OPENING THIS WEEK: 7/17/2013 & 7/19/2013

Two new art house flicks that opened last week won't be sticking around to make room for some new digital files uploading (see we can't say unspooling anymore with the Market Arcade and Movieland 8 as our only 35MM houses in town)...including count em' four new flicks in the multiplex and two new ones (although one ought to cross over soon enough - - they've been screening it multiple times in town) art house flicks. The aforementioned Way Way Back we've seen and its delightful summer fun.

@ The Art House (Friday)

The Way Way Back - Nat Faxon and Jim Rash's delightful summer comedy/drama follows young Duncan (Liam Jones) through a memorable summer at a Massachusetts resort town as he fights for attention from his mom (Toni Collette) at her new boyfriend's (Steve Carell) beach house. The Sundance hit co-stars Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Maya Rudolph and Sam Rockwell as an operations manager at a local water park who shows Duncan the ropes.

Screening: Dipson Amherst, Dipson Eastern Hills

Girl Most Likely - From Shari Spriner Berman & Robert Pulcini, Kristin Wiig stars as a failed New York playwright who after a manic episode ends up in the care of her mom (Annette Bening) and some how at the Jersey Shore, the trailer made me laugh -

Screening: Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Amherst

@ The Multiplex (Wednesday)

Turbo - Looks like another recycled kids movie, Ryan Reynolds (big week for this guy) voices Turbo, a snail that, after a freak accident is now fast as lightening. I think we've seen this movie a few times (and will be seeing it again with Planes before the summer is over). 

Screening: Dipson Market Arcade, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden, Regal Hollywood 12, Regal Quaker Crossing, Transit Drive In, Palace Hamburg

(Thursday night)

The Conjuring - from James Wan, this one chronicling the real life Paranormal investigators, The Warrens (played by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson) allegedly was so scary the MPAA wouldn't grant it a PG-13 rating... Wan has my interest for sure.

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

R.I.P.D. - Oh it's a cheap shot to say R.I.P.D. looks D.O.A. - I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, it has Jeff Bridges....right...right... (also staring Ryan Reynolds, again in 3D)

Screening: Dipson Market Arcade, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden, Regal Hollywood 12, Regal Quaker Crossing, Transit Drive In

R.E.D. 2 - Alright, another sequel no one asked for! Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins are back as Retired, Extremely Dangerous - - if Unfinished Song is too tame for you - here's your flick.

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

Reparatory Programing

The Godfather - a newly restored digital print is being showcased at The Screening Room this weekend.

The Cheap Seats

The East (8/10) - MovieLand 8

Continuing (our reviews)

Monsters University (7/10)

White House Down (7/10)

The Heat (4/10)

Despicable Me 2 (7/10)

An Unfinished Song (7/10)

[REVIEW: In Theaters] An Unfinished Song (7/10)

I originally approached Paul Andrew Williams' Unfinished Song (originally titled Song for Marion) with some skepticism: granted this isn't a bloated summer action film but the art house was now putting out a "product" that didn't seem entirely original: like an explosion of ideas geared towards the senior citizen audience: I thought about films such as Quartet, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and How About You (and countless others) - musical seniors, seniors learning to live again, and a pretty young women that enters their lives: yes, Unfinished Song is that.

Where it diverts from the formula is in, in what it's really about it: it has lighter moments but several darker ones as well - consider our lead, Arthur (Terrance Stamp) - he's a crusty old pensioner from a middle class neighborhood. His wife Marion (Vanessa Redgrave) has to remind him to smile every morning: she's joined the neighborhood choir run by a pretty young women who volunteers her time, perhaps seeking wisdom (Gemma Arterton). After Marion passes away Arthur's relationship with his son (played by Christopher Eccleson) becomes more fractured. Sure this story goes exactly where you think its going (senior art house films are almost as predicable as big summer movies - luckily without the 3 hour running time, because life is too short).

I enjoyed Unfinished Song because it is about a growing old while remaining independent and stubborn: it has lighter moments but there's something dark under the hood - a lot of pain and suffering for which there's little explanation (perhaps they men forget why they're mad at each other in the first place, they only know they're suppose to remain this way). It's not as riveting a work of social realism, like say, a film by Mike Leigh - but it has its moments.


Screening: Dipson Amherst

[Local Screenings: NEWS] BUFFALO FILM SEMINARS - Fall 2013

Announced via email today, Bruce Jackson and Diane Christian made their final list available for this fall semester's Buffalo Film Seminars. Taking place Tuesdays (also half price popcorn and soda day at Dipson Theaters) at the Dipson Market Arcade at 7PM (although frequent fliers will know the movies usually start around 7:30 following Bruce and Diane's intro). There's also a talk back following the show that the general public is invited to join in on.

There is no word on if Pina and The Great Gatsby will be shown in 3D as of yet (as of last Friday night the Market Arcade was still a 35MM house with the majority of the Buffalo Film Seminars shown in Theater #1 via BluRay DVD). The list contains several countless masterpieces - mixing classics (although this time starting with one of the first sound films - this year there's not a silent picture in the bunch) and progressing towards modern classics including Almodovar best film of recent memory, Talk to Her (you should clear your November 5th right now).



BUFFALO FILM SEMINARS


August 27 Alan Crosland, The Jazz Singer, 1927

September 3 Frank Capra, It Happened One Night 1934


September 10 Jean Renoir, The Grand Illusion 1937

September  17 Billy Wilder, Double Indemnity 1944

September 24 Delmer Daves, 3:10 to Yuma, 1957

October 1 Kon Ichikawa, Fires on the Plain, 1959

October 8 Peter Bogdonovich, The Last Picture Show 1971

October  15 Sidney Lumet, Network, 1976

October  22 Bruce Jackson & Diane Christian, Death Row, 1979

October 29 Jim Jarmusch Dead Man 1995

November 5 Pedro Almodóvar, Talk to Her 2001

Novermber 12 Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York, 2008

November  19 Wim Wenders, Pina 2011

November 26 Baz Luhrman, The Great Gatsby 2013


Which film are you most looking forward to at BFS Fall 2013?

[Local Trailers] Scarlet Samurai: Incarnation

Local trailers showcases locally produced films in post-production or those that are about to screen. To share you trailer send us a link at BuffaloMovieBlog@gmail.com.

The Scarlet Samurai series, (formerly Terminal Descent) was brought to our attention by crew member Michael Jensen who tells us he grew up next to and has always had interest in Buffalo's Central Terminal - which plays a key part in Scarlet Samurai: Incarnation (teaser trailer below), which looks like it has some solid professional action set pieces. Unfortunately some of the weaker elements in this trailer are the non-action sequences (the performances and compositions, and sound mix) - the later, I learn from the film's official facebook page they're currently working on.

From Facebook:

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Scarlet Samurai: Incarnation is the second super hero movie from the twisted fantasies of Tara Cardinal. Produced by Hollywood martial artist Sean Wyn and New York horror guru David Williams, it's a new Asian-inspired horror/action feature..

Five reckless college kids on an urban archaeological expedition uncover a preternatural evil, and discover only a legend can fight a myth..

Almost a century ago, the Buffalo Central Terminal was cursed. Eighty years (and 922 missing persons) later, we find Ikari trying to follow in her (missing) father's archaeological footsteps. But Ikari--a part Chinese, part Japanese, half Jewish lesbian--has problems. She's suicidal, her girlfriend dumped her, she's failing her classes, she's about to lose her scholarship, her twin sister Feng is a samurai with supernatural abilities, and, on top of it all, she still lives with her Jewish mother (Maria Olsen).

To keep Ikari and his other students from failing, Professor Harrison sends them on a quick "in and out" field expedition to the Terminal. Along for what should be a fast and fun exploration are Ikari's best friend and gay fashion photographer Michael, goth martial artist Tavy, mild-mannered T.A. Lindsey, and Ikari's recently estranged ex-girlfriend Becks. But Ikari has other ideas... obsessed with her father's research and trying desperately, if not comically, to get her blonde, beautiful, and cold ex-girlfriend back, she unknowingly leads the team deeper and deeper into the ominous 17-story building...

...and right into the lair of the Jiang Shi.

Considered by Western Culture to be a myth, the zombie-like Jiang Shi is an undead demon that sucks Chi (the life force) from its victims while torturing, raping, and paralyzing them with its venomous claws. And now it is after them.

Samurai-in-training Feng, psychically linked to her twin sister Ikari, races to the Terminal to save Ikari and her friends from the Jiang Shi and its endless horde of undead minions. To defeat the mythical creature Ikari and Feng will have to join forces to become a legend. Because it takes a Legend to fight a Myth.

[Hot Vod - REVIEW] Some Girl(s) (7/10)

HOT VOD is a new occasional feature where we chronicle what we're watching on Video on Demand. Our goal is to cover new movies released on VOD that will likely not grace Buffalo cinema screens. As always your feedback is appreciated either by commenting below or at BuffaloMovieBlog@gmail.com.

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Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer (whom I learn from IMDB has been working in TV as of late, her last feature film was 2002’s The Guru), Some Girl(s) is an adaptation of Neil Labute’s play – and how vintage Labute it is. Downsizing after his turn in commercial films (including the disastrous Nick Cage outing The Wickerman, and two effective films – the racial thriller Lakeview Terrance and the smart comedy remake Death at a Funeral) he’s gone back to his roots – small character driven films including his Some Velvet Morning (which received some mixed reviews at Tribeca). Some Girl(s) adapted from a play has barely been opened up despite a few insert shots of its lead in transit: from one girl to the next, in cabs, trains, plains, airports, hotel lobbies.

Adam Brody plays the “Man” – an unnamed writer who travels cross country reconnecting with his former exes including Sam, his high school sweetheart (played by Jennifer Morrison). She’s turned out exactly as he predicted in a painful opening scene (the film takes place entirely in luxury hotel rooms). Brody then reconnects with Tyler (Mia Maestro) a free spirit whom was just enough phase in his life – then its onwards back to Boston for the most heartbreaking encounter, Lindsay (Emily Watson). Lindsay and our lead were once young college professors together: our lead was in over his head – teaching graduate literature courses without the proper life experience to really grasp it all, he was book smart but lacked life experience. He and Lindsay had a tryst – almost causing her divorce and she arrives back to the scene of the crime to make him pay for the stupid mistakes of inexperience.

Cut back to Settle and Reggie (played by Zoe Kazan) – a stupid mistake made when he was 16 she’s hell-bent on making her feelings felt – the point of view he can never have in his writing. He finds some redemption with Bobbi (Kristen Bell) – or at least closure to his journey – and this is where it becomes difficult to talk about a Neil Labute script – to review it is to reveal spoilers.

Some Girl(s) is now on Vimeo on Demand and its worth checking out: each scene is well written and stands on its own, while on the whole its limited in what it can do. The performances are all uniformly excellent as is the direction by Daisy von Scherler Mayer which makes very good use out of the limited space, the film is psychologically cruel and contained (as a Neil Labute movie should be!).

Some Girls is available for rental on Vimeo on Demand.

OPENING THIS WEEKEND: 7/12/2013

This week we get six, count em' six new movies hitting the B. Lo - including an all new line up at the Amherst Theater (thanks Dipson Theaters!) - it's going to be a very busy weekend for us at Buffawood.... (we'll do our best to keep up)

@ The Art House

Dirty Wars - at Dipson Amherst

This looks like one very powerful look and timely look about the reporting of whistleblower Jeramy Scahill - inspired by his book Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield; although this does look like the kind of documentary that, if you've been closely following the news, you already know the story.

Unfinished Song - at Dipson Amherst

The art house appears to be taking a hint from Hollywood - Unfinished Song looks an awful lot like TWC's Quartet - this time around with Terrance Stamp. Gemma  co-stars in the film directed by Paul Andrew Williams (known best for his very gritty 2006 film London to Brighton). It looks like a pleasant enough alternative to Pacific Rim.

Fill the Void - at Dipson Amherst

The buzz has been solid for this elegant-looking Israeli drama about a young women that declares her independence from her ultra Orthodox Hasidic community - this award winner has garnered comparisons to Jane Austin. 

20 Ft. From Stardom at Dipson Eastern Hills

Also on VOD, 20 Ft from Stardom chronicles the life of a few behind-the-lead singers - the pain and the joys. Directed by seasoned music documentarian Morgan Neville.

@ The Multiplex  (*early screenings on Thursday night in select theaters)

Grown Ups 2 at Dipson Market Arcade, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Elmwood, Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit Center, Regal Hollywood

I genuinely enjoyed the first Grown Ups outing, Grown Up 2 looks like more of the same, but again no complaints from me. It looks like a fun enough summer comedy that should tide you over until the excellent The Way Way Back arrives in Buffalo theaters. Since everybody from the first one is back, I'm looking forward to some 90s SNL nostalgia.

Pacific Rim at Dipson Market Arcade, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Elmwood, Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Quaker Crossing, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit Center, Regal Hollywood

Michael Bay took a break this year, directing the (low budget for him) Pain and Gain, leaving Guillermo del Toro (who makes this one worth looking forward to) to helm what essentially looks like a transformers movie. The early reviews haven't been kind - but I'm sure the movie will offer some fun.

@ The Cheap Seats (our reviews)

The Bling Ring (7/10)

The East  (8/10)

Continuing (our reviews)

Despicable Me 2 (7/10)

The Heat (4/10)

Monsters University (7/10)

White House Down (7/10)

[In Theaters: REVIEW] MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN (8/10)

Midnight’s Children, which was paired down from a 466-page book to a 146-minute film is structurally an excellent, accessible and ambitious work that maybe bites off a little more than it can chew. Spanning three generations in the history of colonial and post-colonial India (and the further fragmentation of the country into Pakistan and Bangladesh) - the film is vibrant, colorful and fascinating.

Central to the narrative is the family of Saleem Sinai (Satya Bhabha) – one of “midnight’s children”, he’s born just as India gains independence, haunted by the voices of the other children of midnight. The novel's author, Salman Rushdie serves as the story’s narrator. Directed by Deepa Mehta, a noted critic of Indian society and norms (including her powerful trilogy Fire, Earth and Water), her work also examines the role of Indians in Canadian society including Heaven on Earth and her light Toronto-set comedy Bollywood/Hollywood. Rushdie is an apt colloborators, in a story that seems less critique and really more magical realism: tracing the childhood and coming of age of Saleem – who was switched at birth. Actually the son of peasants, he’s switch at birth with Shiva – who is sent into a life of poverty, when the truth is revealed Saleem is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Pakistan – witnessing the birth of a nation by military rule. His mother (played by Shahana Goswami) struggles with her own sexual issues including her own liberation causing a rift in her marriage (especially as we’ve seen the origin of this marriage earlier in the film).

The film is an awfully complex weaving of themes as fragmented, complex and ripe with contradictions as the nation it chronicles. Critics have accused it as a “mythification” – and perhaps it is a film intended for a Western audience (a good chunk of the film is spoken in English after all). Perhaps compressing the novel into a film that does race over key moments in history is doing the novel a disservice, but this is cinema: Midnight’s Children might have made for a more effective mini-series. While Slumdog Millionaire chronicled deep contradictions (that would allow for slums next to high rise office and residential towers), Midnight’s Children plays as a prequel of sorts. The film is far from perfect, epic in scope and overflowing with ideas - - in a summer filled with over bloated mindless entertainment this is a refreshing art house outing as imperfect as it is.

It goes without saying the film is beautifully shot and technically rather astounding: it suffers from, although that is the point, a mandate. The children of independence are also with a mixed candidate inspired by the baggage of the colonial era – the moral of the story is one cannot escape the complexities of history, both personal and national – even as they make history. 

Screening: Dipson Amherst Theatre