The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 32

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A Destiny. OFFICIAL SELECTION Hamptons International Film Festival TOP 20 AUDIENCE AWARD International Documentary Festival Amsterdam MAGAZINE SANTA MONICA Monica (310) 478-3836 Tickets available laemmle.com Fri-Mon: 1:00 3:10 5:20 7:40 10:00 Tue: 1:00 3:10 5:20 Wed Thur: 8:00 10:00 EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS TODAY with DirectorJENNIFER FOX Sunday Monday after the 5:20 7:40 shows He was so far behind, he thought he was in first. CHERI OTERISEAN ASTIN AndTheyreOffMovie.com And ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ARCADIA AMC Santa Anita 16 (888) AMC-4FUN COVINA AMC Covina 30 (888) AMC-4FUN ONTARIO AMC Ontario Mills 30 (888) AMC-4FUN ORANGE AMC 30 at the Block (888) AMC-4FUN STARTS TODAY! CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES OR CALL FOR SHOWTIMES Raucous and vibrant, (Stilyagi) is set in 1955 Moscow, where a group of pre-rock roll young people fight to wear what they want, listen to what they want, dance how they want and live the lives they want with every bit of the same rebellious passion as the music just around the corner. Buying their bright, colorful clothes on the black market, they must try to stay one step ahead of the drab, scissors-wielding government enforcers who look to tone them down and keep them in line.

Director Valery Todorov- sky keeps the film moving by balancing its more serious undercurrents with a liberating sense of fun, buoyed by musical numbers there are musical numbers! big, bold set-pieces around carnivals and jazz clubs and bopping through the streets. Fans of Baz high style should delight in the distinctive production design and close- eyed appreciation for a fine- fabric, well-cut suit and skirt hem that hits just so. The spirited young cast includes the luminous Oksana Akinshina, best known for her title role in Lukas devastating who still lights up the screen like few actresses in the world. The joyous finale tosses aside strict narrative unity for a spirited number that nods to in its salute to punks, hippies, hip- hoppers and virtually every other rebel youth tribe, declaring style conquers all With this rowdy, emotional film, Todorovsky proves the point with utmost sincerity. REVIEW When Soviet Moscow rocked Mark Olsen Herman sumptuous historical epic Jin: The Woman Knight of Mirror veers between preachy and poignant, but the conviction and skill of Huang Yi in the title role helps hold the film together.

Qiu Jin became a national heroine she was an inspirational figure in the toppling of the corrupt Qing dynasty in 1911, paving the way for the Republic of China but her turbulent life recalls the purported Chinese curse, you live in interesting By the time she was born in 1875 to a territorial governor and his wife, China, suffering defeat in the Opium Wars, had made many concessions to Western powers while its own imperial government became increasingly reactionary and tyrannical. Qiu as a child successfully resisted having her feet bound, inherently believed that men and women were equals and became devoted to poetry and martial arts. Her radical feminism propelled her into becoming a leader in the growing anti- Qing resistance. Surpris- ingly, she agreed to an arranged marriage to the scion of a wealthy family who wanted to continue his comfortable existence; he came to accept that his wife was a veritable Joan of Arc. She promoted emancipation and education, other causes and even led charges against government troops.

As the determined Qiu, Huang is able to sustain credibility-straining moments, suchas when she is required to display the kung fu wizardry of a Bruce Lee. Drawn from Erica Li complicated script, is at once substantial and entertaining in capable hands. REVIEW Spirited portrayal gives life to an epic heroine Kevin Thomas MOVIES (Stilyagi) No MPAA rating; in Russian with English subtitles Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes Playing: At the Nuart, West Los Angeles Jin: The Woman Knight of Mirror Rating: No MPAA rating. In Cantonese with English subtitles Running time: 1hour, 55 minutes Playing: At Culver Plaza Theatres, Culver City CMYK.