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Beth Spotswood's Weekend Movie Picks

KINGS OF SUMMER
Cast of 'Kings Of Summer' (credit: Toy's House Productions LLC./CBS Films)

(CBS SF) - In trying to get my co-worker (and editor of this post) Ron D. to go to the movies with me, I pitched him the three movies I'd most like to see this weekend. Which is how I've come to bring you Beth's Movie Picks for this weekend, August 2-4.


 
THE WAY, WAY BACK (PG-13)
Director: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Starring: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James, Amanda Peet

I have already seen this movie. I simply want to see it again, it's just that good. Written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (who also steal scenes in smaller roles in the film) 'The Way, Way Back' is a coming of age story about a nerdy kid who spends the summer stuck at his mom's lame boyfriend's beach house. The premise doesn't do the movie justice, because nearly every single second of this film is a delight, especially any scene starring my new boyfriend, Sam Rockwell.

THE WAY WAY BACK: Official HD Trailer by SearchlightPictures on YouTube

I am delighted to point out that Maya Rudolph plays Sam Rockwell's realistically beautiful lady-friend; a role NOT played some dumb broad in a bikini regurgitating smart people words she's never heard before. Go see it, just trust me. I don't want to argue about this. You're going to like it.


 
THE KINGS OF SUMMER (R)
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Starring: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie, Mary Lynn Rajskub

I saw a trailer for 'The Kings of Summer' when I went to see that weird movie with Steve Carrell as a magician who dates Olivia Wilde (Right. Yeah. Sure.) and decided right away I had to see it. Any movie in which real life husband and wife Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman appear is worth by $11, and as evidenced by my previous recommendation, I love a coming of age story. This movie could be horrible, I haven't seen it yet and heard very little about it. But watch this trailer. You want to see it too, right? It's playing at The Parkway in Oakland, which is a hip, cool kids theater with couches and a café, so you might want to dress like a cranky hipster for this one.

The Kings of Summer - Official Trailer [HD] by CBS Films on YouTube


 
BLUE JASMINE (PG-13)
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Bobby Cannavale, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard

Woody Allen directing a movie in San Francisco starring Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin, and Ron D. is making me write a paragraph on why I want to see 'Blue Jasmine'? Ridiculous. Again, if the trailer (and Jan's review) are any indication, this movie looks spectacular. Woody Allen can be hit or miss, but as a native San Franciscan, I am medically required to see any movie filmed within the city and county.

Blue Jasmine | Official Trailer HD (2013) by Sony Pictures Classics on YouTube

Also, and bear with me, Bobby Cannavale co-stars in this movie, as who or what I have no idea, but he is gorgeous and adorable in every way. To think Bobby Cannavale was filming in my hometown and I missed the opportunity to throw myself at him is both thrilling and devastating. Everyone will be seeing 'Blue Jasmine' this weekend, so let's get on that bandwagon.

Happy Ron?

Have a great time, filmbuffs!

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
 

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