and their parents - will once again have the chance to enjoy the adventures of a talking dog (voice of John Travolta), this time one who is the star of a TV adventure show and (here comes the plot twist) he thinks it's real. Comic adventure ensues when he escapes the television studio and goes on a cross-country trip with a cat (Susie Essman) and a hamster in a plastic ball (Mark Walton). 86 minutes (PG, some mild action and peril)

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas **

When a Nazi officer is sent to a remote location to run a concentration camp, his 8-year-old son befriends one of the Jewish children behind the barbed wire. Their friendship has unexpected consequences for both boys and the family. The mostly British cast is led by director and writer Mark Herman. The film is based on Irish writer John Boyne's novel of the same name. 93 minutes. (PG-13; some mature thermatic material involving the Holocaust)

Burn After Reading ***

The Coen Brothers (Ethan and Joel) follow up their Oscar-winning "No Country For Old Men" with this comedy about two gym employees (Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand) who find a disc containing classified national security information. When they try to bribe the disc's owner, CIA agent Osborne Cox (John Malkovich), things go horribly wrong. Oh, and George Clooney's character is building something in his basement. 96 minutes (R; pervasive profanity, some sexual content and violence)

Cadillac Records **

In Chicago in the late 1950s, Polish immigrant Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) founded Chess Records, launching the career of quite a few great recording artists. The catch: the artists are black, and racism is still very strong in America. And a few of the artists have personal demons to battle. Part of the fun is watching the portrayal of musical legends by some good actors, including Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters and Mos Def as Chuck Berry. The not-so-fun part is watching Beyonce, who still hasn't mastered acting, although, as Etta James, she sings a beautiful version of "At Last." 107 minutes. (R; pervasive profanity and some sexuality)

Changeling **½

Angelina Jolie stars in this Clint Eastwood-directed film about a woman who loses her child in 1920s Los Angeles. When police return the child, she quickly releases (during the "photo op" when they are reunited) that the child is not hers. She is helped in the search for her son by a minister (John Malkovich). Based on real events. 140 minutes. (R; some violent and disturbing content, and profanity)

The Day the Earth Stood Still *

In a disappointing remake of the science fiction classic from 1951, Keanu Reeves is Klaatu, an alien who represents several civilizations who are trying to decide whether to eradicate human life on Earth because we are such bad environmentalists. He brings a long a giant robot, Gort, to do the deed, if necessary. A scientist (Jennifer Connelly) and her stepson (Jaden Smith) try to persuade him to give Earthlings another chance. The concept is fine, but the execution is subpar, to say the least. 103 minutes. (PG-13; for some sci-fi disaster images and violence)

Delgo (not reviewed)

In a fantasy land, the Locknis harness the power of the earth while the Nohrin rule the skies. The two groups live separately. When a malevolent force threatens the land, a teenager must work with a group of friends to unite the two groups and defend their homes. This animated film includes the voices of Freddie Prinze Jr., Chris Kattan and Jennifer Love Hewitt. 90 minutes. (PG; for sequences of fantasy action violence)

The Duchess ***

Keira Knightley is back in a period film, which comes as a shock to absolutely no one. This time around, she portrays Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire, a beautiful, smart and witty woman caught up in a lover's quadrangle in 18th Century England. 110 minutes (PG-13; sexual content, brief nudity and adult themes)

Eagle Eye *½

Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan portray two strangers who are thrown together when a mysterious woman threatens both them and their families, and then uses modern technology to stalk them, eventually turning them into wanted fugitives. (PG-13; profanity and intense sequences of action and violence)

Extreme (not reviewed)

Playing at the IMAX at the Museum of Science and Industry, this film takes viewers close to the action as athletes participate in "extreme" sports such as snowboarding, surfing, mountain climbing and windsurfing - the sort of thing your humble scribe will likely never do but wouldn't mind watching. Sort of like playing professional football and Flamenco dancing. 45 minutes. (Not rated)

Fireproof (not reviewed)

In this Christian-themed movie, a firefighter and his wife (Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea) hold off their divorce for 40 days in order to follow a plan - called the "Love Dare" - to perhaps save their marriage. 122 minutes (PG; mature themes and some peril)

Four Christmases *½

Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) are a couple who always avoid the holidays by getting out of town. But when their international flight is canceled, they end up having to visit four homes - both their parents have remarried. They get the usual dose of passive aggressiveness, brotherly hostility and baby vomit. 88 minutes. (PG-13, some sexual humor and language)

High School Musical 3: Senior Year **½

It's finally here - the last school year for your favorite East High class. Faced with the prospect of separation as they prepare to attend different colleges, Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) join the rest of their singing and dancing Wildcat friends to stage - you guessed it - a spring musical that reflects on their past and expresses hope and anxiety about the future. 100 minutes. (G)

Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa (not reviewed)

Showing at MOSI's Imax Dome, this film follows five trekkers up the 55-mile climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. During the 10-day expedition, the trekkers are challenged on their endurance and ability to adjust to the extreme climate changes.

Lakeview Terrace *½

Samuel Jackson is a Los Angeles Police Department officer who begins terrorizing the cute, interracial couple (Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington) who just moved in next door in his suburban neighborhood. Who will win? And will Washington get a scene where she gets to turn the tables and go from scared victim to butt-kicker? We hope so. 110 minutes (PG-13; intense themes, violence, sexuality, profanity and drug references)

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa *½

The adventures of the four escaped New York Zoo animals continue in this sequel. Last time, Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) had to deal with wanting to eat his friends. This time, he has to deal with getting to know his family, as the crew travels from Madagascar to Africa. Chris Rock as Marty the Zebra, David Schwimmer as Melman the Giraffe and Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria the Hippo all return. Oh, and the penguins are back, too. 89 minutes. (PG; some mild crude humor)

Max Payne *½

DEA Agent Max Payne (Mark Wahlberg) and assassin Mona Sax (Mila Kunis) team up to solve a series of murders and get revenge for the death of their family members. Gritty movie is based on gritty video game. 99 minutes. (PG-13; violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong profanity)

Milk ***½

We hate to use the term "Oscar buzz," but in this case, it applies. Critics are already saying that Sean Penn delivers yet another great performance as Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay politician. This film, which marks a return to mainstream movies by director Gus Van Sant, follows the final seven years of Milk's life, as he rises from obscurity to winning office and dying at the hands of an assassination in 1978. 128 minutes. (R; for profanity, some sexual content and brief violence)

Nights in Rodanthe **

A doctor (Richard Gere) stops at a North Carolina inn while on a trip to see his estranged son. When he meets the innkeeper (Diane Lane), sparks fly. Based on the novel by Nicolas Sparks ("The Notebook," "A Walk to Remember," "Message in a Bottle"), so you know what to expect. 97 minutes. (PG-13; some sensuality)

Nothing Like the Holidays *½

In this comedy, a Puerto Rican family living in Chicago gather for what could be their last Christmas together - a fact they learn when the mother (Elizabeth Pena) announces she is leaving her husband (Alfred Molina). It's essentially the typical family holiday comedy, complete with a thin plot, except with an almost all-Latin cast. 98 minutes. (PG-13; for thematic elements including some sexual dialogue, and brief drug references)

Pride and Glory *½

The New York Police Department is both alert and anxious with a cop killer on the loose. Ed Norton and Colin Farrell star in this story about an investigation into four police deaths that threatens to turn family against family when evidence begins to point to the lead investigator's brother and brother-in-law. 129 minutes. (R, strong violence, pervasive profanity and brief drug content).

Punisher 2: War Zone (not reviewed)

They couldn't entice Thomas Jane to come back and play The Punisherso they hired Ray Stevenson to play Frank Castle. Bad sign. This time around, Castle, a vigilante who goes by the name The Punisher, ticks off organized crime when he crashes a "beat the rap" party for a gang boss. Extremely violent complications ensue. 107 minutes (R; pervasive strong brutal violence, profanity and some drug use)

Rachel Getting Married **

Anne Hathaway makes her grab for an Oscar nomination in this film directed by Jonathan Demme ("The Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia") and written by actress-turned-screenwriter Jenny Lumet. Hathway is Kym, a young woman returning home for her sister's wedding after spending 10 years in and out of rehabilitation. Her presence causes the family kettle of repressed feelings to boil over. 113 minutes. (R; profanity and brief sexuality)

Role Models***

Two men (Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott) agree to a plea bargain in which instead of jail time they are sentenced to 150 hours of mentoring kids in the Sturdy Wings program, designed to enhance the lives of at-risk youth. The kids are tough (and funny, it's a comedy) but soon teach these young men how to grow up. Or something like that. 99 minutes. (R; crude and sexual content, strong profanity and nudity)

Saw V (not reviewed)

If you watched any of the first four in the series, you know the drill by now. Mark Hoffman, seemingly the last person alive to carry on the jigsaw legacy, has his secret threatened and must take up the hunt to eliminate all evidence. Tampa Bay Lightning owner Oren Koules produces, as he did the first four installments. (R; sequences of grisly, bloody violence and torture, profanity and brief nudity)

Soul Men**

Two former back up soul singers (Bernie Mac, Samuel L. Jackson) who don't like each other agree to reunite and play a show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in honor of their dead band leader. But during a cross country road trip some simmering tensions explode - but in a funny way. 103 minutes. (R; pervasive profanity, and sexual content including nudity)

The Secret Life of Bees *½

Set in 1964 South Carolina, a lonely 14-year-old girl (Dakota Fanning) runs off with her caregiver (Queen Latifah) in hopes of learning her family secrets. There is also a running subplot about the registration of African-Americans as voters in the 1960s. 110 minutes (PG-13; thematic material and some violence)

Transporter 3**

So many of you went to see "Transporter" and "Transporter 2" that they've gone and made a third one. Luc Besson (director of "The Fifth Element," of fond memory) co-wrote this film, which once again stars tough-guy Jason Statham as Frank Martin. This time, he's hired by a criminal mastermind to deliver a mysterious package. And he can't bail on the job, because if he gets 75 feet away from his Audi, he'll blow up. 100 minutes. (PG-13, sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content and drug material)

Twilight **½

Here's the plot: Misfit Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) moves to a small town in Washington to live with her father, only to fall for a boy in her class. But then, it turns out the boy, Edward (Robert Pattinson), is a vampire. The two fall in love, but must deal not only with the differences between them but with another vampire who is hunting Bella. 122 minutes. (PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality)

Vicky Christina Barcelona ***½

Directory Woody Allen celebrates love in all its configurations in this movie about two women (Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall) who travel to Spain and become involved with a charismatic painter (Javier Bardem). 96 minutes. (PG-13; mature themes, sexuality and smoking)

Quantum of Solace ***

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond in this 22nd movie in the series, and the second starring Craig (after "Casino Royale" in 2006). This time, Bond is lean, mean and looking for the guy who killed his lady love. Fun, but more violent and gritty than the old days. 106 minutes. (PG-13; intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content)

Zack and Miri Make A Porno **½

In writer/director Kevin Smith's latest movie, platonic friends Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) decide to take care of their cash problems by making a pornographic film together. But the two soon realize that they might have stronger feelings for each other than they first suspected. 102 minutes. (R; strong crude sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity and pervasive profanity)

Kevin Walker

Listings compiled from Tribune wires and staff reports; critics' ratings are out of four stars.

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