REEL WEEK: A Valentine and a Wake
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
Huntington, WV (HNN) – We have lost numerous celebrities --- young and old --- but I received an email containing notice of a new production in New York. Titled “Celebrity Funeral,” this off-Broadway show invents the mourners at the funeral of no shirt icon (and “We Are Marshall” coach) Matthew David McConaughey.
It’s obviously a fictionalized mock-u-mentary (of sorts). The poster invitation for “Ab Man’s” make believe wake states, “out of respect, no shirt allowed.”
Obviously, only NYC MU’ers will have an opportunity to see this, but anything that connects the stars of “We Are Marshall” might be of interest. And, the poster should bring a smile.
As for the week’s cinema, theatres are gradually (and this week and next appears to be mass exodus week) clearing holiday hold overs, including reducing the number of screens on which nine Academy Award nominee, “Avatar” flicks in 3D. Sandra Bullock’s “Blind Side” has been around before Christmas, so it will likely temporarily fade to black (or second run) until Bullock claims her prize. (Just wondering, will she show to accept her Razzie for “worst performance” in “All About Steve?” It will always be remembered as the ‘red boots movie.’)
MAINSTREAM OPENINGS
PERCY JACKSON: Lightning Thief: Harry may be ‘going out of business,’ but I’m not sure that no matter the buzz that a character named Percy can garner even a smidgen of Potter magic. Still, the concept previews the “Clash of the Titans” remake.
THE WOLFMAN: Universal Pictures cornered the classic horror market with Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, and The Mummy. Each prompted sequels that contained “Son of,” “Return of,” of even a “Daughter…,” rather than a Roman numeral. This re-make follows the legend of once bitten by a werewolf, you become one at the rise of the full moon. Expect a more grizzly production, although, the update/comedy, “An American Werewolf in London,” handily juggled glorious red blood and a script of feisty one-liners.
VALENTINE’S DAY: From the director of “Pretty Woman” Garry Marshall comes an all star ( Julia Roberts, Anna Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Emma Roberts, Jamie Fox, Taylor Swift, Shirley MacLaine, Queen Lattish ) would-be Cupid Day celebration. Charleston’s Jennifer Garner joins this ensemble of love sick Los Angelinos intertwined by relationships one Valentine’s Day. (No, this is NOT a remake of a horror flick i.e. “My Bloody Valentine”) Critics have not been kind, but individual postings have been favorable, such as “love Julia, great cast.” Incidentally, this is the same Garry Marshall who executive produced 70s TV icons “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.” His films range from comedy (“Young Doctor’s in Love,” “Overboard,” “Runaway Bride”) to more serious heartfelt dramas (“Other Sister,” “Dear God,” “Beaches,” “Nothing in Common).
LIMITED/EXCLUSIVE… CRAZY HEART: Coupling an underdog singer and country music has been a genre with a more hits than flops record. Sometimes, a few melodic country ‘story’ songs have turned an otherwise average flick into a long running ‘sleeper.’ Having grabbed Oscar buzz, the film has critical praise too for “marvelous moments, lovely lines and vivid characters” and as a “well-done adult American movie.” It’s cast boasts four time Oscar winner, Jeff Bridges, as the down and out guitarist befriended by a journalist (Maggie Gyllenhaal ) who pumps the victim of one too many road tours and beers back into hoping and believing.
MINI REVIEW
FROM PARIS WITH LOVE: John Travolta has had career up’s and down’s before, but this TITLE seems to be a marketing ploy to woo Valentine’s Day moviegoers. Yes, there’s a love interest, but this is BAM CRASH CRACK action (more guns blazing than karate or kung fu). Travolta soared to super stardom with “Saturday Night Fever,” then, hit bottom with “Moment by Moment.” After everyone thought him history, he starred in “Pulp Fiction” and he’s revived his career as an action hero or heavy. Pairing trigger happy loose cannon Travolta with a mousey ambassador’s aid (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) tip toeing through the bodies by the book persona could have been a wacky, hilarious pairing, but, this flick is played straight all the way. That’s why it fails to persuade viewers that this team has promise.