Opening Films

by Inlander Staff


Around the World in 80 Days -- Based ever so loosely on the classic 1872 novel by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days finds none other than Jackie Chan in the role of Passepartout, a thief and martial arts expert (big surprise) who seeks refuge from the law by teaming up with eccentric inventor Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) for his ambitious trans-global journey. It's a collision course for wackiness featuring a truly odd mix of supporting actors including Kathy Bates, Arnold Schwarzenegger (!), John Cleese, Rob Schneider, and, get this, Luke and Owen Wilson as the Wright Brothers. Rated: PG





Dodgeball -- This looks pretty damn funny. Vince Vaughn (Swingers) and Ben Stiller -- he's certainly made a lot of movies lately -- star in this comedy that elevates the humiliating schoolyard game of dodgeball to mythic heights. When a corporate fitness center moves to town, threatening to put the local gym out of business, the desperate crew from Average Joe's enters a high stakes Las Vegas dodgeball tournament in the hopes of saving their honor and their livelihoods. Stiller (as the fanatical leader of the team from evil fitness chain, Globo Gym) looks like Ted Nugent in black and purple spandex and kneepads. Tagline: "Grab life by the ball." Heh. Rated: PG-13





The Terminal -- A quick visit to New York from the fictional Krakozhia turns into a long-term ordeal for non-English-speaking Viktor (Tom Hanks), who has his passport taken when his country is overthrown in a coup. Airport official Stanley Tucci can't let him leave but doesn't want him there. Viktor cunningly manages to survive within the big International Transit Lounge, and builds up entertaining relationships with workers and regular passersby, including flight attendant Catherine Zeta-Jones, who's having tons of man trouble. A warm, funny film that looks at many sides of the human condition. (ES) Rated PG-13





Publication date: 06/17/04