Wisdom of Nuggets

WATCHMEN
Opening at the Nugget on Friday, March 27

Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson
Director: Zack Snyder
Screenplay: Alex Tse and Alan Moore from Dave Gibbons’ graphic novel
Length: 2:43
Rated: R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language.
Subtitles: None

What’s WATCHMEN about? The graphic novel WATCHMEN has been brilliantly brought to life on the big screen. The story is set in 1985, during Richard Nixon’s fifth term. Yep, that’s right: Nixon’s fifth term, and costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society. The Cold War with the Soviet Union persists, though the U.S. did bring a quick and victorious end to the Vietnam War thanks to a seemingly omnipotent hero named Dr. Manhattan. As the story opens, The Comedian, a former member of a masked injustice-fighting group called the Watchmen gets tossed to his death through a high-rise window. One of his pals, Rorschach, takes on the murder mystery like a film noir detective would. Evoking DARK CITY, SIN CITY, and even THE MATRIX, the story moves along in a world we’ve never been in before. Director Zack Snyder dangles and tangles many story and visual threads together at once; first, DR. STRANGELOVE breaks out and then there’s a burst of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. Violent, crazy and different, WATCHMEN may be too much for those who prefer their comic-book heroes two-dimensional. But for those who want depth, substance and don’t mind having to use their brains, WATCHMEN provides the full menu.

Quotes from WATCHMEN:
Edward Blake: “God damn I love working on American soil, Dan. Ain’t had this much fun since Woodward and Bernstein. Congress is pushing through some new bill that’s gonna outlaw masks. Our days are numbered. ‘Til then it’s like you always say, we’re society’s only protection.” And: Rorschach: “I heard a joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life is harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world. Doctor says, ‘Treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go see him. That should pick you up.’ Man bursts into tears. Says, ‘But doctor… I am Pagliacci.’ Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.”

What’s being said about WATCHMEN? “WATCHMEN is an exceptional achievement for Snyder who pushes beyond the boundaries of established comic book action films, surprising us with a film both real and thought-provoking, energetic yet measured, edgy yet profound — the thinking person’s comic action film.” MovieGoddess at thecriticalcritics.com, and “The appeal of WATCHMEN is really about something else - the sight of a blimp passing by the twin towers, as seen from an office window. It’s about the uneasiness we feel when we see those towers resurrected in an alternate universe. Part conscious and part unconscious, WATCHMEN tells us of a world without hope and then makes us wonder if we’re already living in it.” Mick LaSalle at SFGate.com

See the WATCHMEN movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/watchmen/

TAKEN
Opens at the Nugget on Friday, March 20

Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Olivier Rabourdin, Holly Valance, Xander Berkeley
Director: Pierre Morel
Screenplay: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen
Length: 1:33
Rated: PG-13 for violence, profanity and sexual situations
Subtitles: none

What’s TAKEN about? Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) has recently given up his career as what he calls, a “preventer” (read: “government black ops”) to be near his daughter Kim, who lives with Bryan’s ex-wife and her new husband. To make ends meet, Bryan joins some former colleagues for special security details (like guarding a pop star), but most of his time and energy are spent re-connecting with Kim. When Kim requests his permission to spend time in Paris with a friend, he reluctantly consents. Bryan’s worst fears are realized when Kim and her friend Amanda are abducted in broad daylight from their Paris apartment. Before she is dragged away by the unknown assailants, Kim manages to phone Bryan, who begins to piece together clues that will take him to the darkness of the Paris underworld, and into the City of Light’s grandest mansions. Doing so he will face nightmares worse than anything he experienced in the CIA and let nothing and no one stop him from saving his daughter.

Who is TAKEN for? Fans of thrillers, spy tales and action movies; for those who enjoy “24″ and BOURNE IDENTITY-like stories and like films that put you on the edge of your seat.

Quote from TAKEN: Bryan Mills (Neeson): “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”

What’s being said about TAKEN? “Although great action stars are few and far between these days, Neeson proves he’s got what it takes to put both Daniel Craig and Matt Damon to shame. If anything. his character here is too good. He’s a kick-ass guy who uses the latest technologies and good old fashioned smarts to track down anyone who gets in his way. Like the BOURNE movies, it’s essentially a two-hour chase through Europe — and it works because Neeson not only can dispatch bad guys in style, there’s also a DEATH WISH-like emotional underpinning to the role of a father who works desperately against the clock to save his daughter from unspeakable terror.” Pete Hammond at Hollywood.com

See the TAKEN trailer/preview here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/taken/

THE PINK PANTHER 2
Playing at the Nugget Friday-Sunday, March 6-8 (Saturday Matinee too!)

Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Yuki Matsuzaki, Alfred Molina, Aishwarya Rai, John Cleese
Director: Harald Zwart
Screenplay: Blake Edwards and Scott Neustadter
Length: 1:32
Rated: PG
Subtitles: None

What’s THE PINK PANTHER 2 about? When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (John Cleese) is forced to assign Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) to a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts.

Who is THE PINK PANTHER 2 for? For kids and their parents. For those who like Steve Martin, Inspector Clouseau, sight gags and humor of the silly and physical kind.

Quote from THE PINK PANTHER 2:
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: Let me bring you up to speed… We know nothing. You are now up to speed.

See the THE PINK PANTHER 2 movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/thepinkpanther2/

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Opening at the Nugget on Friday, March 6

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, Kathy Bates, Ty Simpkins, Zoe Kazan, David Harbour, Ryan Simpkins
Director: Sam Mendes
Screenplay: Justin Haythe from the novel by Richard Yates
Running time: 1:59
Rated: R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Subtitles: None

What’s REVOLUTIONARY ROAD about? REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is consistently elevated by superb performances and Sam Mendes’ expectedly enthralling directorial choices. Screenwriter Justin Haythe – taking off from Richard Yates’ celebrated novel - does a fine job capturing the suburban angst of the two main characters and allows the movie to transcend its circa-1950s setting to become a completely relevant piece of work. The story follows married couple Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) as they inevitably come to regret their decision to settle down and have kids with Frank’s frustration at work matched by April’s boredom at home. Along with their compelling story, Mendes provides breathtaking visuals proving effective at instantly capturing the viewer’s interest. DiCaprio and Winslet bring their sharply-drawn characters to life and transform Frank and April into complex, endlessly captivating people whose many relatable attributes bring us to feel deeply for them. There are electrifying interludes - anything featuring Michael Shannon’s unhinged John Givings – which ensure that REVOLUTIONARY ROAD stays a cut above such similarly-themed fare as THE ICE STORM and LITTLE CHILDREN. A powerful emotional punch from the third act (coupled with a perfect final scene) cements the film’s place as one of Mendes’ best.

Quote from REVOLUTIONARY ROAD:
April Wheeler (Kate Winslet): “I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once, and now I loathe the sight of you. In fact, if you come any closer, if you touch me or anything, I think I’ll scream.”

What’s being said about REVOLUTIONARY ROAD? “DiCaprio is in peak form, bringing layers of buried emotion to a defeated man. And the glorious Winslet defines what makes an actress great, blazing commitment to a character and the range to make every nuance felt.” Peter Travers at RollingStone.com, and “REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is a very good bigscreen adaptation of an outstanding American novel — faithful, intelligent, admirably acted, superbly shot.” Todd McCarthy at Variety.com

See the REVOLUTIONARY ROAD movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/revolutionaryroad/

HOTEL FOR DOGS
At the Nugget Friday-Sunday, Feb 27-Mar 1 (Matinee on Saturday!)

Cast: Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, Don Cheadle
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Screenplay: Lois Duncan and Jeff Lowell
Run time: 1:40
Rated: PG for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor.
Subtitles: None

What’s HOTEL FOR DOGS about?
When their new guardians forbid 16-year old Andi and her younger brother, Bruce to have a pet, Andi has to use her quick wit to help find a new home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful kids stumble upon an abandoned hotel and using Bruce’s talents as a mechanical genius, transform it into a magical dog-paradise for Friday–and eventually for all Friday’s friends. When barking dogs make the neighbors suspicious, Andi and Bruce use every invention they have to avoid anyone discovering “who let the dogs in.”

Who is HOTEL FOR DOGS for?
For kids and their parents.

Quotes from HOTEL FOR DOGS:
“Arf!” and “Woof!”

What’s being said about HOTEL FOR DOGS?
“HOTEL FOR DOGS knows its audience and never tries to be something it’s not. This one is made for kids and teens, and any adults who wander into the theater will just have to understand they’re not the target demographic and deal with it or leave. Of course the fact the film’s loaded with adorable, talented canines will help soothe any adult’s ruffled feathers once they figured out they’ve been duped into seeing a kids’ movie.” Rebecca Murray at Movies.about.com

See the HOTEL FOR DOGS movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/hotelfordogs/

HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU
At the Nugget Friday-Thursday, Feb 27-Mar 5

Cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson, Justin Long
Director: Ken Kwapis
Screenplay: Marc Silverstein and Abby Kohn from the book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo
Run time: 2:09
Rated: PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language
Subtitles: None

What’s HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU about?
Baltimore twenty and thirty-somethings struggle with the tragicomedy of modern romance in this lovable comedy/romance based on the book by SEX AND THE CITY writers. An ensemble cast of pretty professionals suffer the turmoil of dating in a storyline that incorporates glamorous emotional dramas with confusing doldrums, miscommunications and power games of singles. We follow as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life, trying to interpret the opposite sex and hoping to eventually live out fairy tale love stories. The film sugars the rulebook of dating with a steady stream of laugh-at-yourself humor that’s never saccharine. This is a truthful, well-made, long awaited, made-for-a-date movie.

Who is HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU for?
For fans of relationship movies and for those who liked SEX AND THE CITY.  A great film for dinner and a movie night.

Quote from HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU:
Mary: “I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.”

What’s being said about HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU?
“There’s not a weak link in the cast, as the lesser-known leads hold their own alongside Affleck, Connelly and co. If anything, there are star-making performances from TV stalwarts Cooper (Alias) and Goodwin (Big Love). The characters feel like people who have had lives before the film began, and will go on falling in and out of love after we’ve left the cinema. The Baltimore setting makes a fine change of pace from the more usual New York and LA, and there’s a terrific soundtrack to boot.” Martin Gray at Eyeforfilm.co.uk

See the HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/hesjustnotthatintoyou/

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and GRAN TORINO end on Thursday. SLUMDOG won eight Academy Award Oscars on Sunday, including Best Director and Best Film. This week is the last chance you’ll have to see them on the big screen in Telluride. Both are thoughtful films and two of the best of year.

GRAN TORINO
At the Nugget Friday-Thursday, Feb 20-26

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley
Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenplay: Nick Schenk
Run time: 1:55
Rated: R for violence and profanity
Subtitles: None

What’s GRAN TORINO about?
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a widower who has only recently lost his wife and still holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Detroit neighborhood and the world around him. Walt is a grumpy, hard-headed and unhappy an old man who can’t get along with either his own kids or his neighbors. He’s a Korean War veteran whose prized possession is a classic Ford 1972 Gran Torino he cares for lovingly. When his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager named Thao, under pressure from gang members, tries to steal Walt’s car, he sets out to reform the youth. To regain the family’s honor, Thao goes to work for Walt. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood which soon make him their target.

Who is GRAN TORINO for?
For the many fans of Clint Eastwood and his movies; for fans of good writing, directing and acting.

Quote from GRAN TORINO:
Duke: What you lookin’ at old man?
Walt Kowalski: Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn’t have f*cked with? That’s me.

What’s being said about GRAN TORINO?
“Eastwood has also distilled into Walt Kowalski his life in films, the character and his distinctive way with a phrase a nod to every memorable hardass Eastwood has portrayed, from The Man With No Name and Harry Callahan to Will Munny. Walt is no Magnificent One, cleaning up the ’hood for the poor immigrants he’s taken to his awakened heart. Oh no. It flirts with that, but subtly, smoothly shifts gears from the Alf Garnett act and the odd-couple bonding bit into something more painful, affecting and meaningful with a totally unexpected twist that really is magnificent, befitting both the character and Eastwood’s career.” Angie Errigo at empireonline.com. “Best film of 2008 that was overlooked by the Oscar Nominations.” BF Deal

See the GRAN TORINO movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/grantorino/

DEFIANCE
At the Nugget Monday-Thursday, Feb 16-19

Cast: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, George MacKay, Alexa Davalos, Mia Wasikowska
Director: Edward Zwick
Screenplay: Clayton Frohman and Edward Zwick, based on the book by Nechama Tec
Length: 2:17
Rated: R for violence and profanity
Subtitles: None

What’s DEFIANCE about?
Late 1941, in Nazi-occupied Belarus (east of Poland), four brothers from a farming family named Bielski flee into the forest along with a few other people determined to survive the onslaught. Eventually, twelve hundred Jews seeped out of the cities and joined the Bielski Otriad (Detachment). Some threw in their lot with Soviet partisans; the rest miraculously improvise a civil society in the woods, complete with hospital, bathhouse, and shops. Director Edward Zwick and frequent Telluride resident and screenwriter Clayton Frohman work with Nechama Tec’s 1993 historical study of the same title to shape a stirring narrative. The action—shot by Eduardo Serra near the actual sites—is stunningly choreographed and contains the kind of uncertainty that make battle scenes genuinely exciting. Zwick keeps it focused and quick. Daniel Craig (Bond, James Bond), speaking in a dry, accented voice, is the smart, dominating leader, Tuvia Bielski. Liev Schreiber, surly and tough, is the quarrelsome younger brother, and there is an excellent cast of minor actors and extras, many quite memorable. Their attempts to battle the Nazis to a standstill is based on a true story.

Who is DEFIANCE for?
For fans of war stories, WW II and adventure films; for fans of good writing, directing and acting; for fans of battles against odds and uplifting tales.

Quote from DEFIANCE:
Asael Bielski: “Nothing is impossible, what we all have done is impossible!”

What’s being said about DEFIANCE?
“Ultimately, the film works not just because of the character arc it provides for its main character but for its ultimate theme of the triumph over adversity.” James Berardinelli at reelviews.net, and “DEFIANCE is about standing up to enemies, both internal and external. Today, the Bielski brothers are regarded as war heroes and the survivors of their trek still today number in the thousands. Their story is a thoughtful representation of the choices we all must make in the face of uncertainty.” Hal Conklin and Denny Wayman cinemainfocus.com

See the DEFIANCE movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/defiance/

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX
At the Nugget on Friday-Sunday, Feb 13-15 (4 PM Matinees on Sat and Sun!)

Cast: (voices) Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Frank Langella, Sigourney Weaver
Directors: Sam Fell and Robert Stevenhagen
Screenplay: Gary Ross, based on the book by Kate DiCamillo
Length: 1:30
Rated: G
Subtitles: None

What’s THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX about?
Here we have a story about a mouse named Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), with Dumbo-sized ears and an oversized heart. His home, the Kingdom of Dor, was once a happy place but now due to unexpected events, it has been shrouded in gloom. But not for Despereaux! The fearless rodent doesn’t fit to the usual mouse-like criteria but instead yearns for adventure, especially after he starts reading fables from the castle library. He also bonds with Princess Pea (Emma Watson), who is sad and lonely that her kingdom is in such disarray. Despereaux looks at her as a damsel in distress and wants to help. Unfortunately, these are all serious no-nos in Mouseworld, and so Despereaux is banished to live in a dungeon with the evil Rats, where he meets an agreeable rat, Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), who is also different from his kind. Roscuro wants to right some past wrongs but is spurned by the princess. Needless to say, things do indeed go awry, and Despereaux must summon all his courage and bravery to save the day. In this tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption, one small creature will teach a kingdom that it takes only a little light to show the truth: what you look like doesn’t equal what you are.

Who is THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX for?
For kids and their parents, families and lovers of animation films. For movie fans looking for a surprise.

Quote from THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX:
Narrator: “I could say they lived happily ever after, but what’s the fun in that?”

What’s being said about THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX?
“Co-directors Sam Fell and Rob Stevenhagen invest into this gorgeous-looking film all the care that went into the art of DiCamillo’s beautiful book. In fact, unlike many other recent animated features, Despereaux is distinctly old-fashioned, despite all the CGI. The look of the movie is definitely inspired by older, more traditional Disney-style fairy tale classics.” Pete Hammond at Hollywood.com.

See the THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/thetaleofdespereaux/