Memphis movie viewers: Sometimes you have to remind yourself to resist the hype. Forget about all the commercials, magazine ads, billboards, and trailers. All that advertising does is inflate your expectations and cloud your judgment. When you’re feeling the effects of hype overload, the only thing you can do is take a deep breath and remind yourself that trailers lie and critics can’t always be trusted. Keep this all in mind as these upcoming movie events vie for your hard-earned money.
October 16-23
This is an opportunity that should not be missed! Memphis’s beloved Orpheum Theater will be featuring the widely acclaimed “Memphis The Musical.” The theater will only be offering a limited run of this Broadway hit and the production is shaping up to be spectacular. Never heard of this award-winning musical?
An unlikely pair of protagonists are determined to make an impact on the club scene. One is a white DJ with dreams of fame, the other is a black club singer looking for her lucky break. Inspired by actual events, this duo will stop at nothing to fulfill their aspirations. The music and dancing are explosive, the romance is sizzling, and the story is inspiring. If it sounds like your kind of party, head on over to downtown Memphis and enjoy the musical.
Friday, October 21
Memphis comedy lovers should give some consideration to “Johnny English Reborn.” This parody of spy films and secret agent tropes is likely to leave you in stitches if you’re a fan of the genre. If you’re not into zany humor or films taking refuge in audacity, you likely won’t be amused. The list of spy movie parodies might be a little long, but that doesn’t mean this one isn’t worth seeing. Memphian fans of the original film and the work of Rowan Atkinson should check out the sequel. Two such enthusiasts offer their opinion below.
“I was really excited when they announced this sequel! ‘Johnny English’ is one of my favorite parodies. He might not be suave and we should probably question his sanity, but I hope they never fire him!” — Damian Hallowell, 28, Memphis
“I found the original to be an enjoyable, but mindless film. The focus is clearly on Johnny English’s silly mannerisms and actions and less so on any subtle spy humor. With that said, I do hope the sequel takes a magnifying glass to the genre and some of its asinine elements.” — Wyatt Jones, 45, Memphis
Not a lover of comedy? Horror-loving Memphians have something to look forward to as well. “Paranormal Activity 3″ will be seeing its eagerly awaited release. Although the series has gotten a little too comfortable with annual releases, this hasn’t stopped the excitement. Be warned: You’ll be leaving the theater plagued by a fear of the unknown. Suddenly every event around you, significant or not, will inspire paranoia. Are you willing to take a chance on it? These two Memphians are; will you follow them into this suspenseful sequel?
“I was a little disappointed with ‘Paranormal Activity 2,’ but I have high hopes for this one. For one thing, it looks like they’re taking a different approach this time around.” — James Clover, 26, Germantown
“If there’s one modern horror series that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is it. They pull you in with quiet terror and then continuously fuel your paranoia. The first two are going to be hard to top, but I have a feeling they won’t ruin the formula.” — Lucy Robbins, 30, Memphis
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