31 Days of Halloween 2017: Cold Moon (now playing at Tower City Cinemas)

[31 Days of Halloween 2017: COLD MOON opens today in Cleveland exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

The late writer Michael McDowell is best known these days, if at all, for co-writing the screenplay to BEETLEJUICE, which led to further film work in the nineties. But during the eighties, he cranked out a number of pulpy horror novels, including the then ubiquitous “Blackwater” series. Early in his career he wrote the novel ‘Cold Moon Over Babylon’, published as a paperback original in 1980. That novel has now been adapted into the film COLD MOON by director Griff Furst and his co-writer, Jack Snyder.

At first, COLD MOON plays like a fairly typical seventies gothic slasher movie, something along the lines of BLOOD AND LACE or THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN, perhaps. That means unlike a FRIDAY THE 13^TH eighties style slasher, there’s more emphasis on character, place, and subtext. We sense there will be a little more meat on its cinematic bones than just seeing how high a body count the killer can rack up, and what interesting forms the deaths might take.

Bugs (screened April 3rd and 4th at the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival)

[BUGS recently screened April 3rd and 4th at the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

Barring some catastrophe, estimates suggest there will be 9 billion people living on earth by 2050. And they are going to need food. Some suggest the answer to this problem may lie with insects, which are an abundant source of protein. That may sound gross to us Americans, but in many countries bugs are already on the menu. And a pair of chefs, Ben Reade and Josh Evans, have been coming up with ways to prepare the creepy crawlies that are delicious as well as nutritious, traversing the globe to learn from other cultures what bugs taste the best, and how to harvest and prepare them in the new documentary BUGS.

But do insects really live up to their potential as a panacea for world hunger, and perhaps just as importantly, do they even need to?

A More Civil War (April 6th and 8th at the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival)

[A MORE CIVIL WAR screens Thursday April 6th at 6:00 pm at the Capitol Theatre and Saturday April 8th at 6:40 pm at Tower City Cinemas as part of the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

It was less than a year ago that the Republican National Convention was here in Cleveland. At the time, many still thought that Donald Trump was a joke, and the Republican party had doomed themselves to losing the White House by making him their nominee. Some people were so giddy they even entertained notions that a huge wave of anti-Trump sentiment would propel the Democrats into control of the Senate. Yeah, not so much.

At the time, there were very real fears that the RNC would break out into violence and chaos. Remember those, "Cleveland – it's gonna' be a riot!" T-shirts? It wasn't just the usual liberal protesters people were worried about. There was considerable infighting among Republicans, not all of whom were happy with the party's nominee, Donald Trump. The convention also took place in the context of multiple police shootings of unarmed black men as well as an attack on Dallas police officer. These wounds were fresh and raw at the time. 

American Anarchist (April 5th and 6th at the Cleveland International Film Festival)

[AMERICAN ANARCHIST screens Wednesday April 5th at 2:20 pm and Thursday April 6th at 9:40 pm at Tower City Cinemas as part of the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

A portrait in ambivalence and regret, AMERICAN ANARCHIST tells the story of William Powell, author of the infamous tome 'The Anarchist's Cookbook'. Powell wrote the book in 1969 at the age of 19. It includes instructions for such fun do-it-yourself projects as making a bomb and crafting a silencer.

At the time he wrote the book, Powell believed that violence was a reasonable response to the socio political climate of the late sixties. Now in his mid-sixties and working with children who have learning difficulties, Powell's views have changed considerably. But the legacy of the book he authored all those years ago continues to follow him.

On the one hand, as Powell points out, you can't really hold him responsible for what people do with the information in the book. On the other hand, it clearly bothers him that his work has provided a blueprint for terrorists and murderers.

VooDoo (opens February 24th at Tower City Cinemas)

[VOODOO opens Friday February 24 2017 in Cleveland exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Eric Sever

Generally abrasive but mercifully short, VOODOO is on-par with the usual straight-to-Redbox fare -- which is to say it's not really worth the watch, even if you catch it on cable for free.

The scant plot largely rests on the performance of Samantha Stewart who plays cursed heroine Dani Lamb. (Get it? She's the "lamb" being lead to slaughter. **eye roll**) Dani made the mistake of getting involved with a man whose wife is apparently a voodoo priestess. The betrayed spouse conjures bad juju against Dani, and it follows her all the way to L.A. where she is visiting her cousin.

The first half of this found footage movie feels like watching someone else's boring vacation video, populated by folks you have no interest in spending time with -- much like traveling with people who get on your nerves.

Cleveland Cinemas Special Holiday Programs this December

[Press release from Cleveland Cinemas.]

Clevelanders must have been extra nice this year because Santa’s bag is full of cinematic treats this December. Cleveland Cinemas will be hosting a variety of classic Christmas movies, as well as an encore of the Bolshoi Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, offering something for everyone this holiday season.

A CHRISTMAS STORY

December 3rd at 1:00 PM, Capitol Theatre (1390 W. 65^th St., Cleveland)

This shot-in-Cleveland family favorite tells the story of Ralphie who only wants a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas.

Admission is just $1. Playing in conjunction with the Gordon Square Arts District’s Wintertide event.

The Charnel House (opens in Cleveland November 4th at Tower City Cinemas)

[THE CHARNEL HOUSE opens in Cleveland on Friday November 4th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

This being The Cleveland Movie Blog, I always look forward to films shot in my home town with a special kind of anticipation. Unfortunately, would-be horror film THE CHARNEL HOUSE is a major disappointment.

The premise is that an old slaughter house, secretly a murderous playground for its owner Thomas (Patrick M. Walsh), has been turned into the super fancy, state-of-the-art Fairmont Lofts by entrepreneur Alex Reaves (Callum Blue). Everything is run by computers using voice activated controls. Unfortunately for residents, there's a ghost in the machine in the form of Thomas' son Rupert (Alden Tab). When Thomas decided to kill himself rather than face justice, he tried to take Rupert with him. But whether he succeeded or not is not entirely clear at first.

Cleveland Cinemas and Melt Bar & Grilled Partner to show "Major League" on the big screen

[Press release from Cleveland Cinemas.]

After the historic win by the Cavs earlier this year, our fair city finds itself on the verge of another championship! Cleveland Cinemas is thrilled that the Cleveland Indians will be going for their first World Series in nearly 70 years. To celebrate, Cleveland Cinemas is partnering with Melt Bar & Grilled to show MAJOR LEAGUE on Monday, October 24th at 7:30 PM at the following locations: Capitol Theatre (1390 W. 65th St., Cleveland), Cedar Lee Theatre (2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts.) and Chagrin Cinemas (8200 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls).

MAJOR LEAGUE is the hit 1989 comedy showcasing the Cleveland Indians whose new owner (Margaret Whitton) is setting them up for failure with the plan to move them to another city. Lead by veteran player, Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger) and a new rookie pitcher, Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen), this would-be losing team shows them just what their made of and starts winning just to spite her.

Cleveland Cinemas Wants to Scare Your Pants Off in October

[Press release from Cleveland Cinemas.]

October promises to be a terrifying month for movie-goers in Cleveland thanks to the scary line-up of creepy and occasionally kooky films presented at various Cleveland Cinemas locations.

 

 

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW* – The ultimate cult classic about a transvestite mad scientist and the creature he creates.

 

Cedar Lee Theatre (2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts):

Saturday, October 2^nd at midnight

Friday October 28^th at midnight

Saturday, October 29^th at midnight

Tickets for the Cedar Lee Theatre $9.50 ($6.50 if you come in costume)

 

Apollo Theatre (19 E. College St., Oberlin):

Friday, October 7^th at midnight

Tickets are $6 for the Apollo Theatre screening

 

* With live floorshow by Simply his Servants at each showing.

Cleveland Cinemas Announces Its Fall Documentary Series

[Press release from Cleveland Cinemas.]

 

With subjects ranging from Hollywood legends and Rock ‘N Roll gods to the world’s oldest horse race and an incredible story of a fight over a lost and found human leg, Cleveland Cinemas will present eleven new documentaries as part of its FALL DOC SERIES.

 

Beyond the Reach (opens in Cleveland April 17th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas)

[BEYOND THE REACH opens in Cleveland on Friday April 17th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

We know from the moment we see the way he's parked his Hummer across multiple spaces that John Madec, one of the two main characters in BEYOND THE REACH, is an asshole. The fact that he's from L.A. is offered up to further drive home the point, and if the audience still needed more convincing, he's played by Michael Douglas. Madec has stopped off in a small desert town with a special permit to hunt big horn sheep out of season, and has an extra fancy gun for just those purposes (again, asshole). But he needs a guide, and the best one available is a stoic young man named Ben (Jeremy Irvine) whose smart and sexy girlfriend (Hanna Mangan Lawrence) has just left town to attend college. Ben doesn't much care for Madec, but he can use the money and so agrees to take the gig.

All-Stars (March 19th at Chagrin Cinemas and March 20th and 21st at Tower City Cinemas as part of the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival)

[ALL-STARS screens Thursday March 19th at 7:00 pm at Chagrin Cinemas, Friday March 20th at 5:00 pm, and Saturday March 21st at 2:45 pm at Tower City Cinemas as part of the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival.]

See all posts about the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival

Review by Bob Ignizio

With his debut feature as director, veteran character actor Lance Kinsey (perhaps best known as Proctor in POLICE ACADEMY 2 through 6) opts to follow in the mockumentary footsteps of Christopher Guest's WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, BEST IN SHOW, and A MIGHTY WIND . ALL-STARS may not be reinventing the wheel, but it's a consistently funny film about a girl's softball team, their often obnoxious parents, and the put-upon coaches and officials trying to achieve the impossible task of making everyone happy while still finding a way for the kids to have a good time.

Road Hard (opens in Cleveland on March 6th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas)

[ROAD HARD opens in Cleveland on Friday March 6 th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

I don't find Adam Carolla particularly funny. Never have. So that's a fairly major obstacle that ROAD HARD, the new film Carolla stars in and co-wrote and directed, has to overcome with this reviewer. It does so largely by being a personal and surprisingly sweet little film about a once popular comedian, Bruce Madsen (Carolla), who has fallen on hard times both in terms of his career, and life in general. Once co-star of the popular “Bro Show” and other TV programs, Bruce's star has faded and he finds himself back on the road doing stand-up in mid size comedy clubs, flying coach, and living out of hotel rooms.

Cleveland Cinemas to open 'The Interview' on Christmas day

[Press release from Cleveland Cinemas.]

 

Cleveland Cinemas will be opening the controversial SONY Pictures comedy THE INTERVIEW starring Seth Rogen and James Franco on Christmas Day at Tower City Cinemas (230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland).

 

The plot of THE INTERVIEW involves TV reporter Dave Skylark (Franco) who has been invited to interview North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.  The CIA recruits him and his producer (Rogen) to assassinate Jong-un when they are in the secretive nation. THE INTERVIEW received international attention after it was pulled from release following the hacking of SONY’s computers which has been now credited to North Korea.

 

After an out-pouring of criticism from politicians, including President Obama, and a strong showing of support from independent exhibitors like Cleveland Cinemas, SONY has reversed their decision to pull the film and is sticking to their original release date of December 25, 2014 for THE INTERVIEW.

 

Brush With Danger (opens September 19th in Cleveland exclusively at Tower City Cinemas)

[BRUSH WITH DANGER opens in Cleveland on Friday September 19th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

Following in the footsteps of countless martial artists before them, Indonesian brother and sister Ken and Livi Zheng try to translate their fighting prowess into screen stardom in BRUSH WITH DANGER. In the film they play siblings as well, Alice and Ken, just recently arrived illegally in Seattle. To make money, they set up in a park and try to sell Alice's paintings, with Ken doing his best to drum up business. They only get attention, however, once they put on a martial arts and acrobatics demonstration.

The demonstration catches the eye of local gallery owner Justus Sullivan (Norman Newkirk). When he comes over to give the duo some money, he finds himself impressed by Alice's artwork and offers to take the girl under his wing. He also helps Ken find work as a fighter. It truly seems, as Ken himself declares, that they're, “living the dream!”

Burt's Buzz (opens in Cleveland June 6th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas)

[BURT'S BUZZ opens in Cleveland on Friday June 6th exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Pamela Zoslov

A gaunt, gray-bearded man arrives in Taiwan and is met at the airport by throngs of cheering fans carrying posters bearing his image. Seventy-six-year-old Burt Shavitz, the Burt of Burt's Bees natural cosmetics, is the unlikely focus of this rock-star adulation, which seems more suitable for Justin Bieber.


Shavitz is as flummoxed by the attention as we are. As he explains to filmmaker Jody Shapiro in the documentary BURT'S BUZZ, he'd much rather be at his farmhouse in Maine, where's he's lived alone for the last 30 years, gathering next winter's firewood and feeding the birds. “All they know is the image,” says Shavitz, who is indeed quite a bit different from his sketched likeness on the yellow Burt's Bees logo on lip balm and other products, an avuncular backwoods Santa Claus both friendlier and fleshier than the dour, taciturn Shavitz. He can't understand why people continually want to take his picture. “I'm contractually obligated not to say 'buzz off,' he explains resignedly. He'd just as soon point a shotgun at them.

B.B. King: The Life of Riley (May 27th at Tower City Cinemas)

[B. B. KING: THE LIFE OF RILEY screens Tuesday May 27th at 7:30 pm at Tower City Cinemas - 1 showing only!.]

Review by Pete Roche

We’ve all seen pauper-to-prince tales of rock and roll glory depicted in documentaries and concert films on the big screen, but few guitarists boast more humble beginnings than B.B. King.

Born in 1948 in a rickety plantation cabin outside Berclair, Mississippi, the man now known as The King of Blues first had to overcome poverty and racism before conquering the world with his booming voice and signature guitar style.  Now, for the first time ever, B.B. gets the “behind the music” treatment in a new film by director Jon Brewer, who helmed similar features about British rockers like Yes and Moody Blues.

Friended to Death (opens in Cleveland May 2nd exclusively at Tower City Cinemas)

[FRIENDED TO DEATH opens in Cleveland on Friday May 2nd exclusively at Tower City Cinemas.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

Parking cop Michael (Ryan Hansen) is the sort of minor authority figure who takes genuine pleasure in exerting what small power he has upon the rest of the world. Both while on and off the clock, Michael feels compelled to share his every move and mood via a constant stream of photo uploads and status updates to his 400+ facebook friends.

In real life, the number of actual friends Michael has is considerably lower. Even his fellow parking cops don't like him, and Joel (Zach MacGowan), the guy Michael considers his best friend, has just essentially dumped him for the slightly less obnoxious Kev (Ian Michaels). On the same day that he loses his best friend, Michael also loses his job for posting a picture of one of the cars he ticketed on facebook that shows the license plate, considered under workplace rules to be an invasion of privacy issue.

Drive-in Movie Memories (March 24th and 25th at the Cleveland International Film Festival)

[DRIVE-IN MOVIE MEMORIES screens Saturday March 24th at 11:30 am and Sunday March 25th at 6:40 pm at Tower City Cinemas as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

The death knell of the drive-in theater has been sounded many times, and yet it refuses to comply. And why should that be such a surprise? After all, what could be more American than watching a movie in the comfort of your car, one of the last places in this country where you have the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want, while that most American of artforms, the movies, play out on a ridiculously gigantic screen before your very eyes? Still, the drive-in experience of today isn't quite the same as it used to be. Whether you experienced the golden age of open air cinema personally or just want to know what the big deal was, DRIVE-IN MOVIE MEMORIES offers a pleasingly nostalgic glimpse back in time.

There's nothing fancy here; just your standard parade of film clips and talking heads recounting the history of the drive-in from its beginnings (which at least in spirit go as far back an outdoor cinema in 1906 Honolulu) to the present. Along the way we get both personal reminiscences and interesting, sometimes surprising, facts about the evolution of the business. At just short of an hour it feels more like a program designed to fit in a television time slot on PBS or The History Channel than a feature documentary, but unless you're a hardcore drive-in devotee there should be more than enough here to satisfy your curiosity. 3 out of 4 stars.