This Independent Week

Cinema 21
616 N.W. 21st Ave.
503-223-4515

“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” 7, 9:15, Sat.-Sun. 2, 4:30
I went into this film fully thinking that it was “L. Ron: The Smartest Guy in the Room,” yet still found it to be a poignant commentary on Scientology.

Cinemagic
2021 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
503-231-7919

“Dust to Glory” 5:15
Chronicling the most dangerous race in the world – the “Tecate SCORE Baja 1,000,” this film at least matches the intensity of, say, A CROSS-COUNTRY, MADCAP, PEDAL-TO-THE-METAL PURSUIT starring Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuis. Hypothetically, were a film like this to exist, it would no doubt be revolutionary in the world of all-star adventures featuring Ferrari-driving priests, Jackie Chan in a souped-up Subaru, and again, Dom DeLuise. Such a film could also be called “The Cannonball Run.”

“Million-Dollar Baby” 7
If you go to this movie hoping that Hilary Swank will get those vaguely equine looks knocked off her face (as I did), you’ll be terribly disappointed.

“House of Flying Daggers” 9:30
Dorothy, Blanche and Rose each secretly pose nude for a Hungarian sculptor who will unveil the statue at an art show opening at a museum. Meanwhile, Sophia brushes up on practical jokes to get back at a prankster at the senior citizens center.

Clinton St. Theater
2522 S.E. Clinton St.
503-238-8899

“One Missed Call” 7, 9, Sat.-Sun. 4
Another Japanese thriller that uses antiquated technology (VHS, voicemail) to spin a web of sheer antiquated terror.

Guild Theater
829 S.W. Taylor St.

“It’s Impossible to Learn How to Plow by Reading Books” Mon. 7
Though in this relatively quiet film director Richard Linklater is heading in the right direction, he would still do much better to just shut the hell up entirely.

“No Skin Off My Ass” Tues. 7
A deconstruction of gay pornography that can certainly be seen as a precursor to such milestone homocentric achievements such as “Will & Grace” and “Dharma & Greg.”

“The Traveling Super-8 Side Show” Wed. 7
Super-8 filmmaking is best known for pornography, but strangely, none of these selections are. I guess you should probably avoid this.

“Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” Fri.-Sat. 7
It’s official – the Pedro Almodovar Film Festival is eternal.

Hollywood Theater
4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
503-281-4215

“16 Years of Alcohol” Contact theater for showtimes.
Another “Trainspotting.”

“Paper Clips”
A small town in Tennessee celebrates diversity in this moving piece of total make-believe.

“An Evening With Filmmaker/Media Artist Jim Blashfield”
The celebrated Portland-based music video director showcases an overview of his work that includes videos for Tears for Fears, which has always been and always will be a sucky band.

Moreland Theater
6712 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.
503-236-5257

“The Interpreter” 5:30, 8:15
Crappy ol’ Nicole Kidman.

Roseway Theater
7229 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
503-287-8119

“The Interpreter” Fri. 5:30, 8, Sat.-Sun. 3:05, Mon. 5:30, 8
Crappy ol’ Sean Penn

Whitsell Auditorium
1219 S.W. Park Ave.

“The Best of Ottawa 2004” Fri.-Sun. 7
This international festival of animation showcases decidedly un-American shorts, and should therefore be boycotted. Besides, it’s probably too “smart.”