Reviews of the latest releases
THE WALKER ***
Directed by Paul Schrader. Starring Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Lily Tomlin, Ned Beatty, Willem Dafoe 15 cert
When the wife of a politician (Scott Thomas) discovers her lover murdered, her gay friend (Harrelson) pretends that he found the body. Schrader's disciplined picture is more concerned with bottling the political smells of the age than driving the narrative. Not among his best work, but still well worth a glance. Donald Clarke
DEATH PROOF *
Directed by Quentin Tarantino. Starring Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Rose McGowan, Zoe Bell 18 cert
Sassy women sit around spouting expletives during tedious conversations in Tarantino's misfired B-movie pastiche, a two- part yarn linked by Russell's character, a misogynistic stuntman. The movie is virtually plotless in its wispy tales, and sparks to life only towards the end, in an extended car chase. Michael Dwyer
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY *
Directed by Dennis Dugan. Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Ving Rhames, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Buscemi, Richard Chamberlain 15 cert
Two STRAIGHT firemen embark upon a civil partnership to secure certain privileges granted gay couples. The STRAIGHT lads are forced to listen to Boy George and ensure that only "gay trash" finds its way into their bin. Did I mention they were STRAIGHT? Utterly hypocritical in its half-hearted pleas for tolerance, the picture may even bore hardcore Sandler fans. Donald Clarke
COPYING BEETHOVEN **
Directed by Agnieszka Holland. Starring Diane Kruger, Ed Harris 12 cert
Holland's largely risible film follows a music student who is sent to Beethoven's chambers to help transcribe his work. There are some decent moments, but the utterly terrible lead performances - Harris chews the set, Kruger mumbles inanely - consistently push the film towards unintentional comedy. Donald Clarke
