FILM! SECTION - SPONSORED BY ULTRASTAR CINEMAS
FILM! Stan Robinson, ScreenScene.org
Joseph J. Airdo Examiner.com
Reviewers’ Roundtable
why people do not talk like this in real life, as we would never be able to get anything accomplished in the midst of so many long-winded, irrelevant speeches. After all, other than a commanding performance from Fiennes, the movie sure doesn’t.” Grade: D
The following quotes were pulled from AZ Weekly Entertainment Magazine’s film columnists’ full reviews in an effort to generate a well-rounded overview of each of this weekend’s new releases.
Randy Montgomery, AZ Weekly Film Critic
Listen to Joseph J. Airdo’s “Movie Maverick” radio segment, every Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. during “The Daily Blender with Jeffry O’Brien” on KBSZ - NBC 1260 AM and 96.1 FM
About the Film Columnists Stan Robinson, 65, is a retired first assistant director with more than 22 years of experience in film and media production. Read his full features and reviews exclusively online at ScreenScene.org. Randy Montgomery, 34, works in media and marketing and holds a master’s degree in counseling and education. Read his full features and reviews exclusively online at AZWeeklyMagazine.com. Joseph J. Airdo, 28, is a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism graduate with a bachelor’s degree in media analysis and criticism. Read his full features and reviews exclusively online at Examiner.com/Phoenix.
‘Coriolanus’ Banished from the city he once served, a former war hero (Ralph Fiennes) joins forces with an old enemy (Gerard Butler) to bring about the downfall of Rome. Playing exclusively at Harkins Camelview 5. (R – 122 minutes)
‘Chico & Rita’ A Cuban pianist becomes smitten with a sultry singer, but leading to a passionate but star-crossed romance that reaches across six decades. Playing exclusively at Harkins Valley Art. (NR – 93 minutes) Joseph: “The best animated features make viewers forget all about the fact that they are essentially just a rapid display of images that creates the illusion of movement. ‘Chico & Rita’ does exactly that, encouraging viewers to believe the characters on the screen are real, living and breathing entities. In fact, it does a whole lot more, too, giving life to its love story in a way that even very few live-action romances are capable of achieving. The only thing that is more dazzlingly beautiful and provocatively sexy than the story is the visual format through which it is told.” Grade: B
Stan: “As always, when the works of William Shakespeare’s plays are adapted to modern settings, ‘Ten Things I Hate About You’(1999), based on‘The Taming of the Shrew’, and Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’(1996) come to mind, one definitely has to be well-grounded in Shakespeare’s works. It’s a tall challenge for debut director / veteran actor Ralph Fiennes who captures the essence of the era for the play’s original setting as the theme of determination and vengeance is transported to modern times.” Grade: C+ Joseph: “For his directorial debut, Ralph Fiennes contemporizes William Shakespeare’s play ‘Coriolanus.’ He literally takes that tale and, maintaining its language, places it within a modern-day context. Such a strange juxtaposition sounds like an interesting idea at first. However, it does not take long for one to realize
‘Friends with Kids’ Complications arise when platonic buddies (Jennifer Westfeldt and Adam Scott) agree to a have baby but remain just pals. Also starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, John Hamm, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns. (R – 100 minutes) Stan: “Visiting the familiar theme of ‘can two life long friends of the opposite sex continue a plutonic relationship’ when one wants the experience of raising a child, ‘Friends With Kids’ gives us a number of insightful moments and character portrayals because of the ensemble performances of the cast, is a solid ‘date movie’ for both the male and female of the species.” Grade: C+ Joseph: “The plot of filmmaker Jennifer Westfeldt’s latest romantic dramedy ‘Friends with Kids’ is nothing that we have not already seen several
www.UltraStarMovies.com Avoid the box office and buy & print your tickets online or from your smartphone! 18
March 8th, 2012 - March 14th, 2012
AZWeeklyMagazine.com