James Rocchi At The Movies

Bay Area Movie Round Up

(CBS 5) The nights get longer, the weather grows cloudy … and theaters are
jammed with movies, from light comedy to heavy drama. But what films
to spend your time and money on? Here's a brief guide to some of the
films currently playing on Bay Area screens.

The Fountain (3 out of 4 stars)
Director Darren Aronofsky has never been afraid of big topics and big
ideas -- his prior films, Pi and Requiem for a Dream proved that. In
The Fountain, he's got his biggest budget and cast to date, and he's
used both to craft a beautiful, haunting poem of a film, as we follow
couples in the distant past, the present and the far future -- all
played by Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. The Fountain doesn't make a
lot of sense, but it's absolutely gorgeous -- full of unforgettable
images of epic grandeur and quiet beauty. This may be one of the most
beautifully-shot films of 2006; just let it wash over you like a dream
of love, death and memory, and you'll be surprised by where
Aronofsky's vision takes you. …

Volver (3 out of 4 stars)
Penelope Cruz re-teams with director Pedro Almodóvar in this film,
about a Spanish woman dealing with her mother's death and her current
life. Almodóvar's movies tend to capture a very specific feel --
female-centered, family drama -- and Volver is no exception. But Cruz
gives a very strong performance, and the more-of-the-same feel of the
movie doesn't undermine Volver's many pleasures and overall charm. If
you're looking for a beautiful, kind and funny look at the challenges
of family and memory, Volver will prove itself to be a satisfying,
engaging comedy-drama.

Déjà Vu (1 out of 4 stars)
Denzel Washington stars as an ATF agent trying to unravel the
aftermath of a terror attack in New Orleans -- and a murder that may
be the key to cracking the case. The Federal Government shows up with
a top-secret device that might help -- by giving a view into the past.
Directed by Tony Scott (Man on Fire, Top Gun), Déjà Vu has plenty of
effects sequences and a big-money gloss to it, but the plot's silly
meanderings and holes mean it's kind of a bore, and even Washington's
likeablity can't save what's essentially a big, loud mess of an action
film.

10 Items or Less (3 out of 4 stars)
An actor -- unnamed, but he's played by Morgan Freeman, and seems to
have something like Freeman's career and standing -- is driven out to
a discount grocery store in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of
L.A. to research a role for a low-budget film. The film is so low
budget, in fact, that the production assistant who was supposed to
pick him up fails to show -- and Freeman gets a lift and a life lesson
from cashier Paz Vega. Directed by Brad Silberling, 10 Items or Less
is a nice, gentle meditation on the road not traveled -- and Freeman's
charm and cool comedy timing make it a real pleasure.