filmland / By North Coast Journal Staff

Yes Yes Yes

Howlin’ Wolf v. Jim Carrey in filmic holiday smackdown

(Dec. 25, 2008) Previews

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, has generated Oscar buzz. Benjamin is born looking 80 years old; aspiring ballerina Daisy meets him in a nursing home. They fall in love, but he’s getting younger and she older. Seems very promising. Rated PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking. 159m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek, Fortuna and Minor.

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John Patrick Stanley wrote and directed the film version of his own Broadway play Doubt, about a nun (Streep) who begins to suspect a priest (Hoffman) of inappropriate behavior with a young black student. Viola Davis is the student’s mother and Amy Adams a young idealistic nun. Another possible Oscar contender. Rated PG-13 for thematic material. 104m. At the Broadway.

Valkyrie is about a plot to kill Hitler by a group of German soldiers led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise). Cruise’s casting caused controversy in Germany due to his prominence in Scientology. Costarring Kenneth Branagh, Terrence Stamp and Eddie Izzard. Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language. 120m. At the Broadway and Mill Creek.

Distributed by Disney, Bedtime Stories is a family comedy starring Adam Sandler as a handyman whose stories to his niece and nephew start to come true. Costarring Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Courteney Cox and Lucy Lawless. Rated PG for some mild rude humor and mild language. 99m. At the Broadway, Fortuna, Mill Creek and Minor.

Based on the popular memoir by John Grogan, Marley & Me is the heartwarming story of a lovable dog (aren’t they all?) who teaches his people how to enjoy life. With lovable Owen Wilson as John Grogan and lovely Jennifer Aniston as his spouse, Jenny. Costarring Kathleen Turner and Alan Arkin. Rated PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language. 123m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

From the comic book series by Will Eisner, The Spirit is a CGI film about a dead cop (Gabriel Macht) who comes back to life to protect the city and women he loves from the bad guys (especially Octopus, played by Samuel L. Jackson). With Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of stylized violence and action, some sexual content and brief nudity. 103m. At the Broadway and Mill Creek.

— Charlie Myers

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