Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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OCTOBER 8-14, 2014 UCW 21 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Maze Runner (113 minutes) is the pale underfed sister of The Hunger Games. As an example of the recent boom in young adult dystopian survival fiction, it's not terrible. The film, like the book, stays on theme and manages to entertain. However, the same problems plague both versions of the story. For one, everyone watching might grow a beard from the excessive testosterone on screen. This is certainly a movie by, for and about boys — token female protagonist notwithstanding. That is not necessarily a criticism. Lots of movies are by, for and about boys. That doesn't mean girls don't enjoy them. I would prefer the filmmakers had collapsed the books together a bit more to integrate women throughout the planned series; book to film purists might not agree. But that's not the only thing that bothers me. Bottom line, the story is held together by a barely believable conspiracy that requires the audience to accept that a badly damaged and barely functioning global society can still marshal the resources to confine and support a group of extremely pretty muscle boys in an elaborate maze filled with biotechnical creatures (Grievers) who are there to …stimulate their brains? Keep them confined? Torture them so that observers can map how their brains change? I would need to hang fifty miles of bungee cord from the top of Mt. Everest to suspend that much disbelief. Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) wakes up to find himself in a metal box, and is greeted by the Lost Boys sans Peter Pan in a glade surrounded by an ever- shifting labyrinth. Their leader, Alby (Ami Ameen) sprinkles exposition everywhere while introducing Thomas to the main cast and the red-shirt wearing extras. Thomas meets Chuck (Blake Cooper) and Newt (Thomas Brodi- Sanger) and promptly gets into a fight with Gally (Will Coulter). Thomas settles in just in time to be attacked by a boy named Ben (Chris Sheffield), one of the titular maze runners who was driven crazy by a Griever sting. After catching Ben, the boys play a game of Lord of the Flies and herd their sick friend into the maze so he can meet his death without interfering in anybody else's day. Equilibrium is sort of restored, so Alby and Minho (Ki Hong Lee) head out into the maze for some reconnaissance. Hijinks ensue and everyone finally calms down just in time for Theresa (Kaya Scodelario) to appear and upset the group all over again. Overall, the sets looked fantastic. I hope the producers gave the set design people a nice bonus! While there was a range of acting ability on display, (Poulter didn't quite pull off his character), some of the actors really sold their roles, Brodie- Sangster in particular. Cooper, Scodelario and Lee show potential as well, and it's possible some of their inconsistent acting choices stem more from directorial prerogatives than any lack of talent on their parts. The film was fast paced and ends on a nice shot of the destroyed city that will feature heavily in The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. Lord of the Flies, Meet the Lost Boys The Maze Runner (Rated PG-13) by HEATHER GRIFFITHS HEATHER GRIFFITHS, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200. Entertainment, Live Music, Kids Activities & the ever popular Zombie walk. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com Thursday 6 to I0pm • Friday 6 to IIpm • Saturday, 3 to IIpm in FESTIVAL PARK Oct. 23 thru 25 This hour long hayride and walking tour in the dark features ghostly re-enactors and story-tellers who share the spooky side of Fayetteville's history. Tickets $I5 at www.faydogwoodfestival.com Sample or indulge in your favorite NC craft beers. Purchase a sampling cup or commit to your favorite by the glass. The outdoor haunted maze is guaranteed to deliver the hair-raising chill those thrill seekers desire. Tickets are $6 or $5 with a can good donation to benefit our local food banks. Proceeds will benefit Fishing to Fight Cancer. This event will host numerous food trucks from the Carolinas featuring your culinary favorites of quality food and flavors. From savory NC BBQ to gourmet Mac N Cheese – we plan to have comfort foods, fusion inspired favorites and quirky chef created masterpieces! Traditional food vendors will be available Thursday and Friday calling all FOODIES!!! Get your eat on at Fayetteville's 1 st Food Truck Festival Saturday only 3-I0pm