OCR Text |
Show C-9 The Park Record Wed/Thurs/Fri, November 2-4, 2005 VOTE State incentives boost Utah film industry Film production days arc up in Utah by more than 50 percent due to the success of state incentives for the Motion Picture industry. That's according to the latest figures released by the Utah Film Commission, which has recently moved its offices to Council Hall on Capitol Hill as part of restructuring move. The Film Commission is now part of the Utah Office of Tourism, Governor's Office of Economic Development, headed by Leigh von der Esch, the states former Film Commissioner who continues to oversee the Film Commission. "We were up 54 percent from last year in fiscal impact and 53 percent in production days," says Aaron SyTett, the new director of the Utah Film Commission. "We saw a 74 percent increase in the first half of last year in fiscal impact due to the overwhelming success of the Demonstration Motion Picture Incentive Fund." For the past two years, Utah lawmakers have approved a $1 million appropriation to lure film projects to the state. Film production days in the state totaled 1,758 for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2005. The economic impact to the state is $109.5 million, which includes the Sundance Film Festival. That compares with 1,148 production days last year and an economic impact of $83.7 million. Feature films produced in Utah the past year include: World's Fastest Indian, Don't Come Knocking, Buffalo Dream, Spiritual Warriors, Blood Mary, Dead Rail, GQ Figure, Blind Guy, American Gothic, and Life is Ruff. WB's Everwood continues to film its television series here in Utah.,In addition, more than 130 commercials, industrial films and documentaries were shot in the state last year. "It is a fabulous opportunity to have the synergy of tourism and film together in the same office because both agencies promote the state of Utah," says von der Esch. "Aaron is an experienced member of the Film Commission. He will make a great film commissioner since he has many contacts in the film industry in and out of state and he has been part of the team for the past eight years." The combined tourism and film staff now totals about 30 full and part-time employees. For information on tourism i n . Utah, contact the Utah Office of Tourism at 300 N. State St., Salt .Lake City, Utah, 84114, (801) 5381900 or 1-800-UTAHFUN or visit us online at http://traveLutah.gov/. For film related inquiries, call (801) 538-8740 or 1-800-453-8824, or visit our website at http://film.utah.gov/. Zorro sequel slashes with a very dull blade Almost all of the pleasures of this family-friendly adventure come from the fun Banderas and ZetaJones look to be having, brandishing swords and clutching in true backlot style. Which might be a fine outcome, if "Legend" didn't post so many signs (about racism, religious By LISA KENNEDY hypocrisy, classism) that it wants to be as relevant as it is retro. MediaNews Group Wire Service "Legend" begins in 1850. The citJamon is Spanish for ham. Why, you may wonder, do you izens of the California territories, are need to know this if you don't voting on a constitution. And evil is stomping its heavy, anti-democratic already? Because a lot of jamon gets boots. Bigoted robber baron McGivens sliced, diced, sabered and dished out in "The Legend of Zorro," the (Nick Chinlund)- spouts religious sequel to 1998's "The Mask of platitudes while bullying, even soon-to-be MexicanZorro." Antonio Banderas and killing Catherine Zeta-Jones reunite as American owners of property in the Don Alejandro de la Vega and his region. "Legend" opens with McGivens stealing ballot boxes. love, now wife, Elena. With an easy, nearly screwball chemistry these two actors, do a grand job of being not just the film's stars but movie stars in a sparkly, old-fashioned way. (And really, what could be more of a Hollywood throwback than casting Welsh lovely Zeta-Jones as a Hispanic beauty?) 'Saw II:' buzzing cruellty If McGivens is the scarred mug of racial resentment, a shadowy society called the Knights of Aragon flexes the real muscle of oppression. The people need a hero, and Fray Felipe (Julio Oscar Mechoso) tolls the bell for Zorro. Only Zorro is supposed to be hanging up the whip, the bolero and especially the mask for a sensible family life. Then Alejandro breaks his word to Elena. As, their domestic bliss gets roughed up (divorce is how bad things turn between our heroes), Elena is forced into some intrigue of her own. Rufus Sewell plays Armand, a smooth, ignoble land owner and Elena's suitor. You may recall that "The Mask of Zorro" starred Anthony Hopkins as Zorro and Banderas as his pro- Banderas and Zeta-Jones serve, a t two-plus hours, "Legend" feels long-winded. One problem is Sewell is no match for Banderas, which makes Armand a dull foil for Zorro. We never believe in him, never doubt Elena's affections. So why does Alejandro get so worked up? Granted romps like "Legend" rely on the shared wink between the filmmakers and the audience. But having put so much at stake - a marriage, a constitution, the hopes of oppressed people - something should feel in mild danger. A scene in which a farmer and his family are attacked is interesting but lost in the rush to deliver more swordplay. Swash gets buckled, Zs slashed, that much is true. Still, "Legend" doesn't leave much of a mark. Roger Harlan for • CITY COUNCIL The MacQuoids are delighted that Roger Harlan is running again * for City Council. We remember his good work with Park City kids when he directed the Young Life program. We appreciated what Roger did during the nine years he served on City Council. We're going to vote for him again, because we have confidence in Roger. Mac and Ann MacQuotd Screenings will be held in the Jim Santy Auditorium located at 1255 Park Avenue. Call 615-8291 or go to www.parkcityfilmseries.com for reviews and trailers. DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL SCREENING • FREE ONE NIGHT ONLY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 • 7 : 0 0 P.M. Underwritten by . ;: Safari Experts/Tim Lapage and C & S Creative Services THE CONSTANT GARDENER "One of the year's best pictures ... prepare for, a thrilling ride." '\tJz -Peter Travers, By MICHAEL BOOTH MediaNews Group Wire Service "Saw II" is a despicable movie, and I don't use that word lightly. Perhaps I lost any remaining sense of humor at the third or fourth dc-braining, in close-up. "'Saw II," like its predecessor, kills people off jiist to make you look. There is no purpose or reasoning, no redeeming value, very little thought process. The blood flows until you feel like slipping through your seat and joining the dirty gumdrops and spilled popcorn on the theater floor. Of course it doesn't matter how harsh the critics are on a movie like this. "Saw" opened the franchise by putting distraught human beings in the most vile dilemmas possible, then literally demanding they gnaw their own limbs off to escape. It made you feel less human for having watched the whole thing, and it made $55 million from a small budget. Some horror fans will go sec anything. Both "Saw" movies are an assault on the senses, visual exploitation backed by a relentless death-metal sound-track. It's like looking at crime-scene photos with an iPod turned up to 11. Here's the alleged plot: The concept of "Saw" is a psycho-killer with multiple engineering degrees and endless time on his hands. In the original, two men were chained in a barricaded, filthy public toilet; in order to escape, one had to kill the other by a deadline. Between them for decoration lay an apparent corpse who had shot himself in the head. This second dose of joy locks a group of lowlifes in a filthy house. One of them is the son of police detective Eric Mason {Donnie Wahiberg), who must endeavor to find the boy before more horrible things happen. We flash back and forth between this hell house and a warehouse where Mason has discovered the evil mastermind, a terminal cancer patient whose motivation is torturing people so they will better appreciate their lives. He devises death devices like spiked head cages on springs that snap shut if the victim refuses to dig out a key embedded inside one eye. These are noli nice people who thought of all this and carried it put on film, I I Thd levels of disgu; ting invention might'be interestin1 ; if (he plot ^ held up. But none of the victims act" with any spark or reason; the logic of the scheme doesn't hold up, and whenever anything is in doubt, they just pour on more blood. I'd encourage you to stay away just to spare other critics and horrified parents the chance of a "Saw III." But don't worry about me - I refuse to sit through another. tege of humble origins Gone is Hopkins' father figure. The fatherson dynamic- has shifted: Now Alejandro must compete with his alter-ego for his young son's respect. When 10-year-old Joaquin compares his father to the masked man, he finds Dad sorely lacking. No doubt kids will get a kick out of a scene in which Joaquin delivers some Zorro-style justice to an overbearing priest in his history class. While this subplot may make for a better parent-kid trip to the multiplex, it hasn't produced a better movie. It s hardly sporting to slash at a movie that weaves cultural history with family values and heroic action. (There's even a Confederate officer lurking in the background.) Yet for all its cultural ambitions and the scenery devouring joys '. for The Education of 5helby Knox Ralph Fietmes and Rachel Weisx star in this kinetic, tense thriller based on the novel by John le Carre. The film was directed by Fernando Meirelies whose first film, City of God, was a critical and box office success. This time out Meirelies tackles the criminal behavior of a multinational pharmaceutical company testing its products on Africans. Shot in Kenya, the film has the quality of an epic. This is Ralph Fiennes best work since The English Patient and has already created Oscar buzz. Rated R-! 29 min. NOVEMBER 3 , 4 <&? 5 • FRI. <&? SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. • SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. OF SLAMDANCE SPECIAL SCREENING • FREE ONE NIGHT ONLY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 0 • 7 : 0 0 P.M. BROKEN FLOWERS This film from -writer/director Jim Jarmusch was the winner of the Grand Prix Award at this year's Cannes International Film Festival. Bill Murray stars as Don Johnston, a confirmed bachelor, who receives a mysterious unsigned letter from one of his old girlfriends informing him that he has a son who may be looking for him.Johnston, determined to solve the mystery, goes on a road trip to visit his former lovers played by Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone, and Tilda Swinton. The unannounced visits to each of these unique women hold new surprises for Don as he haphazardly confronts both his past and, consequently, his future. Rated R-106 min., ., "Funny,Tender and Generous" -A.O. Scott, The New York Times Underwritten by A flint Decker of Prudential Utah Real Estate NOVEMBER 1 1 , I S & 1 3 • EM. & SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. • SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. A big hit at the past Sundance Film Festival, where Amy Adams won the Special Jury Prize for her performance, June bug centers on [Madeleine (Embeth DavUUz) an art deader from Chicago. While traveling to North Carolina to pursue a local artist for her gallery, she and her husband George (Alessandro Nivola) JUNEBUG extend the trip to include an introduction to his family; a prickly mother, a taciturn father, an angry younger brother, and a very pregnant and innocently garrulous sister-in-law. The film is an engaging corned)' of manners about culture dash between the "sophisticated" big-city professional and her new country relatives. Rated R-107 min. NOVEMBER 1 8 , 1 9 &? 2 0 • FRI. &? SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. "A wist, bittersweet, beautifully acted comedy." -Stephen Holden, New York Times Underwritten by Tressa's Consignment & Design This is an exhilarating documentary on a South-Central Los Angeles dance craze that combines wildly energetic movement with avant-garde athletics. Director LaChapelle has created an eye-popping entertainment.that shows awareness of the social complexities of the individuals and community from which they come. Thisfilmmay have you dancing in the aisles. Rated PG-13-85 min. Underwritten by Envy boutique "A knockout... :} a visual miracle." -Peter Travers; Rolling Stone NOVEMBER 2 5 , 2 6 &? 3 7 • FRI. &? SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. • SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. s i - SU N D A N C I INSTITUTE DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES SPECIAL SCREENING • FREE ONE NIGHT ONLY • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 • 7 : 0 0 P.M. This is an adaptation of the best selling novel of the same name about two young men in the mountains of China in the carry 1970's. They are sent to be "re-educated" ;ind shown the hard work involved in rural life. Tftfcy meet a beautiful and captivating girl who has them taking on an education project of their own. They read'to her from hidden and forbidden novels by Balzac and Flaubert. This lyrical film has a delicacy rarely found in cinema today. N/R-111 min. ; -: i-"-;--"* -FRI. &? SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. • SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. NUTSHELL Balzac and the Chinese Seamstress SOME KIND OF MONSTER] Underwritten by Dolly's Book Store & Melissa Puff Nibley and Frank Normile of REMAX Mountain Properties "A revelation ... leaves you feeling different, enlightened, possibly even improved." DECEMBER 2 , 3 &? 4 BEST -Premiere Magazine SLAMDANCE SPECIAL SCREENING • FREE ONE NIGHT ONLY • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 • 7 : 0 0 P.M. "Powerful and timely." -The New York Times j : 1 Underwritten by Coda Gallery & First American Title CouAitry This epic is about a Vietnamese man born of a Vietnamese mother and a GI father who is forced to seek a new tile in the United States. Filmed in Ho Chi Minh City (present-day Saigon), New York and Texas, the film follows the young man on his odyssey from rural Vietnam in search of his father in Houston. It is a powerful .and emotion-filled depiction of the almost unbelievable trials and tribulations of an illegal immigrant. Newcomer Damiett Nguyen stars with Tim Roth and Nick Nolle. Rated R-125 rain. DECEMBER 9 , 1 0 & 1 1 • FRI. &? SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. • SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. n idealistic cop and a hard-bitten assassin are the subjects of '• i£jthis iinri|a4c thriller The starry raWs place In Antwerp and other •• locales in Eurbpe/rhe good guys arid bad guy^patfjai^iingcrous ' Underwritten by Silver Star D E C B M B E R 1 6 , 17 & 18 weaponry, hard drinks and pliant women, fill the twisted plot.This film is noted for its exceptionally fine performances and careful attention to detail. Rated R-120 min. , "Extraordinary... l one \of the best movies of any sort now playing." -Richard Schickel, . Time Magazine FRI. &? SAT. 8 : 0 0 P.M. • SUN. 6 : 0 0 P.M. Sponsored by: m COPY DEPOTS S U N D A N C E INSTITUTE A TU L'M |