Wisdom of Nuggets

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Opening at the Nugget on Friday, Feb 6, at 6 and 8:30 PM nightly

Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy
Length: 2:02
Rated: R for some violence, disturbing images and language
Subtitles: Some English subtitled Hindi
Academy Award Nominations (10): Film, Director, Cinematography, Film Editing, Original Score, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Adapted Screenplay and two for Original Song

What’s SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE about? It’s the soaring story of an eighteen-year-old Muslim tea-boy named Jamal (Dev Patel), who, as an orphan born and raised in the poverty of the slums of Mumbai, is given a chance to change his life and balances on the verge of fortune and fame. Meanwhile, the whole nation holds its breath. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is an old-fashioned, sentimental cliffhanger to which the filmmakers have completely committed themselves. Jamal is a contestant on the Indian edition of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” But his success raises the suspicion of the police—they detain and torture him—who believe he must have cheated. His response is that experience alone, whether wretched or comic, has by chance furnished him with the correct answers, and the rest of the film, shown in flashbacks, proves him right. The film’s style is what you might call urban-manic: super-heated performances, blazing colors, and camerawork that duels with the editing for boldness and speed. The energy that is produced is impossible to resist… and make sure you stay for the dance sequence over the final credits (it’s a knockout!) SLUMDOG was the unabashed hit of the 2008 Telluride Film Festival, its first public screening.

Who is SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE for? For those who like rags-to-riches stories, exotic fairy tales, gritty realism and uplifting messages in their films. This is a rare cross-over film that appeals to almost everyone over 10.

Quote from SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE:
Police Inspector: “What can a slumdog possibly know?”
Jamal: [quietly] “The answers.”

What’s being said about SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE? “Boyle’s most ambitious film to date is also his greatest. Simply put, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is one of the best—if not the best—films of 2008, as teeming with life as the slums it depicts.” Pam Grady at Boxoffice.com. And: “Driven by fantastic energy and a torrent of vivid images of India old and new, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a blast. Danny Boyle’s film uses the dilemma of a poor teenager suspected of cheating…. to tell a story of social mobility that is positively Dickensian in its attention to detail and the extremes of poverty and wealth within a culture.” Todd McCarthy at Variety.com

See the SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE movie trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/slumdogmillionaire/

VALKYRIE
Opens at the Nugget on Monday, Feb 2

Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice Van Houten, Eddie Izzard, Terence Stamp, Stephen Fry
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander
Length: 2:00
Rated: PG13 for violence and brief strong language
Subtitles: none

What’s VALKYRIE about? Bryan Singer directed THE USUAL SUSPECTS but no suspect is more usual than Adolf Hitler, so it is surprising that this is the first time that Hollywood has taken on the assassination plot that was mounted in 1944. Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise), newly wounded in the North African campaign, returns to Berlin and finds a common cause with other disenchanted Nazis. Granted personal access to the Führer (David Bamber), the plot succeeds in planting a bomb, but it fails to eliminate the target; instead, it is the plotters who are in peril. The mechanics of the attempt itself are staged with verve and cunning, each minor glitch acquiring a tint of black comedy, Even though we know the outcome, this foreknowledge adds a sense of dread to the already mounting tension felt as we watch the dissenters attempt to carry out their dangerous mission.

Who is VALKYRIE for? Fans of Tom Cruise, action films and historic dramas, war or period films and those looking for well told, exciting story.

Quote from VALKYRIE: “We have to show the world that not all of us are like him. Otherwise, this will always be Hitler’s Germany.” Major-General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh)

What’s being said about VALKYRIE? “(D)irector Bryan Singer has capably crafted this war thriller in such a way that one occasionally forgets the foregone conclusion and becomes wrapped up in the excitement of the moment.” James Berardinelli at Reelviews.com

See the VALKYRIE trailer/preview here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/valkyrie/

MILK
Opens at the Nugget on Friday, Jan 30

Cast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, Kelvin Yu, Lucas Grabeel, Alison Pill, Victor Garber, Denis O’Hare
Director: Gus Van Sant
Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black
Length: 2:08
Rated: R for profanity, sexual situations and violence
Subtitles: none
Eight Academy Award Noms: Best Film, Director (Gus Van Sant), Actor (Sean Penn), Supporting Actor (Josh Brolin), Original Screenplay, Costume Design, Editing and Music Score.

What’s MILK about? This entertaining biography re-creates the San Francisco of the late 60’s and 70’s and tells the story of gay activist and politician Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), who was assassinated in 1978, along with Mayor George Moscone, by a fellow-politician, the family-values conservative Dan White (Josh Brolin). This righteous march of events is warmed by the talk, the casual sex, and the candor of the gay milieu in the giddy seventies, the period just before AIDS, when life was free and easy. Penn inhabits and becomes Milk as he stays calm and directed, but the passion and humor of the time are always evident. Without overdoing it, Penn creates a new body, a new temperament: he loosens his neck and shoulders and swivels his head; his smile is enormous and all-embracing; he holds an elbow out and pumps a forearm up and down as Harvey speaks in public. Brolin, a Blagojevich rug of hair lying across his forehead, gives White a thick-headed, confused manner, a tormented neediness.

Who is MILK for? Fans of great writing and acting, period films and those looking for well told story. Although MILK is a movie about a gay man it’s not a gay movie.

Quotes from MILK: “If it were true that children emulate their teachers, we’d have a lot more nuns running around” and “All men are created equal. No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words.” Harvey Milk

What’s being said about MILK? “Milk feels like an important picture, but not in a way that makes it tedious to watch. There’s no pretentious sheen to the proceedings. In fact, the essential story is comprised of basic elements: the triumph of the underdog, David vs. Goliath, and the American tragedy of a strong voice silenced too soon. Knowing how the story ends merely emphasizes the importance of the steps taken to get to that point. Van Sant is cognizant of the film’s political applicability to current events, but chose to release the film after Election Day rather than have it pigeonholed as propaganda whose entire purpose was to sway voters. For those who are not dissuaded by the homosexual subject matter, Milk represents a thought provoking, cathartic, and mostly true tale of politics and courage.” James Berardinelli at Reelviews.com

See the MILK trailer/preview here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/milk/

Opens at the Nugget on Friday, Jan 23 at 5:30 and 8 PM nightly

Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin, Kathleen Turner, Haley Bennett, Ann Dowd and Clark Peters.
Director: David Frankel
Screenplay: Scott Franks and Don Roos from John Grogan’s book
Length: 2:00
Rated: PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language
Subtitles: none

What’s MARLEY AND ME about? As snow is falling on their wedding night, newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan (Wilson and Aniston) decide to leave the bitter winters of Michigan for a new life in the warm climes of West Palm Beach, Fla. They take jobs at competing local newspapers, buy a home, and tackle the challenges of their new marriage, new careers and decide to start a family. Unsure that he is prepared for all this a friend convinces John to get Jenny a dog. (!) So they adopt a small, seemingly cute and gentle Labrador puppy who quickly grows into a 100 pounds of trouble and turns the Grogan home into a disaster zone. Named Marley, the canine fails dog-obedience school, chews the walls and doors, eats the sofa, scrounges garbage cans, gobbles the Thanksgiving turkey, despoils pillows and flowers, slurps toilet water, and chases the UPS driver. But Marley is one of the family and he sees them through the many challenges of growing their lives. Marley may be “the world’s worst dog,” but he brings out the best in the Grogans.

Who is MARLEY AND ME for? Fans of comedy and family films, dog lovers, those who like good characters and writing and are looking for a complete emotional story. All ages really like this movie.

Quote from MARLEY AND ME: “A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.” John Grogan

What’s being said about MARLEY AND ME? “Anyone who’s ever had a dog knows the feeling. You come home to a completely wrecked house, things are destroyed, turned upside down and there sitting in the midst of this chaos is your very best friend staring up at you with those perfect little brown eyes and pink tongue hanging out of his mouth looking absolutely pleased with himself and more than anything is just elated to see you again. You get angry and try to stay that way but the latter never happens. You might be able to muster an initial burst of outrage but it never lasts. Within minutes he’s forgiven and you just go about picking up the pieces.” Dan Deevy from thecinemasource.com and “Never has the phrase ‘you’ll laugh, you’ll cry’ been more truthful. Families looking for an old fashioned, all-purpose, comedy with heart will flock to this offering that’s best described as a canine TERMS OF ENDEARMENT.” Pete Hammond from boxoffice.com

Starts Friday, Jan 16

Cast: Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Russell Brand, Richard Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Lucy Lawless, Courteney Cox, Jonathan Pryce
Director: Adam Shankman
Screenplay: Matt Lopez, Tim Herlihy
Length: 1:35
Rated: Rated PG for some mild rude humor and mild language
Subtitles: none

What’s BEDTIME STORIES about? When Marty Bronson (Jonathan Pryce) has to sell his mom-and-pop motel to a developer, he does so with the understanding that his son Skeeter (Adam Sandler) will eventually run the place. Skeeter does take over, but as the maintenance manager. Skeeter gets his chance to advance when the new owner announces a contest for the design of a new hotel he plans to build. Skeeter enlists the help of his niece and nephew, whom he’s been looking after. Because the bedtime stories he tells them magically come true, he thinks he’ll have an advantage. But he gets more than he bargained for when he tries to control the outcome of the final story. Sandler relies on his usual bag of tricks in this funny and winning film.

Who’s BEDTIME STORIES for? Fans of Adam Sandler, THE PRINCESS BRIDE and other family films.

Quote from BEDTIME STORIES: “I’m like the stink on your feet,” Sandler tells the kids, a smirk on his face. “I’ll always be around.”

Continues Friday, Jan 16

Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, Tilda Swinton
Director: David Fincher
Writer and Screenplay: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Eric Roth
Length: 2:48
Rated: Rated PG-13 for profanity, sexual situations, violence
Subtitles: none

What’s THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON about? “I was born under unusual circumstances.” And so begins “BENJAMIN BUTTON,” adapted from the classic 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his 80s and ages backwards. A man, like any of us, unable to stop time. We follow his story set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. “BENJAMIN BUTTON” is a time traveler’s tale of the people and places he bumps into along the way, the loves he loses and finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.

Who’s THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON for? Fans of romance and special effects films, sweeping dramas, great acting and writing. One critic wrote: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is akin to a long, slow, satisfying massage. Like a childhood lullaby that gives you dreams even while you’re awake. Like a lovely fairy tale that you keep wanting to hear again and again.”

Quote from THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON: “For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit… start whenever you want… you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things that you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

The new furnace works beautifully…no blankets needed! Come on in and check it out. It’s never been this warm since the place was built a hundred years ago! Yay!

The furnace is installed, the town approved the installation and now all that is needed is for the gas company to set the meter. I am assured this will happen on Monday. I will let you know how warm it is IN FOUR DAYS!

ROLE MODELS
runs Fri, Nov 28 thru Thurs, Dec 4

Cast: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jane Lynch, Kerri Kenney-   Silver
Director: David Wain
Screenplay: Paul Rudd and David Wain
Length: 1:39
Rated: Rated R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity.
Subtitles: none

What’s ROLE MODLES about? Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott), two irresponsible energy drink salesmen, find themselves sentenced to 150 hours of community service after wrecking their souped-up company truck on a college campus. Sent to work their community service at a mentor program, Danny and Wheeler struggle to rein in their bad habits and immature humor long enough to keep themselves out of jail. While the recently dumped Danny tries to help Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a bashful 16-year-old obsessed with medieval role play, become a man, the smooth-talking Wheeler must contend with Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson), a foul-mouthed fifth grader with a mind of his own.

Who’s ROLE MODELS for? Fans of funny films, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS and Judd Apatow films, raunchy humor, good comedy writing.

What critics are saying about ROLE MODELS:

“ROLE MODELS is the kind of movie you don’t see every day, a comedy that is funny. The kind of comedy where funny people say funny things in funny situations, not the kind of comedy that whacks you with manic shocks to force an audible Pavlovian response…. Now that we’ve cleared the room by using “Pavlovian,” let’s enjoy ROLE MODELS. This is a fish-out-of-water plot with no water. The characters are all flopping around in places they don’t want to be.” Roger Ebert at the Chicago Sun-Times.

“To watch Rudd tearing down a woman who insists upon calling a large coffee a “venti,” or admitting that because he’s a white guy he just might be Ben Affleck, is comic nirvana. His anger is the sort of coiled, sarcastic anger that very few comedians can pull off. His character’s a terrible guy, but you can’t help but root for him because his putdowns are so intelligently and eloquently delivered. And because Rudd also possesses decent dramatic acting chops, his character’s eventual deliverance from the dark side is convincing and moving, in a ridiculous sort of way.” Bob Grimm in NewsReview.com

Here’s info on the two films we have at the Nugget this week, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 and Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed CHANGELING. Opening Friday, Nov 28 will be Paul Rudd’s edgy film ROLE MODELS and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 will stay thru the weekend too.

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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3
runs Fri, Nov 21 thru Sun, Nov 30

Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, many others
Director: Kenny Ortega
Screenplay: Peter Barsocchini
Length: 1:52
Rated: G
Subtitles: none

What’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 about?  With college coming up fast, high school seniors Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) begin to realize that they might soon be separated when they head off to different schools. To express their experiences, dreams and concerns for the future, the Wildcats senior class stages an elaborate spring musical. Joining Troy and Gabriella on stage are their friends Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) and Chad (Corbin Bleu). Directed by Kenny Ortega. With Monique Coleman and Olesya Rulin.

Who’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 for? Kids and families who like comedy, drama, family films, musicals, romance.

What critics are saying about HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3:

“What did I think of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3? Storyline, PG-13 humor and extreme political correctness aside, I was knocked out and thought the songs and dance numbers were terrific. I left the movie theater thinking: say what you will about the US of A, nowhere else in the world will you find such astonishing all-round talent, energy, and optimism. And if it does all seem like a clone of parts 1 and 2, so what? I`ll probably be buying the CD.” Geraldine Blecker at Weltexpress.info

“If you’ve not caught the HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL bug, there’s no better way than to see High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Director / choreographer Kenny Ortega way, way, way outdoes himself in this third incarnation and sequel to the original “it’s cool to be in musical theatre productions” Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. No doubt the series can officially be declared a world wide phenomenon spawning an entire cottage industry around local musical productions, the ice show circuit, and the lunchbox / twin bed sheet logo merchandise. The cool think about the phenomenon is that it has launched a movement to get kids up and dancing and involved in the arts—which given the way-over-emphasis on sports in our culture, this is a very, very positive thing.” Scooter Thompson at Movieeveryday.com

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CHANGLING
runs Fri, Nov 21 thru Wed, Nov 26

Cast: Angelina Jolie, John Mackovich, Colm Feore, Denis O’Hare and Jeffrey Donovan.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenplay: J. Michael Straczynski
Length: 2:21
Rated: Rated R for some violent and disturbing content, and language.
Subtitles: none

What’s CHANGELING about? In 1920s Los Angeles, Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie), a single mother and telephone operator, returns home from work to discover that her son Walter (Gattlin Griffith) is missing. After an unsuccessful five-month search, police eventually return a boy to her who claims to be he son. When Christine refuses to accept the lie, the police brand her as a delusional, unfit mother. With nowhere left to turn, Christine gets a helping hand from Reverend Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich), who is determined to confront city authorities and expose the corruption in the LAPD.

Who’s CHANGELING for? Fans of Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, well written dramas, period films, great photography.

What critics are saying about CHANGLING:

“As these cases develop, helped by strong performances by little-seen actors like Jason Butler Harner, they form a relentless pincers movement whose prongs move forward with an awful fatalism. In other hands, these clashes of good and evil might have seemed ordinary, but Eastwood makes CHANGELING a hard story to shake off. To see this film is to understand both how fragile and how essential our hopes for decency and truth are in a world that must be made to care about either one.” Kenneth Turan at the LA Times

“‘CHANGELING maintains Eastwood’s creative streak. It might not be as exalted as MILLION DOLLAR BABY, but there are things about it that set it apart and make it one of the most enjoyable of his recent films. It’s a woman’s story, which is a departure for Eastwood. (Even MILLION DOLLAR BABY was about a woman as seen through the eyes of a man.) And because the story has no built-in aura of significance - because it’s simply a sad account of something that happened to somebody long ago - Eastwood’s abilities stand out in sharper relief. The history doesn’t make the movie important. Rather, Eastwood makes the history important.” Mick LaSalle at SFgate.com