Film Clips

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG-13) — Simply put, this is an entertaining, epic pirate movie, not seen since the golden days of the swashbuckling classics “Captain Blood” and “The Crimson Pirate.” With plenty of action and adventure — and Johnny Depp as a punch-drunk pirate captain — the plot also manages to mature into a good old-fashioned ghost story. Alderwood, Cinerama (Seattle), Everett, Mountlake, Metro (Seattle), Pacific Place (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed July 11)

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White &Blonde (PG-13) — Spunky Reese Witherspoon returns as the perpetually and perky Elle Woods, the Bel-Air blonde with a penchant for pink and Prada. When she discovers her beloved chihuahua’s birth mother is a test subject for cosmetics, she launches a campaign to ban animal testing that takes her to the drab, fashion challenged halls of Congress. “LBII” closely rivals its predecessor in humor and charm. Alderwood, Edmonds, Everett Mall, Mountlake, Metro (Seattle), Oak Tree (Seattle), Meridian (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed July 4)

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (R) — The female T-X is yet another killer cyborg sent by the omnipotent Skynet to kill John Connor, future leader of the rebellion against the machines. She meets her match in her Terminator forerunner, the antiquated Arnold Schwarzenegger model. T3 is definitely the third best in the Terminator series, but holds its own, likely in anticipation that a fourth installment will exonerate it from its shortcomings. Grand Cinemas (Lynnwood), Everett, Mountlake, Puget Park Drive-In (Everett), Metro (Seattle), Oak Tree (Seattle), Meridian (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed July 4)

Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle (PG-13) — A movie about three highly attractive, often provocatively dressed women whose professional lives are dedicated to unadulterated butt kicking — what more can audiences ask for? A 90-plus minute music video with a terrific soundtrack, it works because of its self-conscious awareness that most of what goes on in the film is ridiculously implausible. Gravity defying stunts and explosions galore are only surpassed by the campy, goofy antics and get-ups of the Angels. Everett, Grand Cinemas (Lynnwood), Mountlake, Metro (Seattle), Meridian (Seattle), Oak Tree (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed June 27)

The Hulk (PG-13) — The big screen debut of Marvel Comics’ genetically maximized hero doesn’t live up to the example of previous Marvel superhero films. Is it an action movie? Is it a cerebral discourse on the limits of scientific inquiry? Is it a love story? Is it a family therapy session? It tries to be all these things, but doesn’t carry any of them off well. Unfortunately, the CGI technology is still not ready to do the Hulk justice either. The big guy might as well be selling canned vegetables with a sidekick named Sprout. Alderwood, Everett Mall, Mountlake, Metro (Seattle), Oak Tree (Seattle), Pacific Place (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed June 20)

Chicago (PG-13) — If you are a fan of Broadway musicals, you’ll love “Chicago.” It is glamorous, has great costumes, finger-snapping song-and-dance scenes, witty banter, and a fine-looking cast (Richard Gere, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones) who are obviously having a good time. If you are not a fan of musicals, Chicago will merely leave you a bit exhausted and glassy-eyed, though still entertained. Crest (Shoreline). (Reviewed Jan. 10)

Finding Nemo (G) — “Nemo” continues Pixar’s imaginative, original approach to storytelling. Set in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the characters this time are the creatures of the sea, colorful characters who possess more humanity than the humans that awkwardly bumble in and out of the plot. And the CGI animation itself is breathtaking: the mesmerizing movement of the ocean, the lush reef garden, the deceptive beauty of jellyfish. A strong story and direction make all the difference too. Everett Mall, Grand Cinemas (Lynnwood), Mountlake, Metro (Seattle), Meridian (Seattle), Oak Tree (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed May 30)

Bruce Almighty (PG-13) — Jim Carrey plays a regular guy who finds himself in an absurd, impossible circumstance — in this case, entrusted with the power of God. At first glance, the premise of “Bruce Almighty” certainly has the potential to offend those who take their religious beliefs seriously. But as the film progresses, it actually shifts from the easy route of sight gags and bathroom humor to the more heady issues of faith, forgiveness and free will — while still remaining funny. Everett, Meridian (Seattle), Woodinville. (Reviewed May 23)

A Mighty Wind (PG-13) — By satirizing a music genre whose popularity peaked 40 years ago, this film winds up breathing some new life into the mostly-forgotten folk scene of the mid-’60s. Director/writer Christopher Guest (“Waiting For Guffman,” “Best In Show”) once again employs his “mockumentary” formula and a cast-ful of his familiar friends — including the stars of “This is Spinal Tap” — to create a film that will amuse some and confuse others. Uptown (Seattle). (Reviewed April 25)