Intermission: Year-end releases offer variety, something for all

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|bold_on|"Red Planet"|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Directed by: Antony Hoffman|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Starring: Val Kilmer and Carrie-Ann Moss|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Rated: PG-13|ret||ret||tab|

As the year draws to a close, movie releases are coming fast and furious. At this time of year there is literally something available for everyone, even in smaller markets like ours.|ret||ret||tab|

First up this week is the sci-fi action film, "Red Planet." After being disappointed by recent space movies (think "Battlefield Earth" and "Mission to Mars") my hopes were none too high for this film. I came away somewhat pleasantly surprised. While not a classic, "Red Planet" borrows enough plot devices from other films and keeps the special effects interesting enough to please the average science fiction fan.|ret||ret||tab|

It's 2045 and scientists have known since the turn of the millennium that time is just about up for good old Mother Earth. Pollution has finally taken its toll. One major sign is the fact that the frogs (they breathe through their skin making them more susceptible to toxins) have all but disappeared.|ret||ret||tab|

The forward-thinking minds of the previous few decades manipulated the Martian ice caps and then sent up some chunks of algae that, in theory, should have thrived and produced oxygen in the atmosphere of the Mars. The time has come to find out just what's going on up there.|ret||ret||tab|

The mission led by Commander Kate Bowman (Carrie-Ann Moss) and a ragtag group of military and civilian astronauts is reminiscent of the crews from the "Alien" series. For those who think that all robots are cute and cuddly a la R2-D2, director Antony Hoffman throws another sort of "Alien" twist in here when the navigation droid, AMEE, goes into her relentless "search and destroy" mode.|ret||ret||tab|

As usually happens in this kind of film, members of the crew begin dying almost immediately upon arrival, leaving Bowman and one other trying to figure out how to get back home. |ret||ret||tab|

The plot line has some interesting turns that make "Red Planet" a little more cerebral than run-of-the-mill sci-fi. I found it to be entertaining, engaging and well made. If you're a science fiction fan, you'll probably like it as well.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|"East is East"|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Directed by: Damien O'Donnell|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Starring: Om Puri and Linda Bassett|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Rated: R|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

On a completely different note is the English film, "East is East." Om Puri, one of India's best-known actors, stars as George Khan, the patriarch of a Pakistani family struggling to find identity in 1970s-era England. He emigrated from his native land in the 1930s, married an Englishwoman (played magnificently by Linda Bassett) and started a family. Six sons and one daughter later, George is struggling to instill traditional Pakistani and Muslim values into his children who, having been born and raised in England, have little use for them. When George arranges a marriage for his oldest son, the boy leaves the bride (whom he's never met) at the altar, causing much disgrace. To George, the boy no longer exists.|ret||ret||tab|

Not having learned a lesson, George sets about to marry off two more of his sons to the rather homely daughters of a prominent Pakistani family, causing much turmoil as every member of the Khan clan struggles with family ties, emotions and their desires.|ret||ret||tab|

Director Damien O'Donnell does an admirable job translating Pakistani writer Ayub Khan Din's play to the screen. |ret||ret||tab|

"East is East" is officially billed as a comedy, and there are many hilarious moments. Overall, however, it's a fairly serious look at family relationships and a story that will inspire a lot of introspection. It's one of the best films I've seen this year. |ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|(Jim Wunderle works at Associated Video Producers and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.)[[In-content Ad]]