Out @ the Movies

...Aaand scene.

2011-08-24T12:05:00.003-03:00

Well, it's been a good run.

Out @ the Movies launched in April 2009 after I read an article about the Minnesota Movie Bears. The concept seemed simple: get together, see a movie, spend some social time.

Over the last two years, we've seen a lot of movies and a lot of connections have been created. I've made new friends and strengthened bonds with existing ones. Unfortunately, despite the occasional great turnout, we never seemed to reach that critical mass needed for it to be a self-sustaining group.

I've also been unable to commit to all the movie nights that I might like due to personal commitments. My attempts to find volunteers to take over have not been very successful.
So no more movie nights. The blog will stay up but will no longer be updated. The Facebook page and Twitter account will remain live for a little while longer before they are turned off.

In the end, I hope you remember the fun: enjoyable movies (either because they were actually good or because they were so wonderfully bad) and good conversation with a diverse group of moviegoers.

If you're LGBT in Halifax and looking for something to do, I'd encourage you to check out http://gay.hfxns.org.

Can't find a group that meets your needs? Start one! We need more recreational groups in Halifax.

Thanks to everyone who came out. I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as I.

I'll see you at the cinema.

-Kirk

Beginners - Reviews

2011-07-19T22:47:00.004-03:00

So, first off: how amazing is the Oxford? It's a classic cinema in every sense of the word. And it's great to see that Empire Theatres is investing some money to refurbish the exterior. Perhaps some minor updates to the interior are in store (e.g., slightly more roomy seats?)

Now, the main attraction: Beginners. As usual, after seeing the movie, we went to a coffee shop where attendees could chat with each other about the movie (and anything else that comes up). Reviews were mixed for Beginners and some of the best comments were off the cuff, not actually written down. So let's start with what I remember people saying, slightly paraphrased and unattributed:

The movie was the least enjoyable part of the evening.
It was a good movie but it wasn't the movie that was advertised.
Not what I was expecting but good for what it was.
I fell asleep. Twice.
There's an awful lot of gay history jammed in there!

Now, onto the actual reviews that some of our attendees provided:

Ewan was on a TV commercial of an English school in Japan in 2000. -Tom
The movie was a bit slow, however a good story. -Jeff
[You'd be better off] renting the movie. -Kelly
I enjoyed the trailers more than the move. -KC
A cathartic experience if that's what you're looking for. -Chris
A quirky take on grief, mourning and our quest for love, no matter who we are or who we love. At times funny, at times sad but always very human. -Kirk

So that's it for July!
No news yet on our August outing but you can keep up to date via our e-mail list, Facebook page or Twitter stream.

This is what love feels like

2011-07-12T16:27:00.005-03:00

Halifax Pride is just a few days away! And why not celebrate by seeing a movie with Out @ the Movies?

In fact, there are two movies of interest this week: Beginners and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. And, if you time, it right, you'll be able to do both!
Priscilla is playing at Friday, July 15th at 11 p.m. at Park Lane (RSVP via Facebook).

But our movie outing is for the Ewan McGregor/Christopher Plummer movie, Beginners.
Synopsis

"Beginners" imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver. Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna only months after his father Hal has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father who -- following 44 years of marriage -- came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life. The upheavals of Hal's new honesty, by turns funny and moving, brought father and son closer than they'd ever been able to be. Now Oliver endeavors to love Anna with all the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him.

Trailer

Details

Date: Friday, July 15th
Location: the Oxford (corner of Oxford & Quinpool)
Time: 6:30 to 10; movie starts at 7, is two hours long and an hour allotted for coffee afterwards.
Cost: Tickets are $11.50
Plan: We'll meet outside and head in at 6:30 to grab tickets, food and seats. Look for the rainbow flag! If you arrive later (or it's raining), just head in as soon as you arrive and look for the rainbow flag in the upper balcony.
Post-movie: We'll head across the street to Tim Hortons/Cold Stone Creamery.

You can also RSVP via Facebook.

See you at the cinema!

Out @ Wide Open Wide

2011-06-02T11:07:00.005-03:00

What is Wide Open Wide? Well, it's from Queer City Cinema. What is Queer City Cinema? well, it's "the largest and oldest ongoing lesbian and gay film arts festival between British Columbia and Ontario." And this year, they're doing a road show to Halifax! Look for 28 short films and videos, including some locally made ones!

The plan: ...This is a lot less organized than our typical outing. Basically, all you have to do is show up. It does run late (I believe ending around 11) so there won't be time for post-event discussion for many.

Here are the details:

Saturday, June 25, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Carbon Arc Cinema @ The Khyber
Cost: Just $6!!
RSVP via Facebook
More info? Official site.

A brief description (via their Facebook event): Wide Open Wide brings you twenty-eight queer films and videos that examine and play with notions of queer identity and that use queer experimental artistic expression to propose diverse ways of looking at sexuality, politics and queer media art itself. The films and videos selected represent artists from Victoria to Halifax and beyond and a variety of genres that collectively profile the interests and concerns of queer media artists.

I'll be there! Hope to see you there too.

-Kirk

June 15 - Out @ Stephen Sondheim's Company

2011-06-02T11:01:00.004-03:00

Empire Theatres is presenting a broadcast of a star-studded edition of Stephen Sondheim's Company on Wednesday, June 15th at 7 p.m. at Park Lane. And Out @ the Movies is going!

The Plan: Meet at Park Lane before (tables by the arcade - look for a small rainbow flag), head in around 6:30 then bask in the glory of Sondheim then head down the street to Second Cup for coffee and conversation. (You can RSVP via Facebook.)

Ticket prices are a bit higher than a regular movie:

General Admission: $19.95 +tax
Golden Age: $17.95 +tax
Child: $12.95 +tax

Synopsis (from empiretheatres.com):
Screenvision, The New York Philharmonic and EMK Productions are proud to present "Stephen Sondheim's Company with the New York Philharmonic" in movie theatres across North America. The production was shot in early April as part of the Philharmonic's spring gala. Neil Patrick Harris leads an all-star cast which included Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Christina Hendricks, Craig Bierko and Martha Plimpton. Company's plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. It's a concept musical composed of short vignettes linked by a celebration for Bobby's 35th birthday.

A preview clip:

June outings (& the future!)

2011-06-02T10:47:00.006-03:00

So you might've noticed there was no outing in May.

Which is a shame, because May was our two-year anniversary.

However, I've come to believe that the old format of Out @ the Movies (post a poll in first week of the month, announce event in second week, have event in third week, post reviews in fourth) hasn't been working for a while.

So we're a new approach: unpredictable!

There will be polls for movies every now and again but more often there will simply be events posted: come if you want, don't come if you don't want. Events will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, here on the blog and sent to our mailing list.

We'll actually be having two events in June. Two!

First up: Out @ Stephen Sondheim's Company - Wednesday, June 15

Secondly: Out @ Wide Open Wide - Saturday, June 25

There are a few movie outings I'm excited to organize for the summer. Perhaps even one during alFresco filmFesto?

I hope the new format sees success as we roll into our third year!

-Kirk

Scream 4 Reviews

2011-04-21T15:57:00.014-03:00

First off, can we talk about Hayden Panettiere? Cause she was a major part of our post-Scream 4 discussion at Second Cup. First off, she rocks that new 'do! She really does. Secondly, sexy much? She works it as a confident gal who happens to be a fan of horror movies. Third, she kinda stole the show. At least, most of her scenes. Fourth, good for her! Breaking outta the 'Heroes mold.'

But what did everyone think of the whole movie? Let's take a look:

Andrea F: Loved it. Predictable but great. Loved the ending!
John B: Hugely enjoyable but surprisingly generic. Most enjoyment came from knowledge of prior movies... Other than that, a little pedestrian. "One rule you don't break - don't !@#$ with the original!"
Cathy T: Exactly what I was expecting; enjoyable nonetheless.
Andrew P: Scream 4 was enjoyable even without seeing the first three films, attesting ot the success of a good remake.
Tom N: Jill's North American English was beautiful!
Doug B: OK, OK...I jumped, may have screamed a tiny bit, laughed out loud, clapped and groaned ("Its just one word - CLEAR!"). I was hating it... thought the acting was piss-poor. Then I realized I wasn't getting it. Then I got it. Then I loved(ish) it (and only hid in my hoddie once!!).
Richard S: My strongest reaction to Scream 4 was "fun!", followed closely by "that was a whole lot of cheesy one-liners." It definitely wasn't the most suspenseful or tense slasher flick, and it had a sense of humour about itself that I appreciated. All in all an enjoyable sort of movie that made me want to re-watch the franchise. (Also, and sorry for the spoiler, I wanted [removed by editor] to be the killer...)
Kirk F: A fine addition to the Scream series. Lots of in-jokes and references to past movies that fans can appreciate. I loved Sydney's transformation from "final girl" to "girl who runs towards danger" a la Laurie Strode in Halloween H20. Lots of good jump-out-of-your-seat moments balanced with tons of humour.

Thanks to everyone who came out!

Be Prepared To Be Scared

2011-04-14T10:46:00.003-03:00

It's April. A time of new beginnings. But we must remember the past.
So let's all get our adrenaline rush with Scream 4!
With 44% of the vote, Scream 4 is the clear winner of this month's poll. Unfortunately, our second-place winner, Daydream Nation, doesn't appear to be opening in Halifax this week. Ditto for our last-place candidate, Win Win. Rio's playing lots of places though.

When: Tuesday, April 19th

Where: Empire 8 Theatres at Park Lane Mall.

Cost: $5.99

The plan: The movie starts at 6:50. We'll start congregating around 6:15. Look for the guy in the orange ball cap and glasses. We're going to head in to grab seats and snacks around 6:30. If you can't make it until closer to the movie starts, someone will have the orange ball cap on right up until the trailers. After the movie, it's time for coffee and conversation at the Second Cup.

Share with friends: Post a link to this blog post or the Facebook event.

The movie...

Scream 4

Story: Sidney Prescott, now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey and Gale, who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill and her Aunt Kate. Unfortunately Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger.

Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, David Arquette, Adam Brody, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie

Web: http://www.scream-4.com/

Teaser:

Full Trailer:

Rio Screams to Win Daydreams

2011-04-09T22:35:00.003-03:00

Moviegoers!

It's time to see a movie! We're heading out on Tuesday, April 19th to see a movie. But which one? Four possible options, all quite different:

Daydream Nation - a coming of age drama
Rio - animated family fun
Scream 4 - the long-awaited sequel to the slasher flick that redefined everything
Win Win - indie drama

Learn a little bit about each one and then vote in the poll at the bottom. Remember: only one vote per household.

Daydream Nation

Story: Seventeen-year-old Caroline Wexler is facing a teenager's nightmare: her widowed father has moved them from the big city to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. When Caroline realizes she has nothing in common with the burnout losers in her new school she pursues the one person with who excites her interest - her handsome young teacher, Mr. Anderson. A bizarre love triangle ensues between Caroline, Mr. Anderson, and a sweet, but troubled classmate.

Cast: Kat Dennings, Reece Thompson, Andie MacDowell, Josh Lucas

Web: http://www.daydreamnationmovie.com/

Trailer:

Rio

Story: Blu is a domesticated Macaw who never learned to fly, living a comfortable life with his owner and best friend Linda in the small town of Moose Lake, Minnesota. Blu and Linda think he's the last of his kind, but when they learn about another Macaw who lives in Rio de Janeiro, they head to the faraway and exotic land to find Jewel, Blu's female counterpart. Not long after they arrive, Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of bungling animal smugglers. With the help of street smart Jewel, and a group of wise-cracking and smooth-talking city birds, Blu escapes. Now, with his new friends by his side, Blu will have to find the courage to learn to fly, thwart the kidnappers who are hot on their trail, and return to Linda, the best friend a bird ever had.

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Will i am

Web: http://www.rio-themovie.com/

Trailer:

Scream 4

Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, David Arquette, Adam Brody, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie

Web: http://www.scream-4.com/

Trailer:

Win Win

Story: Struggling attorney Mike Flaherty, who volunteers as a high-school wrestling coach, takes on the guardianship of an elderly client in a desperate attempt to keep his practice afloat. When the client's teenage grandson runs away from home and shows up on his grandfather's doorstep, Mike's life is turned upside down as his win-win proposition turns into something much more complicated than he ever bargained for.

Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Amy Ryan, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Landecker, Margo Martindale, Finise Avery, Todd Fredericks

Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/winwin/

Trailer:

Had a good look? Time to vote! The poll will be open until Thursday, April 14th, when a winner will be announced.

(Can't see the poll? Go to http://poll.fm/2wk5e)

I Am Number Four Reviews

2011-02-24T17:54:00.009-04:00

On February 22nd, we went to see I Am Number Four.

What's it about? In brief: it's about an alien teenager running for his life from enemy aliens while also navigating the perils of high school and first love.

And there are lots of special effects and explosions.

What did our panel of reviewers think?

Brad: It was good, not exceptional a solid 7.5.
Kirk: A little disappointing. I know it's written about/for teenagers but the dialog felt clunky/forced at several points. Also a tad heavy on the melodrama at points. Laughably so.
Cathy: Cool effects; a little tedious at times. The comic relief helped with this though. I'm so glad the doggie is ok. :)
Rebecca: It was cute. Funny. Long. Occasionally went for the smart joke instead of the obvious one, which was a welcome surprise. Very shiny, lots of explosions but the romance was eye-rolling.
Laurie: Titan AE meets the The Matrix meets X-Men with a brief smattering of Cujo. It was entertaining but barely.
Tom: Question - Why isn't the title, "I'm The Number Four?"
Curtis L: Things I've learned from this movie: 1) All aliens turn to ash when they die. Instantly. 2) Aliens, like werewolves, fall in love with one person forever. Despite this, I Am #4 is a heckuva lot better than anything with vampires in it.

Of course the real question becomes... Will we see the inevitable sequel?

February 22 = Out @ I Am Number Four

2011-02-15T19:52:00.006-04:00

Let's start off with who didn't make it: The Eagle & Just Go With It each scored 3 votes. Unknown and From Prada to Nada tied for second place with 6 votes each. [FYI for those who wanted to see From Prada to Nada: it doesn't appear to be playing in Halifax.] So our winner must be...

I Am Number Four

Time to see a movie about a teenage alien discovering his super-powers and meeting girls. And one of those girls also has super-powers!

The Plan...

Location: Empire 8 Park Lane
Day: Tuesday, February 22nd
Time: A bit complicated. The movie starts at 7:30. We usually head in 15-20 minutes before the movie. However, kids are out of school for February break (up to and including most university students). And it's cheap night. So this could be quite busy!
To ensure we have seats, we'll be heading into the theatre at 7. That means you should arrive between 6:30 and 7.
As usual, look for the guy in glasses and an orange ballcap (that's me!).
If you arrive later, I'll wear the ballcap during the commercials and previews.
Tickets are $5.99 (and can be pre-purchased).
After the movie, we'll brave the February weather for a walk down to the Second Cup (corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen).
Once there, we'll discuss the movie and write up our reviews for the blog!
If you're on Facebook, you can RSVP to the event. And invite your friends!

Here's the full recap of what we're heading out to see:

I Am Number Four

Three are dead. He is Number Four. D.J. Caruso helms an action-packed thriller about an extraordinary young man, John Smith, who is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri, John is always the new kid with no ties to his past. In the small Ohio town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events-his first love, powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Kevin Durand, Callan McAuliffe

Web: http://findnumberfour.com

Trailer:

Just Go With The Unknown Eagle From Prada Four

2011-02-08T19:28:00.013-04:00

2011 is here! And we are a month behind in our movie outings. So let's make February a great movie night.
The date? February 22nd. The place? Empire 8 Park Lane, of course! The movies? ...We'll get to that in a moment.

First a plea: I need volunteers to act as hosts in March. I'm a full-time student (again) and have classes most weeknights so can't do the regular hosting duties. Which is why there was no movie night in January. I won't be able to host again until after classes finish in early April.

What would you have to do as host? Well, let's start with what you wouldn't have to do. I'd do all the leg work getting people to the movie theatre (creating blog post, e-mails, twitter, Facebook, etc). You need to arrive early wearing something distinctive (so newcomers know how to find you) and make everyone welcome. Make introductions and ensure everyone knows the plan (e.g., watch the movie and then go somewhere for post-movie discussion). After the movie, collect reviews from everyone who attended and get them to me (either physically or electronically) so I can post them here. And that's it! If you're interested, send me an e-mail.

So...
What are the potential movies for February 22nd?

From Prada to Nada: From riches to (not-quite) rags.
Just Go With It: Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston together again for the first time!
The Eagle: Roman warriors! Rarrh!
I Am Number Four: Alien super-power action type flick.
Unknown: Liam Neeson doesn't know who he is. So he starts killing people.

Note: the only two that open the Friday immediately before our outing are I Am Number Four and Unknown.
Read on and vote below.

From Prada to Nada

(Opens February 11)

Two sisters, one a young beauty who chooses passion over logic, the other a law student whose fixed moral compass keeps her from following her desires, are uprooted from their luxurious home when their father suddenly passes away. Out of money and out of options, the women move into their Great Aunt Aurelia's modest, but lively home in the Latino-centric Boyle Heights neighborhood where they find themselves thrown into a world that, despite their heritage, seems completely foreign. Over time, they discover the beauty of the culture they once fought so desperately to hide. And in the process they find the one thing that had eluded them: love.

Cast: Camilla Belle, April Bowlby, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama, Nicholas D'Agosto, Kuno Becker, Adriana Barraza, Karla Souza, Alexis Ayala

Web: http://www.frompradatonadamovie.com

Trailer:

Just Go With It

(Opens February 11)

In "Just Go With It", a plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie. When more lies backfire, the assistant's kids become involved, and everyone heads off for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.

Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Brooklyn Decker, Bailee Madison, Antoinette Nikprelaj, Nick Swardson, Heidi Montag, Rachel Specter, Elena Satine

Web: http://www.justgowithit-movie.com

Trailer:

The Eagle

(Opens February 11)

A Roman epic adventure, based on the classic novel of the same name, set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain. In 140 A.D., 20 years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca, Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia -- to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Mark Strong, Donald Sutherland, Tahar Rahim

Web: http://www.findtheeagle.com

Trailer:

I Am Number Four

(Opens February 18)

Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Kevin Durand, Callan McAuliffe

Web: http://findnumberfour.com

Trailer:

Unknown

(Opens February 18)

Dr. Martin Harris awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired, and on the run.

Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Frank Langella, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz, Sebastian Koch, Mido Hamada, Karl Markovics, Stipe Erceg

Web: http://unknownmovie.warnerbros.com

Trailer:

Poll will remain open until the evening of February 15th when the winner will be announced and invitations sent out.

Just Go With The Unknown Eagle From Prada Foursurvey software

[Can't see the poll? Go to http://poll.fm/2ohsb to cast your vote.]

Tron: Legacy Reviews

2011-02-04T19:49:00.007-04:00

Well, since today is February 4th and we saw Tron: Legacy (in fantastic 2D!) on December 21st, I think it's long past time that we got those reviews up! You can also head over to our Facebook page and see some photos of the post-movie coffee time.

What did everyone think? Well, it's a mixed bag. Read on!

Overall, I'll give it 3/5 stars. Short on story, big on effects. I think they blew their budget on the Jeff Bridges' CGI. - Laurie M
What can I say, "I loved it." Although I did not see the first one, my plan is to rent the first one and go see it again in 3D. - Ken
Gorgeous design and art direction with a couple of plot holes to drive a light cycle through while The Dude knocks on the sky. - Peter
I liked "Tokyo Nikkei Index." - Tom
Loved Tron! I plan ti see it again in 3D IMAX - Les
Nice visuals, with a plot that's philosophically deeper than at first glance. - Curtis L
I found it tedious in places; I didn't really buy into the plot. It had some funny moments though and I enjoyed the pretty, pretty lights. - Cathy
I thought the graphis for this movie were much better than the first. Loved Quorra. - Mary
The company and popcorn were great! Happy holiday everyone. Oh, the movie was okay. - Tammy
I miss 1982. - Calvin.

As you might've guessed: there was no movie outing in January but we will have another on February 22nd!

Out @ Tron: Legacy

2010-12-16T07:15:00.004-04:00

Well, it was a close one this month. Yogi Bear got one (pity?) vote; The (Golden Globe-nominated) Fighter earned 5 votes; How Do You Know? came in second with 8 votes and Tron: Legacy took first place with 10 votes, roughly 42% of the total votes.

So, December 21st = Out @ Tron: Legacy!

This is our last outing of 2010, so I'd love to see as many of you as possible!

But what if Tron: Legacy's not your thing? What if you don't remember what happened in the original? Good questions, all. You can re-read the original synopsis and watch the trailer below. I've also included IGN's "10 Things To Know About Tron: Legacy." So grab your disc and hop on your light cycle!

The Plan

You can RSVP to the Facebook event here.
Tuesday, December 21st.
Meet at Empire Theatres Park Lane, near arcade.
Arrive between 6 and 6:30.
Look for me (Kirk); I'll be the guy in glasses and orange cap.
We will head in at 6:30 (to ensure we get good seats).
Tickets are $5.99 and can be purchased online.
Movie starts at 6:50 p.m.
If you arrive late, I will wear orange cap during previews.
Movie is just over two hours long - estimated finish: 9:15.
After movie, we will head to Second Cup (corner of Spring Garden and Queen).
At Second Cup, you can grab a drink, get to know other moviegoers and write a review for the blog.

Find out more [SPOILERS AHEAD! - both for 1982's Tron and Tron: Legacy]:

More Tron: Legacy Videos

Tron: Legacy

Sam Flynn , the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the digital world of Tron where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant Quorra, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey of escape across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, Michael Sheen, James Frain, Beau Garrett
Web: http://Disney.com/TRON
Trailer:

See you at the cinema,

Kirk

How Do You Bear the Fighter Legacy?

2010-12-12T13:03:00.013-04:00

Well, after a brief hiatus in November, we are back!
December is here and it's time for another outing. We'll head to Park Lane on Tuesday, December 21st.

We've got four potential movies to see on our last outing of 2010:

How Do You Know? - a romantic comedy
The Fighter - a hard-hitting drama
Tron: Legacy [2D] - animated action
Yogi Bear [2D] - family-style fun

Which one do you want to see? Before you cast your vote, let's review the nominees:

How Do You Know?

Lisa's athletic ability is the defining passion of her life, having been her focus since early childhood. When she is cut from her team, everything she has ever known is suddenly taken from her. George is a straight-arrow businessman who is accused of a financial crime, even though he's done nothing wrong. Although he may be headed to jail, George's honesty, integrity, and unceasing optimism may be his only path to keeping his sanity. George and Lisa meet on the worst day of each of their lives: she has just been cut, and he has just been served. When everything else seems to be falling apart, they will discover what it means to have something wonderful happen.
Cast: Paul Rudd, Reese Witherspoon, Jack Nicholson, Owen Wilson
Web: http://www.howdoyouknow-movie.com/
Trailer:

The Fighter

Life story of boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward and his trainer brother Dick Eklund, chronicling the brothers' early days on the rough streets of Lowell, Massachusetts through Eklund's battle with drugs and Ward's eventual world championship in London.
Cast: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams
Web: http://www.thefightermovie.com/
Trailer:

Tron: Legacy

Yogi Bear

Jellystone Park has been losing business, so greedy Mayor Brown decides to shut it down and sell the land. That means families will no longer be able to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors -- and, even worse, Yogi and Boo Boo will be tossed out of the only home they've ever known. Faced with his biggest challenge ever, Yogi must prove that he really is "smarter than the average bear" as he and Boo Boo join forces with their old nemesis Ranger Smith to find a way to save Jellystone Park from closing forever.
Cast: Anna Faris, Justin Timberlake, Dan Aykroyd, T.J. Miller, Nathan Corddry, Tom Cavanagh, Andrew Daly, Dean Knowsley
Web: http://yogibear.warnerbros.com/
Trailer:

On which movie do you want to spend your hard-earned money? Cast your vote below. Poll closes at 7 a.m. on Thursday the 16th.

How Do You Bear the Fighter Legacy?customer surveys

(Can't see the poll? Go to http://poll.fm/2it1l)

November = No-vember

2010-11-04T07:19:00.004-03:00

Hey moviegoers!

Since the first Out @ the Movies night out (May 19th, 2009), we've never missed a single month. Despite times where I was away or sick, we've gone to at least one movie per month. Unfortunately, that's ending now. No movie for November. Sorry. I know some of you are new and wanted to keep the momentum going.

I do still intend to have a movie night on December 20th, so mark that in your calendars.

However, after that, I need your help. I have recently returned to university full-time and have classes on every night except Friday/Saturday/Sunday night. I know most of us have plans those nights so they don't seem ideal nights for Out @ the Movies.

So how can you help? I need volunteers to host movie nights!

You would arrive to the movie theatre early and wear something distinguishing so newcomers know who to look for. You would introduce moviegoers to one another and make sure everyone knows the post-movie plan. You'll also foster discussion amongst the group before leading everyone into the movie.

After the movie, you'll rally the troops to head to whichever coffee shop, restaurant, etc. is hosting the post-movie discussion. Once there, you'll facilitate discussion (but usually at this point, everyone is good to go on their own) and get moviegoers to write up reviews that we post here on the blog.

If you can take pictures as well, that's a great addition!

I can do the rest (writing up the blog, making facebook events, sending out e-mails, running the twitter account, posting to various forums and so on).

There are some details about volunteers you should know:

You'll have been to one (or more) of our movie nights already so you know how they've worked in the past.
You'll need to be able to commit to seeing whatever the movie is (and trust me, sometimes we will pick movies that you don't want to see).
You'll need to be somewhat outgoing as well.

My ideal scenario would be that a few of you (say 3 or 4) would volunteer. That way, some months, we'd have several hosts but when someone can't make it, there's a back-up plan.

So, if you're interested (and I hope you are because otherwise, we're going on hiatus until the summer) - please send an e-mail to halifax.out.movies@gmail.com. If you're somewhat interested but need to know more, send an e-mail too and I'll try and answer them.

Thanks to everyone who's come out to our movies and I hope we can continue the fun into the new year,

Kirk

RED Reviews

2010-10-24T12:26:00.003-03:00

RED = action comedy = fun = good times!

Our first-ever Monday night movie outing was a smash success with several newcomers and a great movie! While RED's not winning any Oscars (well, maybe for special effects) it was a solid action comedy. But don't take my word for it, read some of the reviews below.

Definitely an entertaining film. I kind of wished the script had matched the caliber of the cast but I can't really complain too much about a movie that gives me Helen Mirren wielding a machine gun - that alone was worth the price of admission! Plus, it has Mary-Louise Parker, so that's a nice bonus. - Mackenzie
The old timers still have it! Entertaining, action-packed film with plenty of hilarious scenes. - Antoinette
RED = Retired, Extremely Dangerous. It also means Recommended, Extremely Diverting. Very fun movie. - Curtis L
The queen accessories her white evening garb beautifully with a large gun and combat boots - FANTASTIC! - Matt F
Very funny and very entertaining. Bruce Willis has still got it! Loved seeing Helen Mirren wielding a gun! - Tara

After the movie, we did a few photos (check them out on Facebook) and then we hit up our staple coffee shop, Second Cup for an hour or so of coffee and conversation.

That's it for this month. See you in November!

Kirk

Out @ RED

2010-10-12T22:38:00.005-03:00

People like Bruce Willis. They like Mary-Louise Parker. They like comedy. They like action. They plan to like RED.

With 58.33% of the vote, RED was the clear winner of our October poll. In second place was Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie with 25%. Stone got half as many with 12.5% and Nowhere Boy lagged behind with just 4.17% of the vote. In dead last, with not even one sympathy vote: Jackass 3. You'd think someone would want to see a bunch of fit guys running around with little clothing but apparently none of you!

So it's off to see an action comedy about CIA agents who are Retired, Extremely Dangerous on Monday, October 18th.

The Plan:

Monday, October 18th <- NOTE we're trying Monday this month!
Location: Empire Theatres Park Lane
Pre-movie meet-and-greet: around 6:30 at the tables by the arcade. Look for the guy in glasses and an orange ball cap. We'll head in to grab seats at 6:30. If you're a bit late, I'll wear the ball cap until the end of previews.
Showtime: 6:50 p.m.
Finish: ~8:50 p.m.
Post-movie coffee: Second Cup at the corner of Queen and Spring Garden. This is your chance to get to know the other moviegoers and write a review for the blog.
Cost: $9.99 [not $11.50 as previously posted] and can be purchased online.

Remember: to help Out @ the Movies grow and flourish, we all need to spread the word. Why not bring a friend or invite them to the facebook event?
If this is your first time coming, don't be worried: it's a friendly group!

See you at the cinema!

Kirk

Boy of Nature: Stone Red Jackass

2010-10-05T18:57:00.010-03:00

It's time once again for another vote. We've got an October movie outing to plan, after all!
Big change this month: we're going to a movie on a Monday night; October 18th.
Why? As the sole organizer, I can no longer do early shows on Tuesday nights. Last month we tried a later show and that didn't work out - not enough time to socialize. So we'll give Monday a try.

But what you really care about are the contenders, right? We've got quite a few:

Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie
Jackass 3
Nowhere Boy
RED
Stone

So what's the story with each one? Read on to find out more and then cast your vote below. Voting will remain open until next Tuesday night.

Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie

Cast: David Suzuki
Plot: David Suzuki, Canadian scientist, activist, environmentalist and educator, delivers a 'last lecture' -- what he describes as "a distillation of my life and thoughts, my legacy, what I want to say before I die". Filmed before a live audience, accompanied by a memory box of moving, distilled images, he articulates a core, urgent message: we have exhausted the limits of the biosphere and it is imperative that we re-think our relationship with the natural world. Suzuki looks unflinchingly at the strains on our interconnected web of life.
Web site: http://legacy.davidsuzuki.org/
Trailer:

Jackass 3

Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Ryan Dunn, Jason Acuña, Preston Lacy, Ehren McGhehey, Dave England, John Taylor
Plot: Johnny Knoxville and his buddies are up to their daredevil comic antics again.

Web site: http://www.jackassmovie.com/
Trailer:

Nowhere Boy

Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas, Aaron Johnson, Thomas Sangster, Anne-Marie Duff, David Threlfall, Ophelia Lovibond, Sam Bell, Jack McElhone, Ellie Jeffreys, Calum O'Toole
Plot: John Lennon's childhood. Liverpool 1955: a smart and troubled 15-year-old is hungry for experience. In a family full of secrets, two incredible women clash over John: Mimi, the buttoned-up aunt who raised him, and Julia, the prodigal mother. Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into the new and exciting world of rock 'n' roll where his fledgling genius finds a kindred spirit in the teenage Paul McCartney. Just as John begins his new life, tragedy strikes. But, a resilient young man finds his voice -- and an icon explodes into the world.
Web site: http://nowhere-boy.com/
Trailer:

RED

Cast: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker, Brian Cox, Julian McMahon, Richard Dreyfuss
Plot: Frank, Joe, Marvin and Victoria used to be the CIA's top agents, but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.
Web site: http://red-themovie.com/
Trailer:

Stone

Cast: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich, Frances Conroy, Enver Gjokaj, Liam Ferguson, Pepper Binkley, Sarab Kamoo, Jonathan Stanley, Tevis R. Marcum
Plot: As parole officer Jack Mabry counts the days toward a quiet retirement, he is asked to review the case of Gerald "Stone" Creeson, in prison for covering up the murder of his grandparents with a fire. Now eligible for early release, Stone needs to convince Jack he has reformed, but his attempts to influence the older man's decision have profound and unexpected effects on them both.
Web site: http://www.stonemovie.com/
Trailer:

Got your favourite all picked out? Looking for some good doc action with Force of Nature? Maybe the outrageous humor of Jackass? Fans of the Beatles are probably going for Nowhere Boy. Action fans may favour RED. And if you're looking for a drama, you're probably picking Stone. So let's see what you think and what everyone else thinks. Vote below:

(Can't see the poll? Go to http://poll.fm/2b3el)

Out @ Easy A

2010-09-30T20:36:00.004-03:00

It's September 30th so it's long past time to post our reviews of Easy A!

This was also our first attempt to do a late-night movie. The turn-out was not great; which pretty much guarantees that we won't be doing that again any time soon.
On a positive note: everyone who came loved the movie!
Here are some of our reviews:

If I have to give 'Easy A' a grade, I can safely say that it definitely lived up to its title (+ extra credit). Ordinarily I don't go for comedies but this one really delivered. The homage to 80's movies was a very nice touch. Easily the best comedy I've seen in a very long time. - Laurie M
"Easy A" was easy peasy-ly the hit of september. Exploring the spread of rumors in modern high schools while one girl (and a whole lot of loser guys) tries to turn that to their advantage. It managed not to fall into the cliche of the heroine making a heartfelt speech in front of a hissing crowd only to make them start clapping for her moxy whilst screaming "praise her for showing the truth about ourselves!" for which I am greatful. It's resolution doesn't guarantee a happy ending for all, but seems to be more genuine that way. There were some great moments of witty dialogue thrown into the mix, some of them done with peas! Accept the challenge and go see it for yourself. - Curtis L
Easy A = A+, Awesome, Astounding, Amusing, Affable, Affable and Astute. It exceeded my (rather high) expectations and delivered a solid comedy. It made me think about my own experiences in high school and made me question some of the "facts" I took for granted. It's easy to forget how quickly rumours spread at that age. The movie manages to balance comedy with insight - no easy task. A really is for Awesome. - Kirk F

That's it for September! Pictures have been posted on the facebook page. Look for the poll for our October outing Tuesday the 5th.

Out @ Easy A

2010-09-14T21:41:00.010-03:00

How will you celebrate the last day of summer? Will you take that one last swim? Maybe enjoy a patio somewhere? Or perhaps see a teen sex comedy with Out @ The Movies?

That's right! With 36.36% of the votes cast, our winner is EASY A!

Our other contenders: Jack Goes Boating tied with Alpha & Omega for last with 9.09% of the vote each. In our runner-up position, it was The Town and Devil; each with 22.73% of the vote.

As the seasons change, so do our lives. For the foreseeable future, there will be a significant format change for our outings. In the past, we've always gone to the earlier of the two evening shows. Which mean we did our socializing after the movie. Things will be a little bit different this time around. So...

THE PLAN

Date: Tuesday, September 21st
Location: Empire Theatres Park Lane
Showtime: 8:50 p.m.
Finish: approximately 10:40 p.m. (I'm just guessing here)
Cost: $5.99
Meeting Time: 8:30 p.m. @ theatre by the arcade; we'll purchase our tickets and head in to see the movie. [NOTE: No longer meeting beforehand at Daily Grind.]
Who to look for: the guy in the orange ballcap and glasses.
After the movie: Send your reviews in (either by posting on the facebook Wall or by sending an e-mail to halifax.out.movies@gmail.com) to get published on the blog!

If this is your first time coming, don't worry; it's a friendly bunch and it's an easy way to make some new friends in Halifax. If you've got a friend, why not invite them via the facebook event?

See you at the cinema!

Kirk

P.S. Just a reminder why so many wanted to see Easy A:

EASY A

Cast: Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Amanda Bynes, Malcolm McDowell, Lisa Kudrow, Penn Badgley, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church, Alyson Michalka
Plot: After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne's in "The Scarlet Letter," which she is currently studying in school - until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.
Web site: http://www.letsnotandsaywedid.com
Trailer:

Easy Devil Goes Boating in Alpha Town

2010-09-06T21:00:00.003-03:00

Summer is coming to an end. It's sad but true. Specifically, the last day of summer is Tuesday, September 21st. Celebrate the end of summer and the start of autumn by coming out to a movie with us!

We have five possible options (all scheduled to open on Friday, September 17th):

Alpha and Omega
Devil
Easy A
Jack Goes Boating
The Town

Read about each and vote below. Voting will close on Tuesday, September 14th.

ALPHA AND OMEGA

Cast: Dennis Hopper, Chris Carmack, Justin Long, Hayden Panettiere, Christina Ricci
Plot: What makes for the ultimate road trip? Hitchhiking, truck stops, angry bears, prickly porcupines and a golfing goose with a duck caddy. Just ask Kate and Humphrey, two wolves who are trying to get home after being taken by park rangers and shipped halfway across the country. Humphrey is an Omega wolf, whose days are about quick wit, snappy one-liners and hanging with his motley crew of fun-loving wolves and video-gaming squirrels. Kate is an Alpha: duty, discipline and sleek Lara Croft eye-popping moves fuel her fire. Humphrey's motto -- make 'em laugh. Kate's motto -- I'm the boss. Back home rival wolf packs are on the march and conflict is brewing. Only Kate and Humphrey can restore the peace. But first, they have to survive each other.
Web site: http://alphaandomega3d.com
Trailer:

DEVIL

Cast: Chris Messina, Bojana Novakovic, Geoffrey Arend, Logan Marshall-Green, Bokeem Woodbine
Plot: Devil is a supernatural thriller with M. Night Shyamalan's signature touch. A group of people are trapped in an elevator, and one of them is the devil.
Web site: http://www.thenightchronicles.com/devil
Trailer:

EASY A

JACK GOES BOATING

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Tom McCarthy
Plot: "Jack Goes Boating" is the story of four New Yorkers. Jack and Connie are two single people who on their own might continue to recede into the anonymous background of the city, but in each other they begin to find the courage and desire to pursue their budding relationship. In contrast, the couple that introduced them, Clyde and Lucy, have been together a long time and are confronting unresolved issues in their marriage.
Web site: http://www.jackgoesboatingmovie.com
Trailer:

THE TOWN

Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper
Plot: Doug MacRay is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But, that all changed on the gang's latest job, when they briefly took a hostage -- bank manager, Claire Keesey. They let her go unharmed, but sometime later she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug... not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous, and potentially deadly, path.
Web site: http://www.thetownmovie.com
Trailer:

Vote now:

Easy Devil Goes Boating in Alpha Townsurvey software

(Can't see the poll? Go to http://poll.fm/27vmn)

Eat, Pray, Love Reviews

2010-08-22T19:35:00.007-03:00

Wow.

Have you ever been to a movie that was sold out? On August 17th, our group found out! The 6:30 showing of Eat, Pray, Love at the Oxford was the most-well-attended screening they've had in two years. There were almost no empty seats (which unfortunately led to our group being split up) and the movie started late due to the long lines.

But what did our moviegoers think? While there were a range of reactions, the most common comment was "long." Understandable, given the two hours and 15 minutes run time.

Excellent movie - you cannot go wrong with Julia - Rhonda W
I didn't hate it. Could I, too, be a discontented WASP-y love-phobe? - John W
Loved it. This movie touched a personal space in my heart; it came at the right time. Lesson learned. - Karen C
Scenery was beautiful. Julia was beautiful. What else can I say? Bellisimo. - Dianna P
Too long, I fell asleep! - Sue A
Overall it was good but long. I liked Italy and India but not Bali. - Laurie M
Liked her assertiveness but felt that there were too many stereotypes of certain countries (like the elephant). - Sara
Good movie. Makes you really think. A little too long. - Mary
I really enjoyed this movie so much! Tears, smiles and feel relaxed. Thank you. - Tammy P
I love it! - Ken B
Prophetic! - Martin T
Balance. Watch. This. Movie. - Les C
hot! Hot! Hot! - K. W.
Scrumptious, romantic, sweet and funny, funny, funny. - Mary Kate A
Some good messages almost lost in a long movie. - Richard S
More Bali, less India. - Brad A
Eat. Pray. Love. Sleep. - Doug B

Thanks to everyone who came out. See you in September!

Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog & Serenity

2010-08-16T20:29:00.007-03:00

On Friday, August 13th, Hal-Con hosted an late-night screening of Joss Whedon's Serenity, preceded by a big-screen showing of the very popular Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Hal-Con was also nice enough to give us two free tickets to give away to the screening.

Doug B won our contest but generously gave his tickets to boyfriend Richard S. Here's Richard's review:

"Having seen both “Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog” and “Serenity” before, I went to the theatre, roommate in tow, prepared to be delighted and entertained by the double feature. When I arrived at the theatre, there was already a sizable line of expectant movie-goers waiting for admittance. Rather than being an off-putting experience, it added to the anticipation. Most people attending were talking amongst themselves and had obviously seen at least one, if not both, of the movies before. Die-hard fans could be spotted by their Jayne Hats – garish knit toques with ear-flaps made to look like the hat a character in “Serenity” received from his mother in one episode of the TV series “Firefly”- or dressed as their favourite character.

The event was well attended, with few empty spots in the upper tier of seating. The organizers were good natured and provided pre-show entertainment, singing “The Ballad of Jayne Cobb” accompanied by the ukelele. Free t-shirts were also lobbed at the crowd, which resulted in a particularly athletic display as one patron vaulted over the railing for the stairs in order to secure some swag for himself.

The first movie, Dr. Horrible, began with a cheer from the crowd, many of whom chanted “Play!” as the DVD menu was projected on the screen. A goodly proportion of the audience also sang along as Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion once more surprised me with their singing abilities. If you've seen Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog before, you can take it from me that seeing it on big screen makes it that much better. If you haven't, then I totally suggest that you go out and watch it so you can realize how much you missed out.

After Dr. Horrible, there was a brief intermission where the audience was briefly decimated by the need for concession and bathroom breaks. The opening credits for “Serenity” were also met with a great cheer from the crowd. After seeing “Serenity” now for the third time in theatre and the umpteenth time in total, I'm still not certain what my favourite part is. Summer Glau's character, River, has got to be one the biggest highlights. She goes from an unusual and unsettled young girl whose only response to a high-speed chased culminating in a near-crash experience is to say that she swallowed a bug, to an unusual young girl who can totally kick some ass. The writing is also in contention for favourite part of the movie. The banter between the characters and the juxtaposition of that humour with a bleak situation makes for an entertaining movie. The cast also helps to maintain the suspension of disbelief necessary for science fiction. Their chemistry is such that you can easily let yourself believe in the story for that hour and a half."

Well said.

Thanks again to Hal-Con for giving us the tickets!

Find out more about the Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Comic Convention (starting October 29th at the Lord Nelson) via:

Our August 17th outing is...

2010-08-10T19:05:00.008-03:00

Out @ Eat, Pray, Love

With 54%, Eat, Pray, Love is a clear winner. The competition still pulled in respectable numbers (Scott Pilgrim vs the World with 27% and The Expendables with 19%) but clearly the majority want to see Julia Roberts star in what is sure to be a blockbuster based on the best-selling novel.

Big change this month: We're going to the Oxford! While in the past, we've always gone to Park Lane, we can change things from time to time.

When: Tuesday, August 17th; movie starting at 6:30.
Where: Oxford Theatre (6408 Quinpool Road) . We'll meet outside - look for the guy in glasses and an orange ball cap. We'll head in to grab snacks and seats at 6. If you arrive a bit late: we'll be aiming for the balcony.
How much: Only $5.99 for tickets!
Who: You, me and our friends! Feel free to invite your friends! You can also RSVP to the facebook event.
What: Tim Hortons. That's where we'll head after the movie - it's just across the street. This is your chance to chat with your fellow moviegoers and write up reviews for the blog!

Eat, Pray, Love

Cast: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup, Javier Bardem, Tuva Novotny, Ali Khan, Lidia Biondi, Arlene Tur

Plot: Liz Gilbert had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having -- a husband, a house, a successful career -- yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/eatpraylove/

Trailer:

See you at the cinema!

Kirk