ANTHONY BROOKS, host:
Back now with DAY TO DAY. With the weekend before St. Patrick's Day upon us, let's see if there are any box office pot-of-gold contenders among the new movie releases. To tell us what the critics think of some of these films, here's Mark Jordan Legan with Slate's Summary Judgment.
MARK JORDAN LEGAN: For those of you adapting to Daylight Saving Time and still feeling a bit off, you may want to stay far away from the psychological horror "Funny Games." An American remake by the original director of the same-titled, harrowing Austrian film, Michael Haneke uses Naomi Watts and Tim Roth as the husband and wife who are terrorized at their vacation home by two disturbed young men.
(Soundbite of film, "Funny Games")
Ms. NAOMI WATTS (Actor): (As Ann) Listen, young man. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I don't want to be a part of it. Would you please leave now?
Unidentified Man #1 (Actor): (As character) I'm sorry, ma'am, but I don't understand why you're suddenly being so unfriendly.
Ms. WATTS: (As Ann) I've asked you nicely to leave. Now, I'd like you to go.
LEGAN: Many critics felt pummeled by this brutal thriller. USA Today speaks for many of the detractors, calling it sadistic and disturbing, easily the toughest movie to sit through since "Natural Born Killers." But Newsday finds "Funny Games" expertly written and executed, and Entertainment Weekly applauds the terrific acting but wonders, can a movie be gripping and repellant at the same time? Well gee, sounds like a nice night out.
Speaking of a nice night out, how about the apocalyptic action drama "Doomsday"? An elite group of specialists try and battle a deadly virus that has forced a futuristic society to quarantine an entire country. Bob Hoskins and Malcolm McDowell star.
(Soundbite of film, "Doomsday")
Mr. MALCOLM McDOWELL (Actor): (As character) What we've built here from the ashes if a pure blood, uninfected by the outside world - until now.
Unidentified Man #2 (Actor): (As character) Have you found the cure?
Mr. McDOWELL: (As character) There is no cure. There never was.
LEGAN: Maybe the virus is caused by overacting, or bad reviews, or lack thereof. Yes, how can you expect there to be an advance screening for critics when the whole country is quarantined?
Okay, so no suburban psychopaths or road warrior wannabees for you. How about a sweet and funny family film? Yes, the big-screen computer-animated version of "Horton Hears a Who!" is opening in wide release, with Jim Carrey as Horton and Steve Carell just one of the big stars providing voice talent.
(Soundbite of film, "Horton Hears a Who!")
Mr. STEVE CARELL (Actor): (As The Mayor of Whoville) Hey, hon, did you get the feeling that you were being watched and that maybe that thing that watching you is - a giant elephant?
Unidentified Woman #1 (Actress): (As character) Um, you know, I'm going to have to say no.
LEGAN: The nation's critics were charmed by Horton. The Charlotte Observer cheers: witty and whimsical. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says it's a loving and attentive take on a charming classic; and the Hollywood Reporter trumpets: "Horton Hears a Who!" is a delight, brimming with bountiful wit.
You know, I've also heard that they've recently uncovered Dr. Seuss's lost sequel, "Horton Hears The Who," where the innocent elephant is taken to his first rock concert and constantly badgered with down in front. The movie version with The Who will probably never happen though. I hear Pete Townshend can't stand Horton and that the Mayor of Whoville's wife ran off with Roger Daltrey.
BROOKS: Mark Jordan Legan is a write in Los Angeles who destroys one ukulele a week when he performs alone on his back porch. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.