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16--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.whatzup.com- ---------------------------------------------------------------August 1, 2013-------------------------------Movie Times • Thursday-Wednesday, August 1-7-------------------------------OPENING THIS WEEK2 Guns (R)Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters(PG)Planes (PG)We’re the Millers (R)2 GUNS (R) — Denzel Washington and MarkWahlberg star in this action comedybased on the comic series of the samename. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur(Contraband).• Ca r m i k e 20, Fo r t Way n eThurs.: 8:00, 10:00Fri.-Wed.: 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40• Co l d wat e r Cr o s s i n g 14, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 8:00, 10:40Fri.: 11:40, 2:10, 2:40, 4:40, 5:10, 7:10,7:40, 9:50, 10:20, 12:01Sat.-Tues.: 11:40, 2:10, 2:40, 4:40, 5:10,7:10, 7:40, 9:50, 10:20• Hu n t i n g t o n 7, Hu n t i n g t o nTimes thru Monday, Aug. 5 onlyThurs.: 8:00, 10:25Fri.-Sat.: 11:30, 2:00, 4:40, 7:10, 9:50,11:50Sun.-Mon.: 11:30, 2:00, 4:40, 7:10, 9:50• Je f f e r s o n Po i n t e 18, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 8:00, 10:45Fri.-Sun.: 12:00, 1:40, 2:40, 4:20, 5:20,7:00, 8:00, 9:45, 10:45Mon.-Tues.: 11:50, 1:40, 2:30, 4:20,5:10, 7:00, 7:55, 9:45, 10:35• No r t h Po i n t e 9, Wa r s awStarts Friday, Aug. 2Fri.-Sun.: 2:30, 5:25, 7:35, 9:50Mon.-Wed.: 3:15, 5:25, 7:35, 9:5042 (PG13) — The true story of JackieRobinson (Chadwick Boseman), theman who broke baseball’s color barrierwhen Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford)signed him to play second base for theBrooklyn Dodgers. Written and directedby Brian Helgeland (Mystic River, Manon Fire).• Co v e n t ry 13, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 12:30, 3:15, 6:25, 9:10AFTER EARTH (PG13) — Will Smith (alongwith son Jaden) team up with M. NightShyamalan for this sci-fi adventure flickabout a father and son who are strandedon earth 1,000 years after everybodyelse was forced to leave.• Co v e n t ry 13, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 12:05, 2:30, 7:20THE CONJURING (R) — James Wan whohelped launch the Saw franchise directsthis supernatural horror film about ahaunted Rhode Island farmhouse.• Ca r m i k e 20, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 1:25, 1:50, 4:15, 4:45, 7:05, 7:20,9:50, 10:00• Co l d wat e r Cr o s s i n g 14, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 11:00, 1:50, 4:40, 7:20, 10:10Fri.: 11:50, 2:25, 5:05, 7:45, 10:25,12:01Sat.-Tues.: 11:50, 2:25, 5:05, 7:45,10:25• Hu n t i n g t o n 7, Hu n t i n g t o nTimes thru Monday, Aug. 5 onlyThurs.: 11:10, 1:50, 4:25, 7:05, 9:40Fri.-Sat.: 11:10, 1:50, 4:25, 7:05, 9:40,11:40Sun.-Mon.: 11:10, 1:50, 4:25, 7:05, 9:40• Je f f e r s o n Po i n t e 18, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 1:05, 2:05, 4:05, 5:05, 7:05,8:05, 10:05, 10:45Fri.-Sun.: 1:05, 2:05, 4:05, 5:05, 7:05,8:05, 10:05, 10:50Mon.: 1:05, 2:05, 4:05, 5:05, 7:05, 7:45,10:05, 10:25Tues.: 1:05, 2:05, 4:05, 5:05, 7:05, 7:45,10:25• No r t h Po i n t e 9, Wa r s awThurs.: 3:30, 6:45, 9:20Fri.-Sun.: 2:30, 4:50, 7:05, 9:20Mon.-Wed.: 3:30, 6:45, 9:20THE CROODS (PG) — The world’s very firstprehistoric family goes on a road trip toa fantastical world in this animated talestarring Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone andRyan Reynolds.• Co v e n t ry 13, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 12:20, 2:35, 5:00, 7:15, 9:50DESPICABLE ME 2 (PG) — Steve Carellreturns as the sentimental villain Gru inthis sequel to the animated hit of 2010($540 million). Russell Brand and KenJeong co-star.• Ca r m i k e 20, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 1:45, 2:15, 4:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55• Co l d wat e r Cr o s s i n g 14, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 11:30, 2:00, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40Fri.-Mon.: 11:35, 2:05, 4:35, 7:05, 9:35Tues.: 11:35, 2:05, 4:35• Hu n t i n g t o n 7, Hu n t i n g t o nTimes thru Monday, Aug. 5 onlyThurs.: 11:35, 1:55, 4:20, 6:45, 9:05Fri.-Mon.: 11:35, 1:55, 4:20• Je f f e r s o n Po i n t e 18, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 11:55, 2:40, 5:15, 7:40, 10:35Fri.-Sun.: 11:55, 2:35, 5:15, 7:45, 10:30Mon.: 11:55, 2:35, 5:15, 7:45, 10:15Tues.: 11:40, 2:10, 4:35• No r t h Po i n t e 9, Wa r s awThurs.: 3:30, 6:15, 9:00Fri.-Sun.: 2:30, 4:45, 6:45, 9:00Mon.-Wed.: 3:30, 6:15, 9:00• No r t h w o o d Ci n e m a Gr i l l, Fo r t Way n eThurs.: 12:30, 3:30, 6:15Fri.: 12:30, 4:15, 7:30Sat.: 12:30, 4:15, 7:15Sun.-Wed.: 12:30, 4:15, 7:00THE EAST (PG13) — Brit Marling, AlexanderSkarsgard and Ellen Page star in thisthriller film about a private investigatorwho infiltrates an anarchist collective.• Ci n e m a Ce n t e r, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Sunday, Aug. 4 onlyThurs.: 6:15, 8:30Fri.: 2:00, 6:15, 8:30Sat.: 6:15, 8:30Sun.: 2:00EPIC (PG) — A 3D animated action-adventurefrom director Chris Wedge (Ice Age,Robots) about the conflict betweenthe forces of good and evil. BeyoncéKnowles, Colin Farrell, Josh Hutchersonand Amanda Seyfried star.• Co v e n t ry 13, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 12:05, 2:20, 4:35, 7:00, 9:40FAST AND FURIOUS 6 (PG13) — DirectorJustin Lin and actors Vin Diesel, PaulWalker and Dwayne (“The Rock”)Johnson all return and yadda-yaddayadda.• Co v e n t ry 13, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 12:55, 3:40, 6:35, 9:20FRUITVALE STATION (PG13) — RyanCoogler’s film about a 22-year-old blackman who is shot by police at a BARTstation was the big winner at this year’sSundance Festival. Michael B. Jordanstars.• Co l d wat e r Cr o s s i n g 14, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6Thurs.: 12:05, 2:10, 4:25, 7:40, 9:50Fri.-Tues.: 11:55, 2:20, 4:50, 7:35, 10:05• Je f f e r s o n Po i n t e 18, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45Fri.-Tues.: 11:35, 2:25, 4:50, 7:20, 9:55THE GREAT GATSBY (PG13) — The highlyanticipated, much-delayed adaptationof the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic by BazLuhrmann (Australia, Moulin Rouge!)stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguireand Carey Mulligan.• Co v e n t ry 13, Fo r t Way n eDaily: 12:00, 2:55, 6:15, 9:15GROWN UPS 2 (PG13) — It was just so dangfunny the first time around that AdamSandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock andDavid Spade have come back for moreyucks. Salma Hayek and Maya Rudolphco-star.• Ca r m i k e 20, Fo r t Way n eThurs.: 12:35, 1:45, 3:05, 4:15, 5:30,6:45, 7:55, 9:15Fri.-Sat.: 12:35, 1:45, 3:05, 4:15, 5:30,6:45, 7:55, 9:15, 10:30Sun.-Wed.: 12:35, 1:45, 3:05, 4:15,5:30, 6:45, 7:55, 9:15• Co l d wat e r Cr o s s i n g 14, Fo r t Way n eTimes thru Tuesday, Aug. 6 onlyThurs.: 11:15, 1:45, 4:50Fri.-Tues.: 12:35, 3:35, 6:55, 9:25• Hu n t i n g t o n 7, Hu n t i n g t o n---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Way Way Back Is a Summertime DelightFor a certain generation, the “way back” ing of age today, though the story is told withneighbor with no sense of boundaries, aor the “way, way back” is that last row of Duncan and his teenage cohorts front andfondness for cocktails and an alarming facilityfor missing what’s going on and alsoseats in old school station wagons, the row center.Flixjust past the backseat. The Way Way Back, a That sense of timelessness, or at least ofseeing through to the core of people. Seeingcharming coming of age story, begins with a different time, starts with the station wagon.CATHERINE LEE Janney, who is using barely a tenth of hera chat between an obnoxious dad type drivingsuch a station wagon and a miserableadolescent boy sitting in that last seat in thecar. The seat faces out the back of the car, asmany of them used to do.For Duncan and Trent, the mopey teenagerand bullying middle-aged guy, the distanceand the different directions they arefacing symbolize plenty. Next to Trent inthe front seat is Duncan’s mom, Pam. Sheis asleep. Sprawled across the back seat isTrent’s daughter, Steph, zoned out and listeningto tunes.If Trent would just shut up, Duncancould just stare out the back window and bein his own little world. (That was the greatthing about those seats – disappearing intoyour own thoughts.) But Trent is relentlessin his selfish, manipulative and rather nastyefforts to help Duncan shake off the cloud ofhis parents’ divorce that follows him everywhere.This unhappy carload is heading toTrent’s beach house for the summer.Co-writers and directors Nat Faxonand Jim Rash, who won an Oscar for theirscreenplay for The Descendants, have madea delightful movie that is clearly straightfrom their own hearts and perhaps from theirown experience. The Way Way Back is set inthe present, but it has the vibe of a 70s/80sfilm. The film seems more directed towardsan audience of a certain age than those com-Not only is the car probably 30 years old,its owner is a car salesman, so he’s makinga statement. Many elements of the film suggesta different time. The beach town wherethey live is quaint and old-timey; it hasn’tbeen tarted up with a bunch of McMansions.The water park in town, Water Wizz,where Duncan finds a job, opened in 1983.The original owner decreed that no upgradesshould be made, and the place retains thelook and pleasures of that day, not this one.The biggest break from the present is thelack of electronics. There are no televisions,computers or video games. There may be anodd phone here or there, but this is a movieabout teenagers, and at no point do we seethem staring at a device in their hand. This isnot a realistic portrayal of today.Not that any of that is missed. But theworld of The Way Way Back does have a fantasyother-worldly atmosphere, even thoughthe people dynamics are sharply, sometimespainfully accurate. And part of the charmof the movie is that a summer at the beachshould be fun. The filmmakers create a verypleasant exterior and give us some characterswho cannot enjoy it, some who are fakingtheir enjoyment and some who will stopat nothing to have the fun they want.The Way Way Back is a story in whichthere are no surprises and many things we’veseen before, but Faxon and Rash make thisa fresh and tasty dish. Their screenplay iswonderful, and they bring it to life with lovingaffection. They have also cast themselvesin small roles to be part of the fun.Having seen and loved The Descendants,as I imagine every actor in The WayWay Back did, I imagine that all of the verytalented actors in The Way Way Back said“yes” to being in the movie as quickly aspossible. The film is stuffed with talent, alldoing great work.Duncan, our struggling boy, is playedby Liam James, a young actor from Canadawho has done other work but makes a muchbigger mark here. After that comes a host ofactors who create a well-knit ensemble.Toni Collette plays Pam, Duncan’s mom,trying to make the best of a bad situation thatcontinues to deteriorate. Steve Carell playsTrent, the car salesman, also recently divorced,and a magnificently self-interesteddude who fancies himself a good guy. Theperformance is assured, and Trent makesMichael Scott look informed and benign.So-called adult neighbors include RobCorddry and Amanda Peet as Joan and Kip,longtime friends of Trent and his formerwife. Peet is especially good. She gives arolled-eye sneer early in the movie that saysmore than any line of dialogue.Allison Janney plays Betty, a beachtalent, makes you realize how desperate actorsare for good writing. She’s great here,but will she ever get writing that will showcaseher ability to go from funny to seriousthe way she did episode after episode in TheWest Wing?AnnaSophia Robb plays Susanna, thehottie next door. Susanna is Betty’s daughter.She has all of Betty’s good qualities andnone of her vices. River Alexander playsPeter, Betty’s younger son, who has a “lazyeye.” He nearly steals a scene or two.Duncan finds refuge and confidencethrough his friendship with Owen, the managerof Water Wizz. Sam Rockwell, whohas impressed and charmed me in Moon,Galaxy Quest and Confessions of a DangerousMind, among others, balances Owen’spleasure enjoying his extended adolescenceand a sympathetic awareness of the sufferingof Duncan. What a great time he must havehad playing Owen. Maya Rudolph is idealas Owen’s steady girl who is losing patiencewith him.Try to see The Way Way Back in a theater.It is summer now, and this is a summerpleasure. If you don’t make it to the theater,when the snow flies and you need a sweet reminderof summer and youth, The Way WayBack will give you a dose of these pleasures,some of them painful.ckdexterhaven@earthlink.net