[Review: IN THEATRES] THE GREAT CHICKEN WING HUNT (8/10)

Arriving just in time for this year’s National Buffalo Wing Contest (and screening at Market Arcade – just down the street) – Matt Reynolds’ The Great Chicken Wing Hunt is a brief – but satisfying documentary. With more ambition than a Food Network program, it wastes no time, running just over an hour a film

The concept is simple: Reynolds – a Rochester-area native born and raised in the “chicken wing belt” has move to Slovakia – where Buffalo Wild Wings has yet to open a franchise. Reynolds introduces his friends and neighbors to the wing, and even takes a few on his quest to search for the best wing in his beloved “Wing Belt”. Starting in New York, the group devises a judging system including a bucket of gross control wings from the local deli (they decide those are a 3 – the film doesn’t mention if any of the establishments they stopped in along the way scored lower). In 10-days they travel 2,627 miles, sampling 284 varieties of wings with a periodic break before hitting the birthplace of the wing, the Anchor Bar.

A project originating online – Reynolds enlists an interesting group of wing lovers including The Mighty Thor, a competitive eater (who looses at the National Buffalo Wing Contest to the famed Black Widdow), Ric Kealoha, a chief from Hawaii, Al Caster, a musician from Syracuse, and a small crew that includes Reynolds’ girlfriend Lucie. The behind the scenes stuff works while exploring the lives of those that live in Buffalo/Rochester – including those that have hit hard times (in one sequence we see the demolition of a building at Kodak park – where Ron Wieszczyk another judge works). Likable the film is a both a love letter and a bold statement on upstate and Western New York – especially Buffalo-Rochester. This is a rare film that I think gets it.

 

The trip is full of enjoyable moments including as all good road movies should – after all this is about the journey, not the destination. As a food critic interviewed suggests the chicken wing is a food meant to be eaten by buddies: here mostly strangers unite to unpack the past, present and future of the wing and to crown a progressive champion. The definition of what makes for a good wing changes and evolves ultimate leading to a kind of bake off to determine who is the champion – coming down to a join that makes their own hot sauce and another restaurant who turns the formula on its head (causing controversy, even if they all agree it’s one damn good wing).

The comradery amongst the group gives the story an informal edge, making this material personal, approachable and likable. We learn a little about the history including a fantastic interview with the (then) last remaining person alive who was present at the Anchor Bar that day Theresa Bellissimo invented the Buffalo wing in 1964. Legend has it that a box of wings (commonly discarded) were accidently dropped off at the Anchor Bar and Bellissimo experimented with spicy ingredients they had in the kitchen, creating the spicy, crunchy chicken wing. The wings were so cheap they originally were a free bar snack (like popcorn or pretzel bites) – until they became too popular and were promoted to the main menu.

 

I’m glad this group of experts saved me this time, but I have to wonder, is there another gem out there they missed. The group-prequalified restaurants based on online suggestions. I imagine a lone ranger (for some reason I picture Guy Fieri in his convertible) roaming around the North America looking for the ideal wing. Then again, as the group becomes deadlocked later – that definition is variable. In Philly you’re either a Pats or Gino’s guy/gal - - and in Buffalo you’re either a Duffs or Anchor Bar guy/gal. But, as you’ll be shocked to discover (and later in the film Reynolds laments)  - sometimes it takes evolution to be the best.

Screening: Dipson Market Arcade (Director Matt Reynolds will be in attendance to for the 7:30PM show on Saturday and the 1:30PM show on Sunday).

OPENING THIS WEEK: 8/28/2013 + 8/30/2013

It's a shame that its such a light Labor Day weekend (with crappy weather on the horizon). Still a lot of great movies continue (including the expansion of the spectacular, The Spectacular Now - to Regal Walden Galleria, right where it ought to be). Here's what's gracing our screens this weekend - including two documentaries and two thrillers....

@ the Art House

The Great Chicken Wing Hunt - Matt Reynolds' documentary takes a group of unlikely tasters around the country on the hunt for the best chicken wing. Opening just a few blocks from Anchor Bar (I know - you're either a Duffs or an Anchor Bar person....or if you're a transplant, Buffalo Wild Wings) at the Market Arcade - this looks like one tasty doc.

Screening: Dipson Market Arcade

Closed Circuit (Opens August 28th) - Opening on Wednesday at the Dipson art houses (and Regal Quaker), Closed Circuit is a thriller exploring a high level terrorism trial. Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall play strange bedfellows (ex-lovers working on the defense team), with a supporting cast including Jim Broadbent, Juila Styles, Ciaran Hinds and Riz Ahmed. Directed by John Crowley (of two excellent films - the ensemble Irish crime comedy Intermission and the trouble young man drama Boy A) and written by Steven Knight (Eastern Promises and Dirty Pretty Things) - this looks like a top notch thriller...

Screening: Dipson Amherst, Dipson Eastern Hills, Regal Quaker Crossing 18

@ the Multiplex

Getaway - Courtney Solomon (who has yet to make a good movie) returns with Getaway - staring Ethan Hawk as a race-car driver whose wife is taken (uh...kidnapped) and somehow Selena Gomez gets involved (maybe as a carjacker....so that's what happened when she left her friends behind in Spring Breakers). Jon Voight co-stars - in this film, which looks like it was shot with a few Go-Pro cameras...

Screening: Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood, Transit Drive-In

One Direction: This is Us - I've always though One Direction was the kind of band that had been forced on us by the corporate music industry, they never felt organic. I hadn't heard of them until I saw a poster advertising (1D) - and even then I was confused. I have nothing against them - or the film's director Morgan Spurlock (who seems like the kind of guy you'd want to grab a beer with - a "public citizen"). This looks like a straight forward 3D concert film like Justin Beiber: Never Say Never (Spurlock isn't going test the effects of listening to their music for a month straight, or take the boys on a hunt to find Osama Bin Ladin - thanks to the heros at SEAL Team 6!) - but his involvement suggests this might just be more insightful than expected (fingers crossed).....

Screening: Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood

in the Cheap Seats

Red 2 (7/10)

Monsters University (7/10)

The Heat (4/10)

White House Down (7/10)

Continuing

Lee Daniel's The Butler (8/10)

Blue Jasmine (8/10)

Despicable Me 2 (7/10)

The Conjuring (7/10)

Elysium (7/10)

Fruitvale Station (7/10)

Paranoia (6/10)

We're The Millers (6/10)

Kick-Ass 2 (4/10)

The Way Way Back (8/10)

You're Next (7/10)
The World's End (7/10)
The Spectacular Now (8/10)

[Review: IN THEATRES] THE WORLD'S END (7/10)

The World’s End, the conclusion of the “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” (I didn’t see quite that connection between Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz - until news of the The World’s End surfaced - but okay) is a fitting end to a great run. Like the last slacker/stoner comedy This Is The End – what do you do next once the world ends? Like for another movie? Is this a preemptive strike against jumping the shark? (I wondered that after Love Actually as well – a movie that was pretty much everything you could ever want including Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister).

Edgar Wright is an excellent director in any genre – aggressive – he knows when and how to move his camera. While he’s primarily worked in genre filmmaking, I’m excited to see what he does as he constantly challenges himself. Back are Simon Pegg and Nick Frost from their last adventure (involving a loveable alien in highly enjoyable Paul – directed by Greg Mottola). Pegg plays Gary “the King” King – a troublemaker who doesn’t evolve like his pals do: fresh out of rehab he assembles the old gang (including Frost, Paddy Considine and Martin Freeman) and the return to their old stomping grounds Newton Haven (think Ithaca with less hippies).

They attempt to conquer “the golden mile” – a 12-pub crawl, although finding challenges along the way (the first two are terribly hegemonic corporate replicas). Proving you can’t go home – or go back to school – Newton Haven has become a very different place, even if Gary King is still Gary King. The first half of the film is a glorious dark comedy – wonderful without the sci-fi stuff. When the sci-fi elements and alien invasion kick in, I must say Edgar Wright keeps the action coherent: treating the film with a gravity a lesser director just wouldn’t care about.

As far as comedies go – Wright integrates his comedy into the film’s frenetic visual style – you won’t find him slacking off for one frame. The film keeps up with the comic genus on screen including the great Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film I’m happy to announce works – even if takes a turn I wish it hadn’t.

Like another excellent movie out this week – The Spectacular Now, the film is grapples with the effects of alcoholism: fitting as we move into the summer hang- over that is the fall. Strangely, this is even darker than that film, with an unexpected, original twist that I only hated because I loved the film’s first 25 minutes so much. Not as successful as Pixar (or the very best of Bollywood) at evoking a wide range of emotions, you must give Edgar Wright credit for trying: one he will make a film that’s mind-blowingly brilliant and it will be dangerous.

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit Center, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood 12, Regal Elmwood Center

[Review: IN THEATERS] THE SPECTACULAR NOW (8/10)

James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now is a well-drawn, straightforward drama that lives and breathes – the kind of movie I wish kids in Buffalo’s suburbs would make (instead of stoner comedies that do what Kevin Smith was doing 19 years ago in New Jersey). Miles Teller (from the awful 21 & Over) has a chance to play a flesh and blood character – much like his persona from 21 & Over and Project X, he plays Sutter Keeley, an alcoholic party boy, a 17-year old on the verge of having to repeat his senior year of high school. He’s charming, working part time in a Brooks Brothers-like men’s shop, while taking sips from a big gulp cup (refilled by flask).

Ponsoldt knows this territory well: his previous film (Smashed) was a study in the effects of alcoholism and was an equally strong character study with Mary Elizabeth Winstead (who returns here as Sutter’s sister). Sutter’s life is turned upside down when he’s dumped by girlfriend Tara and goes on a bender, despite being 17 he’s easily able to get into bars (Georgia must have lax ID laws). Asleep on a random lawn, he’s woken up by Aimee Fineky – the lovely Shailene Woodley in a star-making role. Aimee also has problems of her own – including an absent mother. Sutter's mother is also largely absent - a hardworking nurse (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh) who rarely observes Sutter's self destruction.

The two connect in the usual expected ways in an unexpected character drama with a very strong script from (500) Days of Summer writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. They know this territory and unlike (500) Days, they’ve evolved: missing is the Manic Pixie Girl trope that haunted cinema for a brief period (starting perhaps with the diagnosis – Eliazabethtown and jumping the shark with (500) Days). Woodley’s Aimee is a complex girl stuck in a real situation: a good girl who might just be brought down by the guy she loves, whom she isn’t 100% trying to fix. Strong and realistic – The Spectacular Now is a film that might just save lives, or, alternatively save relationships.

Consider the most disturbing passage in the film: when Miles and Aimee meet Miles’ dad (played by Kyle Chandler) – it’s a wake up call. We all have the potential to make our parents mistakes and here we see just how those mistakes can resonate do generations worth of damage. The film simply must be discovered and experienced: tender, romantic and powerful – Ponsoldt has made an excellent, mature teen drama.

Screening: Dipson Eastern Hills

[Review: IN THEATRES] YOU'RE NEXT (7/10)

Arriving just shy of two years after it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, You’re Next is quite an effective horror thriller by Adam Wingard. Featuring performances by two indie filmmakers who have worked in horror - Joe Swanberg (VHS) and Ti West (The Innkeepers), the concept is painfully simple: the Davidson family reunite in a remote country home for the 35^th wedding anniversary of Aubrey (Barbara Crampton) and Paul (Rob Moran). Stuff starts to go wrong and you guest it – someone is next, and next and next. It’s a hardcore horror film that suffers from some uneven performances: there are certainly talented filmmakers on screen but that’s the problem – they’re on screen! They don’t make convincing damsels in distress.

The film is fine: blood, gore, splatter, ect – with a few smart touches that I can’t give away – we’re not in the business of spoilers here. The direction by Adam Wingard is skillful, creating an energetic aesthetic with its low budget.

The family dynamics are spot on, even if they aren’t my family – they feel real and well observed. As critics have pointed out You’re Next feels like a melding of mumblecore sensibilities (for which Joe Swanberg is known) and an 80’s style slasher picture. Co-staring Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Amy Seimetz, and indie horror icon Larry Fessenden – You’re Next is what it is: you’ll jump, you’ll scream and the ending hook is great too. If its successful they’ll have to shoehorn in a prequel or a spin-off: there’s no way there can be a sequel. That is unless someone wasn’t “next”. 

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Elmwood, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit, Regal Hollywood 12 

[Local News] AMC BOWS REDONE MAPLE RIDGE 8

A little less than two years after Dipson unveiled the "new" Flix with DBox motion seats and (p)leather stadium rockers, it's AMC Theaters' turn to spice up the WNY movie-going scene. The company's last outpost in WNY, the Maple Ridge 8 in Amherst was long overdo for a makeover and the new place impresses with game changing luxury amenities. AMC has come along away - virtually retreating from the market, selling off all of what they bought from General Cinema 2000 and closing their vintage 70's Como Park theaters. Recently the firm was acquired by Chinese conglomerate the Wanda Group, and since AMC has redone about 25 complexes with plush recliners  - its only Rochester outpost (Webster) converted earlier this year.

At first glance - the exterior is pretty much the same with a fresh paint job and an updated logo (note "AMC Theaters" is now simply "AMC"). Spiffy - the lobby contains the usual amenities including ticketing kiosks and a new box office with LCD screens promising "AMC Amazing".

AMC's CEO and president, Gerry Lopez was hired away from Starbucks and that seems to be reflected in the company's new strategy (hey - as long as they don't charge me twice what Timmy Hortons does for the same thing - am I right, WNY?). Like Starbucks this is a more upscale version of....Tim Hortons (or shall we say Regal and Dipson) and its full of choices beyond just popcorn including premium chocolates (Godiva bars!), healthier snack packs, touchscreen self serve coke freestyle machines that allegedly contain 100+ flavor combos including our favorite Pibb, and hot foods including chicken fingers, curly fries, mozzarella sticks, chicken sliders, mini-pizzas, and hot dogs.

For research purposes we tried the chicken tender combo (with a large soda and curly fries). It was good but more expensive than Regal's food options (at Orchard Park and Transit Center). Regal offers a chicken sandwich, fries and large drink combo for about $12.75 - as you'll see AMC's combo is $18.75 (and the theater doesn't have forks)! Well, to be fair the price was $18.25, with a 50 cent discount for using my AMC Stubs card. The AMC Stubs card is the only movie loyalty card in town that you have to pay for (Regal's Crown Club is free to join, while Dipson's gift cards are their rewards cards - so at Dipson you have shell out something but you get 100% of it back - - to be fair AMC is currently running a deal where they're giving you $10 in bonus bucks for your $12 annual membership fee). The programs are a little different with Dipson and Regal offering rewards at every $50 (including free tickets, popcorn and soda), and AMC offering free popcorn and soda size-upgrades and $10 bonus bucks for every $100 you spend). Regal also offers discounts like $2 popcorn and $2 candy on certain nights.

But back to AMC Maple Ridge: the hallways are all newly done too and look spiffy - again the Starbuck-ing of our good ol' 80s -plex (Market Arcade desperately needs to be the next in WNY!). Unseen here because it'd be creepy to take a photo - but still worth noting, are that the bathrooms were also spruced up. But now into the auditorium and the seats - woah...........

Plush leather reclines in an arrangement that's not quite stadiums seating (it's tiered seating) - they allow you to fully kick back and recline - and they are super comfortable. Plush leather-like material with silent push button motion (or keep moving the seat back and forth to simulate the D-Box experience over at Dipson Flix!). And for those that are germaphobic I'm happy to report the theaters were spotless. I also witnessed a bottle of alcohol-based cleaner holstered to one of the wheeled in garbage cans they use to clean between shows. Good to know they get a spray-down!

The projection (like all theaters except for Market Arcade and Movieland) is digital with great sound to keep you awake and engaged even if the movie blows. This is top tier luxury for low first run ticket prices - the theater has a price structure that's a little confusing - ranging from $4.50 (in the mornings) to $6.75 (on weekday evenings) with a top 2D ticket price of $9.00 on weekends. This is all well below Regal's weekend evening adult 2D price is $10.50, and Dipson's $9.50 (with a $2.50 discount on Tuesdays). 

There's no word on if AMC will shoot ticket prices up to a luxury price point - although it's been alluded to by corporate spokesman and captain of the vague answer, Ryan Noonan who said "based on supply and demand, we may make a change to ticket pricing" in an article about a Denver location. Denver's Flatiron location has a bar and reserved seating (Maple Ridge appears to be set-up for reserved seating but as of this week it's open seating). The Screening Room is the only theater in town with a small bar - while only Flix's D-Box seats are reserved.

All and all - the theater offers something no one in Western New York is doing for a price that's presently lower than anyone else in town. (Except for that tasty, overpriced chicken tender combo). With AMC renovating theaters nation-wide I imagine the folks at Regal, the number one chain in the country (and in Western New York) must be ready to follow suite. I'm proud to say I've seen the future of movie-going and its at a complex I barely attended before - I'll be back. AMC has also recently expanded showtimes including morning shows during the week and late shows (as I imagine this theater is going to frequently sell out - bigger seats means capacity was greatly reduced) which means more showtime choice even if they're showing less titles, as they still only have 8 screens to program.

Tickets, Showtimes and Prices at AMC's website.

Have you been to the "new" AMC Maple Ridge yet? If so, what did you think?

OPENING THIS WEEK: 8/23/2013

It's a light week at the multiplex and an even lighter week at the art house (as Woody and The Butler continue to dominate). Blue Jasmine moves over to more screens and neighborhoods across the metroplex in Allen's largest screen count of his career (it's already made $10 million in limited release). Still, a few new contenders are on our radar - including our old pal Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost - along with two teen romances (Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is already screening) and  an indie horror flick. Not a bad way to end summer.....

@ the Art House

The Spectacular Now - Sadly Dipson Theaters is opening this one away from the kids that might be interested (in town, near colleges) over at Eastern Hills. Director James Ponsoldt's chilling (and very relevant - especially in this town) Smashed came and went within a week at the North Park last fall - this one looks like its got better prospects. Miles Teller plays a frat kind of guy stuck in neutral who calls for Shailene Woodley in a teen romance adapted by the writers of (500) Days of Summer. It was a hit at Sundance.

Screening: Dipson Eastern Hills

@ the Multiplex

The World's End - it's been a few years since Hot Fuzz but it's great to see Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reunited with Edgar Wright for the conclusion of his "Cornetto Trillogy" (named for the ice cream that comes in three flavors). Four pals reunited for a pub crawl from hell. Unfortunately AMC and Regal didn't feel Buffalo was cool enough to screen the whole the trilogy, as they are in other markets (Rochester and Syracuse are?!?) ... I guess Regal needed room for Sinbad: Make Me Wanna Holla tonight instead.

Screening: Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood.

You're Next - an indie horror flick that premiered two years ago at the Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Adam Wingard with a cast that features indie filmmakers Joe Swanberg and T.I. West along with Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen and Nicolas Tucci. Reviews conclude its better than average so we've got two cult-ish flicks to see this weekend!

Screening: Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood, Transit Drive-In

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - NOW PLAYING......this looks too much like Twilight for our comforts. Staring Lilly Collins and Lena Hadley. Our contributors told us they were going to sit this one out*....

Screening: Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood, Transit Drive in, Dipson Market Arcade

*if someone out there wants to shoot us a review - we'll post it! Send it over to buffalomovieblog@gmail.com! We're always looking for more voices :)

Reparatory Screenings

Niagara - A classic 1954 noir returns, digitally remastered to The Screening Room. Staring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, and Jean Peters.

in the Cheap Seats

I'm So Excited (7/10)

Red 2 (7/10)

Monsters University (7/10)

The Heat (4/10)

White House Down (7/10)

Continuing

Lee Daniel's The Butler (8/10)

Blue Jasmine (8/10)

Despicable Me 2 (7/10)

The Conjuring (7/10)

Elysium (7/10)

Fruitvale Station (7/10)

Paranoia (6/10)

We're The Millers (6/10)

Kick-Ass 2 (4/10)

[Review: IN THEATERS] Lee Daniels' The Butler (8/10)

Save for a few liberties with history (its never quite as linear in our memories), Lee Daniels' The Butler is an important, glossy, Hollywood take on various civil rights issues. The history may be a little distorted for narrative purposes – it certainly evokes a range of emotions on Regan that have sparked a recent political debate – but what it does in showing this history is remarkable. Comparisons to Forrest Gump are warranted.

Forrest Whitaker is excellent as Cecil Gains (inspired by real life white house butler Eugene Allen) – a hardworking domestic who witnesses the public murder of his father on a cotton field. Taken in by the estate’s caregiver, played by Vanessa Redgrave, he’s trained to serve in the home. Through a series of tragedies he escapes the plantation and expands his skill as a server – working his way into the middle class. He’s becomes a server at a posh hotel, impressing a member of the Eisenhower administration; he’s called to the White House to join the domestic team.

Despite a team of color, the racism Gains faces are institutional (the African Americans are stuck at entry level, and are paid less). The demands of his career especially during the Kennedy administration almost tare his family apart – Oprah Winfrey plays his wife. Gains has two songs – Louis (David Oyelowo) who enrolls at Fisk University in Tennessee (instead of Howard) and Charlie who is loyal and obedient – interested in serving his country.

The film follows the events of history from the top to the bottom – Louis becomes a freedom rider after becoming formally trained in subversive peaceful protest. The scenes in the south represent a difficult reflection: if anything a film like Lee Daneils’ The Butler is an important reminder of what must not be forgotten. American is a great country but the sins of the past still haunt. Cecil has the privilege to front row and behind the scenes access as change happens slowly over multiple administrations – it speeds past Jimmy Carter, for example.

The performances by the actors playing presidents are secondary to Whitaker who gives an Oscar-worthy performance in a film that’s superb but not without flaws (kind of like the country it celebrates). They include Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, James Marsden as JFK, Live Schreiber as LBJ, John Cuasak as Nixon, and Alan Rickman as Reagan. Perhaps only Rickman fully embodies and disappears into Reagan – the others are fine but seem more suited for a stage play.

Also excellent is Oprah Winfey as Gloria Gains – she flawlessly plays this women from her 30’s to her death from old age (and hard living). A more complex performance than I expected in a film that isn’t as cut and dry as the trailers make it out to be. Tugging at our heartstrings throughout, Lee Daniels’ hand as competent without his touches (including unrestrained, raw moments that a less confident director might have cut). Daniels, who has previously worked on smaller scale films like Precious and The Paperboy, proves he can make an epic period film. It’s a credit to his skill that we aren’t disoriented throughout the film – employing devices and storytelling craft to keep us engaged and in the moment (even with Cecil isn’t).

The film has been criticized as it celebrates the victory of Barack Obama including a framing device where Cecil meets with the (unseen) 44^th President of the United States. It’s an easy way out, for sure – and those that attack it say that a meeting between Obama and Allen may have never taken place. So what. This is excellent storytelling, with first-rate acting – in a film that might be glossy but is also very explicit in its representation of the civil rights struggle. I applaud Lee Daniels for making a multi-dimensional, multi-generational, and highly engaging picture.

 Screening: Dipson Flix, Dipson Market Arcade, Dipson Amherst, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood 12

[Review: IN THEATRES] Paranoia (6/10)

TV is often more entertaining than going to the movies – we love movies, but TV is designed to be consumable, often not on a big 28 foot screen. Paranoia is essentially a TV-movie, it’s a slick professional looking product telling an efficient story –it’s engaging in the moment even if early on our lead looks like an idiot (“how did you find me” the young mobile tech genus asks while holding his GPS-enabled smart phone).

Directed by Robert Luketic, Paranoia is essentially as like a pre-paid cell phone: chap, disposable, likely not full of personal impressions – yet it does the job. It’s not a bad or incompitent film: it’s just not an ambitious one. Liam Hemsworth stars as Adam Cassidy, working for five years at a tech company run by Nicholas Wyatt (Gary Oldman) he’s still a step above intern. His presentation to Wyatt early on is a bust and they’re unceremoniously fired (security doesn’t even escort them out of the door). Luckily for Cassidy’s team their company purchasing card still works and Adam treats his pals to a night out, Kayne West style.

After bedding the lovely Emma Jennings (Amber Heard), who is just down for an NSA relationship in both senses (No Strings Attached sex AND she will tap your phone – Edward Snowden style), he’s called into Wyatt’s office and blackmailed into going undercover for his rival Jock Goddard (Harrison Ford). Hooked up with a PhD in psychology and a tailor, he’s hired at Goddard’s mobile tech firm in a section the film just seems to skip over (if it wasn’t digital I would have thought the projectionist missed a reel).

Emma Jennings just happens to be the head of marketing for the new firm which is full of pretty innovative ideas that Apple is probably about to crack – Hemsworth is certainly not a young Steve Jobs and Jennings is way hotter than Phil Schiller. The film is interestingly saying something – not quite an anthem for Occupy Wall Street, it lacks the firepower to go where it ought to. I will not spoil the ending but a few things become painfully obvious (many of which are in the trailer) and it could make for an interesting commentary about how the deck is stacked against smart kids who do the right thing and work hard. Either that or the film is commenting on how we’re not all rock stars and we should know our place – ambition and hardwork aren’t enough, you also need talent, smarts and innovation. Scary to think in the context of President Obama’s upcoming visit to UB about the importance of making college affordable (or not).

Back to Paranoia: the film is a little uneven – much has been made of Hemsworth who is okay but certainly barely holding his own against a stellar cast of heavy weights including Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss – but then again maybe that’s the point. Young Adam Cassidy works hard but hasn’t had the luck or the break he needs until he breaks several rules. Sometime, as Homer Simpson reminds us, that the poster to How Stella Got Her Groove Back suggestions that sometimes “you have to break the rules to free your heart”.

Note: We had seen this at the recently redone AMC Maple Ridge – and what a comfortable experience! More on that here...

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Dipson Market Arcade, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood 12.

[Review: IN THEATRES] Blue Jasmine (8/10)

To say Woody Allen’s output has been a little uneven lately is an understatement: coming off of his biggest hit in years (Midnight in Paris), our old pal wrote and directed the messy To Rome with Love. Returning back to both is native New York (although he spends more time on Long Island than in Manhattan) and San Francisco – a city I’m not sure he’s explored before – Blue Jasmine is his most insightful film in years.

Cate Blanchett gives a brilliant performance as Jasmine, a college drop out who falls for Hal (the typically charming snake Alec Baldwin is born to play) – he’s a smooth-talking developer who ends up in jail. Opening in the “present day” and employing flashbacks as Jasmine arrives to her sister Ginger’s apartment in SF (she’s played by Sally Hawkins). Ginger and Jasmine have a broken relationship – Hal conned her ex-husband (brilliantly played by Andrew Dice Clay) into a real estate deal that went bust. The choice to include Clay is wonderful: he frees himself from the text turning out a lively performance.

Blanchett is absolutely brilliant as women who has been knocked down – and then some: Jasmine is sympathetic and complex living a medicated life, unable to connect and rebuild her life. Her sister lacked Jasmine’s ambitions; she’s a bagger at a local supermarket that settled for cute blue-collar guys (Bobby Cannavale plays her current fiancé Chili). Here the men are slightly the problem: Chili grows cold and a little psychotic which is a little too much (he’s a raging, day drinking alcoholic) and Jasmine’s boss, a dentist, if an over the top pervert.

 

At a party she meets a nice guy – Danny Westlake (Peter Sarsgaard) an aspiring politician and the chemistry seems to be right (although things move too quickly). Perhaps that’s the point, everyone is manic here, no more so than our leading lady. Blanchett is dazzling and complex crafts a masterful, Oscar-worthy performance. Too often Allen’s film lack subtly, Blanchett finds it as the film grows darker in its third act.

Blue Jasmine is not without moments of humor – it’s a complex film that touches upon a range of emotions. Over the top at moments, it strikes a cord as Allen’s most complex accomplishment in several years.

Screening: Dipson Eastern Hills, Dipson Amherst, Regal Quaker Crossing

[Review: IN THEATRES] Kick-Ass 2 (4/10)

There is just something wrong with the whole idea of Kick-Ass: what kid hasn’t dreamed of becoming a superhero? For Mindy, aka Hit Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) it’s a disturbing reality – far too violent for a nice young girl. Agent Cody Banks, this is certainly not!

Written and directed by Jeff Wadlow, the talented young filmmaker behind Cry_Wolf and Never Back Down (the later a study of heterosexual violence in a high school fight club), Kick-Ass 2 is less skillful and more disturbing than fun. Perhaps kids will enjoy it, at that age who knows better – but for anyone over the age of 18 this is strange stuff.

The basic plot is interesting: like the first one (and another odd movie Super) it’s about common people who become super heros. Strangely the film is set in New York City but filmed in Toronto, it’s so lazy that in the suburbs it accidently captures one of those signs telling you that the speed limit is 40 Kilometers. Dave Lizewski aka Kick Ass (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) decides to come out of retirement while Hit Girl remains on the fence. She’s been adopted by police sergeant Marcus Williams (Morris Chestnut) who tries to give her a normal childhood – at least someone realizes the first movie was a form of child abuse.

Kick Ass joins a group of underground heros including his buddy Marty (Clark Duke) and his future girlfriend Night Bitch (Wadlow alum Lindy Booth). The group is lead by Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carey) and his dog who bites off the balls of predators. In general I like the idea of ordinary people doing neighborhood watches – as long as they don’t invite George Zimmerman to tag along. A good hero movie can be made grounded in reality (and perhaps one that actually takes place in Toronto).

Things grow sinister when rich kids a new super villain arrives – a rich kid seeking revenge he dons his mom’s bondage gear and brands himself “The Mother Fucker” (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). He’s able to outsource his villainy, hiring the world’s top badasses which include some very elaborate sequences (one is outright dazzling).

As a whole Kick-Ass 2 is a little too out there to be fun: it wants to have it both ways. Spiderman, it is not. 

Screening: Dipson Market Arcade, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood 12, Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Elmwood, AMC Maple Ridge, Transit Drive In.

[Review: HOT VOD] Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (7/10)

Slightly overstaying it’s welcome – Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a melancholy reflection on Big Star, a band that never was. A comprehensive study of the Memphis rock group founded by Chris Bell and Alex Chilton – influential to modern post-alternative, post-grunge rockers like Pete Yorn (who recorded Bell’s I Am The Cosmos with Scarlett Johnson a few years ago) and Kings of Leon (also Memphis folks whom I hear in Big Star and vice versa).

The group in essence found success later on, ironically enough breaking out in the post-grunge era of the mid-late 90s including an appearance on Jay Leno; several sold out shows, and of course “In The Street” – the theme song to That ‘70s Show. Like another solid rock doc, Anvil: The Story of Anvil – Big Star is the story of a band that never made it for one reason or another (bad luck, industry shifts, etc). Drew DeNicola’s comprehensive study traces the band’s early roots, recording their first record for the rock subsidiary of the already stretched thin Stax Records. Stax ultimately went bankrupt and the a classic industry tale, Big Star failed to find traction and was lost in the process – not getting the radio play they sorely needed to launch their career.

So why make a Big Star movie? The film is comprehensive, rich and full of excellent music, tracing the alt rock and grunge movement back to its roots (sadness and loneliness). Yet, Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a triumphant documentary (like Anvil) – as old men the ground finds their voice again and while it may not translate to cross over success – they at least went out with a bang. Still the road was tragic including the devastating loss of Chris Bell at the age of 27 – since only Jody Stephens remains as the surviving founding member (Chilton and Andy Hummel died of natural causes prior to the release of this documentary, which screened at South By Southwest 2012). Their three records each explore rather dark themes including drug abuse, and the tension within the band (which continued to brew for years). The material is brought to life through a variety of media including archival footage, recordings and newly shot talking-heads interviews. They remain less mysterious than Rodriguez – the subject of one of the best music documentaries in years: Searching for the Sugarman.

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is currently on VOD – and kicks off a new monthly series of first run films that are a little too small for Dipson’s business model – screening at Squeaky Wheel. More info at squeaky.org

OPENING THIS WEEK: 8/16/2013

After too many openings last week (we're still behind) a whole new crop of flicks hit queen city screens this week - there's something for everybody - including on-screen heros ranging from Steve Jobs, Cecil Gaines and Kick-ass - along with a behind-the-camera hero, Woody Allen's latest. Also there's a bunch of great outdoor screenings (Squeaky Wheel at the Harbor and at the Transit Drive In) - - Lot's to see here people - move along (to the multiplex).

@ The Art House

Blue Jasmine - the latest from Woody Allen has been getting solid reviews (and scoring solid box office - in fact its opening on two screens at two of the three theaters in town showing it this weekend). Cate Blanchett stars as women who used to live high on the hog, now down in the dumps. Co-stars include Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard and Andrew Dice Clay (#OHHHH).

Screening: Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Eastern Hills, Dipson Amherst

at the Multiplex

Jobs - looking a little low rent, this indie biopic stars Ashton Kutcher as the late great Steve Jobs, with Josh Gad (as Woz), Dermot Mulroney, J.K. Simmons, Lukas Haas, and Matthew Modine. The flick got some minor buzz (and mix reviews) earlier this year at Sundance.

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Amherst, Regal Transit, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Flix

Lee Daniels' The Butler - Least anyone confuse this film with the 1926 silent classic (which no one has seen in years) - Lee Daniel's The Butler (directed by Lee Daniels of the formerly known as Push, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Saphire....poor guy - at least Nintendo didn't block his last title, the messy The Paperboy) is a historical drama chronicling the life and service of white house butler Cecil Gians (played by Forrest Whitaker) with an all-star ensemble staring Oprah Winfrey, Vanessa Redgrave, John Cusack, Robin Williams, Liev Schreiber, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, and many more. This looks like a mini-series condensed into a little over 2 hours....

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Market Arcade, Regal Transit, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Flix, Regal Walden Galleria

Kick-ass 2 - Jim Carey has been stirring up controversy, refusing to promote his film citing the youth violence (wait - did he also return his pay check?) Not sure what the need for a second film is - although I've enjoyed the films of writer-director Jeff Wadlow (Cry_Wolf, Never Back Down) - he knows what he's doing. Back for a second round are Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (-McLovin).

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Market Arcade, Regal Transit, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Flix, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

Paranoia - Not quite an Edward Snowden bio-pic (no one is stranded at any airport in Russia from what we can tell from the trailer), Liam Hemsworth plays a young guy send undercover to a rival tech company. I'm thinking this one and Jobs might make for an interesting double feature....

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Market Arcade, Regal Transit, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Flix, Regal Walden Galleria

Reparatory Screenings

The Horror of Party Beach - showing Fri and Thursday at The Screening Room along with classic grindhouse trailers (awesome!) 

Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome (double feature with) Escape from New York - Transit Drive In (Tuesday August 20th) 

Special Screenings

Outdoor Animation Festival at Canalside -- Squeaky Wheel presents an encore presentation of its Outdoor Animation Festival on Wednesday. Info at: https://www.facebook.com/events/154553228071827/

at the Cheap Seats

Red 2 (7/10)

Continuing in Theaters

Fruitvale Station (7/10)

The Conjuring (7/10)

The Way Way Back (8/10)

We're The Millers (6/10)

Elysium (7/10)