The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 18

Page 8B Friday, June 3, 2005 The Des Moines Register ST DAILY ADVICE DearAbby MOVIE REVIEWS Call her irresponsible, look for better mate Y-V; 4 a I u1j 8 1 Li- L.J 1 Dear Abby: I'm a single man, in my mid-40s, an Air Force Academy graduate and former officer who has never been married. I fell in love with a divorced mother of two who told me while we were dating that for the last 10 years she'd been having an affair with a married man I'll call "Rex." She left her husband because Rex promised he'd leave his wife and marry her, but he reneged so they met twice a week for sex. Rex worked nearby and would stop over during his lunch break. She finally broke it off about six months ago, saying she knew Rex was "no good for her." Subsequently, I gave her a job in my business, and she has turned out to be an excellent employee. She recently confided to me that Rex came over during Easter and they'd had sex.

She said that she didn't "fight it off" when he made his advances. Abby, this woman is extremely bright. She's a wonderful mother to her daughters, a great worker, yet she lives like someone who's still in college and accountable to no one. She says she's not proud of what she does and calls herself "hopeless" after an afternoon of sex with him, but she continues to doit. We no longer date, but I still have strong feelings for her.

Does this make me nuts, too? How can I help her? How can I break the spell he has cast over her? Mind-boggled in Cincinnati Abby says: Help her? Has it occurred to you that this woman may be happy just the way things are? She knows there's no future with this man, but she allows this on-again, off -again affair to continue. Not only that, she has a good job with you, a former beau who makes excuses for her and cuts her lots of slack. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Rather than trying to get her head out of the clouds, how about working on your own? You can't "save" someone who doesn't want to be saved. My advice is to appreciate her for what she is an excellent employee but stop allowing her to dump on you about her personal life.

Start looking for a woman who will recognize you for the great catch you are and reciprocate your feelings. Dear Abby: My daughter, "Allie," was in a terrible car accident five weeks ago. She's still in a rehabilitation center and will be for several more months. The driver of the other car has just died from the injuries she incurred in the accident. Allie was at fault.

She had been drinking. She feels terrible, as one would expect, that she is recovering and the other woman is being buried. Allie would like to send the family a sympathy card. Is this the appropriate? Confused mom Abby Says: In circumstances like this, a card would not be appropriate. At the very least, your daughter should write the family of her victim a letter of abject apology.

And once she has been released from rehab, she should seek help for her alcohol problem and counseling, if necessary, to help her deal with the guilt. 'Ttltinmiin if SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER Just a walkin' down the Street: From left to right are America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel and Blake lively. 'Sisterhood of Traveling Pants' quickly fades and wears thin different directions, they vow to share the Still, the teen audience will Write DearAbby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069.

enjoy the friendship shared by the young women. jeans for the summer. Bridget is 3-inches taller than the rest and Carmen has much bigger hips, but somehow the pair fits all four. Young men, both of the forbidden variety, factor into Lena's and Bridget's summer. Tibby finds a new friend, Bailey (Jenna Boyd), while Carmen hopes to reconnect with a father (Bradley Whitford) who she Your Worth "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" Rating: PG, for thematic elements, some sensuality and language Stars: Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, Jenna Boyd Director: Ken Kwapis Length: 1 hour, 59 minutes Theaters: Century, Copper Creek, Paramount, Sierra, Southridge, Springwood, Wynnsong (Ratings are on a 5-star scale) rarely sees.

"Sisterhood" goes astray for each of the character's soap-opera moments and their resolutions. Some are so manipulative I swore I saw strings up there on the screen, attached to the characters. The screenplay rings true for the most part but still It took awhile to figure out what's stashed in the back pocket of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" little teen-sized pieces of movie cliche. That won't bother the target audience for this adaptation of Ann Brashares' best-selling novel, loved by preteen and teen girls everywhere. But the string of coincidences, predictable endings and manipulation are there for your absorption don't ask me to overlook it.

The thrift-store denim at the center of this chick-bonding flick changes, in various ways, the lives of snarky Tibby (Amber Tamblyn of the late "Joan of shy Lena (Alexis Bledel of "Gilmore Barbie-like Bridget (newcomer Blake Lively) and slightly pudgy Carmen (America Ferrera of "Real Women Have Even though they are heading in Jeffrey Brimr performances, particularly for Tamblyn and Bledel, that speaks volumes about the importance of friendship at every stage of life. That lesson alone is one we would be better off learning, even if this film is confined only to the young fans of Brashares' novels. Register Film Critic Jeffrey Bruner can be reached at (515) 284-8266 or Jbrunerdmreg.com Thank you to the person that found my "grandma" bracelet and left it on the parking meter by my car. I cannot believe I found it. Greenfield woman People need to be careful when driving on 50th Street and Ashworth Road because there are so many geese and ducks crossing there.

West Des Moines woman When is the Valley Junction sign over on Railroad Avenue going to go back up? I miss it. West Des Moines woman Think about what you are about to say. It may be wiser to say nothing. Wrong words can hurt for years. Des Moines man Soon Iowa will be known as the other Vegas.

Central Iowa woman feels false at times. Bailey speaks in heavy philosophy unlikely for a 12-year-old. And Bridget's pursuit of an older man is just plain creepy, as if it was a video for that old song by the Police: "Don't Stand So Close To Me." Yet there's something genuine in the It is discouraging to see how some schools dont manage to support all of their activities equally. Track and Field athlete We got rid of the junk phone calls, now how do we get rid of all of the junk mail? Huxley man If boaters have to pay a bigger fee to use the lakes, shouldn't bikers have to pay a bigger fee to use the trails and bike paths? Ogden man Boys need attention, too. Mothers, do not devote all of your attention to your daughters.

Spend time with your sons and do not be afraid to do guy things, we are not in the 1800s anymore. Clive woman Leave "Peanuts," and take "Jump Start." Ames woman I cannot stand it when people double-park, or park in two spaces. Angry Des Moines woman Dapper drug dealer ices this 'Layer Cake' A 24-hour phone line for anonymous callers. Just leave a message on the recorder. Call (515) 284-8244.

12 "layer Cake" Rating: for strong brutal violence, sexuality, nudity, pervasive language and drug use Stars: Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, Sienna Miller Director: Matthew Vaughn Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes Theater: Fleur (Ratings are on a 5-star scale) Today's Horoscope 'pa ii ii mm yiMMMiM' I limi Mil II Mfc 'JajU eWWWWWgwe'-l IHIIWMBI WWHWJLilHWIWl I 1 1 i fi i 2 I i i tru nil il ii Daniel Craig exudes a James Bond bravado in this thriller. By CHRISTY LEMIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS There's a scene in "Layer Cake" that completely lends credence to the idea that Craig, Daniel Craig, could be the next Bond, James Bond. Craig plays a polite, intelligent, beautifully dressed drug dealer who considers himself a businessman and not a brash, gun-toting thug. He hates firearms and all manner of violence, but finds himself in need of protection, so he seeks help from an associate who has amassed a minor arsenal in his London apartment. As Craig's character tries the handgun on for size whipping around corners, squinting and pointing at imaginary targets in the semi-dark of a quiet hallway it's easy to imagine him stepping into Pierce Bro-snan's shoes and custom tuxedo, beating up an international array of baddies and bedding an international array of babes.

It's a great a-ha moment, one that makes you finally understand why his name has been bandied about alongside those of the better-known Clive Owen and Jude Law. Even if Craig doesn't get the gig, "Layer Cake" should make him a star anyway after years of strong supporting work in films as varied as "Road to Perdition," "Sylvia" and "The Jacket." And deservedly so. He brings a powerfully magnetic George Harris, (left) and Daniel Craig star in this movie about a hugely successful drug dealer who wants out of the business. CREATOR'S SYNDICATE ARIES (March 21 April 19). You're controversial and you wouldn't have it any other way.

Make the attention you're getting work for you by also being a shameless self-promoter. Late in the evening, a loved one brings out another side soft and sweet. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don't have to always spring for dinner or be the one to pay for the tickets. Friends appreciate other kinds of generosity, too like when you listen without judgment.

Tonight, you are entertaining company. GEMINI (May 21 -June 21). You do what you do out of a sense of genuine altruism, but some could wonder what you want in return. Make your intentions clear or, better yet, give anonymously. It's really good for the soul.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The big, complicated world gets rather simple when your domestic life is in order. The keys to family happiness are respect, shared routines and working consistently for a common goal. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).

A minor scandal pumps intrigue into your life not a moment too soon (you thought you'd die of boredom). Offset "wickedness" with good. You have the rare talent of being able to do good without being pious. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22). You're in the habit of letting your head rule over your heart. Flights of fancy are the norm in this season, not the exception. Listen to what your heart has to say, and use your brain to make it happen. LIBRA (Sept.

23-Oct. 23). Not only is dancing a blast, but it's also great for the body and mind. Put on those boogie shoes tonight. Hit the floor at a local club, or you could host your own dance party in the comfort of your living room.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Artistic projects are featured. This is no time to throw everything into the pot.

The more specific and particular you can be, the better your project will turn out. Some even say you are a genius. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

Liberating thoughts: 'There" is no more exciting than "here." You will be exactly as happy "then" as you are "now." No one is better or worse than you. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). That little voice inside you needs a microphone to be heard.

Either turn it up, or turn the outside world down because that voice has something to tell you today that you don't want to miss. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're among the few who do not gauge success by a job title or a bank account.

Your secret? Doing what fulfills you. Your contentment inspires others to seek more gratifying employment opportunities. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There's no shame in wanting less responsibility at work.

You know what you're mentally and emotionally willing to give your employer. Other aspects of your life benefit from a low-key lifestyle. SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER in pinstripe suits aren't so different from the pushers peddling smack to junkies on the street. Vaughn moves with smooth fluidity between characters and story lines, setting up this tale of drugs, schemes and violence, all of which centers on Craig's unnamed antihero. You want to see him get away with all of it with the drug sale, his ill-gotten gains and his life.

That's a testament not only to the script's complexity, but to Craig's mul-tilayered performance. presence to a character who has no name and no back story he's listed in the credits simply as XXXX and provides a wiry, clear-eyed intensity to a thriLer that's high on style. Matthew Vaughn's first crack at directing thematically and visually calls to mind some of the films he's produced, including Guy Ritchie's "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch." Similarly, it also boasts a well-chosen collection of pop and rock hits to punctuate the action, including The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" as leggy, blond Sienna Miller struts down a hotel hallway for an afternoon tryst, and Duran Duran's wistful "Ordinary World" as one veteran criminal gets his long-awaited revenge on another with a brutal beating, followed by a spot of tea. So we're in familiar territory in this world of British gangsters, though in JJ. Connolly's script, which he adapted from his book of the same name, the gentlemen lunching at the club '4 '233 C3SJ3825S.

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