Weekend preview

Getting ready for the weekend, here's a look at what's going on today, and DVDs coming out Tuesday.

In Ronan, the Entertainer will show "The Final Destination" for the next week. I love this series of scary movies, so I'll go see it and review it ASAP. Looks pretty scary. In Polson, the Showboat will continue showing "The Proposal" and new release "Aliens in the Attic," a kids movie.

Tuesday, Sept. 1 sees the release of a lot of great new DVDs, all of which I want to see: "State of Play," a movie about journalism, "Sin Nombre," "Earth" and the baseball flick "Sugar" all hit the shelves. I really want to see all of these; I'll have one of them reviewed on Wednesday!

"Deadwood"

Though not a new release, I can't resist mentioning my new obsession: the TV show "Deadwood." The show originally aired on HBO in the spring of 2004, and consisted of three 12-episode seasons. Crazy Mike's has all three seasons in stock, and I'm telling you, once you start, you won't stop watching.

Right now I'm on the 8th episode of season one and it is and incredible show. Based on Deadwood, South Dakota in 1876, the show features real people from the time, like Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, Seth Bullock and Calamity Jane, with some artistic expression on how their lives actually unfolded. There are also fictional characters.

Deadwood is a lawless place, with no government regulations or oversight. It is the epitome of the "wild west": gunfights and duels, whiskey and whores, gambling and other things looked down upon in urban areas during the 1870's. Deadwood is a place where they make the rules, but there aren't many. The main draw for people coming into the camp is gold prospecting. Gold had been found in the surronding hills, and word spread quickly, drawing people from New York City and Chicago to try their luck in the new town.

If you live in Montana, I think you'll appreciate it a lot. Montana has a similar history to the one found in the Deadwood series, so it makes for an interesting parallel. A warning: there is a lot of profanity, nudity, violence and other unsavory aspects that make this show kid-unfriendly, so only watch it if you can handle these things. Take it from me, it is a great show, and while it was out, won a ton of awards and recieved a lot of critical acclaim. Just get to Crazy Mike's before me; I've been snapping them up!

A worthwhile "Adventure"

Maybe it's because I could sort of relate to the guy. Maybe because it is a great "music" movie. Or maybe I just enjoyed it because of what it is, but "Adventureland" is sure to please any (girl or guy) who watch it.

The movie's pretense is basically a romantic comedy, but one that appeals to both sexes, like "Knocked Up" or "Juno." James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) has just graduated from college in 1987 and has big plans for the future: a summer trip to Europe and enrolling in the Columbia graduate journalism school in the fall. Life is grand; until his parents break the news about money trouble. The Europe trip, set to be James's graduation gift, is scrapped. Instead, a summer at home in Pittsburgh, where James worries his intellect is not appreciated, is on the horizon. Enrollment at Columbia looks iffy. Oh, and James is a virgin.

Once home, James's parents insist he find a summer job, which is somewhat appalling to James, but he goes out to search. Immediately it is obvious this 22 year old hasn't worked a day in his life: his resume consists of watching the neighbors dog (who gave him a letter of recommendation) and his math SAT score. His job prospects look hopeless.

Until he heads out to Adventureland, the local sleazy amusement park, filled with old, unsafe rides and rigged carnival games. While speaking to Paulette (Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live") and Bobby (Bill Hader, "Superbad"), the park's owners and managers, he is given the job without a second glance and starts immediately.

James is relegated to the games department, where he is given an impromptu orientation by Joel (Martin Starr, "Knocked Up"), a Jew big on Russian author Gogol. His booth constantly blasts "Rock me Amadeus" by Falco, a great eighties song that on repeat becomes extremely annoying but a great running joke. He also meets Em (Kristen Stewart, "Twilight"), a cute, mysterious girl who also works games at the park. The table immediately is set for a budding romance between Brennan and Em.

Then there's Jim Connell (Ryan Reynolds, "Van Wilder"), the super cool maintenance guy who claims to have jammed with Lou Reed. Guys want to be him and girls want to be with him; he is what cool was in the summer of 1987. So with these characters and a great soundtrack, you have the stage set for a bad summer job with a good cast of people.

I really enjoyed this movie for what it is. It's funny and sweet, and any recent college graduate (like me) will appreciate James's grand plans, and the eventual realities, like living with mom and dad, that set in for him. Also, he's a journalism major, just like I was.

As a period piece, the movie is awesome. For anyone that likes the '80s, they'll like everything about this movie. Em drives what I believe to be a Gremlin, a cover band at a bar plays Foreigner, there is lots of makeup and big hair and the soundtrack is perfect for every aspect of the movie. All the characters are great, including Bill Hader as Bobby.

I don't want to give anything away, but this review should give you an idea of what it's about. The film is rated R, and has some drug use, profanity and sexuality, and is available at Crazy Mike's in Polson. Questions or comments? Email me at sashagoldstein@gmail.com

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! As the title implies, this blog will be written by me, a reporter at the Lake County Leader, about movies in the Flathead Valley. Each week I'll review a new big screen release being shown either at the Showboat Cinemas in Polson or at the Entertainer in Ronan. Much thanks go out to Gary Dupuis, the general manager of Polson Theatres, Inc.; he helps bring these great movies to the area, so go watch them! I'll also be reviewing a new DVD release each week, courtesy of Crazy Mike's. They have an amazing selection of movies and 'crazy' special deals, so check them out; thanks go out to Sara.

In Polson, the Showboat Theater is playing "G.I. Joe" and "The Proposal." The Ronan Entertainer is showing "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Pelham features John Travolta as the bad guy and Denzel Washington as the unassuming good guy; the verbal interplay between the two is too good to miss. Check it out sometime this week.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) means new DVD releases at Crazy Mike's. "Adventureland", "Fighter," and the indie-flick "Sunshine Cleaning." Sounds like a great selection to me; I just don't know which to pick! Enjoy whatever you watch; don't forget that Tuesday's are 99 cent movie day as well. Stock up for a week of movie-watching fun. I'll be back either tomorrow or Wednesday with a review of a movie. Stay tuned!