You recall from previous weeks that I’m mostly taking January off from reviewing movies, so there’s not a lot to report.
I do have a review of “Alpha Dog,” though, which I saw at Sundance last year and which is actually quite good. One of the best performers in it? Justin Timberlake. Who knew?
The other three wide releases today are as follows:
“PRIMEVAL” (R for strong graphic violence, brutality, terror, and language). The honor of being the first of HOLLYWOOD’S SHAMEFUL SECRETS (movies not screened for critics) in 2007 goes to this horror film about a news team (including Dominic Purcell and Orlando Jones) searching for a “serial killer” in South Africa. Except the killer isn’t a person, it’s an animal. A big ol’ crocodile, I think, though the trailer is cagey on that point. Admit it, part of you thinks this movie sounds awesome.
“ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES” (1 hr., 42 min.; PG for fantasy action and brief suggestive material). From Luc Besson, crazy French director of “The Fifth Element” and “The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc,” comes this semi-animated fantasy about a little boy who encounters a race of tiny fairy-like creatures. Originally in French, but now dubbed into English by people like Mia Farrow, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Madonna, and … Jimmy Fallon? Reviews are mostly bad: Right now Rotten Tomatoes has it at 25 percent.
“STOMP THE YARD” (PG-13 for a scene of violence, some sexual material and language). Young street dancer from L.A. goes to a predominantly black university in Georgia, where two fraternities recruit him for his mad dancin skillz. Evidently features a lot of street dancing. A LOT. Rotten Tomatoes shows just 27 percent of critics giving it positive reviews.
Today’s podcast can be found at this link right here. May it please your ears.
