Kung Fu Hustle **1/2

Cast: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qui, Leung Siu Lung, Shengyi Huang
Director: Stephen Chow
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In Shanghai, in the 1930s, everything is controlled by the Axe Gang. Well, everything except the slums. There is no profit in the slums. Sing (Chow) wants to take advantage of this, and when he arrives at Pigsty Alley playing the role of an Axe Gang member, his performance is so bad that nobody believes him. Then some real members of the gang arrive, and Sing is in trouble. To add to that, there are some kung fu masters hiding in Pigsty Alley, and they are not too thrilled with the gang making an appearance in their little town.

I can honsetly say I have never seen a movie quite like "Kung Fu Hustle". It is a strange hybrid of a kung fu movie, a slapstick comedy, and even a little Road Runner/Looney Toones. It is really funny at times, but the humor is a bit uneven. The biggest drawback to this film is the subtitles. I prefer this to dubbing, but I think that some of the humor is lost, having to read them.

Apparently Stephen Chow is second in popularity in China only to Jackie Chan. He has yet to really make a name for himself here in America, but there definately is potential. He writes, directs, stars, and produces this movie, so this movie is definately his. If you are looking for something a little different to see, "Kung Fu Hustle" just may be the movie for you.

The Interpreter ***
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, Jesper Christensen, Yvan Attal, Earl Cameron, George Harris, Hugo Speer, Curtiss I'Cook
Director: Sydney Pollack
Running Length: 2:08
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Silvia Broome (Kidman) is an interpreter for the United Nations. Late one night, when returning to her sound booth to retrieve belongings, she overhears a plot to kill Edmond Zuwanie (Cameron), president of the fictional Africal country of Matobo when he appears at the United Nations to give a speech. Broome is originally from Matobo, and has lost the majority of her family to a landmine. When she overhears the assassination plans, she is spotted, and becomes a target for the assassins too.

Secret Service agents Tobin Keller (Penn) and Dot Woods (Keener) are called in to investigate what Silvia has to say. They are skeptical at first, but given her dislike for Zuwanie, it seems doubtful that she would make the story up. Tobin comes with some baggage himself, having recently lost his family in an accident. They begin to form a bond of sorts, and he takes on the role of her protector.

"The Interpreter" is an entertaining and timely political thriller. Zuwanie is a dictator who started out good, but became corrupted by power. He enforced a purge of his opposition, and killed many innocents in the crossfire.

Kidman and Penn give their usual excellent performances. The story is top notch, providing action, suspense, and even some thought. It is effective because it is grounded in the reality of today's world. It does not cheat or go for an overly happy ending. This is a good, solid movie and well worth checking out.

The Amityville Horror **
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Jesse James, Jimmy Bennett, Chloë Grace Moretz, Rachel Nichols, Philip Baker Hall
Director: Andrew Douglas
Running Length: 1:25
MPAA Classification: R

In 1974, in the town of Amityville, Rondald DeFeo went on a murderous rampage and killed the six other members of his family with a shotgun, shooting them as they slept. In 1975, George (Reynolds) and Kathy Lutz (George) move into the house, not knowing its history. They see a good deal on a big house. The Lutzs move into the house with their three kids, and a few days later, things start to go badly.

George's easygoing ways turn menacing. The daughter, Chelsea, makes an imaginary friend that bears the same name as the DeFeo's murdered daughter. Windows open on their own, voices can be heard, and a priest flees an exorcism attempt.

I had hopes for this movie, but found myself disappointed. There is potential, but in the end, the film does not deliver more than a typical slasher-movie bad guy with axe chase scene. The leads, Reynolds and George, are not engaging, and I never really felt for their characters.

Then, there is the "based on real events" caption. The Lutz's story is generally considered to be fiction these days, and perhaps a little more leeway should have been taken with the story. Better special effects do not make a movie better, story does. Unfortunately, "The Amityville Horror" can be added to the list of forgettable horror movies that have come out this year. And that list is growing quickly...

Fever Pitch ***
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon
Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Running Length: 1:40
MPAA Classification: PG-13

After being hassled by his students on a field trip, school teacher Ben (Fallon) asks out businesswoman Lindsey (Barrymore). She turns him down, not ready for another short-term boyfriend, but then reconsiders, thinking that he se seems so different, and maybe that is what she needs. Their relationship is great for both of them as the winter passes, but come spring, Lindsey finds out that Ben has another mistress -- Red Sox baseball.

Ben is a huge Red Sox fan who attends every home game, and has forever. His fellow season ticket holders that sit around him are like family. And Lindsey begins to wonder what he like more -- the Rex Sox or her.

"Fever Pitch" is an excellent portrayal of the rabid fan. No matter the sport, there are people like Ben. The extremes of his fandom are disturbingly amusing. Add to it the "Curse" of the Red Sox coupled with their winning of the World Series, and you have all the ingredients of a solid sports/romantic comedy.

Barrymore does her usual solid job in the genre she seems destined to excel in. Fallon puts a funny face on the heavy-duty fan. The movie as a whole is enjoyable, and worth seeing. The Farrelly brothers are somewhat restrained in the directors' chairs this time around, and that was a good decision on their parts. "Fever Pitch" is a movie that can be enjoyed by all.

Sahara ***
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penelope Cruz, Lambert Wilson, Glynn Turman, Delroy Lindo, William H. Macy
Director: Breck Eisner
Running Length: 2:07
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt finally comes back to the big screen in the form of Matthew McConaughey. He is a treasure hunter of sorts, working for the National Underwater and Marine Agency, and aided by good friend Al Giordino (Zahn). Dirk has been looking for a lost Civil War boat -- in Africa -- for a while. His boss, Admiral Sandecker (Macy) and Al both think he is crazy, but still he presses on.

Eva Rojas (Cruz) is a doctor for the World Health Organization, looking for the source of a new plague in Africa. Pitt show up in time to save her life, and since they are working in the same area, they decide to team up. Of course, things are more than they initially seem, and soon Pitt finds himself in the position of having to save the world.

"Sahara" stretches the boundaries of believeability, but that is not the movie's fault so much as the source material's. Clive Cussler novels have a tendency for over the top story lines, but that is part of their charm -- much like James Bond movies. "Sahara" the movie is a little lighter in tone than the novel, and perhaps that is why the story seems far-fetched at times.

McConaughey and Zahn convincingly portray life long friends and adventurers, even if they would not seem like the best choice to fill Cussler's characters. Their relationship is the centerpiece of the movie, and it is very funny at times. Cruz is bland as the love interest, and adds little to the movie. Macy is his usual great self as the grumbling Sandecker. "Sahara" is a surprisingly entertaining movie. I had some worries after seeing the trailers, given that I have read all the books, but director Breck Eisner pulls it off.

Unfortunately, the chances for a sequel are slim to none despite the amount of material available from Clive Cussler. During the production of the movie, the producers and Cussler had a falling out over the direction the film was heading and there are lawsuits pending. My recommendation is to enjoy this Dirk Pitt adventure, because it might be the last for a while.

Sin City ***1/2
Cast: Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Jamie King, Brittany Murphy, Benicio Del Toro, Nick Stahl, Elijah Wood, Michael Clarke Duncan
Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino ("special guest director")
Running Length: 2:03
MPAA Classification: R

Hartigan (Willis) is a cop who is on his last case, saving a young girl from the a seriel rapist (Stahl). Marv (Rourke), after finding love in the arms of Goldie (King), wakes up to find her dead. Dwight (Owen) is helping the hookers of Old Town cover up the accidental murder of Rafferty (Del Toro), and preserve the uneasy peace. All three are residents of crime-ridden Sin City.

"Sin City" is the most stylish movie to hit theaters since "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow". "Sin City", however, has much more to offer. Stylish and comic book-y, directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller deliver a film that feels live a graphic novel come to life. Shot in black and white with some reds and yellows thrown in, "Sin City" engages the eyes as well as the mind.

Willis, Rourke, and Owen are the stars in this ensemble cast. Each embodies their characters and drives their respective stories. The standout of the three though, is Rourke. From under a large amount of makeup, Marv's story is the emotional core of the movie. His desire for revenge against the people who took the only good thing in his life away from him is the best of the stories.

"Sin City" is really an amazing piece of work. I hope that more "Sin City" stories make the jump to the big screen, but only under Rodriguez's guidance. One can't halp but feel that he really gets the source material, and has a passion for it. I highly recommend "Sin City".