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Horton Hears A Who!

21

Blindsight

The Bank Job

Leatherheads

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TRIVIA: Who provided the voice of Horton in the 1970 TV version?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
       (4 CAMS)      RATED G

Horton the Elephant (the voice of Jim Carrey) hears a cry of help coming from a speck of dust - home to the tiny citizens of Whoville. The well-intentioned pachyderm now must struggle to protect his new friends from the disbelieving jungle denizens. Dr. Seuss' "Horton Hears A Who!" is an inventive, often funny full-length animated feature that lives up to the author's classic tale. This version is far superior to the Grinch and Cat In The Hat live-action adaptations. Returning to the cartoon realm was a smart move. Directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino remain true to the story, enhancing the characters and adding sight gags to fill in the gaps. Watch out for those green eggs! The voice cast is perfect. Jim Carrey (remember when he stole Christmas?) is back in Seuss territory as the lovable Horton. This time around he is more restrained, with even a couple of tear-inducing scenes. Steve Carell lends his voice to the Mayor of Whoville, a slightly off-center family man with a heart of gold. As a mother kangaroo determined to undermine Horton, the legendary Carol Burnett hops back to the Hollywood scene as a delightfully wicked villainess. Young and old alike will be entertained by this movie which proves that "a person is a person, no matter how small". While Horton hears a Who, theater owners will hear cash registers ringing.

On CLIPS In April
21

An M.I.T. professor and six students use math to beat the odds in Las Vegas. Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth star in this fact-based movie.

TRIVIA: Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth had the lead roles in which 2004 biopic?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
        (4 CAMS)     RATED PG-13

An M.I.T. professor (Kevin Spacey) and six students use their math skills to count cards and make millions of dollars in Las Vegas. All goes as planned until a security chief (Laurence Fishburne) gets suspicious. "21" is a predictable, but fascinating, look into the high stakes gambling world. Based on Ben Mezrich's bestselling book "Bringing Down The House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions", this true account is elevated to a 4 rating thanks to Kevin Spacey and an energetic cast. Jim Sturgess ("Across The Universe") leads the pack as math genius Ben Campbell who joins the team to further his college goals and get out of financial difficulties. The beautiful Kate Bosworth may look a bit old as student Jill Taylor, but she is believable in the role. Laurence Fishburne gets too little screen time in his brilliant performance as security chief Cole Williams, whose outdated surveillance methods are being replaced by computers. The growing frustration as his career slowly vanishes would make a movie itself. Director Robert Luketic ("Legally Blonde") keeps the pace fairly fast with just enough time for basic character development. There is plenty of dazzling Vegas scenery to almost live up to those star-studded Rat Pack and Clooney "Ocean" epics. But lacking the carefree feel of those previous efforts, "21" may need some luck to beat the odds.

On CLIPS In April
BLINDSIGHT

Six blind Tibetan teens attempt to climb a peak on the northern side of Mount Everest in director Lucy Walker's latest documentary.

TRIVIA: What 2002 documentary about Amish teens was directed by Lucy Walker?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
        (3 CAMS)      RATED PG

Led by blind mountain-climber Erik Weihenmayer, six blind Tibetan teens attempt to climb the Lhakpa-Ri peak of Mt. Everest. Documentary filmmaker Lucy Walker chronicles the expedition and the lives of the brave teenagers. "Blindsight" is an often compelling movie that works best when it focuses on the heartbreaking background of the kids. These children have been nearly abandoned and ostracized in a society that believes blindness is caused by sins in a past life or demonic possession. The climb, whether successful or not, provides a way to prove their worth. Within the narrative of the trek, director Walker also weaves in the stories of climber Weihenmayer and Sabriye Tenberken, a German blind woman who founded a school for the blind in Tibet and Braille Without Borders. The film's biggest problem is the climb itself. Very little is shown of the troubles encountered along the way. There is a lot of sitting around in camp and discussing the events of each day. These scenes slow the movie down considerably. But the visually stunning mountain scenery and the sheer determination of the teenagers is inspirational. A life-affirming theater experience, "Blindsight" is worth seeing.

On CLIPS In April
THE BANK JOB

Jason Statham stars in this true story of a London bank heist that led to a web of corruption and scandal.

TRIVIA: In which movie series, started in 2002, did Jason Statham star as the title character Frank Martin?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
     (4 CAMS)      RATED R

In September 1971, the vault in London's Baker Street bank was robbed. Thieves tunneled in and looted safe deposit boxes of cash, jewelry and incriminating evidence involving British mobsters and the Royal Family. Realizing what they had gotten themselves into, the robbers tried to find a way out of their situation without getting killed. "The Bank Job" is a riveting account of the most scandalous theft in British history. A Government gag order against the press kept the true story from being told for over thirty years. No arrests were ever made and the loot was never recovered. Jason Statham stars as Terry Leather who, with a small group of inexperienced friends, is talked into the robbery by his captivating ex-girlfriend Martine Love (Saffron Burrows). Ms. Love reports to British agent Tim Everett (Richard Lintern), who needs to recover compromising photos of a Royal Family member that are located in the vault. Director Roger Donaldson ("No Way Out") delivers a suspenseful, intelligent depiction of the events that shook the foundation of the British Empire. The cast is impeccable with Jason Statham at his best, creating a complicated and darkly shaded character who alternates between hero and villain. Saffron Burrows is sultry and impossible to ignore. The movie has the atmospheric feel of the early James Bond movies of the 1960s. Deliberate pacing keeps this British venture from looking like a typical Hollywood action fantasy. Certain to be counted among the greatest heist films, "The Bank Job" vaults to the top of my growing 2008 best list.

On CLIPS In April
LEATHERHEADS

The no-rules world of 1920s football is depicted in this romantic comedy directed by and starring George Clooney.

TRIVIA: What was the first movie directed by George Clooney?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
  (3 CAMS)           RATED PG-13

In the early days of 1920s football, Jimmy “Dodge” Connelly (George Clooney) tries to save his nearly bankrupt team by convincing college star/war hero Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to turn pro. Looking to prove that Rutherford is not the hero he claims to be, hot shot reporter Lexie Littleton (Renée Zellweger) follows the team as they gain popularity. And, yes, a love triangle develops. “Leatherheads” is pleasant, but lightweight, thanks to another fine George Clooney performance. The supporting cast just isn’t strong enough and there is very little chemistry between the three leads. As director, George Clooney bounces back and forth between comedy, romance and drama - never landing firmly in any of these categories. At least he captures the look and feel of the 1920s, resulting in a nostalgic homage to filmmakers of the distant past. This is just the type of movie that would have been introduced 20 years ago on a certain cable cinema network by his father Nick Clooney. Even if “Leatherheads” fails, a new movie quote is born - one that is sure to make the all-time favorite lines lists. Mr. Clooney delivers it perfectly, so I won’t spoil the moment by giving it away here. I really wanted to love this film, but I left the theater rather disappointed. Attempting to score with a screwball comedy, director Clooney falls short of his goal.