SWING VOTE

2 and a half stars Rated PG-13

 Kevin Costner stars in this lightweight political comedy about the importance of every citizen exercising their right to vote.

Bud Johnson (Costner) is an apathetic, beer-drinking, lovable loser. The only good thing outside of fishing in a humdrum existence is his smart and self-reliant 12-year-old daughter Molly (newcomer Madeline Carroll). When Bud fails to show up at the bingo hall to vote, his spunky daughter sneaks past the snoozing attendant, signs the register and inserts a ballot into the electronic machine. The vote does not get recorded because the plug is pulled from the wall outlet by a cleaning woman.

It turns out that the presidential election is a dead-heat with only New Mexico’s five electoral votes up in the air. The national spotlight shines on this nobody from Curry County who has 10 days to decide who will be “the leader of the free world.”

Bud doesn’t even know who is running for office. The press and the candidates converge on his trailer home and the small town of Texico like invading armies preparing for battle.

The Republican incumbent, Andrew Boone (Kelsey Grammer), enlists race car driver Richard Petty to escort Bud and Molly to Air Force One. Boone, resembling the late Gerald Ford, uses football analogies to win over Bud, who was a high school quarterback.

Democratic challenger Donald Greenleaf (Dennis Hopper) runs a campaign commercial where singer Willie Nelson invites Bud to a shindig in his honor. Bud loves being the center of attention. The movie satirizes the political process and the cutthroat pandering tactics employed to win an election. There are some clever campaign ads and slogans as the candidates flip-flop on the issues. The witty dialogue elicits lots of laughs.

This family-friendly film is full of sweet, sentimental moments that revolve around the dynamics of the father-daughter relationship. Costner is always a crowd favorite and wins you over to his side again with this slovenly, unshaven and hung-over character who frequently expresses himself by swearing.

Carroll shines as the cute, precocious fifth-grader. She is another talented tweener who will vie for the same roles sought by Abigail Breslin, Dakota Fanning and Anna Sophia Robb. Paula Patton distinguishes herself with poise and grace in the role of newscaster Kate Madison. She has cover girl beauty and a silky smooth complexion.

Grammer stands out in a supporting cast that includes Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, Judge Reinhold, George Lopez and Mare Winningham. Several recognizable political pundits from cable news outlets make cameo appearances.

Other strengths are the Southwestern landscape and a lively soundtrack of country tunes. Costner plays the guitar and sings two numbers with his Modern West band. This fun and entertaining diversion gets my thumbs-up vote at the box office.

THE CHILDREN OF HUANG SHI

3 stars Rated R

 This moving and powerful human interest story is based on the life of George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys Meyers from “August Rush” and “Match Point”), a young, inexperienced British journalist covering the Japanese invasion of China in 1937.

Posing as a Red Cross worker, Hogg witnesses unspeakable acts of violence in Nanking. He gets shot and is saved by “Jack” Chen (Chow Yun-Fat from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Curse of the Golden Flower”), a Chinese demolitions expert and leader of an underground resistance movement. His wounds are tended to by Lee Pearson (Radha Mitchell from “Finding Neverland” and “Melinda and Melinda”), a courageous American nurse.

While convalescing, Hogg is sent to an orphanage in the countryside occupied by 60 boys. He becomes their teacher and trusted friend. He ultimately leads them like Moses to safety. Their 700-mile trek along the Silk Road (the link between East and West previously traversed by Marco Polo) through the mountains to the edge of the Gobi Desert is the cornerstone of the movie. The breathtaking scenery and nail-biting suspense make this remarkable journey unforgettable.

This relatively unknown humanitarian is from the same mold as Oskar Schindler. There are many correlations to “Schindler’s List” in a similar Holocaust perpetrated on innocent Chinese civilians by invading Japanese troops. Roger Spottiswoode (“Tomorrow Never Dies”) helmed this compelling war-time drama. He deserves kudos for focusing on these young boys and their relationship with a Westerner who went above and beyond investigative journalism to save their lives. You develop a compassionate, caring and protective bond with these kids. This movie was a massive undertaking.

Besides a great screenplay, production values and gold-plated acting, this quality film benefits from the efforts of two masters at their craft. It was brilliantly shot by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Xiaoding Zhao (“House of Flying Daggers” and “Curse of the Golden Flower”). The outstanding original musical score by Oscar-nominated composer David Hirschfelder (“Elizabeth” and Shine”) utilizes traditional Asian instruments to produce inspirational orchestral rhythms.

This movie will remind you of “The Painted Veil” and “Cider House Rules.” You may want to have tissues ready for the tearjerker ending. Be sure to stay for the rolling credits where many of the children (now senior citizens) recount their memories of Hogg. The dialogue is partially in Mandarin and Japanese with English subtitles.

Opening exclusively at Cinemark Palace on the Plaza.

Top 5 Flick Picks

The Dark Knight

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The Children of Huang Shi

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Swing Vote

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