Metro Pulse Online: Movies, Past &Amp; Future

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:

Alien Vs. Predator (PG-13)
When scientists discover an ancient pyramid in Antarctica, going to the frozen continent becomes even less appealing when they discover an inter-galactic duel of sorts. Two of the biggest science fiction villains of the ‘80s fight to the death on planet Earth. Who will win: Predator with its invisible cloaking or Alien with that mini-me thing inside its mouth? It’d be a sci-fi nerd’s wet dream if Arnold and Sigourney cameo.
Now Showing: Tinseltown USA, West Town Mall, Farragut Towne Square, Halls Cinema 7, Foothills 12, Carmike 10

Control Room (NR)
Arab-American filmmaker Jehane Noujaim (Startup.com) looks inside Arab news agency Al Jazeera’s coverage of the war in Iraq. Interviews with the network’s producers, plus U.S. reporters and politicians attempt to weigh the motives and consequences of the media portrayals of violence in battle.
Now Showing: Downtown West

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Although gawky Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) has graduated from Princeton and matured into a lovely 21-year-old, she isn’t completely prepared to assume the throne when her grandmother Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) announces that, according to Genovia law, Mia has 30 days to choose a husband and accept the crown. Suitors come from around the globe to court her, and Mia ultimately has to choose between Lord Nicholas (Chris Pine) and Duke Andrew (Callum Blue).
Now Showing: Tinseltown USA, West Town Mall, Farragut Towne Square, Halls Cinema 7, Foothills 12, Carmike 10

Seducing Dr. Lewis (NR)
A Montreal plastic surgeon (David Boutin) agrees to practice medicine for a month in the isolated fishing community of Ste. Marie-La Mauderne. The town’s wacky citizens attempt various tricks to tempt him to stay in order to lure a new factory. This winner of the Audience Award at Sundance has been compared to a French Northern Exposure.
Now Showing: Downtown West

Yu-Gi-OH! (PG)
Ancient Egyptians played Shadow Games, an evil card game that summoned mythological creatures. After leading to war and nearly destroying the world, the secrets of the Shadow Games were buried beneath the sand. Now Yugi has unlocked part of the secret and must save the world...with a strange Japanese card game. They’re giving away free trading cards with a ticket to the movie. Hurry, while supplies last!
Now Showing: Tinseltown USA, Farragut Towne Square, Knoxville Center, Halls Cinema 7, Foothills 12, Wynnsong 16

The Way the Wind Blows

You say you want a revolution? Well, you’re not alone. The 2002 documentary The Weather Underground tracks the tumultuous and controversial times of 1970s revolutionaries The Weathermen.

The Weathermen, who take their name from lyrics in the Bob Dylan classic “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” were a radical sect of the Students for a Democratic Society. The group strongly protested the war in Vietnam, among other things, and their ultimate plan was to violently overthrow the U.S. government.

The film weaves a series of recent interviews with scraps of 30-year-old footage from events during the height of The Weathermen’s reign.

The passion and dedication of the radicals is twisted, but certainly inspiring. You find yourself sympathizing with their cause, and start thinking of joining your own guerilla group. Seeing them in present day, you realize that the former members are now articulate, learned academics—they’re your neighbors, not retired revolutionaries. The candid interviews show the members’ remorse and optimism as well as validation for their seemingly forgotten cause.

Protesting the war by any means was the way of the revolution. Shattered windshields and broken storefronts were trademarks of the group, eventually leading to their most violent attacks, bombings. Indiscriminate and aggressive, the group was potent and willing to do anything to draw attention. With the FBI hot on their trail, they were forced into hiding, hence the underground variation on their name.

The documentary is timely, shedding familiar light from a different perspective— from that of the terrorists. Though not viewed as a conventional type of terrorist organization, several members were treated as such after spending time in jail.

This Academy Award-nominated film is an interesting watch. Whether you lived through the war or can only read about it, this film documents a time when revolution was the name of the game.

—Rosemary Nottoli