filmland / By Charlie Myers

Timely Girl

Plus: Hancock isn’t worth the pittance our writer rode in on

(July 10, 2008) Previews

The glorious film summer continues Friday, July 11, with Hellboy II: The Golden Army, a sequel to the 2004 Hellboy film. Director Guillermo Del Toro returns, as does actor Ron Perlman in the title role. This time out, Hellboy tries to help our government when it is faced with supernatural enemies from invisible forces who break their centuries-old truce with humankind. The cigar should get a workout. The film co-stars Selma Blair as Hellboy’s girlfriend, Liz, and John Hurt as his adoptive father. Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and some language. 110 m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek, Fortuna and Minor.

GALLERY >

Journey to the Center of the Earth is the latest film adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic science fiction tale, presumably shown in Real D technology at theaters with compatible equipment. Brendan Fraser is a scientist who, with the help of an attractive mountain guide (Anita Briem), takes his nephew (Josh Hutcherson) up a volcano only to fall into a pit all the way to the center of the earth, where they face all manner of danger. How often can you go back to the same shallow well? Rated PG for intense adventure action and some scary moments. 92 m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

In Meet Dave, we meet Eddie Murphy in family film mode. Murphy is Dave — actually a miniature spaceship that looks like Murphy, who also plays the captain. When he/it lands in Manhattan’s Central Park, he’s just looking for ways to save his home planet, but when a comely earth girl (Elizabeth Banks) enters the scene, Dave’s life becomes complicated. Did I mention that it’s a comedy? Rated PG for bawdy and suggestive humor, action and some language. 90 m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

The film adaptation of the musical Mamma Mia!is one of two midnight premieres the Fortuna Theater will host July 17. The film uses the music of ’70s supergroup ABBA to tell the story of a bride-to-be searching for her real father. Rated PG-13 for some sex-related comments. 108 m. In the other premiere, Batman returns to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good in The Dark Knight.Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace. 152 m.

The latest “Based on the Book” film series begins July 15 and continues through Aug. 5. Opening this noir series is the 1950 film The Asphalt Jungle. Based on the novel by W. R. Burnett, with a screenplay by Ben Maddow and John Huston and directed by Huston, the film follows an attempted million dollar burglary by a misfit crew against the backdrop of the usual depressed cityscape. Look for typical noir elements including sexy, duplicitous blondes, suspenseful action and betrayal. The screening is hosted by Wynston Jones and will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, in the multipurpose room of the Eureka Main Library.

Reviews

KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL

1 2 3 4 5 NEXT PAGE >SHARE