Arts
At the Movies
MOVIES from page 43
PADDINGTON 2
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? Galaxy While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s (Imelda Staunton) hundredth birthday, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s (Jim Broadbent) antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Brown family to unmask the thief. (105 min.) —Warner Bros. Pictures
THE POST
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Bay, Park, Galaxy Steven Spielberg (Jaws, The Color Purple, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Lincoln) directs this true story about Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), the first female newspaper publisher, and tenacious editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), who join forces to reveal a government cover-up spanning five presidencies. Written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer, the film also stars Sarah Paulson as Tony Bradlee, Bob Odenkirk as Ben Bagdikian, Tracy Letts as Fritz Beebe, Bradley Whitford as Arthur Parsons, Bruce Greenwood as Robert McNamara, and Matthew Rhys as famed whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. Like All the President’s Men (1976), The Paper (1994), and the documentary Page One (2011), The Post celebrates the Fourth Estate, reminding viewers that—as Justice Hugo Black said—“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” In addition to being a story about the importance of journalism, it’s also a story of the burgeoning feminist movement and one woman’s struggle to keep her family paper afloat. It’s the early ’70s and Nixon is president; his actual tapes are used in the film, lending an important element of realism. Kay Graham works in a man’s world. She’s
Pick
frequently the only woman in a room full of men, and though they know she’s the boss, she’s second guessed and pandered too. Her sphere of influence reaches a fevered pitch when her paper feels like it’s playing catch-up to the New York Times, which is publishing the so-called Pentagon Papers, which chronicle an ongoing government cover-up about the Vietnam War. When the Justice Department brings a court injunction against the Times, threatening criminal charges if they continue to publish, The Post gets a shot at continuing to tell truth to power when its investigative journalist Ben Bagdikian gets ahold of Daniel Ellsberg’s papers. Kay knows if she publishes, The Post may fall to criminal charges. Spielberg is a superlative director, not as showy as some, but great at building tension in the small moments and letting his actors carry the weight of scenes, and what amazing actors! Streep is a revelation, displaying Kay’s internal struggle with the lightest of expressions, yet we know exactly what she’s going through. Hanks plays Bradlee with the brash confidence of someone more committed to journalistic integrity than with keeping his job. As far as The Post is concerned, I see Oscar nominations on the horizon. This is great filmmaking! (116 min.) —Glen Starkey
THE SHAPE OF WATER
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? The Palm, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is a lonely mute who works as a janitor in a high-security government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. For 10 years she’s walked and cleaned the halls of the facility with her friend Zelda (Octavia Spencer), with Zelda doing all of the talking about her hardworking, yet lazy, husband. Men, am I right? Every day Elisa sticks to her routine: take a shower, polish her shoes, make lunch as well as a meal for her neighbor and friend Giles (Richard Jenkins), and then catch the
Pick
bus to work. While she can’t say anything, her actions make up for the silence—she also communicates using sign language— and she’s a thoughtful individual. She often spends her time scanning the TV Guide with Giles, a closeted gay man, and watching old films with elaborate tales of love, something both are yearning for. Her life takes a turn when she and Zelda are called into a room to clean up a bloody mess created by “the asset” (Doug Jones), at least that’s what the scientists and government officials are calling it. The asset is a scaled creature from South Africa that now resides in a water tank against its will. Elisa is drawn to the creature, maybe because she too is an outsider in the world that she lives in. She forms a bond with the creature that feels more like love than friendship. But her days of sharing hardboiled eggs for lunch and listening to her vinyl record player are numbered; the very fate of the creature is on the line. The film also has Del Toro’s signature, uniquely horrifying creatures, hence the asset with his scaly body and fish-like eyes. But while he’s a bit scary to look at, he has the emotions and thoughts that any human would. That’s what Elisa is drawn to, especially since they both can’t talk. Elisa takes comfort in this creature because he can’t see that she’s different from other humans. It’s a beautifully told film of finding some sort of compassion in an otherwise mundane world. What I loved about The Shape of Water is that it’s very whimsical. It reminds me of Amelie, a simple individual living an extraordinary life without her knowledge. Hawkins does an amazing job of portraying this shy woman fierce enough to overstep boundaries for a noble cause. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t just a love story, guys; there’s also plenty of action and drama to keep you on your toes. I’ll leave you with this: The end was a splashing twist that I wasn’t predicting at all. (123 min.) —Karen Garcia
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full Price
THE WEATHERMAN HEATING & AIR
Where’s it showing? Galaxy In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, writer/ director Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick) continues the Skywalker saga as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force. What’s interesting about the latest chapter in the saga is the connection that Rey (Daisy Ridley) is building with the force. While it’s thought that Luke (Mark Hamil) is the last Jedi needed to save the Rebellion, let’s be real: There are great forces of power within Rey and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Rey seeks Luke not only for his help with the fight against the First Order, the next generation of the Empire, but also for his teachings. There is a strong sense of the Force within her, she just doesn’t know how to harness or understand it. That connection has brought a different kind of communication between her and Kylo Ren. Wherever the two are, they are able to communicate with one another and even see the other’s surroundings. (152 min.) —Karen Garcia
Pick
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
endeavor is complicated by the fact that the so-called Northern Alliance isn’t much of an alliance, and Gen. Dostrum and his warlord counterparts are as likely to fight each other as their shared enemy the Taliban. It’s worth noting, by the way, that in our politically correct world where it’s hard to find an un-offensive and unambiguous movie enemy, the Taliban are the perfect foil. They’re evil, and it’s easy to root for them to get blown to smithereens. Also, unlike most of the best war films, 12 Strong isn’t antiwar. The 12 soldiers are righteous patriots, and the Taliban deserves every headshot and blown-up tank they get. Yes, the film is jingoistic claptrap, but if you want to get your juices flowing and take your mind off all of the U.S.’s many misguided and unnecessary wars, 12 Strong ought to do the trick. It feels like we’re fighting the good fight. The story is rousing for a number of reasons. For one, the U.S. Army wasn’t really prepared to fight in Afghanistan, and soldiers had to order their own cold weather gear from Cabela’s, so these soldiers feel very gung-ho. After they’re airlifted into the war zone, they discover that Gen. Dostrum and his militia are on horseback going up against tanks and missiles. Nelson and his men, most unfamiliar with horses, will have to ride into battle; these guys will adapt to the conditions they encounter. They’re also grossly outnumbered, so they’re badasses. What the Americans do have is the ability to call in precision airstrikes, and they do—a lot of them. What 12 Strong depicts is one of the U.S.’s most amazing and unlikely military victories. The film’s not interested in the larger ramifications of war. In fact, it barely touches on the psychological consequences of combat, and it’s certainly not interested in the pros and cons of American neocolonialism and “nation building.” However, if you want to see some heroic Green Berets get some much-deserved payback for 9/11, strap in and take the ride. (130 min.) ∆ —Glen Starkey
dying,” “And still no arrests?” and “How come, Chief Willoughby?” The writing is impeccably sharp, with searing lines thrown in at the most emotionally potent moments, and yet, there are so many laugh-out-loud moments, too, in this film that deals rather heavily in anger and sorrow. The acting is superb, particularly performances from McDormand, who plays Mildred as hardened and determined to find justice, and Harrelson as the seemingly hick police chief creates so much nuance and depth for his character. And yet, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri requires being OK with swallowing a hefty dose of imaginative realism. (115 min.) —Ryah Cooley
12 STRONG
What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy Producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down) is known for backing big, bombastic films, but director Nicolai Fuglsig’s 12 Strong isn’t quite as obnoxious as many of Bruckheimer’s previous movies. Instead, this film adaptation of Doug Stanton’s book, Horse Soldiers, about the true story of a Special Forces team that joins Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance in the war against the Taliban, allows viewers to breathe a little between explosions. In fact, it begins rather quietly by establishing the family lives of the various soldiers, especially Capt. Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth) and his second in command Hal Spencer (Michael Shannon). They think their warrior days are behind them, but then 9/11 occurs, and suddenly they find their 12-man squad chosen to be the first American forces set loose in Afghanistan. Most of their squad members are anonymously interchangeable though Michael Peña as Sam Diller and Trevante Rhodes as Ben Milo stand out. Their mission is to join up with local warlord Gen. Dostrum (Navid Negahban), a fierce warrior with a grudge against Taliban leader Mullah Razzan (Numan Acar). Their
Pick
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is one shape-shifter of a movie. Is it a comedy, tragedy, or quest for vengeance, redemption, and catharsis? Director/writer Martin McDonagh (The Guard) manages to convince you it’s all of the above. We’re dropped late into the aftermath of mother Mildred Hayes’ (Frances McDormand, Hail, Caesar!, Moonrise Kingdom) grief and pain. Months have gone by since her daughter Angela (Kathryn Newton) was viciously raped and murdered while walking home one night in their small town. Still, local law enforcement has made no arrests and doesn’t even have any suspects. While driving down a forgotten road just outside Ebbing, Mildred gets and idea and proceeds to march into town and pay for three billboards in a row painted red with big black letters that say “Raped while
Pick
New Times movie reviews were compiled by Arts Editor Ryah Cooley and others. You can contact her at rcooley@newtimesslo.com.
ADOPT DON’T SHOP! www.sloanimalservices.com
Adopt-A-Pet!
· Service & Repair
PREVENT HOMELESS PETS
· New Install for Heating & AC
Spay & Neuter!
· Service Maintenance Agreements
HELPING YOU SET THE TEMP
Robert Iverson Owner
CALL: 805-459-8191 theweathermanheatingandair.com/contact LICENSED & BONDED LICENSE #1020473
MORRO BAY SHO
W TIM
ES
STA R T F RID AY
STARTS FRIDAY
PHANTOM THREAD (R)
Weekdays: 4:15, 7:00, Sat-Sun: 1:15, 4:15, 7:00
$8 00 ALL SEATS ALL SHOWS
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (R)
Starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep
Daily: 4:15, 7:00
THE SHAPE OF WATER (R) Weekdays: 7:00, Sat-Sun: 1:30, 7:00
DARKEST HOUR (PG-13)
Weekdays except Mon: 4:15, Sat-Sun: 1:30, 4:15 No Show Monday 541-5161 • 817 PALM, SLO WWW.THEPALMTHEATRE.COM
EARLY BARGAIN SHOWS DAILY
SAN LUIS OBISPO
The Post (PG-13)
Daily: 4:15 & 7:00 Sunday: 1:30, 4:15 & 7:00
464 MORRO BAY BLVD. 772-2444 MORROBAYMOVIE.COM
44 • New Times • January 25 - February 1, 2018 • www.newtimesslo.com
#221472 Liza, Beautiful 4 yr Blue/W Pitbull, house/ leash, 60lbs, loves fetch, walks & cuddling, med energy sweethea is a great girl! #191662 Kona, Tall, well-built 4 yr G. Shep mix, 85lbs, sweet, sweet girl, strong on leash, po y trained, loves people/playing ball, sma & gentle. #222303 Fili, Shy but very loving 3 yr Pit/ Shep(?) girl, leash/ house, great w/kids but not good w/dogs, cats, livestock, 50lbs and sweet! #221518 Kenny, Nice personality 9 yr old B/W Pitbull cutie, nice mellow boy is leash/ house, knows sit/shake, loves people, great companion, 55lbs.
255 ELKS LANE · 544-4475 BOX OFFICE OPENS AT 6:30PM Adults $9 · Children 5-11 $4.00 · Children 4 & Under Free One Complete Showing Nightly Dylan O’Brien/Kaya Scodelario/ Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Liza
Kona
Fili
(PG-13)
7:00
Lin Shaye/Leigh Whannell/AngusSampson
(PG-13)
9:30 ARROYO GRANDE
1007 GRAND AVE · 489-2364
Stadium Seating
Kenny
For more information please call the shelter volunteer line at 781-4413
Sally Hawkins/Octavia Spencer/ Michael Shannon 7 Golden Globe Award Nominations
Adoption fees are: Cats $81, Dogs: $105 + $27 license fee. Fee includes spay or neuter, all shots & microchip.
SLO County Animal Services
(R)
This ad sponsored by New Times
Friday January 26th thru Thursday February 1st
885 Oklahoma Ave. SLO 781-4413
(2:00) (4:30) 7:00 LOOK US UP ON