Buffalo-Niagara Film Reviews: BUFFA-WOOD BLOG: simon pegg

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

[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

Thursday, August 22, 2013

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 :)