filmland / By Emily Hobelmann

It’s Spock O’Clock!

Plus: A belated review of Hannah Montana: The Movie

(May 14, 2009) Previews

Once again we have but one opening in Humboldt County this weekend — Angels and Demons, yet another film based on a Dan Brown book. (Brown wrote The Da Vinci Code.) Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor star in this film, which is directed by Ron Howard, who also directed the film version of The Da Vinci Code. The deal: A Harvard religious expert must track a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols in order to save the Catholic Church from being destroyed by the Illuminati, an ancient and most secret brotherhood. Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, disturbing images and thematic material. 139m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek, the Minor and Fortuna.

This week the Saturday midnight movie at the Arcata Theater Lounge is that old favorite, Reefer Madness. The 1936 exploitation film has come to be a comedic staple for stoner circles because the madness instigated by the reefer is quite silly. The film is scheduled to screen after the House of Floyd show, so admission is free for those with H.O.F. tix. You can also purchase tickets day of, but they are guaranteed to be limited.

The other weekend screening at the ATL is the 1943 classic Hitchcock thriller Shadow of a Doubt. The film, which was filmed mostly on location in Santa Rosa, follows a low-key murderer who seeks sanctuary by moving in with his sister’s family. There are three showings on Sunday starting in the afternoon and you can get more information at the theater’s Web Site, www.arcatatheater.com.

Reviews

STAR TREK.There’s no doubt that people are stoked on the new Star Trek movie. Everyone raves. “It’s awesome.” “One of the best movies I’ve ever seen.” “Good for the trekkies and non-trekkies alike.” Are the rumors true? Why, yes, dear reader. Methinks the latest incarnation of Trekdom is epic for sure.

The film, a flashback to the early years of those U.S.S. Enterprise crew members, is directed by J.J. Abrams and stars Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as James T. Kirk and Spock, respectively. Film viewer, you must witness the dramatic birth of a most epic Trekker (Kirk), fear Romulans and root for the Federation. It’s all tres Trek. Yeah, baby. There’s even a music cameo by the Beastie Boys.

And you know it’s super rad to get down with Spock as a youngster. Dude’s neither human nor Vulcan. He’s both, and that troubles him and his pure Vulcan peeps. Lucky for the Star Fleet, Spock chooses serving the Federation over pursuing ultimate Vulcan-dom when his uptight Vulcan elders hate on his human mama. You get to party with Kirk as a youth, too. And check it: Kirk’s a total stud. All the background is really fun and badass. Kirk’s kickin’ asses in bars. Hittin’ on ladies. Rebelling. And you’d better believe that the Federation — that rad, peace-keeping, humanitarian conglomerate — wants him. Kirk’s dad was a legend after all.

1 2 3 4 5 NEXT PAGE >SHARE