Opening Films

by Inlander Staff


Alfie -- It's safe to say that Jude Law owns every frame of this remake of the 1966 Michael Caine film, the one that shot him to fame and will finally push Law to the top. It's time in the life of a cad, a real ladies' man, a guy who's simply into the joy of being with women. Updated and moved from London to New York, the story actually presents a sympathetic side to Alfie. But back to Law: He talks right to the camera, imbues Alfie with the gamut of emotional experiences, and makes us boo him and cheer him. Nice assistance from Marisa Tomei and Susan Sarandon as a couple of supposed conquests. (ES) Rated R





The Incredibles -- The likely final Pixar-Disney co-production is a major departure from Finding Nemo and Toy Story in that all of the characters are humans. One of them, Mr. Incredible (voice of Spokane native Craig T. Nelson) is a former superhero who was forced to retire and is now in insurance, but misses his old life. His wife, the former Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), is not happy when he has a chance to get back in the game, but no one is aware that it's a trap by an old enemy. Funny, scary, wild, thoughtful, filled with adult issues. The newest film from Brad Bird (The Iron Giant). (ES) Rated PG





The Polar Express -- The popular Chris Van Allsburg book gets the Robert Zemeckis treatment and a dazzling animated style that makes it look like a living Van Allsburg drawing. Never mind that train to Hogwarts. The one that pulls up at a young boy's house on Christmas Eve is headed for the North Pole and a certain jolly fat man. And it seems that the other young passengers have one thing in common: They're all wearing pajamas. Tom Hanks voices the conductor and four other parts, including the boy. Charming, wistful, with a nice dose of adventure. (ES) Rated G (Opens Wednesday, Nov. 10, at IMAX, AMC and Regal)





The Yes Men -- A documentary about two guys -- call them Mike and Andy -- who pull off some pretty impressive pranks. The best is when and how they impersonate two members of the World Trade Organization, manage to get some speaking gigs, then get up in front of convention crowds and deliver lectures on subjects that would make real WTO folks grimace. Very funny stuff, some of it slightly off color, most of it mind-boggling. (ES) Rated: R (Playing at the Met on Nov 6- 10, Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 18, and Nov. 22-24 at 3 pm, 5:30 pm and 8 pm)





Hedwig and the Angry Inch -- "How did some slip of a girly boy from communist East Berlin become the internationally ignored song stylist barely standing before you now?" John Cameron Mitchell's weary, faux Marlene Dietrich delivery of those lines has gotta be one of the most sublimely wonderful moments in rock cinema history. Glam-rock Hedwig recounts her story -- from listening to American Forces radio in Berlin to "outgrossing monster trucks in Wichita" to being outshone by a Jesus freak prot & eacute;g & eacute;/boyfriend. An amazing supporting cast -- especially Miriam Shor and Andrea Martin -- rounds out this brilliant, strange, hugely entertaining film. (Sheri Boggs) Rated: R (Plays Friday and Saturday at midnight at the Garland)





Publication date: 11/04/04