Movie Guide
New in theaters
Director: Matthew O'Callaghan. With the voices of Drew Barrymore, WIll Ferrell, David Cross. (86 min.)
Because almost all animated films now are computer generated, the 2-D animated "Curious George" has the not-unpleasant patina of an antique. The classic children's books by Margret and H.A. Rey have never before been animated, and director Matthew O'Callaghan and his team have done a respectable job of making something that the kiddies will enjoy and their parents won't sleep through. We get to see how the little monkey meets the Man With the Yellow Hat during an archeological dig in Africa. Their reunion in New York is the film's comic centerpiece. Will Ferrell is the Man and veteran voice actor Frank Walker is credited with the cute monkey sounds. They sounded very real to me. Has anyone actually met this "Frank Walker"? Grade: B
- Peter Rainer
Director: James Wong. With Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman. (115 min.)
Not having seen "Final Destination" (1 or 2), I am perhaps not in the best position to judge "Final Destination 3." On the other hand, I know a stinker when I see one. This is a raucously gory teen thriller about a high school graduation celebration at a local amusement park that goes demonically awry. There was a time when schlock horror movies were the entryway for young talent who had no other way of getting into the business. But there's nothing fresh or off-beat in "Final Destination 3," no talent that is struggling to get out. The only thing struggling to get out was me from the theater. Grade: F
- P.R.
Director: Simon West. With Camilla Belle, Tommy Flanagan. (83 min.)
In this remake of the 1979 thriller, teenager Jill Johnson (Belle), baby-sitting at a remote Colorado mansion, receives ever more disquieting phone calls. They are from a serial killer who taunts his victims before doing them in. Creepy moments and considerable restraint somewhat balance the paucity of originality. Grade: C-
- M.K. Terrell
Sex/Nudity: None. Violence: 12 instances. Language: 1 strong expression, 6 mild. Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: 2 instances of drinking
Director: Ol Parker. With Piper Perabo, Lena Headey. (94 min.)
As Rachel (Perabo) marches down the wedding aisle, she and the florist (Headey) first glimpse each other and it's love at first sight. Rachel goes through with the marriage but soon leaves hubby for the florist. Writer-director Parker wants this romantic comedy to simulate the blinding flash of love he felt on first meeting his wife (they've been together 10 years). But this parable suggests that finding a soul mate is an excuse to break nuptial vows, and it makes adultery (in whatever form) seem positively wholesome. Grade: C
- M.K.T.
Sex/Nudity: 14 instances of innuendo, 2 scenes of implied or overhead sex. Violence: None. Profanity: 31 instances, 4 of them strong. Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: 6 scenes of drinking and/or smoking.
