OPENING THIS WEEK: 7/26/2013

Queen City screens are graced with four new films this weekend - including Kings of Summer which has its Buffalo debut in the cheap seats (over at MovieLand 8). Rather fitting for the race debate currently happening in the country, Fruitvale Station opens wide (although not at Market Arcade?!?) - and of course the two big national releases (Wolverine and The To Do List).

@ The Multiplex

Fruitvale Station - From first time director Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan stars in the true story of Oscar Grant, who was killed in 2008 by a BART police officer who allegedy was reaching for his taser (he had the dude pinned, why did he need a taser?). Despite cell phone video that widely circulated of the incident the officer, Johannes Mehserle was given a lenient two year sentence. Fruitvale Station looks like an electric day in the life drama....

Screening: Dipson Amherst, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Galleria, Regal Hollywood 12, Regal Transit Center

The To Do List - An all alt-comic cast star in a comedy about Brandy (played by Aubrey Plaza) an over achiever who make it a goal to lose her virginity to a lifeguard - this one looks hilarious. Co-staring Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, Rachel Bilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg and Clark Gregg and written & directed by Funny or Die director Maggie Carey.

Screening: Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

The Wolverine - I'm not sure this needs an introduction, directed by James Mangold - Hugh Jackman returns as The Wolverine - following his origin story X-Man Origins: Wolverine from 2009. This time the action is in 3D.

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

in the Cheap Seats

Kings of Summer - From another online helmer, Jordan Vogt-Robert's The Kings of Summer is a comedy about a group of kids who rebel aginst the adults and return to the wild, building their own home and starting a new life. This Sundance hit was originally titled Toy's House - and stars Nick Robinson, Nick Offerman, Gabriel Basso, Erin Moriarity, Megan Mullally and Moises Arias.

Screening: MovieLand 8

Unfinished Song (7/10)

Reparatory Screenings

The Godfather - Screening Room

Continuing

The Conjuring (7/10)

Despicable Me 2 (7/10)

Girl Most Likely (6/10)

The Heat (4/10)

Monsters University (7/10)

Red 2 (7/10)

The Way Way Back (8/10)

White House Down (7/10)

[LOCAL REVIEW] - NIGHT TWO of the BUFFALO 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT

Last night Buffalo’s 48 Hour Film Project continued the mixed results of working under the block, again in block “B” some entertainment but no standout masterpieces – each flawed in their own way (again filmmakers are encouraged to reach out to us with their links via email, so that we can re-watch and write-up a formally review)

Forever (by The Lone Rangers) was an uninspired tale of unrequited love – a man and a sports car he becomes fixated on over at Elmwood Ave. The production values and sound are very spotting with the bulk of it looking almost like it was shot on a mobile phone.

Tatanka Rises in Buffalo Falls (by Tatanka) was a very strong standout with really well crafted performances, a catch hook and a lot of atmosphere. Tatnka drew the super hero genre but this one with smart, craft special effects is a well-acted character drama that’s pretty polished given the 48-Hour Time Fame.

Hope (Hot Iron Production) quite good performances and a little uneven camera work and sound mixing hold this one back. Working in the “buddy movie” genre they may have something here with a little more time in post.

The Meeting (Fuzzy Logic Inc) – a “dark comedy” that doesn’t really land many laughs about an “AA” meeting – told as a silent film for some reason it’s just doesn’t work.

Incanto (I.N.I.T.A.L Pictures) – drawing the horror genre I.N.I.T.A.L chose to go for a supernatural film, the only problem is it’s a horror movie with zero scares.

Little Things – (by Rivers Ink’d) – a well crafted small character study set in the “vacation/holiday” genre about a young man who returns to patch things up with his ex (and his sister). The brother/sister dynamic is pretty good although the story takes a few detours it should – with a little tighter story this one could be a delightful, atmospheric outing.

Nailed It (Reciprocity) – a musical that gets off on the wrong ‘note’ (see what I did there) with an obnoxious opening that kind of does very little. The film reminds me of that recent Taylor Swift coke commercial, the performances are okay but it’s a tad choppy. A director’s cut has been promised.

Love After Death (Idle Entertainment) – from last year’s winners, Idle comes a zombie-apocalypse romantic comedy. It has fun moments but it’s virtually a remake of Warm Bodies.

Shades of Assumption (Hate This Team) – hate this is for damn sure: I’m instantly turned off when you’re told to “hate this” – like that song “hi hater” it’s a blank check to do something awful, cause “we told ya so, hater”. Shades of Assumption is technically well made but its story is a thin play on racial tropes (they all look a like) with no other commentary. Tupac was dealing with this in the 90’s – “thug life, that’s my statement” – Shades of Assumption feels dated by a decade or two.


The official ‘Best of’ screening and awards take place on July 17th at the Helium Night Club – from the 48 Hour’s site:

Best Of Screening

Date	Wednesday, July 17
Time	7pm
Place	Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi St, Buffalo, NY 14203
Tickets	$10 (purchase them here)
Notes	Our Best of Screening & Awards show will be held this year at Helium Comedy Club on Wednesday July 17th at 7pm. Join us before the screening to mingle and talk with other filmmakers in the restaurant section of the Helium Night Club. Tickets will be available to purchase online directly through Helium's website or you can purchase at the door. Tickets will be $10. If you haven't been to Helium Comedy Club yet you should check it out. While watching the films food & drink service will be available to our attendees at your seat.

WELCOME

Welcome to my first post!

The Buffa-Wood Blog aims to shine a spot light on new movies being showing and made around town - including news and reviews. You're invited to submit trailers, screening links for consideration, news articles and more to BuffaloMovieBlog@gmail.com!

Thanks - and stay tuned for more to come!!