She Likes to Watch

Tonight, aliens blow up the White House

“Independence Day” seems like an odd choice for a November movie screening.

As a holiday and a film, “Independence Day” is tied pretty closely to the fight for “liberty, justice and the American way.” It’s stirring, patriotic and action-packed. It’s got fighter pilots going against aliens mano a mano.
After all, the mega-popular flick did open in theaters July 3, 1996.

When an alien invasion wipes out Washington D.C., Los Angeles and New York City, a forlorn group of survivors led by President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) meet in the Nevada desert to launch a desperate counter-attack. Their only hope lies in the plan hatched by a cocky Marine pilot (Will Smith), a computer whiz (Jeff Goldblum) and a goofy Kansas crop-duster (Randy Quaid).

“Independence Day,” which won an Oscar for its stunning visual effects, ushered in a whole crop of alien invasion and disaster flicks like “Armageddon” and “Dante’s Peak.”

It also launched the grand tradition of the Will Smith Summer Blockbuster — ensuring that Smith would churn out a best-selling blockbuster every summer ad infinitum. He’s delivered on that promise with “Men in Black,” “Bad Boys II” and “I, Robot,” following up this July with the lukewarm “Hancock.”

(”Hancock,” about a hard-living superhero, pulled in $62.6 million when it hit theaters. In contrast, “Independence Day” grossed $50 million — in 1996 dollars! — during its opening weekend and has raked in $817.4 million in worldwide box office receipts so far.)

“Independence Day” screens tonight at 7 p.m. at the Fremont theater, 1025 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. Show up a half-hour early for trivia and prizes.

Tickets are $7.50.

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Image courtesy of this blog. Thanks, Dr. Richard Parent at the University of Vermont!

American Dreams: These movies were made for Labor Day

Amid all the barbecues, picnics, beach trips and family get-togethers that accompany Labor Day*, it’s easy to forget the true purpose of the holiday.

Signed into law by Grover Cleveland in 1895, Labor Day was created to celebrate the social and economic achievements of our nation’s work force. For that reason, it’s become a popular day for political rallies and stump speeches. It’s also a great weekend to see a movie.

Here’s a handful of films that tackle labor unions, the economy and the American work force.

“The Grapes of Wrath” (1940): Tragedy and tribulations befall the Joad family as they flee Depression-era Oklahoma in search of a better life out west. John Steinbeck’s story of Dust Bowl struggles translates to the screen beautifully.

“On the Waterfront” (1954): Terry “coulda been a contender.” Instead the would-be prizefighter (Marlon Brando) finds himself caught up in a corrupt dock workers’ union.

“F.I.S.T.” (1978): A silly title for a serious subject. Johnny Kovak (Sylvester Stallone) joins the Teamsters in the 1930s and works his way to the top.

“Norma Rae” (1979): A spunky single mom (Sally Field, apple-cheeked as always) works to unionize her textile mill. The movie won Field her first Oscar.

“9 to 5″ (1980): Three secretaries (Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin and Dolly Parton) turn the tables on their chauvinistic boss. You go, girls.

“Gung Ho” (1986): East meets west when a Japanese car company buys a Pennsylvania auto factory. Michael Keaton is terrific as the plant manager torn between his new bosses and his old friends.

“Working Girl” (1988): Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) is a hard-working secretary with dreams of ruling Wall Street. When her boss breaks a leg while skiing, she fills in and brokers a deal with a handsome investment banker for her firm’s future.

“Roger & Me” (1989): When General Motors closed its Flint, Mich., plant, laying off 30,000 people, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore sought answers from company CEO Roger Smith. This is the movie that turned Moore into Corporate Gadfly No. 1.

“Hoffa” (1992): Jack Nicholson plays the legendary Teamster union leader, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1975.

“Grosse Point Blanke” (1997): When a hit man returns home for his high school reunion, guess who’s dogging his heels? Fellow killer Dan Aykroyd, who just happens to be setting up an assassin’s union.

“North Country”(2005): Charlize Theron and her fellow female workers face insults, abuse and sexual harrassment at a mine in Minnesota. The resultant battle of wills is so damn depressing I nearly switched off my TV.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006): Chris Gardner chases the American Dream (in his case, becoming a New York stock broker) while struggling to survive as a homeless single father. Will Smith and his son Jaden bring Gardner’s touching true story to life.

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*I know what you’re thinking: Labor Day-related blogs should be posted on Labor Day. But I had the day off!

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Photo courtesy of MovieWeb.com.

Prepare to be “Spirited Away”

Hayao Miyazaki could easily be considered the godfather of modern Japanese animation.

Time and time again, he’s turned out magical, awe-inspiring movies, pairing peerless animation techniques with charming stories and fascinating characters. “Spirited Away.” one of his finest, follows a young girl through a land of gods, demons and witches unlike anything presented by Disney.

Like many fairy tales, “Spirited Away” begins with a simple mistake.

On the way to their new home, Chihiro and her parents take a wrong turn down a wooded path.

Leaving their car, they discover restaurants filled with delicious food and seemingly abandoned. Mom and Dad dig in. But their 10-year-old daughter senses something is wrong.

As night falls, she finds the area filled with faceless spirits and her parents transformed magically into pigs.

Chihiro, you see, has entered the spirit world. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, she must work at a bathhouse for Japan’s myriad gods in hopes of breaking the spell and preventing her parents from becoming someone’s dinner.

Like the fearless heroines in Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Princess Mononoke” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” young Chichiro overcomes her situation to discover confidence, strength and kindness.

“Spirited Away” won an Oscar for best animated movie and it’s no surprise. The scope and quality are astounding, especially given the 2001 film’s combination of digital effects and traditional 2D animation. Add a touching, inspiring plot, and you’ve got an indisputable classic.

Whether you’re a hardcore anime fan or a relative newbie, “Spirited Away” is the perfect way to experience Japanese animation.

“Spirited Away” will be screened at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. tonight at The Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $7.50.

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Alex “Hitch” Hitchens is one smooth operator.

As “The Date Doctor,” Hitch (Will Smith) helps clients romance the women of their dreams, offering advice on everything from first kisses to drinks and dancing. As he tells his latest client, Albert (Kevin James), “Any man has a chance to sweep any woman off her feet; he just needs the right broom.”

When Hitch meets gossip columnist Sara (Eva Mendes), however, this sophisticated guy turns into a total klutz. Could it be love?

“Hitch” plays tonight at 8 p.m. at the Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa, 2727 Shell Beach Road in Shell Beach.

Free lawn seating begins at 7:30 p.m.

Moviegoers also have the option of watching the movie while enjoying with a three-course dinner served on the patio, starting at 7 p.m.

That costs $49 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

Call 773-8900 for more information.