Armed only with his mysterious mental connection to the feral minds of studio executives, the Movie Guru reveals just how good or bad this week's new releases will be:

Fahrenheit 9/11 (R)
Oscar-winner Michael Moore’s latest documentary scrutinizes President Bush’s ties to the Saudi royal family, Osama bin Laden, and the events of Sept. 11, 2001. But the controversy began before audiences ever saw the film. Disney refused to let Miramax release it, fearing reprisal from the Bush family. Then it won Best Picture at Cannes and found new distributors in IFC Films and Lion’s Gate, who are releasing the scathing documentary on more than 500 screens nationwide. Now former New York governor Mario Cuomo is petitioning to revoke the film’s R rating given by the MPAA. A.O. Scott of The New York Times calls it Moore’s best film yet. It’ll probably live up to the considerable hype.
Now Showing: Downtown West

The Notebook (PG-13)
An elderly man (James Garner) visits an aging woman (Gena Rowlands) in a nursing home and reads her a story of two young lovers, Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams). After one short summer together, the young couple is separated for 14 years by World War II. Upon returning, Noah finds Allie engaged to be married. Bring the tissues—this one sounds like a real tearjerker. From the novel by Nicholas Sparks, and directed by Nick Cassavettes.
Now Showing: Tinseltown USA, Farragut Towne Square, Knoxville Center

Two Brothers (PG)
Two tigers with polar-opposite personalities are separated soon after birth. One is forced to become a circus performer and the other becomes the companion of the governor’s son. An accident forces the governor to sell his son’s pet tiger to an adventurer (Guy Pearce) who reunites the beastly brothers as opponents in a fighting match. From Jean-Jacques Annaud, creator of The Bear.
Now Showing: Knoxville Center, Farragut Towne Square, Tinseltown USA

White Chicks (PG-13)
Two black F.B.I. agents (Marlon and Shawn Wayans) go undercover as—you guessed it—white chicks to guard and then ultimately rescue two New York hotel heiresses who get abducted by a serial kidnapper. Directed by the stars’ brother, co-writer and fellow In Living Color veteran Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Now Showing: Knoxville Center, Farragut Towne Square, Tinseltown USA, Halls Cinema 7

Don’t Ask Why

For some families, communication disorders are as common as potato salad at holiday gatherings. Pieces of April stars Katie Holmes as April, a 21-year-old former troublemaker who’s making her own way in New York City. Her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has cancer, and the rest of the family attempts to please her, but frequently fails to avoid her critical tongue. On Thanksgiving Day, the family reluctantly agrees to travel to April’s tiny apartment for what could be their mother’s last turkey dinner.

But the half-heartedness with which the family progresses toward the city in their station wagon—as well as the passive-aggressiveness with which April attempts to make a traditional dinner—leads the viewer to wonder exactly why this complicated and painful family gathering is happening at all.

Holmes, cutesy star of WB’s Dawson’s Creek, gains hot pink streaks in her hair, but she’s never quite convincing as a rebellious daughter. Director Peter Hedges (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape) doesn’t show us exactly why the disgruntled April has offered to host Thanksgiving; nobody’s making her do it; in fact, no one even wants her to. Only her father (the wincing Oliver Platt) has even a smidgen of faith that she can pull it off. Perhaps this sense of helplessness reflects the feeling of being propelled to do the right thing, rather than the easy thing. Derek Luke is the film’s bright spot as April’s loving, supportive boyfriend.

Lack of communication also plays a role in Japanese Story, starring Toni Collette. This Australian film by Sue Brooks utilizes Collette’s native accent and home territory; the contrasting scenery of Western Australia—brilliant red dust against bright blue skies—threatens to overwhelm the characters. And the visual is thematically appropriate. As Sandy (Collette) serves as a reluctant tour guide for a Japanese businessman (Gotaro Tsunashima) the two get increasingly caught up in exploring the outback—and each other. But unpredictable nature wins out, spinning Sandy’s expectations farther out of control. Just as she learns to understand—and love— Hiromitsu’s halting English and mysterious motivations, she learns to accept life’s devastating surprises.

—Paige M. Travis

June 24, 2004 * Vol. 14, No. 26
© 2003 Metro Pulse