Movie Minis

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• After the Sunset (2004) (PG-13) -- A caper comedy-mystery with Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayak as diamond thieves in retirement on a Caribbean island. Though far from his jurisdiction, an FBI agent played by Woody Harrelson hopes to lure the couple into legal jeopardy with the prospect of a rare gem that got away, scheduled for display during an ocean cruise. Don Cheadle and Naomie Harris also have principal roles.

• Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) (R) -- The movie version of Helen Fielding's follow-up novel to her enormously successful brainstorm, the diary of a lovelorn comic heroine in contemporary London. The plot of the original was designed to mirror Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." The sequel borrows aspects of "Persuasion." Renee Zellweger returns in the title role, with Colin Firth as steady beau Mark Darcy, destined to be alienated for a spell, and Hugh Grant as returning snake in the grass Daniel Cleaver.

• Lightning in a Bottle (2004) (PG-13) -- A concert documentary directed by Antoine Fuqua, who observes the preparations and final performances for a "Salute to the Blues" concert at Radio City Music Hall in February 2003.

• Seed of Chucky (2004) (R: Strong horror content, sexual situations and coarse language.) The doll that simply won't die is back in the dubious horror franchise's fifth installment. Chucky (Brad Dourif) and bride Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly) are the proud parents of a doll baby who unfortunately might take after its parents. The original "Child's Play" came out in 1988.

• Tarnation (2004) (No MPAA Rating -- adult subject matter, consistent with the R category; occasional profanity, nudity and sexual candor; autobiographical content that emphasizes grotesque footage of aging or mentally disturbed relatives) -- . The sort of vanity production now within the grasp of all shameless neurotics with video cameras and editing machines. Jonathan Caouette, a wayward homosexual youth from Texas who fled to New York in search of an elusive acting career, draws on an excruciating private archive of home movies and confessional videos that testify to his unstable heritage. Self-exposure doesn't get much uglier. Exclusively at the Landmark E Street Cinema.

NOW SHOWING

• Alfie (2004) (R) -- A remake of the 1966 British movie about a Cockney womanizer that confirmed Michael Caine's stellar potential. The American writer-director Charles Shyer retains the Cockney characteristics while casting Jude Law as an Alfie transposed to New York City in the present. The protagonist still takes the audience directly into his confidence. The consorts include Jane Krakowski, Nia Long, Sienna Miller and Susan Sarandon. The source material is a play by Bill Naughton. Elaine Pope collaborated on the new screenplay.

• Being Julia (2004) (R: Sexuality; brief nudity) --**1/2. Annette Bening plays a vain and sulky but gradually sympathetic queen of West End theater in this whimsical high-fashion farce set in prewar London. Directed by Istvan Szabo. Also starring Jeremy Irons. Reviewed by Scott Galupo.