Thursday, May 3, 2012

Thursday Triple Features

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe, Thursday Triple Features. Throughout college, I would often head to the movies for three films in a row on a Friday or Sunday, and I’m excited to recall some of my most memorable experiences. I don’t necessarily advocate that you try this at home, but I’ll explore that as well.

My eighth triple feature experience was groundbreaking for two reasons: it was my first press screening extravaganza (though another critic managed to see five films on that same day), and I almost missed the entire thing due to some extensive flooding in Rhode Island that nearly kept me in Massachusetts following a Passover seder. Fortunately, it all worked out, and I had a chance to see this eclectic trio of films with which most are unfamiliar.




April 1, 2010
 
Movie #1: Paper Man
Theatre: Broadway Screening Room
Time of Day: 3:00pm
Runtime: 110 minutes
This comedic drama follows Jeff Daniels as an author experiencing writers’ block in a remote Long Island cabin, interacting only with a spunky young girl played by Emma Stone and his imaginary protagonist, Captain Awesome, played by Ryan Reynolds. It’s a fun if not entirely memorable riff on literature and loneliness.

Movie #2: When You’re Strange
Theatre: Magno Review 1
Time of Day: 6:00pm
Runtime: 89 minutes
This documentary about the Doors was especially interesting to this reviewer entirely unfamiliar with the band, providing an in-depth look at its members and the many events that came to define them. Two years later, it’s hard to recall its details, but, at the time, it was engaging and informative.

Movie #3: Micmacs
Theatre: Sony Screening Room
Time of Day: 8:00pm
Runtime: 104 minutes
This wonderful French film is the most recent movie from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, following “Amelie” and “A Very Long Engagement.” It was one of my favorite films of 2010, featuring a delightful ensemble in a thoroughly original, creative, and eye-popping cinematic experience.

The review: All good choices, actually, even if I don’t remember the first two as strongly as I do the third.
The grades: B+, B+, A-
A good lineup? Yes. All were relatively light and the themes were different, going from drama to documentary to fantasy (sort of). Not three films I would have though to combine, but an effective set nonetheless.

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