Opening Films

by Inlander Staff


Connie and Carla -- If you've seen the trailer, then you already know that Connie and Carla can best be described as Laverne & amp; Shirley meets Some Like it Hot meets Victor/Victoria. Two Midwestern gals (Toni Collette, Nia Vardalos) with big dreams and little style witness a Mafia killing. On the run in L.A., they go to their first drag show and realize that the best way to disguise their identities is to pose as men... posing as women. Also starring David Duchovny as the baffled, but game, love interest. Rated: PG-13





Kill Bill: Vol. 2 -- Quentin Tarantino completes his masterpiece of a Kung Fu-spaghetti Western hybrid by backtracking through the first installment, then following Uma Thurman's character, the Bride, as she wreaks revenge on those who tried to kill her. Oddly, the second half is comparatively cerebral, with lots more chit-chat between characters (before one of them usually does the other in). But not to worry, there's plentiful sword, gun and flying fists action, an extra large dose of Tarantino's black humor, and a totally satisfying conclusion. Warning: Do not even think about seeing this one if you haven't seen Vol. 1. (ES) Rated R





The Punisher -- Well, they got it right this time, after the misstep of a Dolph Lundgren version 15 years ago. Now Thomas Jane (Boogie Nights) is playing the angst-ridden anti-hero who has lost his family to a murderous crime lord (John Travolta) and reinvents himself as someone who will avenge their death, no matter what the cost. The Marvel Comics flavor that permeates the film is spot-on, and one of the best touches is that the filmmakers have also included some side stories about true friendship and even added in some comic relief and one of cinema's best knockdown brawls. (ES) Rated R





Publication date: 04/15/04