If nothing else, this really puts paycheck roles in perspective: “You have all these disparate egos, superheroes in this and that, and they refuse to give up some of their positions in order to make a more perfect union and to join the team. That’s really what the whole movie is about: subjugating your own best interest momentarily to further that of the whole. I didn’t know it a year ago that it was going to speak to so many of the issues we’re having here in the United States and throughout the world, the same kind of theme.” [ Speakeasy/WSJ via The Awl ]
Over at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, tonight’s double feature is a particularly inspired pairing of simian cinema from 2011: the cautionary thriller Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the equally harrowing doc Project Nim . What lessons can be taken from this matching of monkey movies? Rise of the Planet of the Apes , dir. Rupert Wyatt Premise: A chimpanzee raised by humans grows up to lead a simian revolt against humanity. Major players: Caesar the chimpanzee, his scientist guardian, a greedy biotech suit, the evil kid from Harry Potter Oscar hopes: Special effects, Best Actor (wearing mo-cap dots) Lessons learned: Animal testing is bad… very bad. Also: an angry revolutionary chimpanzee is a dangerous chimpanzee. (And let’s not forget the eternal question: Why Cookie Rocket?) Project Nim , dir. James Marsh Premise: A chimpanzee raised by humans to study language learning and behavior grows up to be a sad, sad monkey. Major players: Nim Chimpsky the chimpanzee, a Columbia University psychologist, warring foster mothers, and many other misguided humans Oscar hopes: Best Documentary Lessons learned: It’s hard out here for a chimpanzee caught between worlds, left to stew in his own loneliness and rage and confusion. Also: an angry, messed up chimpanzee is a dangerous chimpanzee. Inspired stuff in the midst of awards season from the good folks at the New Beverly, where the ROTPOTA / Nim double feature plays tonight at 7pm for just $8. Check out their full monthly slate here .
There’s something for everyone in the first trailer for The Three Stooges . Well, something for everyone who enjoys Sofia Vergara in tight sweaters, lobster-down-the-pants gags and Jersey Shore cameos. If any of those ideas interest you, click ahead to see the Farrelly brothers’ take on modern-era Moe, Larry and Curly.
After programming his favorite cult and classic films in two “Wright Stuff” slates at the New Beverly Cinema , Edgar Wright is returning this month with an unusual twist: For eight nights starting December 9, the Scott Pilgrim director will present double features of films he hasn’t seen. Last time he told you to ” envy these virgins ;” this time, he’s the virgin! It’s the ultimate game of cinematic catch-up that embraces the bashful truth about cinephilia; no matter how many of the greats you’ve seen, there’s always one (or two or a hundred) classics you have yet to check off the list.
When word hit that Kevin Smith was aiming for the Oscars with a qualifying theatrical run for his divisive film, Red State , critics split over his perceived goals and, more specifically, the financial terms of his week-long engagement at L.A.’ s beloved, family-run New Beverly Cinema . Reached for comment, Smith explained his award season intent and why he’s charging $20 for a screening and Q&A at a theater where you can get a double feature for $7 every night, often with an amazing Q&A for free.
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