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The Plaza Cinema Cafe

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A new feature here at TAM will be the periodic review of movie theaters, primarily focusing on those in the Central Florida area.  The first one to be reviewed happens to be the latest to open in Orlando: the Plaza Cinema Cafe.

The Plaza is a return of movies to downtown Orlando and a first for me since I moved here in 1995.  Imagined as part of a large living/shopping conglomerate of three buildings in the Church/Orange block where Terror on Church Street and SAK Comedy Lab once called home, the Plaza almost never came to pass.  The developer who put together the complex, like many others, ending up filing for bankruptcy when the real estate bubble burst.  Over the course of three years, rumors swirled that Regal or AMC were going to still put in a theater.  AMC came the closest, but the deal fell through at the last minute.

Enter a private company that wanted to bring “experience” back into the term “movie experience.”  With so many chains trying to pass of fake IMAX screens, the plaza chose to go for luxury and comfort.  As you walk in, you notice a silence not found in the big chains.  Somehow, a lot of people found ways to carry on conversations without screaming.  The concession stand has the usual offerings, but what is very nice is the availability of sandwiches and other “foods” that could make a decent meal if you had to rush to the theater.  One note is that a “Large” in popcorn or drink is equivalent to a “Medium” or “Small” at AMC and Regal.

In addition to the main concession stand, there is a bar located at each end of the theater.  Between the three stations, one can get beer and wine to enjoy during the movie.  The decor overall is that the Plaza is meant to be not just a place to see movies, but also a place to meet and socialize.  The staff I encountered was very friendly and able to quickly answer any questions I might have.  It also appears that the Plaza has overcome its early difficulties of posting correct showtimes on its website.  The only negative that I have is that the audio in the theater I was in was abnormally loud; the proof not being a preference issue, but a “it’s so loud that the speakers are buzzing and popping” loudness.  Unfortunately I did not see anyone after the movie that I could inform.

The reason for my particular visit was a program that I hope the Plaza continues: featuring arthouse and independent movies.  I had received a weblink to see The Brothers Bloom for free.  Even though admission was free, I still supported the theater by purchasing concessions (where the real profit margin is).  A theater complex that can balance having independent movies as well as current hits is one that will be around for a long time.

My advice: Take in a show and enjoy the experience…

Movies

The Proposal

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Ryan Reynolds has been doing a great job of moving away from his crazier “Van Wilder” days into more leading man roles befitting his age and range.  Last year, he jumped in the romantic comedy waters with Definitely, Maybe; he does it again here with Sandra Bullock, an actress that does many of them with few home-run successes.

The plot revolves around a professional woman who needs a husband so that she can stay in the country.  Enter Reynolds, her executive assistant.  As a way to get to know him, she accompanies him to Alaska to meet the family and hijinx ensue.  The movie is cotton-candy fluff wrapped around predictability.

What saves this movie is the casting.  Craig T. Nelson playing the gruff father character he mastered while doing the show Coach; Mary Steenburgen as the mother trying to hold things together; and Betty White as the grandmother who almost steals the show.  I say almost because Oscar Nunez from The Office is the true show-stealer, hands down.

My advice:  dollar theater or matinee; full-price date movie if you need one – otherwise, DVD is fine…

Movies

State of Play

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I missed seeing this movie when it first came out, but ended up catching it at the dollar theater one night when I was bored.

The movie is a political thriller starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, and Rachel  McAdams.  The plot centers around a mysterious shooting the potential links to a “private security” firm being audited by Congress for suspicious activities (think Blackwater).  What follows is a decently-paced thriller that, while somewhat predictable, is enjoyable to watch.

What was of personal interest to me was one major scene taking place at an apartment building in DC.  I know, lots of buildings in DC people are familiar with – why this one?  Well, it was where I visited some old friends while on business in 2002 and of the two buildings, it was the exact one I was in.  So, Oscar and Julia, your building was in a movie.

My advice:  Catch this one on DVD – worth the couple of hours…

Movies

Up

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For most people, Pixar can do no wrong; even Cars has its fans.  For me, I can tell where Pixar slumped – it was the time period between the release of Monsters, Inc. and Ratatouille (with the exception of The Incredibles), when Disney and Pixar were having contract issues.  Disney’s original agreement with Pixar allowed for distribution of Pixar movies with limited sequels.  Disney wanted to make a new agreement that called for more sequels.  This resulted in John Lasseter and Pixar telling Michael Eisner and Disney to go find a new cash cow.  Disney’s Board of Directors saw the future without Pixar and immediately got rid of Eisner.  With Eisner out of the way, Disney was able to acquire Pixar and put John Lasseter in charge of all animation.

This was good for everyone that loves movies, animation, and the Disney animation heritage.

Up is the story of an elderly man simply wanting to fulfill the lifelong wish of his recently passed wife to adventure to South America.  What we get is perhaps the most complex, layered story found in animation.  This is not a movie aimed at kids with a few things thrown in for adults – this is a movie for everyone.

The animation is stunning and the acting is great.  The only thing I was surprised about was the fact that there were some dark moments early on – a warning to parents before taking the young kids.  The Pixar short at the beginning was again top notch and you could see how they thought about making it longer.

I did see the movie in 3-D first and again in 2-D.  The 3-D was stunning, but I am annoyed by the sudden rise in the ticket premium from $1 to $3, even thought AMC is using the same eq1uipment it had 3 years ago.

My advice:  See this on the big screen – you will kick yourself if you don’t….

Movies

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

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Some sequels are inevitable; one just hopes that the sequel isn’t completely horrible.

Disclaimer #1:

I needed something to distract me from the news I had just received about the passing of my grandmother the evening that Transformers came out at midnight.

Disclaimer #2:

I enjoyed the first movie, but had issues.  It was one of the first reviews I wrote (Transformers).  I suggest reading it in conjunction with this review.

Now that the disclaimers are finished, let the review begin.

This installment is about a year after the events of the previous movie.  Sam is headed to college, the Autobots are helping the military, and Megatron is still in captivity.  Sam finds a sliver of the all-spark and all heck breaks loose.  What follows is a 2 and 1/2 hour explosion fest that would make the combined explosions of all military actions over the past 100 years seem like a wet sparkler on the 4th of July.  Just when you think Bay couldn’t stoop any lower, he actually “teabags” the viewing audience with a Decepticon (thanks, Spaldy, for the right imagery).

A lot of the issues I had with the first movie are still here, just bigger and even worse:

  • StarScream – at least his whiny voice was heard this time and the robots could talk while transformed – so this was actually an improvement…
  • Plot – story? we don’t need no stinkin’ story – WE HAVE EXPLOSIONS – KAAAAAAAAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
  • Robots – in the cartoon you could tell who was an Autobot and who was a Decpticon – good luck here…
  • Visuals – great effects but everything is lost in the neverending fireballs of Bay’s testosterone exploding onscreen…

My advice:  dollar theater if you have to see it on the big screen – don’t waste money on it though…

My thoughts on the world of movies…