Web MasterA Guy Thing
Paul (Jason Lee) runs into some trouble when he ends up in bed with his fianc‚’s cousin Becky (Julia Stiles) after his bachelor party. Hijinx ensue as he scrambles to cover up the truth. Half-hearted romantic comedy from the writer of “Meet The Parents.”
Cadenza rating: C+ Playing at the Esquire
About Schmidt
Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson), confronted with his wife’s sudden death, decides to travel cross country to stop the marriage of his daughter to a redneck waterbed salesman. Along the way, as he relates his problems to a young African boy he is sponsoring, he begins to understand the consequences of his life.
Cadenza rating: A Playing at the Chase
Adaptation
Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, the screenwriter/director team that brought us Being John Malkvovich, deliver this inventive comedy about the artistic struggles of the screenwriter (Nicholas Cage) trying to adapt a book about orchids to the big screen. This film is simply blooming with original ideas about the process of film-making and the screenwriter’s artistic license.
Cadenza rating: A Playing at the Tivoli
Biker Boys
“The Fast and the Furious” on bikes. If you really want more, a young racer named “Kid” (Derek Luke) wants to take on the legendary “Smoke” (Lawrence Fishburne) and win his coveted helmet. He forms rival gang “the Biker Boyz” to take on Smoke’s “Black Knights.”
(Not yet reviewed) Playing at the Esquire
Catch Me If You Can
True story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leo DiCaprio), a teenage con man who successfully forges checks and impersonates an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer. Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is the FBI man on the case. Excellent entertainment from the master of easily digestible cinema, Steven Spielberg.
Cadenza rating: A- Playing at the Galleria 6
Chicago
Big screen adaptation of the Bob Fosse Broadway production. Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) lands on murderess row, but a sleazy lawyer (Richard Gere) turns her sin into sensation, arousing the jealousy of established star Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Top-notch production and musical numbers make this a Windy City winner.
Cadenza rating: A- Playing at the Hi-Pointe
Darkness Falls
This goofy, self-aware horror flick puts a new spin on an old idea – the tooth fairy – with devilishly scary results. Chaney Kley stars as the local looney who must convince everyone that the things that go bump in the night have a sinister design. Emma Caulfield is the girlfriend with a little brother who sees dead people (and whom no one believes).
Cadenza rating: B+ Playing at the Esquire
National Security
Goofball buddy comedy stars Steve Zahn and Martin Lawrence as lower-level security men who reluctantly team up to uncover a smuggling ring. Dumb humor and racial jokes ensue.
(Not yet reviewed) Playing at the Esquire
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
In this romantic comedy of errors, Andie (Kate Hudson) is sent on a mission by her Glamour-esque magazine to find out the quickest way to drive away a date. Her victim, Benjamin (Matthew McConaughey) is on a different kind of assignment: he must do everything possible to keep a steady relationship with his next girlfriend. Much confusion and irony ensues.
Cadenza rating: B+ Playing at the Galleria 6, Chase Park Plaza
Old School
A trio of twentysomething friends decide to start up their own fraternity, but Mitch (Luke Wilson) decides to have second thoughts when trying to impress divorcee Nicole (Ellen Pompeo). Along for the ride are pals Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank “The Tank” (Will Farrell).
(Not yet reviewed) Playing at the Esquire
Shanghai Knights
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson team up again in this sequel to Shanghai Noon, the movie that blended Wild West locales with kung fu skillz. This time, the duo travels to London to avenge Chan’s father’s death.
(Not yet reviewed) Playing at the Esquire