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Show PAGE THURSDAY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 4 1/13 lfc Daily Utah Chronicle Flying High "The Aviator" Miramax Films Directed by Martin Scorsese Written by John Logan Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Ian Holm, Kate Beckinsale and Alan Alda Rated PG-13/168 minutes Released Dec. 25,2005 MMMM Four out offivestars Ben Zalkind ASE Writer Having wasted three hours of life watching the ghastly 2002 disasterpiece "Gangs of New York" (and bearing witness to a mortifying "Shark Tale" cameo), one can't help but wonder what Martin Scorsese is thinking these days. Has this Lilliputian, caterpillar-browed innovator—the mastermind behind such watershed films as "Raging Bull" and "Taxi Driver"—fallen from grace? Should we expect the next Scorsese picture to star Ice Cube? No, thank God. "The Aviator," Scorsese's newest offering, reiterates his directorial eminence, and firmly imprints Leonardo DiCaprio's name into the leaflet of ex-heartthrobs who may now be taken seriously. "The Aviator" chronicles the exploits of eccentric—or more accurately put, occa- The Aviator' places Leo and Marty on top of the world sionally psychotic—billionaire Howard Hughes (played by DiCaprio), from the late 1920s through the 1940s. With this flick, director Scorsese has earned the right to reclaim his throne. "The Aviator" waxes epic, and Scorsese molds its progression like a skilled potter. Thanks to screenwriter John Logan and a stupendous cast, "The Aviator" delicately transfixes the audience for more than three hours—not an easy feat. DiCaprio captures perfectly the impulsivity and charm that characterized Hughes. To give credit where credit is due, DiCaprio's Hughes is nuanced and complicated—cultivated and subtle. Bravo, Leo. For months now, Cate Blanchett's portrayal of feisty Yankee pedant Katherine Hepburn has been hyped and hyped. For those of you who care, she's good. In fact, Blanchett delivers a spot-on Hepburn impression, though in all fairness, she looks nothing like her. Hughes left fingerprints everywhere, from movies ("Hell's Angels") to industrial aviation, to the period's most "You heard me, buff it with taffeta." beautiful women (including Ava Gardner and Kather- an air yard, as Hughes, bel- enough—he needs nervier air ine Hepburn, played by Kate lowing in his strident Texas battles, more cameras, and, as Beckinsale and Blanchett, re- twang, calls for more, more, his accountant keeps remindspectively). MORE! It seems his movie, ing him, mo' money. Two million dollars later "The Aviator" opens on "Hell's Angels," just isn't big PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE AN AGENT-WHO TAKES CARE OF THEM?•• CALL ME FOR A FREE PROTECTION REVIEW. JOHN THOMAS 582-6600 231 SOUTH 1300 EAST (1/2 block off campus) /instate You're in good hands. Allstate Property and Casualty Company, Northbrook, Illinois. © 2000 Allstate Insurance Company tually ended up a recluse living in a Las Vegas hotel room (where he also died). It is unclear whether Hughes' instability was inborn or a result of some ill treatment. , The opening sceneyin which a pre-teen Hughes' mother bathes him with suspicious caresses and exhorts him to spell words like "quarantine," might indicate maternal sexual and emotional abuse. But these notions are merely alluded to. We never do find out why Hughes was the way he was—nor should we necessarily. Hughes' legacy gave (and continues to give) impetus to an astounding, seemingly impossible story. Here is a larger-than-life man who, for better or worse, existed on an inscrutable plane, separate from reality. He had the means to realize his flights of fancy, and to achieve. If you think about it, that's all that distinguishes him from any other mentally ill person. Would he be so enthralling if he had been stable? Not since "Catch Me If You Can"—which incidentally also stars Leo—has a characterdriven quasi-epic gripped so tenaciously. Keep 'em coming, Marty—it will take at least one more to absolve you of "Shark Tale." bzalkind@ chronicle.utah.edu 'My boss' daughter's big, fat, corporate relationship' www.daHyutahchronicIe.comwww.dailyutahchronicle.comwww. dailyutahchronicle.comwww.dailyutahchronicle.comwww.dailyutahchronicle.comwww.dailyutahchronicle.comwww.dailyutah- ••I (evidently, his accountants were good), Hughes premiers what was hitherto the most expensive film ever made. Not quite satisfied with this success, he impetuously founds Hughes Airlines, and immediately begins work on building bold new airplanes, shattering speed records and taking on Pan-American Airlines CEO Juan Trippe (played by Alec Baldwin, who, if "Team America" has taught us anything, is the greatest actor EVER). Hughes continues spending with abandon, funding his whimsical endeavors often when he hasn't the cash to defray the massive cost. Somehow (again, the movie never elucidates), Hughes' man-behind-the-scenes, Noah Dietrich (played by the everdependable John C. Reilly), keeps Hughes' cash-flow at fire-hose capacity. Despite some lady luck (if you can call it that; none of the relationships lasted) and great industrial success, Hughes is continually tormented by a bevy of problems—including, but not limited to, OCD, gerrnophobia and periodic bouts of psychosis. As "The Aviator" progresses, Hughes gradually succumbs to his demons (at one point, he admits to Hepburn that he hears voices). Though the movie never touches on his later years, Hughes even- like that. Almost—but not quite. "In Good Company" tells the timely story of Carter Duryea (Grace), a 26-year-old, whitecollared yuppie who plays the right cards and the right managers, climbing the corporate ladder at Olympic speed. Faster than you can say MMM "AOL-Time Warner," his comThree out offivestars pany merges with another Aaron Allen company (more like, swallows ASE Writer it whole), and Carter slides into the executive ad sales poWhere, oh where, is the persition formerly filled by Dan fect star-vehicle for Topher "Wait, wait, wait-let me get this stralght...Doogie Howser Is replacing Foreman (Dennis Quaid). Grace? With every embar- me?" We watch Dan in the early rassed half-smile, befuddled scenes and see that he's good blink and hilarious under- to the gawky puppy-dog toe- knows charming. He and his at his job—he patiently and statement, he's fast becoming ing the line of stardom? brother Chris made the first tastefully schmoozes his clione of Hollywood's most likeHow about pairing this guy and best "American Pie," and ents, focusing on personal able young actors. up with Cameron Crowe or then managed to make Hugh relationships. His methods He charms the house down James L. Brooks or Woody Al- Grant incredibly likeable and may seem old-fashioned, but in mediocre stuff like "Win a len? Those directors have an surprisingly non-smug in they're effective. Alas, in a Date With Tad Hamilton," and affinity for bringing out the "About a Boy." Paul is on his new corporate world more owns his one scene in the oth- best in their actors (Brooks own now with "Company," interested in numbers and hiterwise awful "Ocean's 12" with made Adam Sandier lovable— and you'd think he and his star, ting quotas, 50-year-old Dan sublime self-parody. I never thought I'd say that). Grace, would be a match made may get left in the dust. But where's that one breakPaul Weitz, writer and di- in heaven—you know, sparks Dan's not too happy about out role that truly gives voice rector of "In Good Company," flying, trumpets blaring, stuff his demotion, and being usurped by a "kid" half his age doesn't help. He asks Carter how much experience he has Specials Daily From in ad sales. "Uh, well, not 4pm to 8pm much." "How much?" "None." Dan smiles on the outside, Mon: Pizza & Pitcher $10 while the little man inside his Tues: $1.50 Drinks brain knocks over furniture, no doubt. Wed: Pizza & Pitcher $10 Carter is clearly in over his Thur: $1.50 Drinks head. Everyone at the office reFri: Fun, Fun, Fun! sents him. He keeps referring 2182 So. Highland Dr Sat: "IT Game Day to everything and everyone as 484-9467 "awesome," like a starry-eyed Must be 21 to enter high school kid. And all that 1 Z T V i , B i gS c r e e n » G r e a t F o o d , B e v e r a g e * extra work takes a toll on his social life (in other words, it's Live Music D.O.A.). Every Saturday Dan, meanwhile, has problems of his own. His wife 4th- Eric Anthony (Marg Helgenberger) anI2th - Dan Weldon nounces she's pregnant. His I8th - Jim Derickson daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson) has been accepted to pricey NYU. It's a good thing Dan has a cushy, well-paying Something Special 932 South Main Street To Make You Feel Special job...oops. Salt Lake City, Utah Every Day! 801-3556401 SEE COMPANY PAGE 5 "In Good Company" Universal Pictures Written and directed by Paul Weitz Starring Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid.and Scarlett Johansson Rated PG-13/109 min Opens Jan. 14,2005 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society announces: $1500 Scholar of Promise Award Full-time undergraduate students with 3.5 GPA or higher may apply See www.sa.utah.edu/phikappa/ or call 581-3490 for application and information Applications due February 1,2005 A Private Club For Members THE GALLIVAN CENTER ice rink January & february ice rink specials skate hours Monday -Thursday noon - 9:00 pm Friday-Saturday noon - ll:OO pm SUNDAY MONDAY noon-7pm 4;3O-9pm Utah Food Bank Day Bring 3 cans of food, receive FREE skate rental. WED TUESDAY 4:30-9pm 4:3O-9pm TUURS 4:30-9pm Family Night Two-fer Tuesday Wild Wednesday Date& Skate One paid adult receives Buy one admission, get one FREE. (S3 skate rental NOT included) Wear your wildest outfit and receive a free t-shirt. Every couple on a date receives one FREE admission. Sunday noon - 7=00 pm admission GALLIVAN ctNrr» 239 S. Main St. SLC, UT 801-535-6117 www.thegallivancenter.com Adults $5.00 Children (under3 FREE) $4-00 Seniors $3.00 one child FREE, (includes $3 skate rental) skate rental Figure Skates Hockey Skates $3-00 $3-50 iB.GrccijTVCo. |
