Limited runs and special events: @
— Chicago Filmmakers, (773) 293-1447: Star Spangled To Death – Feb. 28 & 29, Mar. 6, 7.
— Gene Siskel Film Center, (312) 846-2800: Thirteen – A benefit screening and reception for Women in the Director’s Chair with writer/director Catherine Hardwicke. – Mar. 13
In theaters:
Confessions of A Teenage Drama Queen (Disney) – Disney owes an apology to teenage girls everywhere, and to any other audience member unfortunate enough to sit through this misguided and sloppy misrepresentation of adolescent life. Fifteen-year-old drama queen Mary (Lindsay Lohan, who is approaching Hilary Duff status on the annoyance meter) is transplanted from NYC to suburban New Jersey with her single mom Karen (Glenne Headly) and younger twin sisters. She begins to lie to make herself seem more interesting. She begins by changing her name to Lola, which is minor in comparison to what she does in order to get into the farewell concert by Sidarthur, her favorite rock band, and meet the lead singer Stu (Adam Garcia). Lola auditions for and is cast in the lead role in Eliza Rocks, her high school’s updated production of Pygmalion, directed by Miss Baggoli (Carol Kane, a reliable source of comic relief). All the while she strings along sheltered friend Ella (Alison Pill) and prepares to do battle with her nemesis Carla (Megan Fox). Girls deserve better than this garbage, something I would have thought that screenwriter Gail Parent (author of the ’70s comic feminist novel Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living In New York) would believe as well. (F)
Also opening: Against The Ropes (Paramount) – Meg Ryan, on what appears to be a continuous downward spiral, portrays female boxing promoter Jackie Kallen, in this pseudo-biopic inspired by Kallen’s life story.