Thursday Triple Features
Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe, Thursday Triple Features. Throughout college, I would often head to the movies for three films in a row on a Friday or Sunday, and I’m excited to recall some of my most memorable experiences. I don’t necessarily advocate that you try this at home, but I’ll explore that as well.
My seventh triple feature experience was arguably the least exciting of all, since it kept me in one place – AMC 34th St – and only offered one remotely memorable film. The other issue I encountered was that I nearly missed the start of the third film, due to the fact that I scheduled it with too narrow a window instead. I’d say don’t try this at home, but that’s exactly what you might want to do for this mediocre slate!
Time of Day: 10:10am
Runtime: 101 minutes
It turns out there’s a reason no one has made a movie about a serial killer in Antarctica. This dumb movie featuring Kate Beckinsale was entirely illogical, and it got increasingly less coherent as the snow came in and it went on. This movie was entirely unforgettable and fully lamentable.
Movie #2: Extract
Time of Day: 12:50pm
Runtime: 92 minutes
This comedy starring Jason Bateman didn’t know what it wanted to be, and an ensemble including Kristin Wiig, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, J.K. Simmons, and Clifton Collins Jr. couldn’t make this film funny. It’s more of a work in progress, something that served as a transition between television and the great projects that Bateman, Wiig, and Kunis have made since.
Movie #3: 9
Time of Day: 2:40pm
Runtime: 79 minutes
This ended up being my favorite animated film of the year, telling a rather sophisticated and grown-up story with such terrific voices as Elijah Wood, Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, and Jennifer Connelly. This layered and powerful drama utilized animation in an extremely compelling way.
The review: I don’t remember either of the first two films fondly, but the third one stuck with me through the rest of the year, even after several high-profile animated features.
The grades: F, B-, B+
A good lineup? Not particularly. Quality aside, the films had nothing to do with each other, and transitioning from one to the next wasn’t particularly fluid. Skip the first two and see the third. Coming up next: my first triple feature of press screenings!
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