B5

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

This week's new releases, by Jay Bobbin of Zap2it, are rated on a scale of one to four, with H equivalent to a poor rating and HHHH meaning excellent.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

***

Almost 20 years after his previous escapade, the archaeologist and adventurer returns for more excitement in a fun caper that reunites star Harrison Ford, producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg. In 1957, Indy competes with Russian spies -- with Cate Blanchett playing the chief one -- to find a vital weapon component while helping a youth (Shia LaBeouf) locate his mother, who turns out to be Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen, reprising her "Raiders of the Lost Ark" role). John Hurt, Ray Winstone and an army of scary ants also appear. DVD extras: three "making-of" documentaries; photo galleries.

THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE

**

Minus the religious undercurrents usually contained in their stories, the animated vegetable characters made their way to the big screen again in this adventure. It transports them back to the days when buccaneers ruled the seas, something for which they're partially prepared by the roles they've played in a modern dinner-theatre production. If you're eight or older, this probably isn't for you, but youngsters should be entertained. DVD extras: 10 "making-of" documentaries; extended ending; games; DVD-ROM features.

WAR. INC.

***

John Cusack had a big hand in this satire, not only as its star but also as a co-writer and co-producer. Echoing his role in "Grosse Pointe Blank," he plays an assassin who has second thoughts about his career just as he's hired for a mission in a Middle Eastern country under strong American influence. Much of the film's fun comes from Hilary Duff, who clearly has a blast sending up her image by playing a less-than-squeaky-clean pop star. Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei and Cusack's sister Joan also star.

STUCK

***

Known for such bizarre thrillers as "Re-Animator," director Stuart Gordon stays in the realm of the unusual -- but with more of a realistic touch -- in this seriocomic tale inspired by a true incident. Stephen Rea ("The Crying Game") plays a suddenly homeless man accidentally struck by a car driven by an intoxicated woman (Mena Suvari, "American Beauty"). He's stuck halfway through the windshield, and she panics, prompting her to drive home and put the vehicle in her garage -- with him still trapped in it.

Coming soon:

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Oct. 21

While trying to solve the condition that makes him mean and green, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) faces a similar enemy (Tim Roth).

* Little Screen appears in Life & Times each Friday.