filmland / By Charlie Myers

Hot Summer Hell!

Pineapple’s stoneheads and Traveling Pants sisterhood should have each others’ boring babies

(Aug. 14, 2008) Previews>

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The summer funfilmfest continues Wednesday, Aug. 13, with Tropic Thunder, which rides in on the crest of protests by disability advocates because of the film’s depiction of people with learning difficulties. This alleged action comedy, directed by Ben Stiller and starring Stiller, Jeff Khan, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black, concerns a film crew who get involved in a real war while shooting an action film in the jungle. Tom Cruise, in a real stretch, has a cameo as a movie producer. Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material. 107m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek, Fortuna and Minor.

Opening on Friday is Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an animated film based on the animated TV series. The Jedi send agents to investigate the abduction of Jabba the Hutt’s son, apparently part of the battle between rebels and the Galactic Republic, with the Sith waiting to weigh in as well. Rated PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking. 98m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

In a remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film Into the Mirror, French director Alexander Aja’s (High Tension) Mirrors is about a department store security head (Kiefer Sutherland) whose store is the site of mysterious deaths. Adding more tension are the demonstrators seeking compensation and a dead woman using mirrors as a gateway back to the living. I’m sure Jack Bauer is up to the task. Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, language and brief nudity. 110m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

The Canadian documentary Up the Yangtze should offer a nice alternative viewing experience. The film deals with the impact of the Three Gorges Dam project. When completed, the Yangtze River dam, for hydroelectric purposes, will be 600 feet tall and will displace some two million people. The film is set aboard a river ship offering “farewell cruises.” Not rated. 93m. At the Minor.

Another Friday opener is Fly Me to the Moon, the first ever animated film made for 3D viewing. Yet another cartoon that stars insects, the film follows three juvenile houseflies that stow away on the Apollo 11 flight to the moon. The movie runs at Humboldt County’s only 3D-capable theater. Rated G. 125 m. At Fortuna.

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