Also this issue: Swimming Pool The self-reflexive Swimming Pool brings Franèois Ozon face-to-face with himself. -Sam Adams Levity The solemn Levity finds danger in the past. -Cindy Fuchs Screen Picks -Sam Adams Continuing Shorts Repertory Film Showtimes

July 10-16, 2003

movie shorts

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN

For a movie so seemingly interested in the bedevilments of imperialism, the be-logoed LXG is exasperatingly oblivious to its own love of heroic Victorian whiteness. Based on Alan Moore’s comic book series, the film features an undeniably energetic Sean Connery as Allan Quatermain, but Stephen Norrington’s film, scripted by comic book writer James Robinson, is muddled and blustery. Quatermain is enlisted to save 1899 Europe from world war, instigated by a villain named the Fantom ("How operatic," notes AQ), and teamed with other fictional heroes: Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah); Mina Harker (Peta Wilson), a vampire who has no trouble with mirrors or daylight; the Invisible Man (Tony Curran); Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend); Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde (Jason Flemyng), who looks even less real than Hulk; and, added to the comic’s roster, apparently for U.S. consumption, Tom Sawyer (Shane West). Seductions and betrayals ensue, along with unimpressive CGI, too many crowd shots, and some befuddling action sequences (where it becomes hard to tell who’s who or why you would care). Still, the worst offenses concern a tiresome father-son relationship and a very Magical Negro, in Africa no less. --Cindy Fuchs (AMC Orleans; Ritz 16; UA 69th St.; UA Cheltenham; UA Grant; UA Riverview)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

Gore Verbinski’s surprisingly sharp movie-based-on-a-theme-park-ride features high-seas thrills, gorgeous visual designs, a feisty, well-born maiden (Keira Knightley), a working-class hero (Orlando Bloom as a noble blacksmith, channeling Errol Flynn via stylish facial hair) and a dastardly villain (Geoffrey Rush), complete with a terrifically realized zombie crew (who only reveal their skeletal undeadness in the moonlight, allowing for stunning effects as they swashbuckle in and out of shafts of light). Even amid all this good fun, the highlight is Johnny Depp as the wily, cool-eyed, colorfully-scarved Captain Jack Sparrow. Cleverly self-aware and wholly mesmerizing (even in the back of the frame, he draws attention), Jack schemes to recover his ship, the black-sailed Black Pearl, using all sides against one another, depending on who has him in shackles at any given moment. Ever a charismatic master of detail -- the sly smile, the raised eyebrow, the startled stumble -- Depp is lovely here, by turns sensuous, kinetic and salacious. "You seem familiar," he challenges one adversary, with whom he is about to thrust and parry. "Have I threatened you before?" --C.F. (AMC Orleans; Cinemagic; UA 69th St.; UA Cheltenham; UA Grant; UA Main St.; UA Riverview)