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 19-25, 2016 UCW 21 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Sully Flies a Plane Sully (Rated PG-13) by HEATHER GRIFFITHS How many biopics has Tom Hanks starred in now? It has to be at least 10. He is good at inhabiting another person's skin, no doubt. And in Sully (96 minutes) he manages to project the same humble confidence that everyone hopes characterizes each and every single commercial airline pilot. And, of course, all available evidence suggests that Captain "Sully" Sullenberger (Hanks) is exactly the kind of self- possessed man he is portrayed to be on screen. Also, may I ask, what was the point of making this film again? Don't get me wrong, Clint Eastwood. I like you and I like your movies, even the ones that push a conservative political agenda. But as far as I can tell, Sully was a piece about the inadequacies of government and the way in which incompetent government officials' waste time and money second-guessing the decisions made by the men and women who perform great deeds to save lives. This is the Ayn Rand film that Ayn Rand never wrote. This is a Libertarian bedtime story. For those of you who hadn't heard, once upon a time in January 2009, U.S. Airways flight 1549 landed in the Hudson River minutes after take-off. Water landings don't usually end well, so imagine everyone's surprise when no one died. Aside from some lacerations and hypothermia, none of the 155 people aboard were seriously injured. Taking place in such a short amount of time, with such a feel-good outcome, I couldn't imagine what would make up the bulk of the film's 90-minute running time. Apparently, in the aftermath of the water landing, Sully was subjected to some intense scrutiny. Like, he was put up in a hotel room and got hugs from complete strangers but THEN he had to answer QUESTIONS. Instead of receiving the key to the city. He received politely-worded inquiries regarding his actions on the day in question. Oh, it was a bloodbath of "Please, sir" and "Take a break if you need one, Captain Sully." Also, secret, scandalous truths about his wife (Laura Linney) were depicted. In an unimaginable twist, she was somewhat concerned after hearing her husband had landed in the Hudson River. I did not see that coming! I should probably show more respect, but I am getting so tired of biopics. The scenes in the third act were thrillingly done — even knowing that everyone on board survived, I was on the edge of my seat, worried about the one lady with the baby and the one guy who jumped into the river without a life preserver. If nothing else, these scenes showcased Eastwood's not inconsiderable skill as a director. At the end of the day, you've got a likeable star in the role of an indisputable hero, playing to the tune of masterful director. I just wish the story had more than a manufactured conflict between Captain Sully and the National Transportation Safety Board and some villainous geese. You know what might have held my attention a little better? A film that showcased the difficulties a family might have with the press after becoming famous; a film that highlighted the financial difficulties of the entrepreneurial Sully as the U.S.A. began its long torturous climb out of the recession; or even a film about the little people and how hard they work to keep air travel safe — the stewardess' chanting "Head Down, Stay Down" in unison was utterly chilling, but I had no context for it. Overall, Sully is a feel good movie you can take your parents to. Keep your ears peeled for one of the best, last lines of a movie I've seen in a while — Aaron Eckhardt as co-pilot Jeff Skiles summing up what he would have done differently. Now showing at Patriot 14 + IMAX. HEATHER GRIFFITHS, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200. $i. 50 Drink, Every Day, All Day! $i. 50 Drink, Every Day, All Day! $i. 50 Popcorn. Every Day All Day! $i. 50 Popcorn. Every Day All Day! $i. 50 Popcorn. Every Day All Day! $i. 50 Drinks. Every Day, All Day! $i. 50 Drinks. Every Day, All Day! $i. 50 Drinks. Every Day, All Day! $2.00 before 6:00 p.m. $3.00 after 6:00 p.m. $1.00 extra for 3D MOVIES Movie Monday: $1.50 All Day(Holiday or 3D movies excluded) wILlIaM ShaKeSPeARe's OCT 27 - NOV 13, 2016 PRESENTS Co-Producers: Cadillac of Fayetteville, Crispian Consulting, and Barbara & Billy Richardson FOR TICKETS: Call 910.323.4233 Buy Online at www.cfrt.org *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Montgomery Sutton* Henry wILlIaM ShaKeSPeARe's OCT 27 - NOV 13, 2016 PRESENTS Co-Producers: Cadillac of Fayetteville, Crispian Consulting, and Barbara & Billy Richardson FOR TICKETS: Call 910.323.4233 Buy Online at www.cfrt.org *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Montgomery Sutton* Henry Experience CFRT like never before. Limited Seats Available ON STAGE!!!