filmland / By North Coast Journal Staff

Wonder in Underland

Plus: The Oscar-winning Precious was worth the godawful wait

(March 11, 2010) Previews

Opening Friday, March 12, Matt Damon stars in Green Zone, which, despite sharing the same lead actor, director and basic subject matter of the films chronicling the exploits of former CIA agent Jason Bourne, is not a “Bourne” flick. Damon plays Officer Roy Miller, who has been dispatched to Baghdad in 2003 to find Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction but is hindered by faulty intelligence. Surprise! One would assume that if you enjoyed Damon and director Paul Greengrass’ previous collaborations together, you’ll feel right at home with this one. Rated R for violence and language. 115m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

Alice In Wonderland

GALLERY >

You want a romantic comedy? How about She’s Out of My League? An average Joe airport security agent lands a beautiful, successful, outgoing babe, much to the surprise of his friends and family. How will this odd couple make their relationship work? Rated R for language and sexual themes. 105m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

Twilight heart throb Robert Pattinson stars in Remember Me, about a rebellious young man whose strained relationship with his father makes him avoid relationships altogether. That is, until she enters the picture. Rated PG-13 for violence and sexual themes. 112m. At the Broadway and Mill Creek.

A handful of classics will grace the screen at the Arcata Theater Lounge this week. Jeff Bridges may have won an Oscar for his role in Crazy Heart, but he will always be “The Dude.” The Big Lebowski (1997) plays on Friday, March 12 at 11 p.m. with White Russian drink specials. The surf opus Big Wednesday (1978) will accompany the Surfrider Benefit Night on Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m. Atreyu! Relive some childhood with The Neverending Story (1984), plays Sunday, March 14 at 6 p.m.

— Andrew Goff

Reviews

PRECIOUS: If you were determined to see all 10 Best Picture nominees in the theater before last Sunday’s Academy Awards, you could have — barely. Precious (full title, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire) finally arrived at the Broadway last week, just two days before the Oscars and four days before hitting DVD shelves (it’s out now). The film took home two golden bald dudes — one for Geoffrey Fletcher’s screenplay and another for stand-up comedian Mo’Nique’s eruptive performance as Mary, the brutally abusive mother of the title character.

1 2 3 4 NEXT PAGE >SHARE