For complete schedules and mini-reviews see the Movie Times & Reviews and Indie & Rep Film. Rating: NNNNN
Four Brothers (directed by John Singleton, 148 min)
The streets of T.O. stand in for Detroit in this testosterone-drenched crime revenge pic, loosely inspired by the 1965 John Wayne film The Sons Of Katie Elder.
Mark Wahlberg , Tyrese Gibson , André Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund play adoptive brothers – two white, two black – who reunite to track down the killer of their good Irish mom, Fionnula Flanagan .
The cast has plenty of urban cred and the film’s been pumped heavily in movie trailers, but considering John Singleton ‘s recent track record (Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious) it’s far from a sure thing. Plus: look at that running time. Two and a half hours is a lot to ask.
The Skeleton Key (directed by Iain Softley, 104 min)
What was the last good film you saw set in Louisiana? Interview With The Vampire? A John Grisham adaptation? Here comes another contender, a supernatural thriller about a hospice worker ( Kate Hudson ) who takes a job as a caretaker on an old plantation. Hudson (Almost Famous) might have a hard time getting our attention, since she’s surrounded by black magic and witchcraft, not to mention notorious scene stealers like John Hurt , Gena Rowlands and Peter Sarsgaard .
Director Iain Softley doesn’t have the best track record (K-PAX, anyone?). The rising talent is clearly screenwriter Ehren Kruger , who wrote The Ring films and the upcoming Terry Gilliam flick The Brothers Grimm.
Supercross (directed by Steve Boyum, 92 min)
Former stuntman and stunt coordinator Steve Boyum is well qualified to direct this film about two brothers intent on winning the Las Vegas Motocross Championships.
Four Brothers and The Skeleton Key open Friday (August 12). Screened after press time – see reviews August 12 at www.nowtoronto.com/film. Supercross opens Wednesday (August 17). For venues and times, see Movies, page 90.
