Why did I see this?
I don’t like stoner movies
except for this one

these guys have been sweet
since the short lived perfection
from writer paul feig

Now, prepare youself. I’m about to go all Andy Rooney on your ass:

1) Keep it Quiet (Shut the shit up!)

Talk all you want during the trivia/ad slideshow portion that plays before the reels start turning. In fact, feel free to keep on talking during the commercials that we’re now bombarded with before the previews. But as soon as the previews start, it’s time to zip it. The occasional light whispering is fine. Just make sure no one except the person you’re whispering to can here what you’ve got say.

Teenagers, I’m looking at you on this one. Also, think you’ve got something clever to announce about the previews? Keep it to yourself. Simply put; you’re just not that funny and odds are your “witty comment” is really not all that witty. Keep your mouth shut and we’ll all be better off.

2) Phones off (Why are you texting?)

The ringing of a phone is probably THE most disturbing thing that can happen during a movie. It’s annoying, unnecessary and pisses me the hell off.

Unless you might be receiving an important phone call, just turn your phone off, dude. You don’t need to know the time, you don’t need to see who’s calling, and for the love of God you don’t need to text your buddy during the movie. So just turn it off… or better yet, leave it in the car.

Now, for those of you who, for one reason or another, need to keep their phones on during the show, make damn sure that your ringer is off (vibrate or silent). When you get a call, don’t open it up and light up the theater with the screen. Just walk outside and return the call. The key is to make sure no one in the theater knows your phone rang.

This is a tough one because, ideally, all phones should be off during the movie. I do, however, understand that you may need to keep it on for one reason or another. Just be sure you don’t disturb anyone else by leaving your phone on. That’s really not asking that much, but it’s crucial.

3) Get a babysitter (Why is Little Susie at The Dark Knight?)

Simply put, children have no place in the theater unless it’s a showing of a children’s movie. Period. End of sentence. One of the sacrifices you make when you have a child is the ability to just go to the movies. Sucks, I know, but them’s the rules.

Think you’re being sly by bringing your 8 month old out on a Monday night to see Indiana Jones? Guess what? You’re not being sly, you’re being an ass. It’s never ok. Your crying kid is still disruptive. Sure, you’re disrupting fewer people’s movie night, but you’re still being disruptive. Stick with Blockbuster or hire a babysitter.

4) Eat Quietly (If I hear you wrinkle that bag one more time…)

Who was the genius that decided to sell candy in plastic bags at the theater? Furthermore, why do some of the candies have to be individually wrapped? Crinkle, crinkle, crinkle, [pause], crinkle, [pause], crinkle, crinkle. It’s annoying!!! Stop it. Get something in a box or just rock a hot dog. At the very least, try to be quiet when you’re handing out your twizzlers.

There are many more little annoyances I could add to this list, but I’d feel 300x better about going to the movie if everyone followed these basic four rules.

What do you think? Should I just suck it up and deal with it or what? Are there any major rules you think I left off?

I have seen just about every version in movie form. The charming, if limited Disney version. The over the top and exhaustive 1985 made for TV opus. Really, who wasn’t in that one?
I even recorded (remember setting up your VCR with VCR Plus?) the 1999 TV Version.

My enthusiasm for my favorite childhood book has been re-sparked by the 2010 Burton/Depp treatment. A lot of people, myself included, were leery at best about the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory debacle. I think most viewers had too much love for the 1971 version, complete with the genius of Gene Wilder. Although Burton’s version was more true to the source material, you just can’t and shouldn’t mess with a classic.

Here’s why it will work.
1. Alice really has no beloved original movie or TV version. Nothing to distract the audience with comparisons.
2. The story is fraught with weird, off-kilter imagery and some jibberish, albeit lyrical prose. perfect!
3. Burton’s mise en scene - such an assy word that pretty much sums up what I love about his movies. Just the feel of them, from Beetlejuice to Nightmare Before Christams from Sleepy Hollow to Sweeney Todd. I just like how it looks and feels.
4. Another funky/scary score from 12 time Burton collaborator, Danny Elfman.
5. Casting! Casting! Casting! So many weirdos in one place. Like the first article touched on, Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts = perfection. How about Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar? Bill Nighy as the Cheshire Cat, Jim Broadbent as Tweedledee/Tweedledum and Johhny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Throw in someone from the Monty Python group, have Jim Dale provide a little narration and DONE.

I truly look forward to this venture and hope it lives up to my already high expectations. If not I know I can count on this movie to satisy my childhood book into movie mania.

A real big letdown
We waited six years for this?
Fans deserved better

Mulder and Scully
All the chemistry is gone
No one’s ride got pimped

For years, Fiesta Square was the place to go when you wanted to see a movie. You didn’t go to Razorback 6 unless the movie wasn’t showing anywhere else. My how the tables have turned.

Fiesta Square Cinema is the new Razorback 6… and the new Razorback 12 is, well, the shit.

I have nothing against Fiesta Square 16. In fact, I would prefer to go there as it’s much closer to my house and more centrally located than Razorback 12. But, before I do go back, there are several things they need to do in order to regain not only my patronage, but their dominance in the Fayetteville movie theater market.

#1) First things first: Renovate & update. When you walk into Fiesta Square, you’re bombarded with fluorescent light and an utterly bland décor. That doesn’t get me into the “movie zone” like the Razorback 12’s lobby does. Get rid of the harsh fluorescents, soften the light, redo the flooring, enlarge and update the concession area and clean it up. Really, it just needs to be classed-up a bit. Do that and you’ll impress movie-goers from the get-go.

#2) Ditch the smaller theaters. They’re too small, uncomfortable, and dirty. But, the real problem is that they’re just too freaking small. I mean, my TV at home is almost as big. Yes, I understand that by taking out the small theaters, you would decrease the # of screens available significantly. But, in doing so, you’d gain a few large theaters, which is what people want. I’m hesitant about seeing a movie at Fiesta that’s been out for a couple of weeks because I know that there’s a decent chance it will be showing on a small screen. Small screens are a joke… especially when you pay 8 bucks to catch a movie.

#3) Stadium seating, stadium seating, stadium seating. Got it? One more time for emphasis: Stadium seating. Placing all theater seating on a slight gradient is a thing of the past. Since Razorback 12 opened last September, not once have I worried about sitting behind some big-headed dude or bouffant-sporting lady. Why is that? Razorback 12 has stadium seating. It rules, plain and simple. This is crucial.

#4) Digital projection and sound. Everytime the DLP clip shows at Razorback, a little chill runs up my spine. Why? Because I know there won’t be any scratches, film breakage or bad reel changes. Simply put, a quality DLP picture trounces traditional cellulose film.

#5) IMAX. This isn’t a must, but it would be freaking huge. We do not have a single IMAX theater in the NWA metropolis. If I want to see a movie in IMAX, I have to drive all the way to Tulsa. Throw one of those bad boys in and I will guarantee you that when a good movie comes out and is shown in IMAX, I will be first in line. For serious.

Some other minor things you could do: Have a few adult only and kid-friendly showings. Razorback 12 is really bad about enforcing their policies regarding crying and babbling babies. Just last week I had to get up, walk over to a lady and tell her to take her kid outside. Ridiculous. Who brings a little toddler to see the Dark Knight?

Maybe host a revivalist movie night from time-to-time. There are tons of movies I would pay to see again on the big screen. Razorback 6 used to do it years ago as a dollar movie night and it ruled. Hard. Now, I’m not saying it would have to be a dollar to get in. Four bucks wouldn’t be bad, though.

Anyway, I could go on and on about how to improve the AMC Fiesta Square 16. If the good folks at AMC would at least make #’s 1-4 a reality, they would see a big boost (return) in business… and I would be one of those in line to buy a ticket.

[Update] - An inside source has indicated that Malco may already be planning on dropping an IMAX in Fayetteville. Yeah, boyee! Fingers crossed!

finally I have
pushed the worst christian bale film
from my memory

With all the hype, is it possible for Chris Nolan’s sophomore effort in the Batman universe to live up to everyone’s rather lofty expectations? To exceed it? Well, many of us will find out this weekend. In fact, a ton of us will find out this weekend. I’m calling it right now: The Dark Knight will have the biggest weekend opening this summer… perhaps all year.

2005’s Batman Begins was a fresh start on a tired, stale series. Ever since 1989’s Batman, the quality of the Batman flicks dropped faster than M. Night Shyamalan’s. The new Batman, played by none other than superbadass Christian Bale, completely rejuvenated the series. Sixteen years was a long time in between good Batman flicks.

Nolan’s Batman was not quite perfect, but definitely close to it. Gone were villains delivering God-awful one-liners, one after the other(I’m looking at you Ah-nold). This time around, the baddies were interesting, well-crafted and well-acted. Thank God. Also, the Batsuit didn’t have nipples.

Anyway, I’ve purchased my ticket and I’ll be seeing The Dark Knight at 1:15. I’m incredibly amped. I just hope that I haven’t got my hopes up too high.

What about you? Are you planning on seeing The Dark Knight?

McAvoy was great
Morgan Freeman is always
superb. Loved this flick.

Angelina J
Best as an action hero
in my opinion

Visually stunning
Ron Perlman makes the movie
Missed Miles from part one

Really liked it but,
Did not care for kid HellBoy
Glad that part was short.

Bring Down The Moon was written and produced by University of Arkansas student Raymond Burks and most of the footage was filmed on campus. There’s even a scene where the bus depot is turned into a hospital!

BDTM was shot in 2007 and aired on C.A.T. that same year. The show won the “Best Series” award at the Fat C.A.T. awards this year.

The soap follows three college students who are in the craziest love triangle I have ever seen. One character drinks a lot and makes a hobby out of being manipulative. Then there’s one guy that sleeps with another character’s mom. And if you really stick with the entire show you will get to see one of the longest make-out scenes EVER. Seriously. It’s, like, 3 minutes long.

You can find more information and all of the episodes on the BDTM MySpace page.

The last Bond flick, Casino Royale, left me wanting more kick ass Bond action. With the follow up, Quantum of Solace, a direct continuation of the last 007 film, coming our way in November, it looks like us Bond fans have something to be excited about.

The first trailer for Bond 22 is now available online for your viewing pleasure.

Check it out: 1080p, 720p, 480p

F yeah!

Totally sweet flick
The dude makes a great bad guy
Bring on the sequel

I like Ed Norton
He really just said “Hulk smash!”
Better than the last

According to Reuters, “The Incredible Hulk” just reached domestic ticket sales of $55.4 million and M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening” also had a good debut.

Of course, basing my decision on ticket sales is like saying George W. Bush was a good choice just because he was elected.

Did any of you guys see the new Hulk? How ’bout The Happening? Or are you more of a “Baby Mama” or “Kung Fu Panda” type of moviegoer?

Help me out, ya’ll. What should I see?

In the case that you did not know this piece of information, we offer you the following sentence: We have local theater listings here at the Fayetteville Flyer in which you can find under the “Movies” link above or by clicking here.

In the case that you did already knew this piece of information, we offer you this sentence: “Don’t forget that we have local theater listings here at the Fayetteville Flyer.

In the case that you did already know this piece of information and you regularly check our listings to find out which movies are showing in each location, we offer you this sentence: “Cool. Just checkin’.”