For complete schedules and mini-reviews see the Movie Times & Reviews and Indie & Rep Film. Rating: NNNNN
Idiocracy
(D: Mike Judge, 84 min)
For the longest time, this was simply called “Untitled Mike Judge Project.” Now, the latest comedy by the smart guy behind TV’s Beavis And Butt-Head, King Of The Hill and the cult fave Office Space is here. Sort of.
Idiocracy arrives with no press screenings and opens in only a handful of North American cities. Sounds like the studio’s dumping it. Weird, because a lot of people have been waiting for this movie. Luke Wilson plays a slacker who takes part in a time-travel experiment (along with Maya Rudolph) that backfires.
The Wicker Man
(D: Neil LaBute, 97 min)
Here’s another oddball entry. The trailers for this remake of the classic 1973 horror film make it look like just another cheesy pic about a spooky small town.
But the cast — Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn, Molly Parker, Frances Conroy — is pretty classy. And so is director Neil LaBute, although he hasn’t made a decent film since Nurse Betty.
Both open Friday (September 1). Screened after press time – see review of The Wicker Man August 31 and Idiocracy on September 5 at www.nowtoronto.com/film.