Thursday, May 10, 2012

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 ninth triple feature experience, the second featuring all press screenings, came less than one week after my previous one of that sort. Looking back on it, it’s probable that people have only heard of one of the films (“Please Give”), and most probably don’t even know that one. The random scheduling of these press screenings is really the only thing that led to me pairing these particular films up.





April 6, 2010
 
Movie #1: After.Life
Theatre: Magno Review 1
Time of Day: 12:00pm
Runtime: 104 minutes
This awful drama about a woman (Christina Ricci) kept conscious by a sadistic mortician (Liam Neeson) after her death was entirely stupid and devoid of coherent moments. Ricci was impossibly lost in a poorly-written part, and not even Neeson could save this miserably boring thriller.

Movie #2: Please Give
Theatre: Sony Screening Room
Time of Day: 4:00pm
Runtime: 90 minutes
This quirky dramedy had an awesome cast, featuring Rebecca Hall and Amanda Peet as sisters, and Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Sarah Steele, and 81-year-old Ann Guilbert in the ensemble. Its multigenerational talent was well-utilized with a clever script and some truly biting dialogue.

Movie #3: The Joneses
Theatre: Magno Review 2
Time of Day: 6:00pm
Runtime: 95 minutes
This inventive comedy took selling a lifestyle to a whole new level, crafting a ready-made family of salesmen from Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Amber Heard, and Ben Hollingsworth. The movie didn’t stir up much buzz, but it was enjoyable, entertaining, and impressively creative.

The review: The first was awful, but I quite enjoyed the other two.
The grades: F, B+, B+
A good lineup? Sure. I wouldn’t wish the first film upon anyone, but the other two went well together since they both utilized eclectic ensembles and were relatively light in tone.

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