Betcha he can’t transform into an Oscar. Optimus Prime kicks some tailpipe in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Weekly Film Listings - June 25 - July 1

OPENING

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - (Capitol/SilverCity/Uni 4/Caprice) Those inter-galactic killing machines are back, to help transform director Michael Bay into an even richer dude (who makes very noisy movies). Starts Wed.

My Sister’s Keeper - (Capitol/SilverCity) Nick Cassavetes directs this weepy drama about a time bomb of a family where one daughter was conceived in order to provide “spare parts” to an older sister suffering from leukemia. Starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine). The hankies sog up starting Fri.

CONTINUING

★★½ Adoration - (Odeon) The latest from Atom Egoyan (Ararat) is a complicated, typically cerebral drama involving a high school student who presents a provocative—but fictional—family history to his fellow students, an act with wide-reaching consequences.

★★★½ Away We Go - (Odeon) Sam Mendes (American Beauty) directs a wry dramedy about an immature but likable couple (The Office’s John Krasinsky and SNL’s Maya Rudolph) who start to grow up when the impending birth of their first child prompts a quirky road trip that’s also an opportunity for writer Dave Egger to stick his satirist’s knife into a host of unlikable characters. See review.

★★★½ Drag Me to Hell - (Odeon) Before Spider-Man, writer-director Sam Raimi was an auteur of horror flicks and he returns to his roots with this ghastly—and hilarious—riff on the old “gypsy curse” trope. Note: leaves Tues., June 30.

★★ The Hangover - (Capitol/SilverCity/Uni 4/Caprice) Las Vegas provides the setting for this wild, energetically vulgar (but rather flat-footed) comedy about four friends on a bachelor bender—unfortunately, when they wake up the next morning there is lots of chaos but no groom. Ooops!

Imagine That - (Odeon) Eddie Murphy seems desperate to continue his long string of turkies with this family-friendly comedy about a failing business executive who finds that the secret to success lies in entering the fantasy world of his 8-year-old daughter.

★★½ Land of the Lost - (Odeon/SilverCity) Will Ferrell plays a wacky scientist who gets sucked into a “time vortex” and ends up in a prehistoric era being pursued by dinosaurs and space aliens. Very silly, but Ferrell is in top form. Ten-year-old boys will be thrilled.

My Life in Ruins - (Odeon) Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) actually heads to Greece for this comedy about a female travel agent who discovers the bittersweet wonder of romance while on tour.

★★ Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian -(Roxy, 7:15pm) Ben Stiller reprises his role as a hapless yet brave security guard, in a noisy and less-than-charming comedy sequel co-starring Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Amy Adams and Eugene Levy.

★★★ The Proposal - (Capitol/SilverCity/Caprice) Sandra Bullock is the bossy boss of office assistant Ryan Reynolds. The fact that they kind of hate each other makes it perfect when they have to get married in order to solve her visa problems—and also keep him employed. This is as flimsy as formulaic romantic comedies get, but the chemistry between Bullock and Reynonlds kinda sizzles (and they’re both good comics). See review.

★★★★ Star Trek - (Odeon/SilverCity) Another “origins” flick, this one showing us younger versions of James Kirk, Spock, and all the other inter-galactic icons who call the USS Enterprise home. Directed by J.J. Abrams (Lost) with humour, pace and a rollicking sense of style: it’s the Magic Flute of space operas!

★★¼ The Taking of Pelham 123 - (Odeon/SilverCity/Uni 4) It’s boring remake time, as Denzel Washington plays a NYC subway manager dragged into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a very bad guy (John Travolta) who will start killing off subway hostages unless his ransom demands are met.

★★½ Terminator: Salvation - (SilverCity) It might be time terminate this reboot of the increasingly tired series about killer cyborgs and an imminent global apocalypse.

★★★½ Up - (Capitol/SilverCity/Uni 4) The latest Pixar triumph is this animated feature about a crusty old geezer who, when faced with the prospect of being forced into a care home, literally floats off into a series of wacky adventures in South America. Not Pixar’s best, but still an admirably original combination of hilarity and heart.

★★★ X-Men Origins: Wolverine - (Roxy, 9pm) The great Hugh Jackman gets a lot of screen time in which to slash with his claws and do other anti-social stuff with a host of other mean-minded mutants.

Year One - (Capitol/SilverCity) Harold Ramis directs Jack Black and Michael Cera in a goofy (and widely reviled) comedy about neolithic slackers who have some crazy adventures.

SCREENINGS

The Aswang Phenomenon - Catch local filmmaker Jordan Clark’s test screening of his new feature-length documentary about the origin, evolution and impact on the Philippines that the Aswang—a creepy mythological creature—has made. This doc is a follow-up to Clark's 2008 VFF fictional feature, Aswang. Feedback welcome! 7 pm THURSDAY at the Bayanihan Community Centre, 1709 Blanshard. Free. aswangmovie.blogspot.com.

Human Rights Docfest - After two days of workshops at UVic, get in on the screenings, 8pm THURSDAY at the Hillside Black Stilt (by donation) and 4pm to 8:30pm FRIDAY at the Metro Studio, 1411 Quadra (tickets $8 at Lyle’s Place). Plus, a 9pm after party at Lucky Bar ($10). 250-686-7084. hrdocfest.com

Movie Monday - screens ★★★★ slum dog millionaire. The latest from Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Millions) is a vibrant and engaging tale about a young man from the slums of Mumbai who becomes a competitor on a game show . . . but is interested in love rather than the huge cash prize. This one’s a charmer! Showtimes are 6:30 pm MONDAYS. 2326 Trent. By donation. 595-FLIC. moviemonday.ca

CINECENTA

Tulpan - (Wed.-Thurs., June 23425: 7:10, 9:15) Fresh from Kazakhstan (via Cannes, where it won a big award) comes this comedy-drama about an earnest camel herder who is having trouble wooing the gal of his dreams. By all reports this is a truly fine film!

★★★¼ Duplicity - (Fri.-Sat., June 26-27: 7:00, 9:25) Clive Owen and Julia Roberts play rival corporate spies (and lovers) in a stylish caper film by Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton).

★★★¼ Monsters vs. Aliens - (Sun.-Mon., June 28-29: 7:00 only) It’s not a classic, but this extravaganza—featuring some cuddly “monsters” that get hauled out of lock-up in order to do battle with a space invader—is fast and funny. With the vocal talents of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Keifer Sutherland and Stephen Colbert. Note: Not in 3D.

★★★ One Week -(Tues.-Wed., June 30-July 1: 7:00, 9:00) This bittersweet Canadian film stars Joshua Jackson as a man who discovers he has a terminal illness and takes off on his motorbike to discover the life hedd been avoiding for too many years.

★★★ Welcome to the Sticks -(Thurs., July 2: 7:00, 9:10) Welcome to the most popular film in French history, a genial comedy about class prejudice.

IMAX

★★★★ Africa: The Serengeti - (10am, 1:00, 4:00, 7:00)

★★½ Journey to Mecca - (11am, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00)

★★★½ Ocean Oasis - (noon, 3:00, 6:00)