The Battle of Shaker Heights. Efram Potelle and Kyle Rankin. This was the
Project Greenlight winner? A script so generic it initially plays like
Not Another Teen Movie? Don't let Affleck be a judge next year. Kelly (
Holes' Shia LaBeouf, who has a bright future ahead if he wants it) is our Resourceful Virgin Hero Smart-Beyond-His-Years, and in due course we also meet the Stalwart Best Friend (Eldon Henson), the Dopey Parents (Kathleen Quinlan and William Sadler), the Unattainable Blond Hottie (Amy Smart), the Platonic Brunette Friend Our Hero Ignores for Most of the Movie (Shiri Appleby), the Name-Calling Bully (Billy Kay) and the Uptight Teacher (Michael McShane). If one were to add some '80s music to the soundtrack, and a gimmicky plot, this could work on a nostalgia kick, but neither is in play. In fact, there isn't really a plot at all, just a series of vignettes that don't cohere. Kelly's gimmick is that he likes to reenact World War II battles, but we never really learn why, or where his cool vintage Jeep came from. Opens Friday, October 3, at the Plaza Frontenac. (Luke Y. Thompson)
Concert for George. David Leland. Footage for this documentary was filmed during the November 29, 2002, concert at Royal Albert Hall honoring the life and art of "the quiet Beatle," George Harrison. The film features performances of Harrison's songs by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and Ravi Shankar, among others. Also in the film are the members of the Monty Python troupe, all good friends of Harrison's. Tom Hanks joins the Python lads for performances of Harrison's favorite skits and songs. Opens Friday, October 3, at Ronnie's 20 Cine. NR
Out of Time. Carl Franklin. Opens Friday, October 3, at multiple locations. Reviewed this issue.
School of Rock. Richard Linklater. Opens Friday, October 3, at multiple locations. Reviewed this issue.
Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator. Helen Stickler. Opens Friday, October 3, at the Tivoli. Reviewed this issue.
