I have to make a horrible admission: I have not seen a movie for a while.
The problem is most of my time is spent at a theatre that is currently not showing any movies. But that will change as of next week as the new Landmark Cinemas 8 opens in West Kelowna.
It will feature eight state-of-the-art stadium seating auditoriums with digital projection, four of which will be 3D capable. As well, the number eight “Extreme” auditorium will feature an almost IMAX-size screen, extra luxurious seating and a sound system that is the first of its kind in Canada (and only a handful throughout the world), featuring 11.1 digital stereo.
Other features include Internet ticket sales and reserved seating. (If you check www.landmarkcinemas.com over the next few days, you might already be able to purchase tickets for The Dark Knight Rises, which is not being released until July 20. However, as I am writing this, some technical details have not been finalized so our plans may be delayed.)
Watch for the Landmark 8 to open to the public next Friday, June 22.
Director Adam Shankman is no stranger to choreography. The So You Think You Can Dance judge started his career dancing in musical theatre before choreographing music videos and numerous movies until he was hired to direct The Wedding Planner.
After that he was a double threat, credited as director and/or choreographer on movies like A Walk to Remember, The Pacifier, Bringing Down the House and, most famously, Hairspray.
Shankman is now the director/choreographer of another hit Broadway musical turned movie Rock of Ages and, like Hairspray, he has assembled an all-star cast. Included in the cast is Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Cranston, Malin Âkerman and Catherine Zeta-Jones but the real spotlight is on the soundtrack, which features some of the most prominent hair-metal songs of the ’80s.
The plot of a small town girl and a city boy who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams is only an excuse to write a story around classic songs from the likes of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake and more.
Two of the favourite cast members of Saturday Night Live, past and present, team up for That’s My Boy. Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg star as dysfunctional father and son Donny Berger and Todd Peterson. Todd was born Han Solo Berger when Donny was only in his teens and Donny raised him as a single parent until Han’s 18th birthday. After being estranged for 12 years, Han (who changed his name for obvious reasons) suddenly has to deal with his father re-entering his life on the eve of his wedding, desperate to reconnect with his successful son.
Sandler is known for his sophomoric (and usually critically reviled) comedies, and this one will be even cruder than usual. But like most of his films, it could still be funny and will be a guilty pleasure.
Russell Brand, Julianne Hough and Alec Baldwin star in Rock of Ages.
