One Gate

Roger Ebert Movie Reviews

I'm Still Here / *** (Unrated)

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. The tragedy of Joaquin Phoenix's self-destruction has been made into "I'm Still Here," a sad and painful documentary that serves little useful purpose other than to pound another nail into the coffin. Here is a gifted actor who apparently by his own decision has brought desolation upon his head. He was serious when he said he would never act again. He was serious when he announced a career as a hip hop artist. He wasn't goofing when he was on the Letterman show. He was flying into pieces.

Bran Nue Dae / **1/2 (PG-13)

"Bran Nue Dae" (PG-13, 85 minutes) An Aboriginal musical from Australia, set in a late hippie era and featuring production numbers with a dash of Bollywood. It isn't a masterpiece, but it is a good-hearted sweet comedy, featuring an overland chase that isn't original but sure is energetic. Two and a half stars

Soul Kitchen / *** (Unrated)

"Soul Kitchen" (99 minutes; Unrated) Zinos Kazantzakis (Adam Bouskoudos) runs an unpretentious little restaurant in a run-down industrial area of Hamburg. The food may be junk (fries and pizza, mostly), but the booze is cheap and the music (the emphasis is on '60s and '70s soul and funk). Director Fatih Akin ("Head-On," "The Edge of Heaven") co-wrote this goofy comedy with its star, his best friend since childhood, based on Bouskoudos's experiences in the food service industry. Lots of familiar gags, but delivered with affection and gusto. Three Stars

Legendary / ** (PG-13)

"Legendary" (107 minutes; rated PG-13). John Cena stars as the former high school wrestling champ big brother of a scrawny kid. It's a wrestling tearjerker, a feel-good Kleenex dispenser of a movie that keeps you supplied with one cliche after another. Two stars.

Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1 / ***1/2 (R)

"Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1" (R, 133 minutes). Continuation of the brutal life of France's most notorious criminal, who survived a 20-year series of bank robberies, kidnappings, prison breaks and murders. Vincent Cassel makes him brutal, ugly, powerful and inscrutable. Winner of French Oscars for best director and actor. Three and a half stars

Mugabe and the White African / *** (Unrated)

"Mugabe and the White African" (Unrated, 90 minutes). The story of Mike Campbell, a white farmer in Zimbabwe, who resists the efforts of the Mugabe regime to take over his farm, and eventually wins his case in an African regional high court. Dramatic, emotional, but raising some questions that go unanswered. Three stars