05.09.19

PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
•FILM•
BY CARL KOZLOWSKI
‘Long Shot’ is a Winner
SETH ROGEN AND CHARLIZE THERON MAKE ROM-COM MAGIC
IN A FILM WITH A SURPRISING AMOUNT TO SAY
Finding true love is hard enough for regular
folks like us. But imagine how difficult it would
be to build a quality relationship if the whole
world watched your every move?
That’s the sad dilemma facing Charlotte Field
(Charlize Theron). She’s the US Secretary of State.
The president (Bob Odenkirk) assured her that she
will receive his endorsement to succeed him in the
highest office in the land, meaning the world’s cameras
are fixed on her constantly. With constant travel
to boot, Charlotte has been unable to find a lasting
relationship and she’s likely to face the presidency’s
stresses alone.
But one night she runs into a familiar face at a
major fundraising gala, that of Fred Flarsky (Seth
Rogen). Fred had a crush on Charlotte back when
she was his babysitter, and their friendship ended
in a way that was highly embarrassing for him.
But now, years later, he makes an impression on
her when he has a dramatic confrontation at the
party with a Rupert Murdoch-style media baron he
believes is destroying journalism and, by extension,
America.
Charlotte hires Fred to be her new speechwriter
when her team tells her that her one weak spot in
polls is her sense of humor. As they travel the globe
on a 20-country tour to line up support behind Charlotte’s
ambitious environmental agenda, the unlikely
pair get to know one another in a way that she hasn’t
been able to in years, and she falls for him.
But with the world judging her every move, what
will they think of her taking up with a nerdy, neurotic
Jewish guy with a propensity for profane rants
in print and in real life?
Can they find a way to make it all work out?
It might seem that this would be a fairly classic
dilemma in the guise of a fresh setting. If that
was the case, it would already be a bonus in these
ever-predictable movie times. But “Long Shot” has
one surprise after another in its sharp script, which
include a dangerous terrorist attack and a wild night
where Fred introduces Charlotte to the drug Ecstasy
only to find her high as a kite when a major crisis
erupts.
Better yet, “Long Shot” deals with real ethical
dilemmas that are intriguing and relatable, as it asks
of both Fred’s journalist and Charlotte’s world leader
what they’re willing to compromise. Each character
has to pick the red lines they won’t cross as both find
themselves questioning the standards society offers.
Both Rogen and Theron give fantastic performances
in the film. Theron is funnier than she’s ever
been before and shows a real feminine warmth and
allure that she is often lacking in her frequent killer
roles in movies like “Mad Max: Glory Road” and
“Atomic Blonde.” Rogen, meanwhile, steps up to the
challenge of being a romantic leading man while
keeping his scruffy charm intact.
One big scene-stealer is O’Shea Jackson, Jr. , the
son of Ice Cube, who made his film acting debut
playing his famous rapper father in “Straight Outta
Compton.” He's also displayed an impressive comic
grace in indie films like “Ingrid Goes West.” As
Fred’s best friend, he’s a source of joyfully comic
encouragement in his friend’s improbable romantic
travails, but in a particularly impressive scene he
makes a strong stand for being a Christian and black
Republican even as Fred mocks him for it.
The point made in that scene is that Americans
need to stop making assumptions about each other
and really dialogue with each other if we want to
maintain a stable nation and strong relationships. As
such, this seemingly simple film actually has a lot to
say about life and the world we live in today, and is a
sure bet for a great date night and to wind up on my
10 favorites list at the end of the year. n
“LONGSHOT”: A
Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron in Longshot.
FLICK FINDER
SHOWTIMES
Friday May. 10 to Thursday May. 16
Note: Times are p.m., and daily, unless
otherwise indicated. All times are subject
to change without notice.
PASADENA
ACADEMY 6
1003 E Colorado Bl, (626) 229-9400.
Grease Tues. only, 7:30 p.m.
IPIC THEATERS AT
ONE COLORADO PASADENA
42 Miller Alley, (626) 639-2260.
Avengers: Endgame Fri. 1:10, 2:05, 5:30, 6:25,
9:50, 10:45 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 1:10, 1:40, 5:30, 6,
9:50, 10:20 p.m.; Mon.-Wed., 1:10, 1:55, 5:30,
6:15, 9:50, 10:35 p.m.
The Intruder Fri.-Wed., 1:15, 3:50, 6:45, 9:30 p.m.
Long Shot Fri. 1, 4, 7, 10:15 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 1, 4, 7,
10 p.m.; Mon. 1:15, 4:30, 7:45, 10:45 p.m.; Tues.-
Wed., 1:15, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu Fri. 2:15, 5, 7:45,
10:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11:30 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:45,
10:30 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs., 1:30, 4:15, 7, 9:45 p.m.
LAEMMLE’S PLAYHOUSE 7
673 E Colorado Bl, (626) 844-6500.
As You Like It Mon. 7:30 p.m.; Tues. 1 p.m.
Go for Broke Fri.-Thurs., 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:50, 10:15
p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera: Dialogues Des Carmelites
Sat. only, 9 a.m.
Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie Thurs. only,
7:30 p.m.
What We Left Behind: Star Trek DS9 Mon. only,
7 p.m.
Wild Strawberries Wed. only, 7 p.m.
ARCLIGHT PASADENA 14
280 E Colorado Bl, (626) 568-8888.
Clueless Mon. only, 7:30 p.m.
A Dog’s Journey Thurs. only, 6, 8:15, 10:35 p.m.
The Hustle Fri.-Sat., 12:45, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 p.m.;
Sun. 11:05 a.m., 12:45, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 p.m.
John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum Thurs. only,
7, 9:45, 11:45 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.,
12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7, 9:15 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu 3D Sat. 5:45, 10:15
p.m.; Sun. 10:15 p.m.
Poms Sat.-Sun., 11:15 a.m., 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15,
9:20 p.m.
Tolkien Sat.-Sun., 11:30 a.m., 1, 3:25, 5:50, 8:15,
10:35 p.m.
GLENDALE
PACIFIC GLENDALE 18
The Americana at Brand,322
Americana Way, Glendale
(818) 551-0218.
A Dog’s Journey Thurs. only, 6, 7:15, 8:35, 9:50,
11:10 p.m.
The Hustle Fri. 4:35, 7:35, 9:55 p.m.; Sat.-Sun.,
10:40 a.m., 1:10, 4:35, 7:35, 9:55 p.m.
John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum Thurs. only,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 midnight
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu Fri.-Sat., 10:15 a.m.,
10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 2:15,
2:45, 3:15, 3:45, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 5:45, 6:15, 6:45,
7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45,
11:15, 11:45 p.m.; Sun. 10:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m.,
11:45 a.m., 12:15, 12:45, 1:15, 2:15, 2:45, 3:15,
3:45, 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, 5:45, 6:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45,
8:15, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu 3D Fri.-Sun., 11:15
a.m., 1:45 p.m.
Poms Fri. 7:20, 9:35 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10:50 a.m.,
1:05, 4:10, 7:20, 9:35 p.m.
Tolkien Fri.-Sun., 11:10 a.m., 1:50, 4:30, 7:10,
9:50 p.m.
UA LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE
1919 Verdugo Bl, (818) 952-1940.
A Dog’s Journey Thurs. only, 6, 9 p.m.
John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum Thurs. only,
7, 10 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu Fri.-Thurs., 11 a.m.,
4:20, 7:10, 9:50 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu 3D Fri.-Thurs., 1:40
p.m.
ARCADIA
AMC SANTA ANITA 16
Westfield Shoppingtown Mall,400
Baldwin Ave, (888) 262-4386.
Avengers: Endgame Fri. 10 a.m., 6, 7:45, 10, 11:45
p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 2, 6, 7:45, 10, 11:45
p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m., 2, 6, 7:45, 10, 11:45 p.m.; Mon.
10:30 a.m., 2:30, 6:30, 10:30 p.m.; Tues. 10:30
a.m., 2:30, 6:30, 7, 10:30 p.m.; Wed. 10:30 a.m.,
2:30, 6:30, 10:30 p.m.
Avengers: Endgame — The IMAX 2D Experience
Fri. 11 a.m., 2, 3, 7, 11 p.m.; Sat.-Wed., 11 a.m., 3,
7, 11 p.m.; Thurs. 11 a.m., 3 p.m.
Batman & Robin Event Tues. only, 4, 7 p.m.
Batman Forever Event Sun. only, 1, 4 p.m.
The Beach Bum Wed. only, 6:30 p.m.
A Dog’s Journey Thurs. only, 6, 9 p.m.
The Hustle Fri.-Wed., 11:10 a.m., 1:45, 4:15, 6:45,
9:20 p.m.
John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum Thurs. only,
7, 7:30, 10, 10:30 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera: Dialogues Des Carmelites
Sat. only, 9 a.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu Fri.-Sun., 10:30 a.m.,
11:15 a.m., 1:30, 2:15, 4:15, 5, 7, 10 p.m.; Mon.-
Wed., 10:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:15, 7, 10 p.m.
Poms Fri.-Sun., 11:15 a.m., 2, 4:50, 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie Thurs. only,
7:30 p.m.
Tolkien Fri.-Sun., 10:50 a.m., 1:45, 4:40, 7:40,
10:40 p.m.
What We Left Behind: Star Trek DS9 Mon. only,
7 p.m.
ALHAMBRA
EDWARDS ALHAMBRA
RENAISSANCE STADIUM 14 & IMAX
1 E. Main Street,
(626) 300-0107.
Avengers: Endgame Fri. 11 a.m., 3, 7, 10:30 p.m.;
Sat. 10:30 a.m., 2:30, 6:30, 10:30 p.m.; Sun.-Wed.,
11 a.m., 3, 7, 11 p.m.; Thurs. 11 a.m., 3, 6, 7, 11 p.m.
Batman & Robin Event Tues. only, 7 p.m.
Batman Forever Event Sun. only, 1 p.m.
A Dog’s Journey Thurs. only, 6, 8:45 p.m.
The Hustle Fri. 11:05 a.m., 1:55, 4:30, 7:05, 9:40
p.m.; Sat.-Thurs., 11:20 a.m., 1:55, 4:30, 7:05,
9:40 p.m.
John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum Thurs. only,
7, 10:15 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera: Dialogues Des Carmelites
Sat. only, 9 a.m.
The Metropolitan Opera: Dialogues Des Carmelites
— Encore Wed. only, 1, 6:30 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu Fri.-Thurs., 11 a.m.,
1:45, 7:15, 10 p.m.
PokÈmon Detective Pikachu 3D Fri.-Thurs., 4:30
p.m.
Poms Fri.-Thurs., 11:40 a.m., 2:15, 4:45, 7:15,
9:45 p.m.
Saga of Tanya the Evil — The Movie Thurs. only,
7:30 p.m.
Tolkien Fri. 11:10 a.m., 2, 4:50, 7:40, 10:25 p.m.;
Sat.-Thurs., 11:10 a.m., 2, 4:50, 7:40, 10:30 p.m.
What We Left Behind: Star Trek DS9 Mon. only,
7 p.m.
ENJOY THE SHOW.
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20 PASADENA WEEKLY | 05.09.19