Movies

MOVIE REVIEWS

By A.D. Beal

VICE The story of Dick Cheney and his rise through politics, leading to his run as Vice President under George W. Bush.

Writer and director Adam McKay’s anger seethes throughout this movie, and the fury affects the style, editing and tone here. It goes back and forth between comedy and horror in how they show the things that Cheney and co. were able to get away with, and it’s a rare case where confl icting tones work. It’s insane just how meta the fi lm is, continuously breaking the fourth wall with a narrating Jesse Plemons (who has his own story in the fi lm), several interesting editing choices, and a false ending. Christian Bale perfectly recreates Cheney in voice, actions and personality, and is joined by a fantastic cast (especially Amy Adams). The documentary style (with wonderful shots by Greig Fraser) adds to the realism and cements the uncomfortable feeling you are left with.

THE MULE A ninety-year-old man takes up a driving job after falling into fi nancial strain, only to discover its connections to a major drug cartel.

For someone who’s been directing for nearly 50 years, there’s a very amateur feel to Clint Eastwood’s new fi lm. Maybe it’s due to his tendency to shoot very few takes, but none of the actors ever seem really ‘into’ the fi lm, aside from Eastwood himself (who happens to play the main character). The situation at hand never resonates because the characters don’t seem to really care, so why should we? The fi lm also seems to have an identity crisis when it comes to tone, because sometimes it really wants you to take the story seriously while also treating many moments as a comedy. Speaking of which, the humor is fi lled with outdated “kids these days…” and “the internet is terrible” jokes, along with some out of nowhere racist humor. Aside from that, it’s boringly shot and edited, making for an overall bland fi lm. It’s bizarre that a fi lm with this much talent can turn out the way it did.

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK A young woman and her family must do anything possible to save her lover from prison time after being accused of a horrifi c crime.

Barry Jenkins’ follow up to Moonlight is the kind of fi lm that you can tell someone put more than their all into it. The fi lm goes deep into the lives of Tish and Fonny (played expertly by KiKi Layne and Stephan James), showing their full uncensored lives, warts and all. But the genius of Jenkins is how he presents it - simple, normal and not overly staged. A different fi lmmaker would try to make some scenes feel more fast-paced and hectic, but here, they are intimate and lovely. The energy from our leads also crosses over to the supporting cast, namely Regina King and Colman Domingo, and even the minor characters, including Brian Tyree Henry (who absolutely steals the show in his major scene). Combine that with James Laxton’s old photo-like cinematography and Nicholas Britell’s beautiful score, and you have a love story for the ages. One that will make you feel all sorts of emotions, while making you think by the end.

NEW RELEASES RELEASES

FEBRUARY 1

Miss Bala Arctic (Limited)

FEBRUARY 8

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Cold Pursuit The Prodigy What Men Want Everybody Knows (Limited)

FEBRUARY 13

Isn’t It Romantic Birds Of Passage (Limited)

FEBRUARY 14

Alita: Battle Angel Happy Death Day 2U Fighting With My Family

Meet the artists in more than 120 working studios! JANUARY 11-MARCH 24 26540 N Scottsdale, at Jomax ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com 480-837-7163

10-week Season Pass $10; Military/Seniors $8 • Open Daily–Rain or Shine–10-6 PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT WHEN: February 5, 5:30-7:00 pm and February 6, 10-11:30 am WHERE: Affi nity Wealth Advisory Group, 7010 E. Chauncey Ln., Suite 200 in Phoenix WHAT: During this complimentary seminar, hosted and presented by Renee A. Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor with Affi nity Wealth Advisory Group, a private wealth advisory practice Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc, you’ll learn about: • Common ways your personal information can be compromised • Steps you can take to protect your personal information • What to do if you are a victim of identity theft Space is limited. Please make a reservation ASAP by calling (602) 923-9800 or by emailing kim.hoppens@ampf.com. This is an informational seminar. There is no cost or obligation.

XO 2019 MARRIAGE CONFERENCE WHEN: February 8 from 2 pm - 8:30 pm, and February 9 from 8 am to 10:30 am WHERE: Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Dr. in Scottsdale WHAT: Working on your marriage during the good times will keep your skills sharp. Attend this conference and restore the excitement you felt at the beginning of your relationship. Doing fun things together is how to stay in love. You can become soul mates with your spouse, but soul mates are not born; they’re made through dedication and a desire to make it happen. Marriage is a covenant, but our society treats marriage like a contract. God has a purpose for your marriage. Come learn what that purpose is and how to achieve it. Cost: $17 per person. Register online at: marriagetoday.brushfi re. com/xo-simulcast-2019/448236

EXPERIENCE CANADA WHEN: February 9 and 10 from 9 am – 5 pm WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix WHAT: In conjunction with Arizona Canada Week, enjoy French-Canadian string band and fi ddle musical performances, hear a Canadian children’s story set to the live music of MIM’s Story Time Band, and make a fi ddle craft with your little one. Visit https://mim.org/events/experience-canada/2019-02-09/ for a full schedule of events.

BECOMING: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH MICHELLE OBAMA WHEN: February 12, 8 pm WHERE: Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St. in Phoenix WHAT: Former First Lady and now author, Obama is touring. “…I’d like to share that fuller story with all of you on my book tour. It’s the story of my humdrum plainness, my tiny victories, my lasting bruises, my ordinary hopes and worries. It’s the story of who I am, truly, and I’m proud of it — blemishes and all.”

GALENTINE’S DAY CRAFT EVENT WHEN: February 13, 6 pm WHERE: Stencil Studios, 14435 N. 73rd St. in Scottsdale WHAT: This Galentine’s event is a fun way to spend the evening with your

gal pals! Save $10 off ANY string art project plus enjoy two free drinks and appetizers. Try something new and fun, come get your craft on at Stencil! To reserve seats, visit: stencilstudios.com/galentines-day-event/

SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW WHEN: February 14 – 24 WHERE: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd. in Scottsdale WHAT: Since 1955 the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. The fi rst show was held at the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel which was a beautiful setting for a horse show. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was a fi rst class show from the very fi rst day. Since that time, the show has been held at Westworld in Scottsdale. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2400 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns.

DISNEY’S ALADDIN WHEN: Through February 17 WHERE: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave. Arizona State University in Tempe WHAT: Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production fi lled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infi nite. See showtimes at https://www.asugammage.com/shows-events/disneysaladdin

NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS WHEN: February 22 – 24 from 8 am – 10 pm WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Rd. in Chandler WHAT: The NHRA is headed back to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the 35th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-fi lled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see fi rsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

WORLDS OF WONDER WHEN: February 28 – March 3 WHERE: Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St. in Phoenix WHAT: An imaginitive spellbinding performance of new and old works featuring the raw and fascinating “Rite of Spring” choreographed and set to Stravinsky’s magnifi cent score ‒ preceded by an opening fi rst act based on “Creation”‒ choreography by CDE Assistant Artistic Director, Diane McNeal Hunt; Amber Robins and guest artist, Nicole Olson. Showtimes: 7:30 PM Thursday - Saturday, 2:00 PM Sunday SURPRISE

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: SCOTTSDALE FEB 8-10 CAREFREE MAR 1-3 FOUNTAIN HILLS MAR 8-10

Meet renowned artists, stroll throughout juried fine arts, enjoy sipping fine wines and listening to live music. $3 Admission • Held Outdoors • 10am-5pm

ThunderbirdArtists.com • 480-837-5637

THUNDERBIRD ARTISTS G A L L E R Y

99 Easy Street Suite 235 • Carefree, Arizona 10am-5pm • 7 days a week 480-688-4960