Nov 22-28, 2006
Encouraging Victims and Offenders to Talk About Crime – With Each Other; Laurie David Gets Hot and Bothered About Global Warming; A Prospective Bride Ponders the Modern Wedding
Sleeper Cell, Four Song Demo
(Self-released, CD) I typically don’t review demos, but I had to make an exception for Sleeper Cell, a new “supergroup” featuring Adam Wright and Jay Hannerfeld (ex-Hidden Drives), singer-songwriter John Martenis and the incomparable Johnny Azer. According to the band’s bio, Sleeper Cell “are a group of regular American musicians typical of many in our…
Sugarblue, Low Stars & Deep Snow
(Self-released, CD) Northern Vermont’s Sugarblue call themselves an “Appalachian folk-fusion ensemble,” and it’s as good a descriptor as any. The band’s sophomore release, Low Stars & Deep Snow, is an enjoyable union of time-honored technique and forward-looking songcraft. Sugarblue’s music is rooted in acoustic music tradition but features modern rhythmic flourishes. Drummer Ezra Lipp (who…
Greens with That!
Bill McKibben on Sanders’ appointment to Senate committees on energy and the environment. He notes Bernie was slow to enlist in the climate-change fight but is now one of its most aggressive combatants.
News Quirks 11.22.06
Curses, Foiled Again A man armed with a shotgun entered the North American Fireworks shop in Lac du Flambeau, Wis., but before getting any money, he fired his weapon, igniting fireworks that in turn set the building on fire. In the confusion, the owner was able to wrestle the shotgun away, and the man fled…
WORDPLAY***1/2
Devotees Jon Stewart, Bob Dole, Ken Burns and Bill Clinton are among the players interviewed in this documentary from Patrick Creadon about crossword-puzzle passion. (90 min, NR) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/wordplay/
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?***1/2
Chris Paine brings us an automotive whodunit about the mysterious disappearance of a fleet of highly efficient, production plug-in cars that cruised the California highways briefly in the 1990s and then vanished. With a little help from General Motors. (90 min, PG) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/whokilledtheelectriccar/
THE GROOMSMEN***
Edward Burns wrote, directed and stars in this comedy, in which a groom and his best friends spend the week before his wedding wrestling with what it means to grow up. With Jay Mohr, Donal Logue and John Leguizamo. (98 min, R) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/thegroomsmen/
THE DA VINCI CODE**
Tom Hanks and Ron Howard re-team for the big-screen version of Dan Brown’s bestseller about a Harvard symbology prof who cracks a series of clues hidden in the work of the great painter and uncovers a secret that would be unbelievably shocking if everybody on Earth didn’t already know it. With Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen…
TAKE MY EYES***
From Spanish director Iciar Bollain comes this psychological drama exploring the intricate details of an abusive relationship. Laia Marull and Luis Tosar star. (109 min, NR)
STRANGERS WITH CANDY***
Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert re-team for this feature-length variation on the Comedy Central cult favorite. Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker costar. Paul Dinello directs. (87 min, R) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/thinkfilm/strangerswithcandy/
SOPHIE SCHOLL: THE FINAL DAYS****
Director Marc Rothemund recreates the last six days in the life of Germany’s most famous anti-Nazi activist. Starring Julia Jentsch, Fabian Hinrichs and Gerald Alexander Held. (120 min, NR)
LITTLE MAN*1/2
From the filmmaking family who gave us White Chicks (Do you really need to read any further?) comes this laugher about a diminutive criminal who masquerades as a toddler in the home of an unsuspecting suburban couple. Starring Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. (90 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/littleman/
LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN***1/2
First-time filmmaker Lian Lunson orchestrates this documentary tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter featuring performances from, among others, Nick Cave, Linda Thompson, Bono and the Edge. (104 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/leonardcohenimyourman
JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE**
They aren’t super ex-girlfriends, but they are extraordinarily mad. Three teenage girls plot to get revenge on the boyfriend they had in common in this comedy from Betty Thomas. With Jesse Metcalfe, Ashanti, Brittany Snow and Sophia Bush. (87 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/johntuckermustdie/
CARS***1/2
The latest from the pixel-fixated folks who brought us Toy Story and The Incredibles is an animated comedy set in the world of talking autos. Equipped with the vocal stylings of Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Cheech Marin and Bonnie Hunt. Directed by John Lasseter. (116 min, G) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/cars/
BROTHERS OF THE HEAD***1/2
From Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (Lost in La Mancha) comes this mockumentary about conjoined-twin punk rockers. That’s right. Tom Bower and Harry Treadaway star. (90 min, R) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/brothersofthehead/trailer/
ACCEPTED **1/2
Justin Long, Blake Lively, Mark Derwin and Columbus Short enroll in director Steve Pink’s comedy about a group of high school seniors who get rejected by so many colleges they decide to make one of their own. (93 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/accepted/
YOU, ME AND DUPREE**
Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon are teamed in this comedy about a couple who can’t quite figure out how to get their loveable but loony houseguest out the door. Amanda Detmer costars. Anthony and Joe Russo direct. (104 min, PG-13) Web: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/youmeanddupree/
