The Lunch Table: What's on the Menu: October 2

Friday, October 2, 2009

What's on the Menu: October 2 - 4

- Posted by Rusty

What a great weekend for movies. We have 5 new releases (and one very special double-feature re-release), and it looks like all are worth catching in theaters. Let’s break down the movies, and see what we have…

1. “Whip It” - I’m crazy about the trailer for this—check it out below if you haven’t seen it. I don’t know about you guys, but it looks like a great time to me—colorful characters, a rousing spirit, and a pretty heartwarming coming-of-age story at the center (and love that Weezer song it’s set to!). This is actually the directing debut of Drew Barrymore, and it’s all centered on Ellen Page’s Bliss Cavendar, a teen misfit who defies her mother’s beauty pageant dreams…and joins the roller derby instead! The trailer has an infectious energy, and just look at the talent that Barrymore rounded up: Page is dependably good at this point (especially in playing quirky teens), and she’s backed up by Kristen Wiig, Barrymore herself, Juliette Lewis, super stuntwoman Zoe Bell (from Tarantino’s Death Proof), Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern (great to see him again—he was Joe Pesci’s robber partner in Home Alone), and Jimmy Fallon as derby announcer “Hot Tub” Johnny Rocket. The reviews are strong, and this could very well be a popular, feel-good hit for Barrymore.

2. “Zombieland” - This just looks fantastic—I have a weird love for zombie flicks in general, and this one feels like it’s mining the same horror/comedy gold as Shaun of the Dead (one of my all-time favorite zombie movies). The previews have all been fun, and the story, tracking a group of random heroes as they travel a zombie-ravaged world, has tons of potential for both laughs and scares. The cast is also pitch-perfect: Woody Harrelson looks like he’s having a blast as Tallahassee, a guy who finally discovers his one true talent (killing zombies!), and Jesse Eisenberg (ironically following up another “land” movie, Adventureland) and Emma Stone are fast becoming my new favorite young actors. This is actually the best-reviewed movie of the week, so, in terms of sheer entertainment, I think this will be your best bet. I’m psyched to see what the final product will be—hopefully, I’ll catch it sometime this weekend, so I’ll let you guys know how it was.

3. “A Serious Man” - This is the new film from the Coen brothers, the always-unpredictable duo behind Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and Burn After Reading, and it’s supposedly their most personal (and, according to the many positive reviews, their best) film yet. Featuring mostly unknown actors, this tackles the midlife crisis of a Jewish man in 1960’s suburbia. I think the trailer (check it out below if you’re curious) is brilliant—it’s strange, but with a captivating, haunting edge to it—even in two minutes, it really pulls you in, and you feel for this guy whose life is crumbling all around him. And while I’m not crazy about all of the Coens’ films (I thought Fargo was a masterpiece, but No Country For Old Men didn’t live up to the hype for me), they’re certainly never boring, and they always manage to bring something new and intriguing to the table. If you’re in the mood for something more challenging, or are a fan of the filmmakers, this looks like it’s worth seeing, even if it doesn’t strike me as a must-watch-in-theaters type of film.

4. “The Invention of Lying” - I can’t wait to see this. From Ricky Gervais, the mastermind behind The Office (the original British version) and Extras, this movie takes place in a version of our world where everyone can only tell the truth…that is, until one man (Gervais) discovers a lie, and uses that power to get everything he ever wanted (including the way-out-of-his-league Jennifer Garner). The premise is ripe for Gervais’ satirical bite, and the cast alone might make this worth seeking out: alongside Gervais and Garner (who showed great comic chops in 13 Going on 30), we have Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Jonah Hill, and apparently some big-star, secret cameos. The reviews are a bit mixed, but that’s not surprising—Gervais’ brand of comedy isn’t for everyone, and sometimes he goes too far into the squirmingly-awkward even for me (there’s also a religion subplot here—cleverly hidden by the marketing—that's sure to rub some people the wrong way). Still, this feels like something witty and original, and its topic is brimming with comic potential, especially with these actors tackling all the painfully honest dialogue.

5. “Toy Story" / "Toy Story 2" 3D Double Feature” - This is just too tempting an opportunity: two of the best animated films of all time, back-to-back for the price of one, all in a nifty, brand-new 3D presentation…and capped off with a never-before-seen preview for next summer’s Toy Story 3! I never saw the original Toy Story in theaters, so I’ll definitely make time for this—if anything, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours—some great storytelling, characters you love, and I hear the 3D adds a beautiful touch to already perfect films (oh, and apparently there’s some in-between-movies footage that’s really entertaining as well). For $10, I think it’s a wonderful deal…and it should do the job of all getting us all pumped for Toy Story 3—if anyone can pull off two brilliant sequels in the same series, it’s the band of geniuses at Pixar! This is only playing for two weekends, so if you want to see it, make sure to catch it soon.

6. “More Than a Game” - I’m really not the target audience for this—opening in limited release, it’s a documentary about LeBron James’ rise from humble beginnings to NBA Basketball superstardom. True, I’m the least knowledgeable guy when it comes to sports, but this does sound like a compelling story—if you’re a James and basketball fan, this might be worth checking out.

And that’s all we have for this weekend. What do you guys think? Interested in seeing one (or more) of these?

Me? I actually want to see almost all of them (sorry, Mr. LeBron James), so this weekend is a very nice change of pace from the last couple of weeks. All of the major releases look like good movies, so I think you can’t go wrong—it all depends on whatever you’re in the mood for. And I could never pass up some zombie-comedy action!

Images courtesy of Fox Searchlight, Columbia Pictures, Focus Features, Working Title Films, Warners Bros. Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, and Lionsgate.

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.

5 comments:

KristalOctober 2, 2009 at 2:29 PM
I saw Zombieland a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved it! It was just such a fun time at the movies. It's got some great visuals too.

I also saw the Toy Story double feature at D23 and that was great! The movies are wonderful on their own and being able to see it on the big screen after so long was a treat. For me, the 3D didn't make that much of a difference since it wasn't shot for that medium it doesn't fully utilize it, like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or Monsters vs. Aliens did. Those were intended for 3D viewing and use it to the best of their ability. But still, great viewing. You can't go wrong with Pixar.

I really want to see Invention of Lying, since Ricky Gervais is a comedic genius and the trailer makes me laugh every time.

Also, I noticed you use Rotten Tomatoes as your review site. You should check out www.moviereviewintelligence.com too. It provides a more accurate picture of the spread of reviews.
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Daniel H. ProutyOctober 2, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Definitely excited for this weekend too. Invention of Lying and Zombieland are my top priorities, but I've planned to see Zombieland later next week with someone so it'll have to wait. I will see everything if I happen to get a job soon (which might happen, fingers crossed) otherwise I have 0 budget.
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RustyOctober 5, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Thanks for the tip, Kristal! Rotten Tomatoes is a bit flashier, but you're right--this one gives you a better sense of the overall concensus.

And, yep, I saw your Zombieland review, and it all sounds great! I'm seeing it later this week, and I'm really excited--it just looks like a lot of fun.

Good to hear about Toy Story too. I figured the 3D wouldn't make a dramatic change, like with The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D...but it's a cool excuse to see both of them in theaters. I love both of those films too, so it'll be great to see them again in a nice package like this.

And I actually saw The Invention of Lying this weekend, and I really liked it! I totally recommend it--it wasn't perfect, but it was funny and really well-written...and it actually makes you think. How rare is that for a comedy?? :) Gervais was good as always, but I was really impressed with Jennifer Garner--they made a really good duo. (Oh, and I don't know if you ever saw his show, "Extras," but both the genius Stephen Merchant and 'Barry from Eastenders' make a hilarious cameo here!)
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RustyOctober 5, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Good luck with that job, Daniel--hope you get it too! And I just saw Invention of Lying, and it's an easy recommend. I think you'll really like it--it's just a good, smart comedy, and it tackles some pretty interesting issues. Looking forward to Zombieland too!
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KristalOctober 6, 2009 at 2:51 PM
haha that's great to hear that "Extras" people are in it too! I watched the DVDs of that show and it's so hilarious! So awkward and uncomfortable, but so hilarious.
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WELCOME to The Lunch Table

Let's take a trip down memory lane. Yea, we said it... just humor us.

So you're back in high school sitting in history class diligently taking notes, but if you're anything like us, you're doodling in the margins. The clock strikes 12 o'clock and... RIIIING!

The lunching hour begins... you look around the cafeteria, lost in the vast array of cliques and crews claiming their own tables. The jocks and cheerleaders immediately mark their territory and gather around three tables; the drama nerds and Goths have their respective corners; and the student council, dressed in their perfect Abercrombie & Fitch polos, cheerfully greet each other with their perfect smiles and share their perfect sacked lunches together ... so where do YOU fit in???

Okay... so maybe you didn't go to that high school, but who cares? Let's fast forward to real life:

Lunch - the highlight of our day, every day. Whether you're working the daily 9-to-5 grind, or still in school, there's nothing like a midday break, when you have time to yourself to eat, relax, take a nap, or enjoy the company of friends and co-workers... and that's basically where our story begins.

The three of us work together. Now, we're not at liberty to say exactly where we work, or what we do (because if we did, we may have to kill you... JUST KIDDING... er... not really), but let's just say that what we do isn't exactly the most exciting line of work (and it's irrelevant to the story... so stop asking!) Like we were saying, we work together and like all friendships, our bond was built subtly and slowly. The first encounters were awkward -- the occasional, "Hey," as we passed each other in the hallways, the uncomfortable silences in the snack room, and then eventually, the customary small talk.

Then one day, one of us got bold. One of us decided to send emails with the simple subject line that read: "LUNCH?"

The first meeting was weird. We were all pensive. What are we gonna talk about? Was it just gonna be an hour of awkward silence? Were we just gonna sit there and stare at each other's lunches, wondering what the hell the other person was eating? (Let's be honest, what does a Russian-Jew, a Mexican-Jewish hybrid, and a Korean have in common?)

The weather - always a reliable conversation starter. "Crazy weather we're having aren't we?"
"Oh yeah." And then silence.

Sports - The default topic of conversation for guys. "So... how 'bout them Lakers?"
Not everyone followed.

"Did you guys see that new Christian Bale movie?..."
And it was like someone opened the floodgates. The rest of the hour was spent chatting about how ridiculous Christian Bale's voice was in that one movie. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Which brings us to today. You've probably figured out by now that our blog has nothing to do with lunch, or food for that matter (And if you didn't -- our blog has nothing to do with lunch or food. Sorry). The reason we're starting this up is simple: we love movies, and consequently, we love to talk about movies. Almost on a daily basis, the only things we spend our lunch hour talking about are movies, but the hour never seems long enough. Granted, we come from different walks of life -- different backgrounds, cultures, tastes, and levels of fanaticism (some of us like to indulge our inner geek more than others), and we sure as hell don't always love the same movies, but that's just part of the fun. And regardless, our friendship is grounded in our shared appreciation for movies. So we're here to bring the spirit of our daily lunches to you, our readers because, like we said, the one hour a day between the three of us just isn't enough! That being said, we'd like to extend to you, the same invitation that was extended to us on that fateful day. So forget about the cliques, the crews, or the exclusive clubs from back in the day, and stop worrying about if you're gonna fit in. It doesn't matter if you're an aspiring filmmaker, an avid fanboy/girl, or just a casual moviegoer, just take a break from the mundane and join us at The Lunch Table.

And on that note, please allow ourselves to introduce... ourselves...

Rusty - "The Crazy Russian"
Of the three of us here at The Lunch Table, I’m the only one not born in the U.S. So, yes, my first exposure to American movies was badly dubbed cartoons, particularly a very Russian Optimus Prime. And I was hooked even then. But love of movies aside, what do I have to contribute that’s so special? Well, simply put, I’m the Analyst—I love to be entertained, but I still crave some substance from my movies. I can dig a good action scene, but what I go for are the details. For me, it’s the characters, the relationships, the emotions that truly make movies work, and that’s exactly what I look for. More so than that, I love digging into a movie, discovering themes, nuances, subtle character traits, and all the like. I was a crazy little Russian watching “Transformeri”. Sure, I’m now older, taller, and lankier …but I’m still that same Crazy Russian, eagerly waiting to dig into a great, new movie.

Luke - "The Mexi-CAN"
I’m the type of guy who is interested in a variety of things. One of my deepest loves, second only to my beautiful future wife Kristin Kreuk, is the wonderful world of cinema. I adore all types of films – as long as they are well-crafted and trigger something meaningful in the audience. While I can enjoy the usual summer blockbusters that involve blowing stuff up, I really look forward to the fall when the true Oscar contenders reach the theaters. Perhaps some people would say I’m into the fine details of cinema, and I guess that is correct. I like reflecting on the camera shots, camera movement, and the deeper meaning of film. I enjoy endless discussions of such masterpieces as Chinatown and 400 Blows to 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, do not get me wrong: I can always watch a raunchy flick like 40-Year-Old-Virgin or the wonderfully sentimental Love, Actually. Of course, I’m not claiming to be the next A.O Scott or God’s gift to cinema. In the end, films are just fiction, but they can capture and inspire the viewer.

Ace - "The Average Asian"
I like to consider myself a simple man who finds enjoyment in the simple things in life—hot girls in bikinis, sports, fast cars, and dudes taking shots to the nuts. So when it comes to movies, my philosophy is this: let’s just keep it simple. I’m not an analyst, or technician by any means, I just like to go to the movies, eat my popcorn, drink my icee and have a good time. Why do I need to pay attention to different camera angles, and subtle nuances? If a movie can get me to laugh out loud, sit on the edge of my seat, or dare I say it... cry, then I think the movie has done its job. Why overcomplicate a perfectly good movie with all that other film jargon? So, think of me as your Everyman, your everyday Average Joe, who just needs to be mildly entertained for, give or take, two hours.

Friday, October 2, 2009

What's on the Menu: October 2 - 4

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