Film index
Snow Dogs (i‘) 0. (Brian Levant. ['S. 2002) ('uba (iooding Jr.. James ('oburn. Nichelle Nichols. 99min. This unremarkable Disney comedy follovvs a .‘vliami-based dentist as he discovers his previously unknovvn liskittio roots. 'I'Itotiglt competently ntade and featuring a reliable lead and cast. it still struggles to raise a decent laugh. Not unvvatchable. btit nothing special. (ieneral release.
The Son’s Room (La stanza di figlio) ( IS) 0... (Nattni Moretti. Italy. 2002) Nanni Moretti. Laura .\lorante. (iiuseppe Sanfelice. ()Qmin. A significant creative departure for Italian actor-vs riter- director Nanni Moretti. the Palme I)‘()r- vvinning 'I‘lii' Sun 's Rmmr makes for a fascinating portrayal of Itovv an unexpected death fragitients a previoust united middle- class family. .\loretti depicts the chilling practical details of the funeral arrangements. and then shovvs hovv grief is both externalised and iiiternalised by the bereaved. Aided by understated performances artd ait unobtrusive visual style. this is a film of deceptive simplicity. vvhich engages directly vs ith the spectator's emotions vvhilst avoiding tearful reconciliation. Arts (‘cntre. liast Kilbride. 0 Spider-Man ( 12 )oooo (Sam Raimi. l'S. 2002) Tobey Maguirc. Kirsten [)unst. I2lntin. A big btidget blockbuster based on a best-selling superhero coritic book - you'd be right to expect spectacular effects and bland storytelling in a flashy btit ultimately dull film. (io see .'lH(l(‘k (ii the (Tunes for that particular exercise in bring- ing in the box office bucks. Spider-Mun. by contrast. is a delightfully unexpected mix of spectacle and engrossing human drama. It's surprising that Raimi. vvho ntade ltis name with the highly stylised genre pastiche (The Evil Dual) should focus so ntuclt on charac- ter. The cast acquit themselves vv ell. although Dafoe Iiarns tip the villairiy. But Raimi's lead. Tobey Maguire. brings just the right amount of knovs ing humour to
l’arker/Spidey. which is emblematic of Raimi‘s vv hole. vyinning approach to the film. (ieneral release.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones ll’(i) O. (Gauge Lucas. IS. 2002) Natalie I’ortman. Hayden (’hristensen. [its an .\lc(iregor. I-lfimin. .\ very slight improvement to Episode I. :IIIur‘k Hit/re ('lum's suffers front a bad
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script and sappy acting. Ten years on. the Republic faces a mounting separatist movement. necessitating the introduction of a clone army to assist the overvvhelmed Jedi. ('oupling this plot-line. romance blossoms betvseen l’adrne Amidala (l’ortiiian) arid .-\nakiii Skyvvalker ((‘hristensen ). l‘laslty special effects don't salvage this tension—less series of bloated
action scenes. .‘lll(l(‘/\' nil/iv (lanes will only please the truly besotted fan. (ieneral release.
Swordfish ( l5) .0 (Dominic Sena. (S. 2001 ) John Travolta. Hugh Jackman. Halle Berry. ()9min. ()pening vvith a magnificent explosion which occurs during a bank robbery and FBI siege. SH‘UIZ/fls‘h flashes back in time to tell its hovv matters came to a terminal head. ('riminal mastermind (iabriel Shear (Travolta) hires top computer hacker Stanley Jobson (Jackman) to help him steal billions of dollars from the Drug linforcement Agency's money-Iauridering scheme. Berry plays Shear's partner (iinger. a role that naturally calls for her to remove her bikiiti top in a laughably gratuitous scene. l'ltimately. just anotlter big. brassy and ltoinlless ‘actioner‘ from Ilollyvvood mogul Joel Silver and hired-hand director Sena. (’ameo. Iidinhurgh.
Telford Graduation Show (PU) (Various. l'ls'. 200i ) min. I‘rom drama to documentary to commercials. graduates front 'I'elford's School Of (‘reative :\l‘ls sltovv hovv mtich can be achieved vvorking on video vv ill) a Iovv budget. I-‘ilmhouse. Iidinburgh.
Thunderpants (PG) .0 (Peter llevvitt. l‘K. 2002) Bruce (‘ook III. Rupert (irint. Ned Beatty. 95min. A crap kids‘ flick that finds farting funny. itot once or tvvice. bill the vvhole film through. The ability to pass gas of epic proportions results in humiliation and eventual salvation for the film's eleven-year-old protagonist. Skip this hour and half of crap fart jokes. (ieneral release.
The Time Machine (PG) 0..
(Simon Wells. IS. 2002) (iuy Pearce. Samantha Mumba. Jeremy Irons. 95min. Director Simon \\'e|ls‘ remake of his great granddaddy's classic. But Wells Jnr completely fluffs tip the all-important plot revelation: vvhy l’earce‘s time traveller can't change the past. Pearce puts in a watchable
a UGC unlimited pa
be careful what you wish for...
birthdaygirl
CffifEfi’i'f‘. E-
The List has teamed up with UGC Cinemas to offer you the chance to see Nicole Kidman’s new film Birthday Girl (15) at an advance screening on Thursday 20 June at 8.30pm. Birthday Girl is a story about a hopeless bank clerk who gets more than he expected from his Russian internet bride in this romantic comedy thriller. We have over 300 tickets to give away to the first people who present their copy of The List to either the Glasgow or Edinburgh UGC Cinema box office from 6 June. You will receive two tickets . . . but remember it’s first come, first served so get yourself down there!
And. if you fancy your chances, enter our competition to WIN a UGC Unlimited Pass which allows you to see free movies any time you want at any UGC Cinema for a whole year! Just send an email to promotions@list.co.uk and the first name out of the hat
wins. Usual List rules apply. Tilt
Deadline is Friday 25 June. svwscutos
TERMS 8 CONDITIONS: The offer is subject to availability. There is no cash alternative. This voucher is not valid in conjunction With any other offer. Offer is not available when booking in advance by telephone Or by internet. Maximum two tickets per reader. Offer is first come. first served.
36 THE LIST 0 2f) .Jtir‘ 2’12