Rating: NNNNN
New releases
hedwig and the angry inch (2001, Alliance Atlantis), dir. John Cameron Mitchell w/ Mitchell, Michael Pitt. Mitchell transforms himself into Hedwig, a German transsexual rock star who’s hit rock bottom, playing seafood restaurants while her former lover and protégé, Tommy Gnosis (Pitt), sells out arenas singing songs he stole from her. This neo-glam musical is a risky venture with its gender-bending, inherently nasty, drippingly sarcastic heroine singing 70s-style rock and roll. But it all hangs together thanks to Mitchell’s complex turn as the bitter but resilient Hedwig. extras The audio commentary by Mitchell and cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco is OK, but the 85-minute documentary, Whether You Like It Or Not: The Story Of Hedwig, is terrific. Mitchell and musical partner Stephen Trask take us through the evolution of Hedwig, from her first live appearance at a drag night in New York’s Squeezebox club to her starring role off-off-Broadway. Rarely has the genesis of a theatrical creation been so well documented, which makes this a must-have for fans of the movie and live theatre. NNNN
Big-screen rating: NNNN (IR)
rush hour 2 (2001, Alliance Atlantis), dir. Brett Ratner w/ Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker. Chan and Tucker team up once again as the obnoxious police duo battling dense bad guys. The appeal of the series escapes me — Tucker mouths off racist comedy and the acrobatic Chan isn’t allowed to show off. extras Instead of a straight-ahead making-of documentary, mini-docs consisting of behind-the-scenes action and interviews have been inserted at the beginning of each of the film’s chapters. Not very enlightening, and Ratner comes off as an egoist. NN
Big-screen rating: Shameless but hilarious shtick-fu. NNN (CB)
the score (2001, Paramount), dir. Frank Oz w/ Robert De Niro, Edward Norton. De Niro plays a veteran thief who teams up with hotshot Norton to steal a sceptre from the impenetrable Montreal Customs building. A finely wrought character drama that builds into a very effective heist flick. How can you go wrong with three generations of awesome actors thrown together: Norton, De Niro and Marlon Brando? extras The audio commentary by Oz and cinematographer Rob Hahn is great. You’ve never heard such a fascinating discussion about film lighting — seriously. NNNN
Big-screen rating: The film never quite strikes the sparks one hopes for, but Norton has fun playing off De Niro. NNN (JH)
INGRID RANDOJA
the scent of green papaya (1993, Columbia Tri-Star), dir. Tran Anh Hung w/ Tran Nu Yên-Khê, Man San Lu. Tran’s debut is a masterpiece of quiet, detailed observation. It’s the story of a young girl who enters the household of a Saigon family in the 40s. She’s there to serve them, but her unspoiled eye and calm, sure goodness unmask them instead. Point of view is everything here. In fact, the romance plot that gathers as the girl grows proves almost a distraction. You just want to share her appetite for beauty. The Chopin and Debussy don’t hurt either. extras Trailers only. NNNN
CAMERON BAILEY
Also this weekAlso this week
The Mists Of Avalon
Protection
UpcomingUpcoming
December 18
Aimée & Jaguar, Baise-Moi, Moulin Rouge!, Time Regained
December 24
Evolution, Dancing At The Blue Iguana, Two Can Play That Game
