Put 'em up

Is there a nastier trend in movie advertising than the woman with a gun?
Jodie Foster is hanging on to a gat, in an archly phallic pose, for "The Brave One'' ads, while Jennifer Garner is taking aim for "The Kingdom'' in its ads. Then there's Milla Jovovich striding around in garters and two automatic weapons, for "Resident Evil.''
It's not for nothing that Foster and Garner are mothers of small children. What message does this send, to their kids and others'?
Conversely, most other film ads show women either as sex objects (Maria Bellucci, "Shoot 'Em Up,'') or smiling ciphers ("Sydney White,'' "Good Luck Chuck'').
Kudos to "Valley of Elah,'' and "Eastern Promises,'' which show their stars, Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts, as they actually appear in the films: strong and stoic women fully clothed and not a gun in sight.

Wild Man

It's amazing that 20 years ago, Sean Penn made news because he was punching out photographers who were taking pictures of him and Madonna.

Now he's making news because he's a director of such commanding assurance and skill, I almost think I'm watching a movie from Fred Zinnemann or Elia Kazan.

Penn's "Into the Wild'' is a superb movie with an ineffable quality that compares to movies made by Zinnemann and Kazan. Their films have a buzz, an excitement about them that something worthwhile is about to unfold. And they have humanism and compassion. Take a look at Penn's "The Pledge'' and "The Crossing Guard,'' two movies of surpassing intelligence and feel for the human condition. Jack Nicholson never had better dramatic roles.

"Into the Wild'' is based on the adventures of the late Chris McCandless, as captured in the best-selling book by Jon Krakauer. Penn wrote and directed; Emile Hirsch stars as McCandless in a performance startling for its grace and charm.

"Into the Wild'' is playing in New York and will open at area theaters in October; see it.