Century Theatres

Century Theatres

It was interesting to see the response The Explorer got last week after my editorial on what we citizens can really do to reach our elected officials. While I am deeply concerned with seemingly not having a voice unless we have enough money, I am not encouraging any residents to stop trying by any means. I still work to contact my elected officials and I always will, even if at times I feel it seems pointless.

Century Theatres

Just about all the actors in “The Big Wedding” are severely typecast. Diane Keaton is a high-strung, divorced mother like in “Something’s Gotta Give,” Robert De Niro is the father of somebody getting married like in “Meet the Fockers,” Amanda Seyfried is a blushing bride like in “Mamma Mia,” Robin Williams is an eccentric minister like in “License to Wed,” Topher Grace is a deadpan, quick-witted nice guy like in “That ‘70s Show,” and Katherine Heigl is a needy single woman like in every movie she does. Even though the actors are in their comfort zones, not a single person feels natural in “The Big Wedding.” That’s probably because the film doesn’t understand its own characters or their motivations. Nobody behind the camera has any idea what they’re doing, resulting in one of the most awkward romantic comedies of recent memory.

(NewsUSA) - It's been said that "Music gives life to everything." Combine that with the adage, "Variety is the spice of life," and you've got the perfect description of the entertainment found in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

THEATER

Century Theatres

Playwright Bruce Norris has chosen not to fabricate the truth in order to invent a story. He offers no make believe worlds, no climactic battles of good and evil, no metaphorical calls to action, no romantic flickers of passion, no moments of inspiration, no heroes, no villains, no damsels, or vixens. Instead, the award-winning author of “Clybourne Park” has elected to present his audience with an unflattering reflection from a mirror. His play brings humanity face to face with its own imperfect image, and forces it to observe the ugly facts of life. 

MOVIES

(NewsUSA) - Two out of three adults age 55 and older fondly remember family vacations from as young as age five, and 93 percent of today's kids believe vacations offer quality time with their parents.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) closes its 2012-2013 season with the eagerly anticipated Arizona premiere of  Bruce Norris’ multi-award-winning, provocative new comedy, “Clybourne Park”. Performances commence in Tucson for three weeks and continue to Phoenix for an additional three weeks. 

MOVIES

DreamWorks Animation has always strived to tell stories that can appeal to all ages. Their latest animated comedy, “The Croods,” will surely be enjoyed by anybody who is younger than 10. Unlike “Shrek” and “Kung-Fu Panda” though, it lacks the wit and innovation for older audiences. Compared to most Saturday morning cartoons, the film won’t passionately annoy parents that get dragged to the theater. But in an era where more and more adults are attending animated features without accompanying children, “The Croods” feels like a step backwards for DreamWorks.

Comedy Central's Daily Show recently visited Tucson, taking up the debate over the Tucson City Council's controversial gun buyback program.

(StatePoint) As kids, many had the same dream of hitting a walk-off home run to win the World Series. Now baseball season is finally underway, and there is no shortage of opportunities to share your passion of the game with your children.

(NAPSI)—To celebrate its first 90ish years, one popular candy bar instituted a 90-day countdown that gives fans a chance to share favorite memories of the treat.

‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” starts off with a recipe for grade-A comedy. The cast includes names such as Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jim Carrey. The director is Don Scardino of “30 Rock,” while Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis of “Horrible Bosses” penned the screenplay. The premise regarding rivaling magicians offers endless comedic possibilities. So how is it that the final product is just mediocre? It’s probably because the audience has to be constantly caught off guard in order for a magic show or comedy to succeed. In “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” the audience can pretty much predict everything that’s going to happen. This subtracts the elements of surprise and humor from the equation.

It is an awe-inspiring spectacle to witness more than 600 occupants of Tucson’s Temple of Music and Art in silent wonder.  Hushed, enchanted, and utterly captive to the drab one-bedroom apartment set before them, where two obdurate has-been performers go to war with one another’s eccentricities. This is the power that writer Neil Simon possesses in his pen. To completely conquer hearts and minds through a play that was first performed more than 40 years ago, and to master the union of drama and comedy through his production “The Sunshine Boys”. 

(NewsUSA) - The trip may have started out as a way to discover their roots, but it ended with a New York couple saying "I do" -- for the second time -- in a small village in Ireland.

The Tucson Festival of Books has been and remains deeply invested in improving literacy and promoting the love of learning.

MOVIES

Remember how Director Todd Phillips just half-heartedly remade “The Hangover” in “The Hangover Part II?” Remember how lethargic, lame, and tedious it felt having to sit through the same movie over again with fewer laughs? That’s the best way to describe “21 and Over.” The film marks the directorial debut of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the writing team behind the original “Hangover.” They’ve basically recycled their smash hit comedy beat for beat. Where “The Hangover Part II” at least had three laugh-out-loud moments though, there’s nothing even remotely funny in “21 and Over.” It’s a comedic dead zone from its opening scene all the way through.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) brings Neil Simon’s comic masterpiece about show business, friendship and growing old, “The Sunshine Boys” to Arizona audiences.  David Ira Goldstein directs one of Neil Simon’s most beloved and acclaimed plays in ATC’s new production that will premiere in Tucson for three weeks of performances.  ATC’s “The Sunshine Boys” opens at the Temple of Music and Art, running from March 1 through March 23.