12 minute read
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. Lastly, 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, House 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)
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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL WHEN: November 3 and 4, 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 fi lled with music, dance, storytelling, shopping and food.
LIVE & LOCAL, PRESENTED BY GODADDY WHEN: November 11, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm WHERE: Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. in Phoenix WHAT: The sixth annual celebration of the best in Arizona food, live entertainment and spirits is back this November! Live & Local, benefi ting the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, transforms The District into a VIP experience boasting a delectable culinary tasting menu and entertainment lineup, including local restaurant and beverage partners, celebrity mixologists, entertainers and more!
FREE ADMISSION – DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS WHEN: November 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. More Info - dbg.org
PHOENIX PIZZA FESTIVAL WHEN: November 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. Located next to the Phoenix Public Library on craft zone. Located next to the Phoenix Public Library on Central Avenue, Hance Park is the perfect place to relax on the Central Avenue, 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 benefi ts 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 OF PHOENIX 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 instead of a forest of suspended green noodles or a fl ying bathtub with wings! More info: bit.ly/ childs-museum
DOWNTOWN DONUT FESTIVAL WHEN: November 18, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm WHERE: 1202 N. 3rd St. in Phoenix WHAT: The Downtown Donut Festival will be a donut lovers’ paradise on Nov. 18 at Margaret T. Hance park in downtown Phoenix. From 11am-3pm, 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 benefi ts Downtown Phoenix, AZ 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.
NINJA WARRIORS WHEN: November 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. WHERE: Aviano Community, 22500 N. Aviano Way in Phoenix WHAT: Be a Ninja Warrior! – Receive a wrist band for signing up and experience three exciting obstacle courses (beginners, Intermediate, and advanced) –Thousands of participants will attend this all-day event - enjoying fi tness, DJ, infl atables, booths with hands on education and activities, sports teams, healthy giveaways, super heroes, food and much more. www.ShapeUpUS.org
STRING ART - WOOD SLICE ORNAMENTS WHEN: Saturday November 17, 6:30-9pm WHERE: Craft Nights Studio 10832 N. 32nd St. in Phoenix WHAT: Come join us as we get in the holiday spirit. We are taking string art to another level - these rustic looking wood ornaments are all the craze right now, and they make a great gift! $19 for a set of 3. MUST PRE-REGISTER @ craftnights.com
BLACK FRIDAY STRING ART WHEN: Friday November 23, 4pm6:30 pm WHERE: Craft Nights 10832 N. 32nd St. in Phoenix WHAT: Come choose any design we have, spend a few hours with us and string your heart out. We have plenty of holiday patterns, state of Arizona patterns, and lots to choose from. This is a limited availability class and once it is full, it is full. These are GREAT for gifts for the holidays, getting family together that’s in town for a fun outing, or just hammering out your aggression because there’s too much family drama! It’s hammer time - come get crafty with us. $20, no gimmicks, no joke - must pre-register @ craftnights.com
CHRISTMAS AT THE PRINCESS WHEN: November 25, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm WHERE: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Dr. in Scottsdale WHAT: Ring in the holiday season at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort with 40 percent off a rinkside fi re pit for four, plus admission to Christmas experiences including the Enchanted Plaza Show, Santa’s Secret Headquarters and Princess Express Trains. More Info: bit.ly/phx-deals OPEN Sun - Thurs 11am - 10pm Fri & Sat 11am - 12am
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