Movies : November 2006
18 November 2006
Fast Food NationA surprisingly limp adaptation of the nonfiction exposé of the agricultural, cattle-raising, meat-handling, and food-handling practices which combine in our modern chain-restaurant eating experience. Low budget despite its cavalcade of stars and near-stars (Kris Kristofferson, Bruce Willis, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke), there was enough money to make a mistake about what SUV the vice president for marketing for Mickey’s (Greg Kinnear) is driving in Colorado as he investigates why the meat in his sit-down casual dining chain is showing elevated levels of E. Coli. (first it’s an Explorer, then an Expedition, then it’s an Explorer again in the same drive). Seriously bogs down in scenes of earnest college students (including Avril Lavigne) plotting political action, snooze. Did I recognize Wilmer Valderrama, star of the small screen? Not a chance. But Catalina Sandino Moreno from Maria Full of Grace? Absolutely.
112 minutes.
12 November 2006
The QueenA look at the week that Diana died, from the perspective of the queen (Helen Mirren) and the new prime minister as they adjust to new situations. About what you’d expect from a docudrama about the royal family.
103 minutes.
11 November 2006
Flushed Away
A pet rat (Hugh Jackman), used to life in a cage in a posh townhouse in Kensington, finds himself in the sewers under London where a complicated rat society flourishes under the despotic thumb of a boss frog (Ian McKellen). Roddy gets mixed up in the travails of self-sufficient skipper Rita (Kate Winslet, who easily has the best voice) while trying to get home. Aardman’s first all-CGI film tries to stay true to their hand-animated legacy and largely succeeds on the basis of Britishisms, slapstick, singing slugs, and old movie (
Help me!
) humor.
85 minutes.
Entries subject to editing at any time. Last edited on: 19-Nov-2006