Just Go With The Unknown Eagle From Prada Four

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)

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:

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.

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

Tron: Legacy Reviews

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

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

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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?

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

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:

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.

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

November = No-vember

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