Authored By Joshua Pickard
The Week in Film is a column dedicated to bringing awareness to award-winning films, special movie screenings, rereleases, limited-distribution runs and avant cinema that should be seen in theaters to be properly appreciated. “Jurassic Park” Did director Steven Spielberg understand the full weight of influence that “Jurassic Park” would still possess 25 years after it first debuted in movie theaters? It’s hard to say, but there’s no denying that the film created a new generation of people obsessed with dinosaurs and the physical evolution of Earth. In honor of its 25th anniversary, the whole gang of dinosaur hunters, paleontologists and chaos mathematicians will be appearing once again on the big screen. Despite what you may think of its inferior (although not completely without merit) sequels, the original contains enough thrills, eye-popping special effects and narrative wonder to ward off any sense of pop culture saturation. As Samuel L. Jackson says shortly before encountering a rather aggressive velociraptor, “Hold on to your butts.” When: Sunday, Sept. 16 (also showing Sept. 18-19) Where: Regal Hamilton Place 8, AMC Chattanooga 18 Rating: PG-13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GgHjnwCdI0 “Beauty and the Beast” It’s a tale as old as time, and it’s as true as it can be. I’m sorry — I got a little carried away there. That’s a heck of a theme song, though. Returning to theaters 27 years after its initial run, “Beauty and the Beast” will once again have a chance to cast its mystery and music upon anyone in attendance. Not counting the unnecessary, though entirely profitable live-action remake, this is the version of the story that most people remember best. Layered with operatic musical sequences, impressive animation and possessing a story told without bland sentiment or contrivance, “Beauty and the Beast” found Disney at a renaissance of sorts for their theatrical releases. Even now, the film demands your full attention and reveals new details on repeated viewings. When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 14-16 Where: AMC Chattanooga 18, AMC Classic Battlefield 10, AMC Classic Majestic 12, AMC Classic Chattanooga 10, AMC Classic Northgate 14 Rating: G https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRlzmyveDHE “Smokey and the Bandit” Iconic actor and director Burt Reynolds passed away last week at the age of 82 after suffering a cardiac arrest. Possessing natural charisma, an old-fashioned handsomeness and a particular mustachioed mug that was the envy of every man he ever met, Reynolds found himself coveted in Hollywood after his break out role in John Boorman’s outdoor thriller “Deliverance.” He would later find acclaim in such films as “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Cannonball Run” and “Boogie Nights,” a movie which garnered him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. As a tribute to Reynolds, AMC Chattanooga 18 and AMC Classic Northgate 14 will be screening “Smokey and the Bandit” this week so that people can remember the legacy and understand the impact that Reynolds had on the entertainment industry. Also starring Sally Field and Jackie Gleason, the film is basically a long chase across state lines involving Coors beer, an obsessed sheriff and a black Pontiac Trans Am — and Reynolds’ mustache, of course. That thing is a beast. When: Wednesday-Sunday, Sept. 12-16 Where: AMC Chattanooga 18, AMC Classic Northgate 14 Rating: PG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzMpOvKxXdM “Dragon Ball Z: Broly” If you’re looking for that theatrical Dragon Ball Z fix, then Fathom Events and Toei Animation have got you covered. They’ll be bringing the remastered English dub of “Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan” to select theaters across the country, a film which was first released back in 1993. Some theaters will also be offering an exclusive trading card as part of your moviegoing experience, although I would suggest checking in with the theater beforehand to make sure they have them for your particular showing. There will also be some bonus content created solely for this 25th-anniversary event. This was the 8th Dragon Ball Z feature film and continued in its predecessor’s footsteps of highlighting larger-than-life characters and fights which are so ridiculously over the top that there’s an absurdist genius to their construction. Come for the classic Toei animation and stay for the expansive mythos and jaw-dropping action scenes. When: Saturday, Sept. 15 Where: Regal Hamilton Place 8, AMC Chattanooga 18 Rating: PG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSC9MHvlDQw “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"/"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Over the past few weekends, AMC Chattanooga 18 in East Ridge has been wading through the trenches of the Harry Potter universe. They’ve been offering a double dose of all things Potter for the last few Sundays. This week, they’ve worked their way up to “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the 5th and 6th films in the franchise, respectively. The first film begins at 2 p.m. with the second following at 6 p.m. So remember to study diligently for your OWLs and do your best to keep the nargles from stealing your shoes. When: Sunday, Sept. 16 Where: AMC Chattanooga 18 Rating: PG-13, PG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ZW7KXaXYk Joshua Pickard covers local and national music, film and other aspects of pop culture. You can contact him on Facebook, Twitter or by email. The opinions expressed in this column belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or its employees.
