THE MAG: Film Review - 'I Am Sam'
'I Am Sam' supplies feel-good superficiality to a potentially interesting custody dilemma
By Loey Lockerby Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is a devoted single father to the beautiful, precocious Lucy (Dakota Fanning). He works hard, pays the bills and spends lots of quality time with his little girl. He also has the mental development of a 7-year-old.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'The Mothman Prophecies'
'Mothman Prophecies' uses true-life event as inspiration for atmospheric thriller
By Loey Lockerby There are two sure-fire ways to make a movie truly scary. One is to create an internal logic that closes in on the audience, building suspense by making everything horrifyingly inevitable. The other is to plunge viewers into a nightmare world, where every dark narrative corner contains some nerve-racking surprise. "The Mothman Prophecies" tries to do both, and never entirely succeeds at either.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Happy Accidents'
By Loey Lockerby Brad Anderson's "Happy Accidents" is sort of a cinematic Frankenstein monster, pieced together from the remains of other movies. There's a touch of "K-PAX, " a bit of "Somewhere in Time," a smidgen of "Memento," and quite a lot of the classic short film "La Jetée." Even with these derivative roots, however, "Happy Accidents" is told with enough cleverness to make it a diverting fantasy.
THE MAG: Cover Story - End of the year film awards
By Loey Lockerby, Dan Lybarger and Jon Niccum The year 2001 didn't offer as many consistent cinematic delights as the movie of the same title. But the odyssey that was this film year had a number of things going for it, like the fact that it was a record-breaker at the box office. Despite all the glut of pay-per-view, DVDs and streaming Internet video, people still found the local theater to be the overwhelmingly preferred choice for entertainment.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'The Royal Tenenbaums'
An eccentric household struggles for acceptance in 'The Royal Tenenbaums'
By Loey Lockerby On the surface, there is nothing realistic about "The Royal Tenenbaums." Everyone in it is some kind of misunderstood genius, riddled with bizarre personality quirks and existing in an inscrutable time period, a "present day" where people routinely use rotary phones and dress like it's 1975. Underneath the deliberate comic strangeness, however, there's a warmth and honesty that make these people more genuine than the inhabitants of most serious dramas.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Ali'
'Ali' offers little insight into motivations of one of history's greatest personalities
By Loey Lockerby This sprawling biopic of Muhammad Ali begins with his 1964 heavyweight championship fight against Sonny Liston and ends with the legendary 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" bout with George Foreman in Zaire.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius'
By Loey Lockerby It's rare to find a movie that appeals to children and adults for exactly the same reasons. There are lots of films where half the material caters exclusively to children and the other half goes over their heads, but there aren't many that actually level the comedic playing field for all ages. "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," the latest big-screen effort from the folks at Nickelodeon, now can join that exclusive club.
THE MAG: Cover story - 'Ring' bearer
Lawrence artist has crucial hand in look of 'The Lord of the Rings'
By Loey Lockerby In 1937, a quiet Oxford University professor named J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book called "The Hobbit," based on stories he had made up for his children about a little fellow who leaves his comfortable home and embarks on a great journey. The book was successful, and his publishers requested a sequel. Nearly two decades later, he obliged with "The Lord of the Rings," a meticulously detailed, three-volume fantasy adventure, this time written for grown-ups.
THE MAG: Film review - 'Not Another Teen Movie'
By Loey Lockerby The most important rule for a good parody is to stay close to the source material. The more accurately you portray your targets, the more likely you are to hit on all the things that made them worthy of ridicule in the first place. Teen movies are especially easy to make fun of, full of people and situations that would never exist in the real world, but still presented as if they crystallize true adolescence.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Behind Enemy Lines'
'Behind Enemy Lines' adds firepower to its familiar action-movie premise
By Loey Lockerby A young maverick, working for a government institution, goes on an unauthorized mission and gets caught in enemy territory. His smart, straight-talking mentor defies his own superiors and mounts a rescue attempt, using everything from the news media to military hardware to achieve his goal.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Out Cold'
Snowboard comedy 'Out Cold' goes downhill fast
By Loey Lockerby "Out Cold" was probably a lot of fun to make. That's evident from the outtakes that play just before the closing credits, showing some amusing improvisation from the cast and several wild snowboarding mishaps.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Black Knight'
Martin Lawrence impersonates a medieval court jester in the rarely funny 'Black Knight'
By Loey Lockerby In "Black Knight," Martin Lawrence plays an amusement park employee who gets transported to Medieval England, where he passes himself off as a court jester (naturally). After watching Lawrence spend several minutes trying to ride an uncooperative horse, the king turns to an aide and says, "He's no longer funny, but he refuses to give up on the joke."
THE MAG: Off to see the wizard
The upcoming launch of 'Harry Potter' provokes childlike anticipation and parental concern
By Loey Lockerby Outside, it's a typical Thursday evening in Lenexa, as suburbanites dart in and out of the strip malls along 87th Street. Inside the Lackman Library, however, it's lesson time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where "Miss Bartholomew" is teaching a class in Muggle Studies to 20 eager pupils. As she extols the accomplishments of ingenious Muggles (those strange humans who don't use magic), the children show a keen interest, raising their hands to answer questions and volunteer for demonstrations.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Shallow Hal'
By Loey Lockerby Could it be that the Farrelly brothers have mellowed? The guys who created "Dumb & Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary" have always given their films a touch of sweetness, but they were mostly about seeing how many ways people could be grossed out. Although "Shallow Hal" still has moments that will make viewers laugh and cover their eyes at the same time, it's a surprisingly gentle, even romantic story about the value of real beauty.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Domestic Disturbance'
By Loey Lockerby What happened to John Travolta?
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Monsters, Inc.'
By Loey Lockerby When "Toy Story" came out in 1995, it was a truly breathtaking achievement, a film that combined state-of-the-art animation with great writing, and appealed to kids and adults in equal measure. Many wondered if its creator, Pixar Animation Studios (working under the Disney aegis), had enough creativity to live up to its initial promise. The success of "A Bug's Life" and "Toy Story 2" put those fears to rest in a hurry.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Mulholland Drive'
By Loey Lockerby After a recent screening of David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive," a young man was describing the film to a friend on his cell phone. "I have no idea what happened," he said. "It was really good." Lynch's fans should have T-shirts with that motto.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'From Hell'
By Loey Lockerby Jack the Ripper may not have been the first serial killer in history, but he was certainly the first serial killer of the media age. His 1888 exploits in London's Whitechapel slums were fodder for tabloid newspapers, making him a legend even while he was still committing his crimes.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Corky Romano'
By Loey Lockerby Chris Kattan is one of those actors who is very funny in moderate doses. When he's doing a "Saturday Night Live" sketch or taking on a small film role, his hyperactive schtick can be just what's needed to perk things up a bit. As his starring role in "Corky Romano" proves, however, watching more than 10 minutes of this guy is like being pummeled by a teddy bear. It's painless and won't do any harm, but you still want it to stop.
THE MAG: Film Review - 'Bandits'
'Bandits' allows cast members to discover the quirky hearts of their characters
By Loey Lockerby The word "quirky" gets used a lot by filmmakers trying to explain their characters. It's supposed to be a compliment, describing charming eccentrics whose behavior defies expectations. Too often, though, it's just code for "annoying weirdoes some hack thought would be funny."
THE MAG: Healthy competition
Eighth annual FilmFest Kansas City celebrates cultural diversity as theme
By Loey Lockerby The number of major film events in the Kansas City area seem to get larger every year. From Halfway to Hollywood to the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the KAN Festival to the Indy Film Showcase, the list goes on and on. One of the biggest and most diverse is FilmFest Kansas City, whose eighth annual installment runs from Oct. 5-11. As usual, it will provide a staggering array of choices for area movie fans.
THE MAG: Film review- 'Training Day'
Star power of Washington and Hawke elevate police drama above grim setting
By Loey Lockerby How do you rid a city of crime while retaining your sense of right and wrong? Can that even be done, or do you have to get as dirty as the people you're dealing with in order to bring them down? These are questions law enforcement personnel must grapple with on a daily basis, and they're central to "Training Day," a gritty new drama that never lives up to its ambitions, but gives it a hell of a try anyway.
Film Review - 'Hearts of Atlantis'
Anthony Hopkins helps to anchor the frivolous fantasy 'Hearts in Atlantis'
By Loey Lockerby Any movie starring Anthony Hopkins should be at least somewhat interesting by default. Hopkins is such a magnetic presence, he automatically elevates everything around him. "Hearts in Atlantis" needs all the help it can get.
Hollywood reshuffle
The film industry rushes to revise upcoming releases in the wake of terrorist incidents
By Loey Lockerby A man watches in horror as his family is killed in a terrorist attack.
Film Review - 'Rock Star'
Mark Wahlberg enjoys rise and fall of overnight 'Rock Star' in truth-based tale
By Loey Lockerby Every kid who ever picked up an electric guitar or a microphone probably dreamed of being like Tim "The Ripper" Owens. The Ohio cover band singer and Judas Priest fanatic was tapped to be the new frontman for his idols when Rob Halford left in the mid-'90s, living out a rags-to-riches fantasy that sounds like it could only happen in the movies.
Film review - 'Jeepers Creepers'
'Jeepers Creepers' provides useful tips on creating offensive, stupid horror films
By Loey Lockerby For anyone unfamiliar with the rules of bad horror movies, writer-director Victor Salva ("Powder") has put together a helpful little primer called "Jeepers Creepers." A brother and sister (Justin Long and Gina Philips) witness a horrific crime while driving through rural Florida, and soon find a demonic killer after them. Their ensuing adventure is a virtual how-to for those intent on using sheer stupidity to live out their worst nightmares.
Film Review - 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion'
'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion' offers an amusing throwback to the golden era of Hollywood
By Loey Lockerby It's about time Woody Allen made a real screwball comedy. He's always shown a fondness for the "golden age" of Hollywood, and his funniest movies strike a balance between cynicism and sentimentality that would make Preston Sturges proud. With "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," Allen comes very close to capturing the spirit of a classic madcap romance, while putting his own unmistakable stamp on the proceedings.
Film Review - 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'
'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' inspires fitting sendoff for geeky franchise characters
By Loey Lockerby Kevin Smith is one of those directors people either adore or despise. His fans happily recite entire passages from his movies on cue (albeit not in polite company), while his detractors think he's a juvenile hack whose work undermines the moral fabric of society.
Film Review - 'Rat Race'
Road comedy 'Rat Race' offers more stars than laughs
By Loey Lockerby No movie should need a credit for an Animatronic Cow Operator. There is simply no legitimate bovine-related activity that should require the use of electronic facsimiles. Especially if that activity involves a hot air balloon and guys squirting each other in the face with, shall we say, extremely fresh milk.
Having a ball
Veteran director Jerry Zucker returns to the comedy 'Rat Race' with latest flick
By Loey Lockerby Jerry Zucker is NOT interested in remaking "Cannonball Run" or "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World." Even though his new movie, "Rat Race," was conceived as a throwback to those star-studded chase comedies, the veteran director-producer had something else in mind entirely when the project came his way.
Film Review - 'The Others'
'The Others' helps usher in a hair-raising return to the artistry of subtle horror
By Loey Lockerby Devotees of Gothic horror have had it rough the past 30 years. Ancient, decaying mansions shrouded in mystery just don't have much appeal to audiences jaded by postmodern humor and gory special effects. Fans of the genre have simply had to be patient, hoping some director would come along and make the screen safe for old, dark houses again.
Film Review - 'The Princess Diaries'
'The Princess Diaries' launches Anne Hathaway as teen star
By Loey Lockerby Director Garry Marshall has a gift for discovering charming young ingenues. In 1990, he made Julia Roberts a superstar by casting her in "Pretty Woman." In 2001, he just might work the same magic for Anne Hathaway, a teen-age beauty whose only other notable credit is the short-lived TV series "Get Real." After this summer, she very well may have her own fairy tale career.
Film Review - 'Planet of the Apes'
Director Tim Burton puts his distinctive dark spin on 'Planet of the Apes' update
By Loey Lockerby This remake of the 1968 sci-fi classic has been kicking around Hollywood for years, with people like James Cameron and Oliver Stone attached to it at one point or another. For a while, it seemed unlikely that the film would ever get produced, which caused many fans of the original to breathe a sigh of relief. Who needed a remake, anyway?
Film Review - 'America's Sweethearts'
'America's Sweethearts' lacks conviction as a romantic comedy or a Hollywood satire
By Loey Lockerby There are few things more frustrating than watching a movie that could have been great. If it was a bad idea to begin with, it's easy to dismiss, but if there are hints of potential in an otherwise mediocre film, it's impossible not to wonder what might have been.
Artificial life
'Final Fantasy' marks a bold step in computer animation
By Loey Lockerby She was on the cover of Maxim magazine and included in Entertainment Weekly's It List. Hollywood talent agencies are clamoring to represent her. She's beautiful, popular and stored on a hard drive.
Film Review - 'Final Fantasy'
Video game adaptation 'Final Fantasy' is a visual masterpiece despite weak script
By Loey Lockerby Video games have come a long way since the days of Pong and Asteroids, when slow-moving, black-and-white blips were considered the height of digital entertainment. Nowadays, they have complicated plots and graphics that make Atari games look as crude as cave paintings, and nearly as old.
Film Review - 'A.I.'
Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick collaboration results in powerful 'A.I.'
By Loey Lockerby Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg. The man who made "A Clockwork Orange" and the man who made "Jurassic Park."
When Harry met Larry
Dan Bucatinsky brings 'All Over the Guy' to the KC Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
By Loey Lockerby When Dan Bucatinsky decided to adapt his play "I Know You Are, But What Am I?" for the screen, he was faced with the dilemma of how to make it stand out in the crowd. It is, after all, a romantic comedy, and there are dozens of those produced every year. So he made a fairly radical decision: He changed the gender of the female lead and made the story about a gay couple. The result, "All Over the Guy," shows just how universal the ups and downs of relationships really are.
Film Review - 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'
By Loey Lockerby For decades, virtually all of Disney's animated features have followed the same formula: A young misfit, longing for a better life, goes through various trials before finally emerging as a true hero. When it works, this formula produces classics that speak to the hopes and dreams of the child in everyone. When it fails, it produces bland retreads that make "Pokémon" look like "Toy Story."
The men from 'Atlantis'
The team behind Disney's newest animated flick deal with the baggage attached to the studio name
By Loey Lockerby "We've made a couple of movies that take place in Fantasyland. Let's turn left at the end of Main Street and make a movie that takes place in Adventureland."
Film Review - 'Panic'
'Panic' puts a fresh twist on the link between killers and psychologists
By Loey Lockerby A criminal, in the throes of an existential crisis, turns to a therapist for help. Sound familiar? With the success of "Analyze This" and "The Sopranos," the pairing of killers and psychologists has almost become passe. With "Panic," writer-director Henry Bromell takes this unoriginal premise and turns it into something truly unique.
Film Review - 'What's the Worst That Would Happen?'
New Danny DeVito and Martin Lawrence flick doesn't live up to its comic premise
By Loey Lockerby First, the good news: "What's the Worst That Could Happen?" doesn't quite live down to its title. Now, the bad news: That's probably the best thing you can say about it.
Film Review - 'Pearl Harbor'
'Pearl Harbor' offers a thrilling action centerpiece but little else of substance
By Loey Lockerby It's difficult not to feel a little sorry for Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. They try so hard to make "Pearl Harbor" into a stirring, emotional epic that you can practically see them sweating just out of camera range during every scene. But these guys make big, dumb action movies like "Armageddon" and "The Rock," and they just don't have it in them to pull off a "Titanic" or "Saving Private Ryan."
Film Review - 'Shrek'
DreamWorks' animated blockbuster 'Shrek' revises rules of classic fairy tales
By Loey Lockerby At the beginning of "Shrek," the title character rips the pages out of a fairy tale book and uses them as toilet paper. That pretty much sums up the whole movie.
Film Review - 'The Mummy Returns'
'The Mummy Returns' proves to be exactly what summer blockbusters are all about
By Loey Lockerby "The Mummy Returns" has non-stop action, one-dimensional characters, fantastic special effects and lame dialogue. In other words, it's a perfect summer movie.
Film Review - 'Driven'
Racing sequences help disguise lack of momentum in 'Driven'
By Loey Lockerby Let's be honest, there's only one reason anyone will go to see this film, and it's not Sylvester Stallone's way with words. It's the cars and, more specifically, the cars crashing into walls and flipping over the landscape at 200 miles per hour. That's what "Driven" is about, and that's what people will pay money to watch. Director Renny Harlin delivers, too, staging race sequences that are as tense and thrilling as a great real-life day at the speedway (or at least a really cool video game).
Film review - 'Josie and the Pussycats'
Update of 'Josie and the Pussycats' makes for a catchy little number
By Loey Lockerby 'N Sync has recorded a cover of "Sailing."
Leary about drugs
Comedian Denis Leary takes over as producer on trafficking epic 'Blow'
By Loey Lockerby Denis Leary doesn't rant. He doesn't swear. He doesn't even talk that much. The guy on the phone from New York City is definitely not "the most pissed-off man in the universe," famous for his take-no-prisoners tirades against, well, everything.
Film Review - 'Blow'
Depp wallows in the highs and lows of the drug trade
By Loey Lockerby Drug-themed movies are all the rage right now, yet it's amazing how different they are. The Oscar-winning "Traffic" is a cerebral, almost documentary-like film, while "Requiem for a Dream" is a subjective plunge into addiction hell. The latest entry, "Blow," is a biography of cocaine smuggler George Jung, and it blends the two approaches, showing the personal costs alongside the big, historic picture.
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