http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artsandliving/movies/reviews?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsReviewsen-us1514020http://www.washingtonpost.comhttp://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/image/wp_web.gifhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8044-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8044-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Sean Dalyhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8064-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8064-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Stephen Hunterhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6935-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6935-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Desson Thomsonhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6936-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6936-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Michael O'Sullivanhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6938-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6938-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Perhaps it was the solemn responsibility of being the first feature film ever granted permission to use the interior of the United Nations in New York as a key location, but "The Interpreter" translates into a surprisingly ponderous thriller. Teens fascinated by world affairs will find much to chew on, but thrills aren't the main course in this overwritten tale of a U.N. interpreter (Nicole Kidman) who overhears an assassination plot and the Secret Service agent (Sean Penn) who tries to discern whether she's trustworthy. Director Sydney Pollack seems more interested in the quiet, earnest (and occasionally interminable) moments when the characters speak about the mission of the U.N. and the strife in developing African countries. The "thrills" feel like afterthoughts and a strong performance by Penn as a widower burying his grief in work (while Kidman seems stiff and mannered) can't carry the film over its endless talk and bumpy plot holes.]]> Jane Horwitzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8065-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8065-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Ann Hornadayhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6939-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6939-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT "The Game of Their Lives" (PG). Interesting, fact-based sports tale, badly flawed by clumsy writing, directing, painfully earnest, even jingoistic tone, about American soccer team (recruited among amateur club players from St. Louis's Italian neighborhood, East Coast and one Haitian immigrant) that went to Brazil in 1950 to compete in the World Cup and, against all odds, beat the top-rated British team; told in flashback by an aging newspaperman (Patrick Stewart; Terry Kinney as his younger self); exciting match against Brits, followed by touching present-day closer with D.C. United team honoring men of the 1950 team. Mild profanity, ethnic slurs; crude languge; harrowing plane trip; cigars, beer.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6940-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6940-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMTIt could be that director David Anspaugh and Angelo Pizzo (the filmmaking team that made the enjoyable sports films "Hoosiers" and "Rudy") are soccer fans. But judging by this movie, which features Patrick Stewart, Gerard Butler and Wes Bentley, I doubt it. Based on true events, the movie's about the rapidly put-together American team that entered soccer's world cup in 1950 and faced the intimidating English team, containing such greats as Stanley Mortenson and goalkeeper Bert Williams. Against all odds, the Americans prevailed 1-0 in the Brazilian town of Belo Horizonte. But this account makes too Hollywoodish a meal of things. It's cheesy and formulaic, even though the narrative elements (an American team that's socially divided between snooty WASPs and working-class Italian Americans) are potentially interesting. The dialogue and acting are flatter than a punctured ball. And the staging of the soccer action on the field -- surely the primary reason for any soccer fan to watch this -- is uninspired. Locally loved soccer pro John Harkes, who captained D.C. United to two title cups and other glories, has a role in the movie as one of the players. (His hair is dyed some weird color, perhaps to make him look younger.) But aside from watching him pull one or two Harkesian passes and shots, there's almost no reason to sit through this thing. One day someone will make a fine soccer film. This isn't that day. Contains a little trash talking on and off the pitch. Area theaters.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6934-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6934-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMTis Landlady. A chain-smoking harridan (played by Yuen Qiu) in nightie and curlers, she can crack glasses with her screeching harangues and can knock guys out cold with her aerial kicks. At one point, frustrated with her shiftless husband (Yuen Wah), she cold-cocks him -- sending him bouncing off a canopy below and face first on to the ground. Before Landlord can recover, she tosses a clay flower pot onto his head. It breaks, and the solitary white rose tumbles out.]]> Desson Thomsonhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8017-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8017-2005Apr21.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Kathi Wilcoxhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6175-2005Apr20.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6175-2005Apr20.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT John Pancakehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3030-2005Apr19.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3030-2005Apr19.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Ann Hornadayhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64635-2005Apr18.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64635-2005Apr18.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Teresa Wiltzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55162-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55162-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Teresa Wiltzhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55223-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55223-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Sean Dalyhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53132-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53132-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Michael O'Sullivanhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53136-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53136-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT "Robots" (PG). Delightful, witty, inventive computer-animated fable set in a robot world with Fiestaware colors, Rube Goldbergesque designs; young inventor Rodney Copperbottom (voice of Ewan McGregor) leads fellow robots (voices of Robin Williams, Amanda Bynes, Halle Berry, others) in nonviolent revolt against evil robotics executive (Greg Kinnear) who aims to eliminate spare parts and old robots, reversing policy of company founder Bigweld (Mel Brooks). Mild sexual innuendo about making robot babies; flatulence gags; robot pierced with screws wears "Got Screwed" sign; Aunt Fanny robot has huge derriere; hellish underground shop where old 'bots are melted down could scare youngest.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55164-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55164-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Wil Haygoodhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53134-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53134-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Michael O'Sullivanhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55166-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55166-2005Apr14.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/movies/reviewsSat, 23 Apr 2005 4:57:57 GMT Nelson Pressley