BARBER'S BEST BETS: "Extraordinary" entertainment ahead

By JOE BARBER

For the News & Messenger

MOVIES

Opening January 29:

"When in Rome" stars Kristin Bell ("Couples Retreat," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall") as a young woman visiting Rome for a relative's wedding. She removes three coins from a fountain legendary for bringing love to those who toss in money. Three men who threw in change find themselves magically falling-for her. Danny DeVito and Josh Duhamel ("Las Vegas") co-star.

"Edge of Darkness" marks Mel Gibson's first starring film role in seven years. He plays a veteran homicide detective looking into the murder of his daughter. He uncovers much more than the quirks of her personal life; he also discovers corporate and government wrongdoing, leading to threats on his life.

In Theaters Now:

Compelling performances by Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser ("The Mummy" series) lifts "Extraordinary Measures" above the typical "disease-of -the-week" film that seem to rules the television networks.

Based on a true story, the film looks at pharmaceutical company executive John Crowley's (Fraser) single-minded struggle to find a cure or therapy for the genetic condition ravaging the bodies and lives of two of his three children, Megan and Patrick.

Known as Pompey's syndrome, the abnormality prevents children from absorbing and using sugars. This causes enlargement of vital organs, such as the heart and lungs. Few children live beyond the age of eight, after spending several years in wheelchairs. Crowley's children with the disease are six and eight.

Pouring over medical journals, Crowley stumbles on the ground breaking enzyme work of Stonehill (Ford.) The problem is Stonehill's not the easiest guy to work with and the university that supports his work does so with a bare-bones budget.

Working with the passion of a man racing against time for a miracle, Crowley quits his job and raises millions to get Stonehill and his team working. Huge business roadblocks, including a difficult choice over merging with a competitor, as well as scientific challenges face them at every turn. Meanwhile, they face the ever-present question of whether all their work will come too late to save Crowley's children.

Director Tom Vaughn and screenwriter Robert Nelson Jackson keep the story's pace on a slow boil, working to avoid the emotional ups and downs this kind of film often lends itself to.

While Fraser tends to underplay his emotions a bit too often to deliver a fully affecting performance, Ford's grumpy old "sawbones" more than makes up for it.

Several of Ford's lines have already become popular on the Internet -- and with good reason. He invests them -- and the movie -- with a passion and edge that lifts it past the familiar turn of television movies. Another asset is the work of the child actors playing the Crowley's afflicted children, in particular, Meredith Droeger as Megan.

Even with its flaws, "Extraordinary Measures" speaks to the heart in a clear, strong voice that moves and affects all but the most hard-hearted and/or cynical viewers. It is definitely worth seeing. MPAA Rating: PG for mild profanity and minor sensual content. Joes Rating: Three (***) Stars.

Also, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson delivers solid family fun in "Tooth Fairy." This whimsical tale of a minor league hockey star, (Johnson) best known for his rough, tooth rattling play, will probably connect better with adults, thanks to good comic turns by Stephen Merchant (from the original "Office") and Billy Crystal. When Johnson's Derek utters one cynical remark too many about believing in dreams and wishes, he's summoned to Fairyland, where the top tooth fair (Julie Andrews) assigns Derek to a week as an actual tooth fair. He can't tell anyone what he's doing and, if he misses an assignment, his punishment will be extended.

The plot is simplistic and fairly easy to figure out before it unfolds, but the easygoing work of the cast, which also includes Ashley Judd, keeps most viewers engaged. Only the smallest of small fries are likely to get antsy with the movie's leisurely pace.

Watching "Tooth Fairy" do its thing is nowhere near as much fun as watching a Disney Pixar effort -- but a good laugh or three can be had here. MPAA Rating: PG for slight rude humor and language, along with sports related action. Joe's Rating: Two (**) Stars,

On DVD:

This week offers another mixed bag of releases. "Zombieland" is bloody good fun; yet another "end-of-the-world" adventure with a sense of dark humor and good performances by Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray as, well, Bill Murray. If you've got a strong stomach and an edgy sense of humor, this is for you.

"More Than A Game" is an intriguing documentary about the relationship between N.B.A. superstar LaBraun James, his high school teammates and their coach. The story goes far beyond life on the courts.

"Adam" is an unusual and affecting story about a young man with a form of autism (Hugh Darcy of "Confessions of a Shopaholic") who falls in love with a neighbor in his apartment building, a lonely young woman just emerging from a bad relationship (Rose Byrne.) This is a romantic comedy/drama for those looking for one that doesn't follow a familiar path.

THEATRE:

The Synetic Theatre Company, long one of the most inventive companies in the region, offers another of its "mute Shakespeare" productions. They'll present "Antony & Cleopatra" on the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Landsburgh stage in downtown Washington. Utilizing dazzling stagecraft, dance and motion, the play opens Jan. 28 and ends Feb. 28.

The Washington Shakespeare Company, based at the Clark Street Playhouse in Arlington, presents "The Miser." This classic tale of greed and its just rewards, opens at Clark Street on Jan. 28 and runs through Feb. 28. As usual, all Saturday matinees are "pay what you can" performances.

Round House Theatre in Bethesda explores questions of race and class in the art world with "Permanent Collection." A new curator of a historic collection discovers six remarkable pieces by African sculptors and wants to display them. He's opposed by the head of the collection's board, who argues its late founder wanted the original collection to remain intact. "Collection" runs at Round House from Jan. 28 to Fib. 28.

CLUBS & CONCERTS:

The Birchmere welcomes singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins on Jan. 29. Comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer performs on the 30th and jazz great David Sanborn takes the stage on the 31st. The Aspen Ensemble visits the Barns at Wolf Trap on the 29th. Cajun music giant Buckwheat Zydeco plays the Barns on Feb. 2. The Patriot Center gets into a country mood with Martina McBride and Trace Adkins on Jan. 31. The State Theatre in Falls Church offers another Monday Movie Night on Feb. 1 with the first "Austin Powers" spy comedy.

Blues Alley in Georgetown welcomes jazz great Roy Ayers for a weekend series of shows from Jan. 28 to the 31st. Latin jazz heats things up with Big Band Caliente on Feb. 2. The DC Improv welcomes former MAD TV cast member Bobby Lee from Jan. 29 to the 31st. Aisha Tyler takes the Improv's stage from Feb. 3 through 6.

The Music Center at Strathmore Hall hosts the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as they back up Broadway singer and actress Linda Eder for her presentation of the Judy Garland Songbook on Jan. 28. Beatlemania Now rocks the Hall on the 29th while the National Philharmonic Orchestra presents A Russian Evening with Leon Fleisher on Jan. 30. Rock cellist Leon Westbrook is spotlighted on Feb. 3.

The Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis presents Loudon Wainwright III on Jan. 29, the band Suede on the 30th and former Crusader Joe Sample and his Trio on Jan. 31. Gaelic Storm stirs things up from Feb. 2 through 4. The Ram's Head Live! in Baltimore offer a Sunday Blues show with Roomfull of Blues and the Tom Principato Band on the 31st. Enjoy!

Joe Barber's entertainment reviews and reports can be heard Fridays through Sundays on the WTOP-FM Radio Network.