filmland / By North Coast Journal Staff

Life of Kaufman

Synechdoche, the unruly head trip; racist Eastwood glowers

(Jan. 15, 2009) Previews

For once, our overlords at Coming Attractions have scheduled the week’s big release to open at the mall (and only at the mall). Notorious is a Fox Searchlight biopic of slain rap star Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious B.I.G., aka Christopher Wallace, and as such it should appeal to the teen-tween filmgoers to whom that venue programs. But advance critical notice seems to smile upon the film. Might be worth it just to see Anwan Glover (The Wire’s Slim Charles) in the role of … wait for it … Snoop Doggy Dogg! Rated R. 122 m. At The Movies.

GALLERY >

In Defiance, Liev Schreiber and Daniel Craig, the blond Bond, play two of the three Jewish brothers who hide from Nazis in the woods around their home. Their unexpected success draws other refugees into the forest, and soon they have a community of survivors to care for. But look out — winter’s a-comin’ on. Rated R. 137 m. At the Broadway.

Looking for heartwarming? You’ve got your Hotel for Dogs, in which a precocious pair of kids, having been shipped to a foster home, have to find a place for their little doggie. And, come to that, for all the homeless little doggies in town. Voila the Hotel for Dogs. Stars a handful of adorable actors — Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew), Don Cheadle (Boogie Nights), Lisa Kudrow (Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion). Rated PG. 100 m.  At the Broadway, Mill Creek and Fortuna.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop looks to be a funny ha-ha vehicle for Kevin James (King of Queens). He’s a sorry-ass “mall cop,” see, but then there’s a horrifying crisis at the mall and he has to step up and get the job done despite being such a sorry-ass schlub. And his name is “Paul Blart,” which is a funny name. So there you go. Rated PG. 91 m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek and Fortuna.

My Bloody Valentine 3D. Note: McKinleyville and Eureka viewers will not see the coveted third dimension. A coal mining accident nearly kills a guy. The guy goes into a coma and wakes up pissed. So he waits until Valentine’s Day comes around, then goes off on a pick-axe killing spree. He gets taken out. But then he comes back as a zombie or ghost or something, looking to get revenge against the guy who caused the coal mining accident in the first place. Seems like there’s one too many plot points in there. Rated R. 91 m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek and Fortuna.

— Hank Sims

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