A more-or-less comprehensive list of what's playing this week in Pasadena.
Caltech users can find out what's showing at Caltech. We also list a couple of cool non-Pasadena theatres and other movie stuff, including the 5 Best... lists.
Let us know if you have any comments or find any errors.
The Birdcage WC
La Cage Aux Folles. Nathan Lane and Robin Williams are the gay guys. Some precious scenes (including the first romantic scene to make me cry in 19 months), but rather less fierce that I'd have liked.
Academy Theatre: 7:00
Cold Comfort Farm ?
Some movie.
Rialto: 2:30 (Sat Sun) 4:45 7:00 9:15
The Craft ?
High School witches.
AMC Old Pasadena: 1:30 4:15 7:30 10:15 12:30
Dead Man Walking WW
Very powerful movie about a nun (Susan Sarandon) counseling a death row inmate (Sean Penn, the best performance of the year) in his last days. Much more a story of spiritual transformation than a death penalty polemic. AV
Academy Theatre: 3:00 7:20
Executive Decision W
Kurt Russell saves us all from terrorists. A good action movie. Steven Seagal is killed off blessedly early. MR
Academy Theatre: 5:10 9:35
Fargo WW
More weirdness from the Coen brothers. The murderous and the mundane mix in Minnesota.
AMC Old Pasadena: 5:10 7:50 10:10 12:30
Flipper ?
Flipper is this dolphin who likes to terrorize sharks.
UA Marketplace: DTS 11:45 2:00 4:30 7:00 9:30 11:50
Heaven's Prisoners ?
Alec Baldwin has to solve this mystery.
Pacific's Hastings: 1:10 4:10 7:10 10:10
UA Marketplace: 1:10 4:15 7:30 10:30
The Horseman on the Roof ?
Some foreign film.
Colorado: 1:45 (Sat Sun Mon) 4:30 7:00 9:30
James and the Giant Peach WC
An adaptation of the psychedelic children's book by Roald Dahl. Some of it is live action, some of it is (impressive) stop-motion, none of it is as charming or entertaining as it should be.
AMC Old Pasadena: 1:00
Leaving Las Vegas WW
Nicholas Cage goes to Vegas to drink himself to death. Some of the best dialogue this year--vicious, double-edged, surreal. Note: this is not a very good date movie.
Academy Theatre: 5:15 9:40
Mission Impossible W
The star is a soulless automaton, the director is a derivative hack, so how good can it be? The answer is, pretty good, if you can look past some moments of really lame dialogue. The plot's nice and brisk (and twisty enough), the special effects are nice and not overused, and it's always fun to watch guys doing spy stuff. Max disagrees.
Mann's Hastings: 10:15 11:15 1:00 2:00 4:00 5:00 7:00 8:00 10:00 10:45
UA Marketplace: THX-DTS 11:00 11:45 1:35 2:30 4:15 5:15 7:00 8:00 9:45 10:45 12:15
Mr. Holland's Opus W
Richard Dreyfuss teaches some kids to play music. I agree with my dad: "Very sappy, but good." Be prepared to "feel good" and to cry.
Academy Theatre: 4:20 9:10
Oliver and Company ?
Several animated pets rock the joint.
Academy Theatre: 2:55 6:05 9:15
Once Upon A Time...When We Were Colored ?
Growing up in the mid-century American South.
Academy Theatre: 3:20 7:35
Primal Fear ?
Richard Gere is a lawyer.
AMC Old Pasadena: 1:40 5:00 8:00 10:50
The Quest W
Jean-Claude Van Damme kicks people. If this sounds appealing to you (and it does to me), then you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, skip it.
Academy Theatre: 5:40 9:30
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Tim Curry stars as the most charismatic transvestite in the history of film. I'm not sure if I recommend this or not. The choice is yours!
Rialto: Saturdays at midnight
Spy Hard ?
Leslie Nielson participates in a spy/action spoof.
Pacific's Hastings: 12:30 1:30 2:30 3:30 4:30 5:30 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30 10:30
UA Marketplace: 11:30 12:30 1:50 2:50 4:00 5:00 6:05 7:15 8:15 9:30 10:20 11:40 12:25
The Substitute ?
A mercenary poses as a high school teacher.
Academy Theatre: 3:05 7:30
Sunset Park ?
This is one of those "tough love" things, where like a no-nonsense adult gets a bunch of rowdy high school guys to reform.
Academy Theatre: 3:40 7:30
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate ?
Martin Lawrence is the victim of some obsessed woman.
Academy Theatre: 5:30 9:45
The Truth About Cats And Dogs W
Jeaneane Garofalo and Uma Thurman work together to impersonate the perfect woman. Much as you should not wear a dress shirt without a tie, you should not go to this movie without a date--you'll miss an essential part of the "romantic comedy" experience.
AMC Old Pasadena: 1:50 4:30 7:15 10:00 12:20
Pacific's Hastings: 12:10 2:20 5:00 7:40 9:40
Twister W
Helen Hunt is an appealing tornado scientist who risks life and limb in the relentless pursuit of a data point. OK entertainment; I liked this one better than Jurassic Park. See it on a big screen. RM
AMC Old Pasadena: SDDS 1:15 2:00 2:45 4:00 4:45 5:30 7:00 7:40 8:10 9:45 10:30 11:00 12:30
Pacific's Hastings: 12:00 1:00 2:00 2:40 3:40 4:40 5:20 6:30 7:20 8:00 9:10 10:00 10:40
Welcome to the Dollhouse ?
Some foreign art movie.
Esquire: 1:15 3:20 (Sat Sun Mon) 5:30 7:45 9:50