Movies

MOVIE REVIEWS

By A.D. Beal

A STAR IS BORN A country singer refl ects on his life and career after meeting a woman who quickly rises in fame.

The two leads of A Star Is Born surprised me. We all know that Bradley Cooper is a great actor, but this fi lm shows that he really can sing. Meanwhile with Lady Gaga, she sings wonderfully of course, but absolutely kills it with her performance. The pair have amazing chemistry, and we get to see them at their lowest and their highest. I love the contrast in the ways their performances are shot, with Cooper’s grittier concert fi lm-like style and Gaga’s larger production aesthetic. astly, you can’t talk about this fi lm and not mention the songs all of which are amazing, especially Shallow.

VENOM A former journalist is possessed by an alien parasite on the run from a megacorporation.

I’m really confused as to whether the fi lmmakers behind Venom were trying to make a serious sci-fi thriller fi lm or a comedy. To give you an idea on the tonal problems this fi lm has, within just a few seconds we can go from Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom exchanging buddy comedy-like dialogue, to a Cronenberg-esque horror scene. Speaking of Hardy, his performance is absolutely bizarre, because Eddie Brock never acts like a real human. He basically just accepts the fact that he has a parasite controlling him and seems cool with what it can do. The same goes for most of the supporting cast, though Riz Ahmed does do a decent job with the little material he has to work with. For a start to a possible cinematic universe, this is very strange and makes me wonder what the producers are intending to do with it.

THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS A young boy moves to his uncle’s house after the death of his parents, where he discovers that it has a mysterious past.

Compared to other YA fi lms, ouse has much more to offer when it comes to its visuals. The production design is very creative and there is some creative visual comedy in the fi lm. Plot wise, it hits the same beats as normal with other books, only this doesn’t take place in a future dystopia but rather the 1950s. Most of the performances are serviceable, but Jack Black, Cate Blanchett and Kyle MacLachlan are the standouts. Overall the fi lm was enjoyable, but nothing memorable.

THE SISTERS BROTHERS Two bounty hunter brothers search for a chemist that has created a revolutionary formula during the gold rush of the 1800s.

Somehow, I could not get into this, or at least not the main story despite the talents of John C. Riley and Joaquin Phoenix. I’m not sure if it was the pacing, the style or the all-around plot of their story, but something didn’t click. Thankfully, Jake Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed’s part of the story was much more exciting and interesting, mostly from the dialogue they share, and the fi lmmaking done in certain sections. There were several parts during the fi lm that felt like they could have been cut out, especially in the last 20 minutes. There was simply an unengaging feel to the fi lm overall, which made it a big disappointment for me.

NEW RELEASES RELEASES

NOVEMBER 2

Bohemian Rhapsody Nobody’s Fool The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Boy Erased (Limited) Bodied (Limited)

NOVEMBER 9

Overlord The Girl In The Spider’s Web Dr Seuss’ The Grinch El Angel (Limited)

NOVEMBER 16

Widows Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald Instant Family At Eternity’s Gate (Limited)

NOVEMBER 21

Green Book Creed 2 Ralph Breaks The Internet Robin Hood

NOVEMBER 30

The Possession Of Hannah Grace If Beale Street Could Talk (Limited) Anna And The Apocalypse (Limited)

NOV 30 - DEC 16

YOUR NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY THEATER

TEEN CASTING CALL 9 AM NOV 11

PERFORMANCES JAN 18 - FEB 2

Music and Lyrics by Jeff Marx & Robert Lopez. Book by Jeff Whitty. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx. Originally Produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffery Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group Directed by Susan Gibson Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)

ADULT CASTING CALL 9 AM DEC 8

PERFORMANCES FEB 22 - MAR 10

Adapted for the stage by James W Rodgers Based on the film by Frank Capra and the story by Peter Van Doren Stern Directed by Barbara L Surloff Co-Directed by Van Rockwell Presented through special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing

Book by George Abbott & Richard Bissell. Music and Lyrics by Jerry Ross & Richard Adler. Based on the novel, 7 1/2 Cents by Richard Bissell Directed by Dan Ashlock Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

1611 W Whispering Wind Dr Suite #9, Phoenix, AZ 85085 info@StarlightCommunityTheater.com 623-252-6815 www.StarlightCommunityTheater.com

JAZZ CONCERT Free and Open to the Public

THURSDAY NOV 15

November 15 | 7 - 9 PM Join us at PVCC Black Mountain to enjoy the PVCC Faculty Jazz Ensemble performing under the stars at the Aquila Hall Amphitheater.

PVCC at Black Mountain | 34250 North 60th Street | Scottsdale, AZ 85266 602.493.2600 | paradisevalley.edu/blackmountain CAREFREE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL WHEN: ovember - , 10:00 am 5:00 pm WHERE: 101 Easy St. in Downtown Carefree WHAT: Surround yourself with fine art, wine tasting, festival food and live music. The festival accommodates the return of Arizona’s largest wine-tasting event, providing an opportunity to sample an extensive collection of domestic and imported wines.

DVEF FLEA MARKET AND HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR WHEN: ovember 3, :30 am 1 :00 pm WHERE: DVUSD, 20402 N. 15th Ave. in Phoenix WHAT: DVEF is hosting its first annual Flea Market and oliday Craft Fair

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL WHEN: ovember 3 and , 10:00 am 6:00 pm WHERE: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. in Phoenix WHAT: Celebrate the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos with a two-day festival filled with music, dance, storytelling, shopping and food.

SUNRISE UMC CAR SHOW AND CHICKEN BBQ WHEN: November 10, 9am-3pm WHERE: 19234 N. 7th Ave. in Phoenix WHAT: Family-friendly old fashioned church chicken bbq. Local vendors and car/bike exhibitors welcome as well. BBQ dinner prices starting at $7. Free admission. Call 623-780-1008 for more info.

DEER VALLEY FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES OPEN HOUSE WHEN: November 10, 10 a.m. WHERE: 3600 W. Rose Garden Lane in Glendale WHAT: Enjoy our open house, in addition receive free groceries. St. Mary’s Mobile Food Pantry will arrive at noon. Food will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your own bags and boxes. o registration, no proof of residency required.

FREE ADMISSION – DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS WHEN: ovember 13, 10:00 am 6:00 pm WHERE: Desert Botanical Gardens, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix WHAT: For nearly 80 years, the Desert Botanical Garden has been teaching and inspiring visitors from the local community and around the world, providing research, exhibits and more designed to help us understand, protect and preserve the desert’s natural beauty. Garden admission is free on Community Day, the second Tuesday of every month. For more information visit dbg.org

PHOENIX PIZZA FESTIVAL WHEN: ovember 17, 11:00 am 5:00 pm WHERE: 1202 N. 3rd St. in Phoenix WHAT: Top pizza makers will come together for a beautiful day out in the November sunshine at Margaret T. Hance Park for the fourth annual Phoenix Pizza Festival! All vendors will offer $2-$4 sample items as well as half and whole pies for you and your family/friends to enjoy. There will be live music, lots of local businesses to meet, and an interactive kid’s craft zone. Hance Park is the perfect place to relax on the lawn, have a slice, enjoy a cold local beer or glass of wine, and play lawn games. This event benefits Downtown Phoenix, Inc. This event sells out every year, so only online, advanced tickets are available. Buy yours now if you’d like to attend the cheesiest festival on Earth! Rain or shine, kids 5 and under are free. Only service dogs and dogs under 25 lbs. allowed. Outside drinks prohibited, except for one sealed water bottle per person. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed in designated areas (front of stage and near kid’s zone). ATMs on site. No refunds.

50% OFF THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WHEN: November 18 WHERE: Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. 7th St. in Phoenix WHAT: Kids frolic among exhibits designed to foster creativity and skill development in babies to 10-year-olds. While classrooms can be vibrant centers for learning, they’re usually stocked with pencils and notebooks, not a forest of suspended green noodles or a flying bathtub with wings More info: bit.ly childs-museum

DOWNTOWN DONUT FESTIVAL WHEN: ovember 1 , 11:00 am 3:00 pm WHERE: 1202 N. 3rd St. in Phoenix WHAT: The Downtown Donut Festival will be a donut lovers’ paradise at Margaret T. Hance park in downtown Phoenix. Festival goers can devour delicious donuts from over 15 of the best local donut shops. Craft beer, mimosas, rosé, coffee, music, a kids zone, and sweet November sunshine will be the icing on the donut. This event benefits Downtown Phoenix, A and is co-hosted by Arizona Foodie! Attendance is limited, so advance tickets must be purchased online. Visit https://www.universe.com/events/SG70PT?embed=open&ref=universe_facebook_ push&eventref=fb_oea for more information and to get those tickets.

ANTHEM TURKEY TROT WHEN: ovember , :30 am 10:00 am WHERE: Anthem Community Center, 41130 N. Freedom Way in Anthem WHAT: Get off the couch and join us at the 16th Annual Anthem Turkey Trot. Beginning and ending at the Anthem Community Center, this rolling course winds through the beautiful Anthem community in the shadow of Daisy Mountain and Gavilan Peak. Bring the whole clan out to this fun, family, stroller friendly event! Finisher medals to all 5km and 10km participants. OPEN Sun - Thurs 11am - 10pm Fri & Sat 11am - 12am

HAPPY HOUR Mon - Fri 11am - 6pm Sat & Sun 11am - 4 pm

5310 E High St, Phoenix, AZ 85054 HIGHANDRYEAZ.COM

Join our Loyalty Customer Club! After 5th visit receive $5 off*

New Customers: FREE Dry Cleaning*

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1930 West Pinnacle Peak Road • Phoenix, AZ 85027 Hours: Monday - Friday 7AM - 7PM • Saturday 8AM - 5PM

Sunday, Nov. 4

Dia de los Muertos Festival

Saturday, Nov. 17 Sunday, Nov. 4

All the best fall events in one place. dtphx.org/liveitup

Sunday, Nov. 10

November 10-11

Pie Social

Sunday, Nov. 18 NovemBEER Festival

Saturday, Nov. 24 Arizona Hip Hop Festival

Sunday, Nov. 25

Phoenix Pizza Festival

Downtown Donut Festival Alt. Black Friday & Tree Lighting Ceremony Phoenix Flea

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