The Courier from Waterloo, Iowa • 12

PAGE B4 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009 www.wcfcourier.com THE COURIER COME ALIVE: MOMES -T7 SI 7 I Kit I IP rim w) I I 1 Sii'IuT4 Film adaptation of Watchmen' worth the wait Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" is the second comic book film in a year (the other being "The Dark that has the courage to ask difficult questions and not dole out easy answers. Based on Alan Moore's much beloved graphic novel, "Watchmen" ensures that the material will gain main- li -stream recoimi- review 'Watchmen' Starring: Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goorje, Billy Crudup, Malin Akerman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan Director Zack Snyder Run time: 2 hours, 43 minutes Rated: for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language Now playing at Crossroads, College Square 12 (outof 5) that has enraged some of those familiar with the material while delighting others. As far as this fan is concerned, Snyder has crafted something beautifully idiosyncratic. An adaptation that doesn't entirely succeed at transferring the original text to screen but functions as a pulsating, dazzling work of art on its own. Shakespeare would transmute stories into his plays, and though Snyder is no Shakespeare, there's something inescapably enthrall Earle Haley) is a psychotic vigilante who wanders the streets looking for crooks to brutalize.

Ozymandi-as (Matthew Goode) is an effeminate intellectual who has made billions cashing in on his image. Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), the only one with actual superpowers, is a shimmering blue god who has lost interest in humanity, even the Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman), his girlfriend. And last but perhaps most importantly, there's the Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a psychopathic rapist whose murder sets the plot in motion. It's clearly not your usual big-budget comic book fare, but it's much better.

The characters are captivating and unique, the action bloody and gruesome, the implications deep and demanding of analysis. Moore's complicated, twisted world has been brought to life after more than two decades of attempts, and for this fan it was worth the wait. ing about his effort, warts and all. "Watchmen" is visceral, gory, sexy, cerebral and stirring. Underlining the film is a theme of existential despair about the fate of humanity.

Do we deserve what we bring upon ourselves, in an era in which we're capable of wholesale destruction of our own species? The question plagues the characters of "Watchmen'," a group of costumed heroes in an alternate 1985 that sees Richard Nixon (horribly imitated, one of the film's few serious blunders) as president and the world seemingly minutes away from nuclear annihilation. The murder of one in their ranks sets'off an investigation that reveals a world-altering conspiracy of markedly complicated moral implications. The heroes are an eclectic bunch to say the least. There's Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), an impotent inventor who has retired to pur-poselessness. Rorschach (Jackie James Frazier Come Alive movie reviewer tion, and possibly, adoration.

Disclosure: I have read the graphic novel and consider it the best comic that Contact Frazier atjfrazier57 gmail.com. I've ever picked up. It's a certainty that readers of the graphic novel, like myself, will have a different experience with "Watchmen" than newcomers will. The fairly dense storyline is streamlined in a way Breakneck pace in 'Race to Witch Mountain' pleases kids, adults review 'Race to 4 Witch Mountain' Starring: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Alexander Ludwig, Ciaran Hinds Director: Andy Fickman time: 1 hour, 28 minutes Rated: PG, for sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations and some thematic elements Starts Friday at: Crossroads, College Square (out of 5) mm man and the screenwriters have given us aliens in Vegas getting mixed up with a wacky sci-fi-UFO convention (a Whitley Strieber Communion Bruno beating his way past mobsters and Feds, a dandy trash-the-taxi chase and a train-flying saucer collision all in the first 55 minutes. But when the kids reveal their "mission," the movie puckers up like E.T.'s posterior.

Carla Gugino is a "scientist" trying to share her knowledge of "real" UFOs and is enlisted in the teen plans. Garry Marshall plays a nutty conspiracy theorist (not nearly as nutty as you might hope). But Johnson and the kids, especially the kids, give this heart and urgency. Ludwig Seeker: The Dark is and Robb, of "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Bridge to Terabithia," are utterly convincing as blond aliens. They, don't break character and don't give away the game, even when they think they've accomplished their mission.

"What is "What we came for, Jack Bruno." By ROGER M00RE McClatchy News Service "Race to Witch Mountain" is the first kids' film in ages to have action beats that measure up to Hollywood's grownup action -fare. Inspired by, but not really a remake of, Disney's much milder 1970s children's hit "Escape to Witch Mountain" (based on Alexander Key's novel), this "Witch Mountain" has a lot more in common with "Men in Black," "WarGames," "E.T." and "Close Encounters." In a breathless first hour, we meet the ex-mob "wheel-man" Jack Bruno, played with toothy, kid-friendly sarcasm by Dwaytre "No Longer the Rock" The mob still 'wants him, but he's content to drive a cab in Las Vegas. He'll live to rue that day. That would be the day that two teenagers, Sarah and Seth (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) hop into his taxi for a long, long ride. "We require your transpiration services immediately, Jack Bruno," these odd teens say.

"Head in this general direction, Jack Bruno." "We're being fol- Ai: lowed, Jack Bruno." "We do not appear to have eluded them, Jack Bruno." Bruno is puzzled and perturbed. The black helicopters and black SUVs and men in black overcoats with black sunglasses are after them. Ciaran Hinds is their boss. He knows the kids don't have passports. And once Bruno sees Seth stop an Avalanche a Chevy Avalanche he starts to understand.

Just in time. There's ah alien bounty hunter after something the kids are after. Andy Fickman Game MCT PH0T0 "Race to Witch Mountain" stars, from left, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig and Dwayne Johnson. lets the viewer figure out showcase his wry screen pres- fridge, Jack," Bruno tells himself what's going on as he cranks up ence. There's a hidden passage- before ignoring his own advice, the action and one-liners.

The way inside an abandoned home The air doesn't go out of this movie gallops through chases balloon until the "here's the and still gives' Johnson time to "Don't go in the pimped-out deal" explanatory scene. Fick reel deal Rachel Wood. Source: The Internet Movie Database and Marcus Theatres Web sites. book series. Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Willson, Matthew Goode.

THE WRESTLER A drama centered on retired professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson as he makes his way through the independent circuit, trying to get back in the game for one final showdown with his former rival. Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan 90 E. Bremer Waverly Visit our website at www.waverlypalace.com i.93S2-1318 for Show Hmej Effective Mar. thru Mor 19, 2009 Jamal Malik, who becomes a con-' testant on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a wins and is then suspected of cheating. Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor.

STREET FIGHTER Based on the popular video game, this adaptation focuses on female fighter Chun Li and her quest for justice. Kristin Kreuk, Moon Bloodgood, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough. PG-13 TAKEN A former spy relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who has been forced into the slave trade. Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace. PG-13 WATCHMEN Retired superhero vigilantes investigate the deaths of fellow costumed heroes as the nation sits on the brink of a third World War in this adaptation of Alan Moore's comic FRL: 7:10, WO; SAL: 2:10, 7:10, 9:00 SUM: 2:10 and 7:10 I MON, THRU 7:10 -muss the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life, trying to read the signs of the opposite sex.

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly. PG-13 HOTEL FOR DOGS Two kids secretly take in nine stray dogs at a vacant hotel. Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Don Cheadle. PG THE INTERNATIONAL An Interpol agent attempts to expose a Jilgh-pro-file financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring.

Clive Owen, Naomi Watts. LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang led by a prison escapee unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging to the parents of one of the victims a mother and father who devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics. Garret Dillahunt, Michael Bowen, Joshua Cox, Riki Lindhome. MADEA GOES TO JAIL Mischievous grandma Madea lands in jail, where she meets a variety of mixed-up characters. Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann.

PG-13 MISS MARCH A young man awakens from a four-year coma to hear that his once virginal high-school sweetheart has since become a centerfold in one of the world's most famous men's magazines. Zach Creg-ger, Trevor Moore, Raquel Alessi. PAUL BLART: MALL COP When a shopping mall is overtaken by a gang of organized crooks, it's up to the a mild-mannered security guard to save the day. Kevin James, Keir 0'Donnell, Jayma Mays, Raini Rodriguez. PG PINK PANTHER 2 Inspector Jacques Clouseau teams up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bumbling as he is.

Their mission: Stop a globe-trotting thief who specializes in stealing historical artifacts. Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina. PG PUSH Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does. Dakota Fanning, Colin Ford. PG-13 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN A UFO expert enlists the help of a cabbie to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.

Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig. PG SLUMD0G MILLIONAIRE The story of the life of impoverished Indian teen 1 CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC A college grad lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City where she nurtures her shopping addiction and falls for a wealthy entrepreneur. Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Hitter. PG C0RALINE 2D A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version her life. Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders.

PG FIRED UP The two most popular guys in high school decide to ditch football camp for cheerleader camp. Nicholas D'Agosto, Eric Christian 01-sen, Sarah Roemer, Molly Sims. PG-13 FRIDAY THE 13TH A group of young adults discover a boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, where they soon encounter Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions. Jared Padalecki, -Danielle Panabaker. GRAN TORINO Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her. HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU A group of interconnected, Baltimore-based 20- and 30-somethings navigate their various relationships from A FRL: 7:00, 8:55, 2KW, 7:00, 8:55 lira SUM: ZOO and 7:00 MON. THRU 7O0 MUM FRL: 6:50, 1:50, 6:50, 9.15 1:50 and 650 MON. THRU 6:50 itUM li ill 1 i fill IBS' Crossroads Theatre 319 433-7436 2450 Crourtudj Blvd. College Square Theatre 319 553-7277 4301 Univtraity AwniM Sign-up tor t-maihd Showtlmmt at mtnustbeatm.comspottighx nwiiMia'g" mmt mmmtiMmt am MON.

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