Friday, Nov. 11, 2005

Millions

Director: Danny Boyle Language: English Currently showing

[See Japan Times movie listings]

With his latest film, director Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting," "Shallow Grave") demonstrates almost as much skill creating a modern fairy tale as he does portraying the nitty-gritty. Damian (Alex Etel) and Anthony (Lewis McGibbon) are two young brothers living with their dad (James Nesbitt) in Manchester. One day, while hanging out in a handmade cardboard hideout by the side of a railway track, £230,000 falls out of the sky. As the British pound is about to be replaced by the new Euro, the cash had been on its way to the incinerator. The change-over will take place in 12 days, so the two brothers must go through the money as quickly as possible. How to go about doing it? (Kaori Shoji)

Into the Blue

Director: John Stockwell Language: English Currently showing

[See Japan Times movie listings]

An action thriller starring Paul Walker as Jared, a fortune hunter, and Jessica Alba as his girlfriend Sam. When Jared and Sam go diving in the Bahamas with another couple, Bryce (Scott Caan) and Amanda (Ashley Scott), they find a downed plane full of cocaine and a legendary Spanish shipwreck. Sam wants nothing to do with illegal goods, but Bryce suggests selling the coke, leading them into real trouble.

The Pacifier

Director: Adam Shankman Language: English Currently showing

[See Japan Times movie listings]

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Kindergarten Cop," but gone real bad, Vin Diesel stars as the hard-edged Navy SEAL Lt. Shane Wolfe, who has a new mission: to baby-sit the five children of a murdered scientist. As every bad guy is after his invention, it is up to Wolfe to protect them. Being a Disney flick, though, a special bond is soon built, adding family drama to adventure comedy.

Was Nutzt die Liebe in Gedanken (Love in Thoughts)

Director: Achim von Borries Language: German, subtitled in Japanese Currently showing

[See Japan Times movie listings]

Based on true events that occurred in Weimar Germany, Borries, the director of "Good Bye Lenin!" retells the story of the "Steglitz Student Tragedy." During the summer of 1927, best friends Gunther, a wealthy, wild romantic, and Paul, a working class poet-wannabe, spend their last holiday together. But their binge drinking and sex-crazed weekend turns into a nightmare after they make a pact to commit suicide if they ever find a true love that could never be repeated.

Saw II

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman Language: English Currently showing

[See Japan Times movie listings]

A sequel to the 2004 hit horror thriller "Saw," "Saw II" stars Donnie Wahlberg and Dina Meyers as Eric and Kerry, detectives searching for "Jigsaw," the game-playing, cancer-ridden bad guy. When apprehended, Jigsaw has started another "game" with Eric's son Daniel and seven other "contestants."

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