A Cinderella Story -- This war-horse fairytale gets dragged out one time too many so Hillary Duff (Lizzie McGuire) can pout around as a San Fernando Valley high school student, persecuted by her cruel step-mom Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge of American Pie) and jealous step-sisters, while she prances closer to the romantic flame of jock king Austin (Chad Michael Murphy). The movie will wash over adolescent female audiences who don't know any better like melted Brie on 110-degree asphalt. But for the rest of us, it's a grueling waste of time. (Cole Smithey) Rated: PG
The Clearing -- Hey there, all you successful executives: Be careful when laying off your minions because you never know which one of them is going to up and kidnap you. At least that's the advice Wayne Hayes (Robert Redford) would offer as disgruntled ex-employee Willem Dafoe marches him through the woods on a big ol' revenge trip. Rated: R
I, Robot -- Fans of one of Isaac Asimov's most celebrated books were nervous when they discovered that Will Smith, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air himself, was starring in this dark tale of robots developing consciousness. But who better than one of the Men in Black to take on a potential threat to global security when things start to go very wrong? Expect a special-effects blowout, as hundreds of humanoid-looking robots take to the screen and start kicking his butt. Rated: PG-13
Publication date: 07/15/04
