November 3, 2006

“BABEL” From the makers of “Amores Perros” and “21 Grams,” another volatile but slab-fitted looping of time shifts, intercut stories, destinies linked by term-paper themes and pat devices (guns, language barriers, imperiled innocents). Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directed this bloated editorial, relying on a good cast (best: Cate Blanchett, Adriana Barraza, Rinko Kikuchi) to rescue implausible connections and the Pavlovian grinding on nerves. Scenes scream “Oscar!” like “Fire!” in a theater. (Elliott). Rated R; 2 hr. 22 min.

“BORAT” ½ A mad bonanza of crafty, often vulgar audacity as Sacha Baron Cohen uses his roving Kazakh fool Borat to roast American PC piety, nativism, sexism, kitsch, racism, Jew-baiting, flag-waving, even male nudity. Sort of “Jackass” with brains, it can be loved by anyone with a sense of humor edged on all sides. (Elliott). Rated R; 1 hr. 28 min.

“FLUSHED AWAY” Hectic hybrid of DreamWorks fantasy and the Nick Park 'toon team from London. English rats rollick through a strangely antiseptic sewer, and the French frog villain is Le Frog (such is wit). Cute, fast, generic, often dull, despite slugs singing pop tunes. Voiced by Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Sir Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Bill Nighy, Andy Serkis, among others. (Elliott). Rated PG; 1 hr. 24 min.

“49 UP” Most of the 14 original British kids, first scanned for Michael Apted's “7 Up” on TV, remain in his amazing serial probe of their lives. Middle-age has crept in, with stable comfort and some dullness, and gaunt, troubled Neil Hughes seems finally OK. Devotees will want the new DVD box of the series. (Elliott). Landmark Hillcrest; unrated; 2 hr. 14 min.

“THE GREAT WARMING” Michael Taylor's doc from a 2003 TV special about global warming as the Big Threat. Without Al Gore but with narration by Keanu Reeves and Alanis Morissette, footage from four continents. At United Artists Horton Plaza 14. Unrated; 1 hr. 50 min.

“THE SANTA CLAUSE: ESCAPE CLAUSE” Not reviewed today.

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