14 minute read
Movies
MOVIE REVIEWS
Reviewed by A.D. Beal
INCREDIBLES 2 Immediately following the events of the first film, a wealthy businessman asks Elastigirl to help him on a project that could make superheroes legal again.
Brad Bird’s follow-up to his 2004 hit is probably the best sequel Pixar has made since Toy Story 3. What’s great is that it avoids what could have been so many obvious points and twists, and instead lets the characters make smart decisions. It rarely forces them to have dumb, outof-character moments just to advance the plot. It also doesn’t talk down to the children viewers by spelling everything out, which leaves us with a film that both old and young can enjoy. As per usual with Pixar, it also features memorable and likable characters as well as beautiful animation. The themes have been seen before in previous Brad Bird films (Ratatouille, Tomorrowland, etc) but for this day and age we are experiencing, it is a good, hopeful message.
SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO Alejandro Gillick is asked yet again for assistance by FBI Agent Matt Graver to get approval on a war against drug cartels, but the kidnapping of a young girl causes tension between the two as the plan goes wrong.
Compared to the first Sicario, Day of the Soldado feels like it belongs in a different film series, as it has more of an action thriller feel, as opposed to the crime drama feel of its predecessor. In doing that, the new film loses a lot of what made the first one interesting, such as the blurred morals. The film is fine on its own, as the action scenes are shot and edited fluently, and Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin are once again great in their roles. But turning the former into the hero does not line up with the ruthless assassin shown before, and it contributes to the generic feeling of the film. It’s a brutal film with some interesting ideas but sadly doesn’t really go anywhere with them. THE FIRST PURGE After achieving power in the United States, the NFAA sets up an experiment in Staten Island that the population refers to as “The Purge”.
To director Gerard McMurray’s credit, he brings a style to The First Purge that does make it stand out from the previous films, with a more synth-based score and darker (both literally and figuratively) look to the film. Lex Scott Davis and Y’Lan Noel are the new leads in the film, and they both do a good job with their characters, as they are not superheroes but can still be tough yet likable. Throughout the film as a whole, there are some strange editing choices (including a fade to black in the middle of a fight scene) and an overuse of hip-hop music that sucks away a lot of the tension. The script (written by series creator James DeMonaco) also falls into many horror film traps and clichés. As for the storylines politics, I appreciate how they continue to be open with their messages. Strangely and unfortunately however, I don’t think they went all the way with some aspects, such as the military sending in troops to contribute more killings. There is a lot that could be done with the commentary, but it feels like a step back from the previous film.
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU A man in Oakland sees his life change in strange ways after getting work as a telemarketer.
There’s no easy way to describe the greatness that is Sorry to Bother You, you just need to experience it for yourself. But if I must, here we have a film with a cast of so many talented actors (Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson and Armie Hammer to name a few) offering different POV’s for their characters in their fantastic performances. You have humor that can be both subtle and blatant in its messages, and it always works. There is also loads of insane imagery that will leave you terrified or laughing. That should be enough to convince you to see it, right?
NEW RELEASES
AUGUST 3
Christopher Robin Searching The Darkest Minds The Spy Who Dumped Me The Miseducation of Cameron Post (Limited)
AUGUST 10
The Meg Dog Days BlacKkKlansman (Limited)
AUGUST 15TH
Crazy Rich Asians
AUGUST 17
Alpha Mile 22
AUGUST 24
The Happytime Murders Slender Man A.X.L. Support the Girls (Limited)
AUGUST 31
Kin a Veremos The Little Stranger (Limited)
neighborhood featuring a dogfriendly patio and zen garden. By day, 32 Shea is a bustling cafe with coffee, breakfast, lunch,
Drive-Thru & Order Line: 10626 N 32nd St. (NWC 32nd St. & Shea) Drive-Thru & Order Line: experienceLIFE IS SHORT. EAT BETTER PIZZA.® Let’s Get Jet’s!® 14 SPECIALTY PIZZAS SALADS • JET’S BREAD® JETSTIX® • JETZEES® AND MORE a A locally-owned oasis at the center of the North 32nd neighborhood featuring a dogfriendly patio and zen garden. By day, 32 Shea is a bustling cafe with coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a 12-Hour Happy Hour. At night we transform into a hip lounge/restaurant serving small plates and entrees. 00776.24.18 • © 2018 Clipper Magazine and a 12-Hour Happy Hour. At night we transform into a hip lounge/restaurant serving small plates and entrees. 10626 N 32nd St. (NWC 32nd St. & Shea) Locally Owned Drive-Thru & Order Line: 602-867-7432 www.32shea.com local favorite. A locally-owned oasis at the center of the North 32nd neighborhood featuring a dogfriendly patio and zen garden. By day, 32 Shea is a bustling cafe with coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a 12-Hour Happy Hour. At night we transform into a hip Locally Owned Drive-Thru & Order Line: 602-867-7432 www.32shea.com A locally-owned oasis at the center of the North 32nd neighborhood featuring a dog-coffee. food. cocktails. lounge/restaurant serving small plates and entrees. 10626 N 32nd St. friendly patio and zen garden. By dog-friendly patio. drive thru. 12-hour happy hour. (NWC 32nd St. & Shea) Drive-Thru & Order Line: purchase of $25 or more $5OFF One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Expires 9/5/18. N32AUG breakfast, lunch or dinner entree BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF Discounted item must be of equal or lesser value. One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 9/5/18. N32AUG Distributed with RetailMeNot Everyday™ DV4040816 purchase of $25 or more $5OFF One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Expires 9/5/18. N32AUG BUY 1, GET 1 50 Discounted item must be of equal or One coupon per party per visit. Not valid day, 32 Shea is a bustling cafe with coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a 12-Hour Happy Hour. At night we transform into a hip lounge/restaurant serving small plates and entrees. 10626 N 32nd St. (NWC 32nd St. & Shea) Locally Owned Drive-Thru & Order Line: 602-867-7432 www.32shea.com A locally-owned oasis at the center of the North 32nd neighborhood featuring a dogfriendly patio and zen garden. By day, 32 Shea is a bustling cafe with coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a 12-Hour Happy Hour. At night we transform into a hip lounge/restaurant serving small plates and entrees. 10626 N 32nd St. (NWC 32nd St. & Shea) Locally Owned Drive-Thru & Order Line: 602-867-7432 www.32shea.com 00776.24.18 • © 2018 Clipper Magazine Locally Owned Drive-Thru & Order Line: 602-867-7432 www.32shea.com Takeout • Delivery Online Ordering Catering PHOENIX 10855 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste 110 (480) 998-9889 JetsPizza.com DEEP DISH DUO® Small Pizza with Premium Mozzarella & 1 Topping plus an order of our Deep Dish Bread®. Served with your choice of Dipping Sauce $1399 SPECIALTY PIZZAS Aloha BBQ Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, BLT, Hawaiian, Meatball Supremo®, Super Special, All Meaty®, Buff alo Ranch Chicken, Eugene Supreme®, Philly Cheese Steak or Alfredo Expires: 09/05/18. Participating locations only. Extra toppings, chicken, meatballs & steak, substitutions, extra dipping sauces, dressings, tax and delivery additional. Must present coupon. Prices subject to change without notice. Nutrition information available at JetsPizza.com/Nutrition Expires: 09/05/18. Participating locations only. Extra toppings, chicken, meatballs & steak, substitutions, extra dipping sauces, dressings, tax and delivery additional. Must present coupon. Prices subject to change without notice. Nutrition information available at JetsPizza.com/Nutrition $1249 $1699 Small (Jet’s Detroit Style Deep Dish, Hand Tossed Round or Thin Crust) Large (Jet’s Detroit Style Deep Dish, Hand Tossed Round or Thin Crust)
purchase of $25 or more purchase of $25 or more TEMPLATEFILE 1 5/11/18 2:18 PM TEMPLATEFILE 1 5/11/18 2:18 PM purchase of $25 or more $5OFF One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Expires 8/5/18. N32JUL breakfast, lunch or dinner entree BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF Discounted item must be of equal or lesser value. One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 8/5/18. N32JUL USPS regulations require that this address label be delivered with its accompanying postage-paid mail. If you should receive this card without its accompanying mail, please notify your local postmaster.Distributed with RetailMeNot Everyday™ DV4040816 purchase of $25 or more $5OFF One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Expires 8/5/18. N32JUL BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF Discounted item must be of equal or One coupon per party per visit. Not valid other offer. Expires 8/5
Not valid with any Not valid with any TEMPLATEFILE 1 purchase of $25 or more $5OFF One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. breakfast, lunch or dinner entree BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF Discounted item must be of equal or lesser value. 5/11/18 2:18 PM5/11/18 2:18 PM $5 OFF Expires 8/5/18. N32JUL One coupon per party per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 8/5/18. N32JUL PURCHASE OF $15 OR MORE purchase TEMPLATEFILE 2 One time use only. Not redeemable for cash. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid at PDQ Paradise Valley location ONLY.
of $25 or more
EXPIRES: 08/31/18 CODE: 987-037-817
PDQ PARADISE VALLEY
4514 E. CACTUS RD • 602-325-4973
TEMPLATEFILE 2
TEMPLATEFILE 2
VIP AIRSOFT: A FUN PLACE FOR YOUR NEXT GROUP EVENT OR PARTY
By Jennifer Marshall
Are you looking for a fresh, innovative way to celebrate your child’s birthday or host your company’s next corporate event? If you’re tired of all the ho-hum ideas and places, then you need to book VIP Airsoft for your next big celebration. But what is VIP Airsoft? Airsoft is similar to paintball. They’re both defined as recreational and competitive shooting sports, but they’re still different. Instead of using paintballs, Airsoft uses what is called “spherical plastic projectiles” also known as airsoft pellets. As the name suggests, they’re composed of a plastic material. These air pellets are loaded into airsoft guns, which are a
type of air gun. Airsoft is a popular sport with an ever growing list of fans. In June 2017, Bryan Bijonowski opened a second state-of-the-art indoor airsoft arena in the Phoenix area—VIP Airsoft.
Except when booked for a private function, open hours are considered public sessions whereby people can walk in and participate. When enough players are assembled, they’re divided into two teams for about 10 minutes of action after which the referee calls the game and proclaims the winner.
“When someone gets hit, they call themselves out, go back to the restart point and start over,” said Bijonowski. “You might have four or five lives in the game kind of like a video game.”
Public session games are open to kids and adults. Children must be 10 years and older to join a team. The only age exception is for eight and nine year olds who are exceptionally athletic.
VIP Airsoft offers an array of different types of games for clients to play. During public sessions,
the referees determine which particular games will be played at that time. Capture the flag and zombie games are always crowd pleasers. For real adrenaline junkies, a mock bomb is available to be disarmed. Just imagine—you can be the superhero who saves the world! Protection type games are fun, too, where, for example, the objective is to protect a movie or rock star, which means one team will be guarding while the other team attempts to take out the security detail.
Reservations can be made to host a private affair at VIP Airsoft. The arena is perfect for birthday parties and corporate events. The arena also hosts themed overnighters for kids. For young children between six and nine, they offer peewee nerf parties. And since nothing makes a party better than pizza and soda, they have an in-house concession for hungry young tummies.
With so much emphasis on kids, safety is a natural question. According to Bijonowski, the sport is completely safe. VIP Airsoft also uses the latest safety technology. All players wear gloves, long sleeves, chest protectors, helmets and face protection in the form of masks. Safety equipment is available for rent, and for those who would rather purchase their own gear, a pro shop is located on-site.
How, then, did Bijonowski get into such a unique and expanding business? Back in the early 2000s, he owned a small shop in Gilbert specializing in PC gaming; his shop also sold paintball gear. Fast forward a few years, and he operated a small paintball field at his Gilbert church; he did this for about six years.
Located in the same strip mall as his PC game shop was a vacant unit that had been empty for about 10 years. Around 2009, inspiration struck, and Bijonowski wrote an official business plan for his indoor airsoft arena. He presented his plan to the strip mall’s owner who reviewed it and was immediately interested. You could say that he was ahead of his time as not many airsoft arenas existed in the late 2000s.
“The owner went out to California to see an airsoft arena,” said Bijonowski. “He saw it was in a crummy area and saw people streaming in the door. He said if this place is popular in a crummy warehouse area, it should do well in a nicer place.” “Demographics” was Bijonowski’s one word answer when asked how he came to open his newest location here near the corner of North 32nd Street and East Shea Boulevard. This new arena is approximately 30 miles from his Gilbert location. Not only do the two arenas not compete against each other but they’ve Owner Bryan Bijonowskiexpanded his client base while cutting down on the drive time for some of his customers from “Excellent customer service, play Scottsdale and the North Phoenix arena and owner who stands behind area. their products! This place is a MUST To learn more about VIP Airsoft, —Christian A. via Google check out their website at: vipairsoft. SEE for newbies or VETS!” net/phoenix. “Like” and “Follow” “Courteous, helpful and knowledgethem on Facebook, and read some of able staff. Clean arena. Great specials their many rave reviews from happy offered and not far off the interstate.” customers such as: —Jenny A. via Yelp
VIP AIRSOFT ARENA & PRO SHOP
Now Open at 10870 N. 32nd St. in Phoenix (Just north of Shea, Behind Bosa Donuts)
• Pro Shop • Events • Training BIRTHDAY & BACHELOR PARTIES! • Open Play • Memberships • Memberships
ASK ABOUT OUR FREQUENT PLAYER CARD
VISIT WWW.VIPAIRSOFT.NET For upcoming events, specials & hours Buy One 4-Hour Session, Get One FREE
(A $20 Value!) With this coupon. Not valid with other off ers. One coupon per customer per month. Expires 9/5/18. N32N
