For complete schedules and mini-reviews see the Movie Times & Reviews and Indie & Rep Film. Rating: NNNNN
Visionary sci-fi master Ray Bradbury ‘s work has inspired decades of films, from his classic Fahrenheit 451 – currently being remade by Frank Darabont – to Something Wicked This Way Comes and The Martian Chronicles. Now comes A Sound Of Thunder, based on his short story about a dinosaur hunter ( Edward Burns ) who travels back to prehistoric times and alters the course of history.
Ben Kingsley plays the owner of the time travel safari operation, Catherine McCormack the inventor of the machine.
Renny Harlin was originally signed on as director but took up the reins on the dud Mindhunters instead. In his place is Peter Hyams , an old-school hack with sci-fi credits like Capricorn One and Outland on his resumé.
The Transporter 2 (directed by Louis Leterrier, 88 min)
After Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and The One, Jason Statham has positioned himself as the latest tough-guy action hero, the new millennium’s Van Damme-Segal with more brains and a laconic edge. But it was playing a merciless mercenary in 2002’s The Transporter that really put him on the map. Now he’s back in the sequel, meaner and more determined to transport some goods than ever before.
Opening the week before one of the world’s biggest film festivals isn’t a good commercial move. Then again, this could draw in students who are looking for something to do (besides drinking) during frosh orientation week. Both films open Friday (September 2). Screened after press time – see reviews September 1 at www.nowtoronto.com/film.
