Archive for the 'The Weekend Wide Movie Guide' Category

Cache Valley’s Weekend Film Forecast

Published by Andy on October 30, 2009 in The Weekend Wide Movie Guide. 0 Comments

halloween-pumpkinHappy Halloween Eve to AATM readers! Looking for a scary movie to see in theaters this weekend? We’ve got you straight hooked up. See the list below, ranked by RottenTomatoes.com freshness, followed by what’s new in theaters and DVD/Blu-ray.

Personally, if you want something Halloweenish, I’d go for Paranormal Activity or Zombieland, except with the latter you’re going to get more laughs than actual bum-puckering frights. If you’re not keen on soiling yourself in public, then you could catch the Michael Jackson Love Train with This Is It, or you could check out Michael Moore’s new “documentary” and feel pissed about the government all weekend.

Whatever you choose, stay safe and remember – say no to trunk-or-treating!

AATM’s Halloween Movies Now Playing

Nightmare Before Christmas (PG, University Stadium 6) = 97% Fresh

Zombieland (R, Logan Movies 5) = 88% Fresh

Paranormal Activity (R, University Stadium 6) = 85% Fresh

Saw VI (R, Logan Movies 5 & Providence Stadium 8) = 45% Fresh

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (PG-13, Providence Stadium 8) = 37% Fresh

The Stepfather (R, Providence Stadium 8) = 11% Fresh

New This Week in Theaters

Capitalism: A Love Story (R, Logan Movies 5) = 75% Fresh

This Is It (PG, Providence Stadium 8 & University Stadium 6) = 80% Fresh

New This Week on DVD

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (PG) = 45% Fresh

Orphan (R) = 55% Fresh

Whatever Works (R) = 48% Fresh

Support AATM by picking these or other favorite DVDs and Blu-ray movies at Amazon.com!

Cache Valley’s Weekend Film Forecast

Published by Andy on October 23, 2009 in The Weekend Wide Movie Guide. 0 Comments

retromoviewatchingPerhaps you’ll be cheering the Aggies to victory numero dos against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at Romney Stadium. Or if an afternoon of college football isn’t in the cards, then maybe you’ll go hunting, or maybe you’ll just buy some beer and sit home watching re-runs of Ace of Cakes all weekend. Either way, if you’re like 99.6 percent of Cache Valley, you’ll be hitting up one of the three  first-run theaters, or you’ll be holding up a Redbox, looking for some one dollar DVDs to keep you from boredom and eating a whole bag of Doritos and a tub of KFC by yourself.

On the latter front, here’s what AATM.com recommends this weekend:

1. Paranormal Activity (R, University Stadium 6): This mockumentary thriller about a twentysomething couple trying to figure out why a demon/ghost has infested their San Diego home is definitely worth the full-price ticket. It scared the bejesus out of me and I think it will do the same for you (see my review here). And if it doesn’t, at least you’ll be entertained watching other people mess their pants.

2. Where the Wild Things Are (PG, Providence Stadium 8 & University Stadium 6): Older, mature fans of the book will find Spike Jonze’s adaptation of the Maurice Sendak’s timeless tale heartwarming, thoughtful, artsy and enchanting, but this isn’t a movie for the under 10 crowd. Not because it’s scary or dark, but because it’s over their heads. Easily one of the year’s best movies (see my review here).

3. Zombieland (R, University Stadium 6): I’d call this a zom-com, sort of like an American version of Shaun of the Dead. It’s funny, irreverant, offbeat and pretty gory. If you’re looking to catch a flick that doesn’t require a lot of thought or emotion, this is your pick.

4. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG, Logan Movies 5):  It might be sacrilegious to say this, but I thought Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was more entertaining than Pixar’s summer hit, Up. The voice talent is the real strength behind this movie, which is adapted from a children’s book about a loser inventor who makes a machine that uses weather to make food.

5. Whip It (PG-13, Logan Movies 5): Lots of critics are calling Drew Barrymore’s first turn as a director “Juno on roller-skates,” in reference to the film’s leading lady, Ellen Page, who was the heart and soul of 2007’s hit movie about a pregnant Midwestern teenager. I can see the inevitable comparisons, but Whip It is a little more cliched and predictable than Juno. Still, it’s funny, heartwarming and has a nice message.

If you’re hitting up your local DVD rental store, or the local Redbox, this week saw Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen released, along with Michelle Pfeiffer in Cheri and Blood: The Last Vampire. I haven’t seen the last two, so I can’t comment, but TROTF is exactly the same as I remember it from theaters: funny, bloated, way too long, full of dumbness, but, all-in-all, not a horrible movie. I bought it on Blu-ray. Yes, I’m Michael Bay’s beeotch.

Some other DVD selections recently released are The Proposal, Drag Me to Hell and Land of the Lost. Again, nothing spectacular, but all worthy picks and definitely worth the one dollar rental.

Cache Valley’s Best Bets for The Weekend

Published by Andy on September 11, 2009 in The Weekend Wide Movie Guide. 0 Comments

movie-tickets-popcornUtah State has a bye this weekend and all three local high schools have away games. What better weekend to head out to the local cinema, your DVD rental store or the Redbox and indulge in the hearty, butt-widening pastime of savoring some good old fashioned couch potato shenanigans.

In theaters:

The Hurt Locker (R, The Logan Art Cinema): Go see this immediately. Easily one of, if not the, best movies of 2009.

Inglourious Basterds (R, University Stadium 6): Best Tarantino movie ever. Like The Hurt Locker, easily one of, if not the, best movies of the year.

Whiteout (R, University Stadium 6): This wasn’t screened for the press, but not even 4 percent on RottenTomatoes.com can keep me from enjoying the lovely Kate Beckinsale in a steamy shower.

9 (PG-13, Providence Stadium 8): See Dan’s review here or my review here. Beautifully animated and hugely creative, but probably not for all audiences, especially little kids who may pee pee their bedsheets.

Extract (R, Logan Movies 5): Comedy from Office Space creator Mike Judge. A healthy 62 percent on RottenTomatoes.com and why am I not suprised? Two names: Jason Bateman and J.K. Simmons. Worst part about this movie? You’ll have to watch it at the dump that is the Logan Movies 5. That should be renamed Cinema Hobo. Since when is “upgraded” stadium seating actually stumbling through the dark into your Craftmatic adjustable lawn chair? Blech.

On DVD:

Crank 2: High Voltage (R): The first one was fun, zippy and clever. This one? Crap.

State of Play (PG-13): Political thriller starring one of the world’s best actors, Russell Crowe. You can read  my review of the film by clicking here.

Adventureland (R):  From the director of Superbad, this one is less raunchy and more heartfelt.

Duplicity (PG-13): Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Michael Clayton director Tony Gilroy. What’s not to love here?

And that’s about it Cache Valley. If I missed something or you think I’m smoking crack, by all means, share your thoughts.

Le Cinema de Cache Valley: What to See This Weekend

Published by Andy on September 4, 2009 in The Weekend Wide Movie Guide. 2 Comments Tags: .

what-to-see-this-weekend-cache-valleyWhatever your reason for wanting to hit the cinemas this weekend, one thing is certain – the pickings are slim. Cache Valley welcomes Gamer (R), All About Steve (PG-13) and Extract (R) to the already stale lineup of lingering summer flicks and last week’s mediocre fare, The Final Destination (R) and Halloween II (R). We have no reviews this week, so if I were you, the following movies now playing would be the best bets for your dollar:

Extract (R, Movies 5): You can’t go wrong with Jason Batemen, Mila Kunis, a bearded Ben Affleck and J.K. Simmons in a comedy from Mike Judge (Office Space). It’s received better reviews than Gamer and All About Steve, which Sandra Bullock is hoping to affix to the coattails of The Proposal’s success.

Ponyo (G, Movies 5): I’m surprised this animated film from Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) is seeing the light of day in Logan, so if you’re interested, I’d catch this one while you can. It’ll most likely be replaced by Sorority Row next Friday.

Inglourious Basterds (R, University Stadium 6): Not for the faint of heart who may be squeamish toward some graphic violence, but easily one of (if not the) best films of 2009. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz are just a handful of acting performances that make this film nothing short of superb. Bravo to Quentin Tarantino.

District 9 (R, Providence Stadium 8): Didn’t quite live up to all the hype, but easily one of the best sci-fi movies to hit theaters in quite some time. Original storyline, great directing and top-notch special effects make this an easy pick.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (PG-13, Providence Stadium 8): Nothing more and nothing less than pure dumb fun. Chocked full of explosions, gunfire, sword fights and lame action movie one-liners, if you missed this in August, it’s worth checking out. Just make sure to check your high expectations at the door.

The Weekend Wide Movie Guide: 5.10.09

Published by Dan on April 9, 2009 in The Weekend Wide Movie Guide. 0 Comments

Happy weekend! Early.

Three wide releases. One succinct, if not overcrowded, summary. Here we go.

observeObserve and Report: Omnipresent Seth Rogan and cute but always subversive Anna Faris wield their hilarious ways in this not-so-feel-good comedy tribute to gratuitous male nudity. Mr. Rogan plays an overzealous mall cop with aspirations of real cop success. He’s also and overzealous mall cop with aspirations on winning the keys to a shallow beauty-counter girl’s heart and pants (Ferris). All his wildest dreams come true when when a flasher decides the mall is the place to let the good times roll. Audience discomfort and nervous laughter to ensue.

dragonballDragonball: Evolution: Like Street Fighter before it, Dragonball: Evolution arrives with its critical mass all but spent years ago. Maybe there’s a weekend surprises here, but when a movie’s popularity is down 7% on the week it opens, that’s usually a cue for the sucking sound of money down the toilet. Sorry, 20th Century Fox. Nevertheless, Dragonball’s received heavy advertising rotation on kids channels, ensuring at least 15 people will turn over a portion of their income to see some kid with tall hair and a penchant for jumping around in a wire harness go all out to pick up seven glowballs that grant power unlimited. A crazy-shirted Chow Yun-Fat aids in the quest.

hannahHannah Montana The Movie: Disney Channel tween overacting ridiculousness be damned! Hannah Montana is on her way to rock your world and reveal what the blonde wig never could—she’s a brunette! This movie needs no explanation as an extension of the wildly popular TV series, clothing line, music empire, and all things pink and sparkly. The only explanation needed would be why, sans girls 4-14, you’d be going to see this.

The Weekend Wide Movie Guide

Published by Dan on April 1, 2009 in The Weekend Wide Movie Guide. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , .

It’s the first weekend of April and things are a little a slow on the “summer appetizer” movie release slate (IE- there’s money to be made, but maaaaybe not enough to give them a summer slot). Instead, it’ll most likely be a weekend for audiences to revisit the gooey, slimy and engorged antics of Monsters vs. Aliens (Andy’s review here).

fast_and_furious_xlgUnless, of course, you like your movies served up on a piping hot plate of fancy girls, pretty boys and the vehicles they exploit. That’s right– Vin “I used to be a contender!” Diesel   and Paul “Me too!” Walker return to punching dudes in the face and gas pedals to floor in Fast & Furious– not to be confused with The Fast and the Furious or what would have been the natural progression of the franchise name: More Fasterer and More Furiouser.

As to plot points, there’s not much to know. Feuding friends Dominic (Diesel) and Bryan (Walker) parted ways in the original, but find their paths crossing again in a tangle of tangled tangliness. This time, furious exploits involve a joint quest to put a righteous beatdown on a heroine importer, seducing chicks and keeping Hollywood’s Stuntman Union gainfully employed.

adventureland_xlgIn theaters less furious comes Adventureland, director Greg Mattola’s followup to last year’s Superbad. The mild comedy is winning nearly universal smiles as a sweet and charming reminiscence to summer jobs gone by. Still, Adventureland is rated “R”, replete with all the cursing and potty talk you knew and loved when you were a local amusement park employee.

Adventureland’s most recognizable name is star Kristin “Don’t call me Bella!” Stewart, but the shenanigans center around a recent college graduate (played by Jesse Eisenberg) who, after a string of unplanned disappointments, works and illegally smokes his problems into submission via summer employment at the Pennsylvania amusement park Adventureland. The film plays out circa 1987– the year I turned lucky 13 and asked Rachael Harris if she’d “go with me”– and also stars Andy’s ever-witty man-crush: Ryan Reynolds.