Dreamlife of Angels | Lovers of the Arctic Circle | The Mummy

love (coincidentally, on the same day the children meet), prompting the kids to keep their feelings secret. They become step-siblings, thereby lending a whiff incest to their midnight trysts.

The circle/cycle of happy coincidence continues into their teens and young adult lives. Watch for a pivotal scene in a Madrid plaza that turns into a shared, yet separate coincidence. We go into the scene expecting one thing and come away with something completely different. Medem's script continues to delight viewers throughout the entire movie with easily grasped, but never obtrusive symbolism. (Otto's name, and its history, defines his life; Ana describes her life as a happy train of coincidence.) As director, he remains true to his script's poetic core with some arresting imagery. You may not understand the first five minutes until you see the last ten. I certainly didn't.

All performances are wonderful, especially Novo as Otto's father. There's one exception -- Víctor Hugo Oliveira as the adolescent Otto. He's pretty much a block of wood, expressing no emotion, and yet his is the version of Otto that Ana first listens to, falls in love with, and invites into her bedroom. His is the only bleak spot in this beautiful film that ranges from Spain to Norway, and from heart to mind.

RATING: ***1/2

Related Sites The Lovers of the Arctic Circle official web site Julio Medem Spanish language fan page from Ignacio Bravo Villalba. Seems to have the usual: bio, filmography, articles, and images. Movie Stills Images from the movie and behind the scenes, courtesy of the Julio Medem site. Infocine Spanish-language article. Movie Review Query Engine: The Lovers of the Arctic Circle

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The Dreamlife of Angels | The Lovers of the Arctic Circle | The Mummy

The Mummy

Director: Stephen Sommers Screenplay: Stephen Sommers, based on the screen story by Stephen Sommers and Lloyd Fonvielle & Kevin Jarre Story: Nina Wilcox Putnam and Richard Schayer, based on the 1932 screenplay by John L. Balderston Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Kevin J. O'Connor, Jonathan Hyde, Oded Fehr Running Time: 124 minutes Studio: Universal MPAA Rating: PG-13

Abbott and Costello meet the Mummy by way of Raiders of the Lost Ark, in the first special effects rollercoaster of the summer -- minus Abbott, Costello, and Indiana Jones. All of the elements of a grand movie adventure are present in The Mummy -- jaw-dropping effects, a dashing hero

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