In every facet of media in the 21st century, the audience as a collective has seen more power shift their way as social media and the internet have bolstered their voice. So when the first trailer for “Sonic The Hedgehog” dropped, portraying the speedy video-game character as anything but the original likeness, the internet took its rage out on Paramount with one simple request: fix Sonic. Fans got their wish and Sonic will be on the big screen at Camana Bay Cinema on 14 February, looking more like the original SEGA version and less like an unsettling blue rat with weird teeth.
Speaking of adapting beloved animals into movies opening on Valentine’s Day, Jack London’s 1903 classic “The Call of the Wild” also opens 14 February. Harrison Ford is top billed for this adventure story about the journey of a dog named Buck in Alaska. This will be one of several film adaptations to the story, but now with the help of CGI, this looks to be the most epic take on London’s novel.
CLASSICS
Before any new films come to Camana Bay, catch one of the best buddy films ever made for one night on 4 February. “Rain Man,” starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, tells the story of Charlie, a conceited and wealthy socialite, taking guardianship of Raymond, his autistic older brother he never knew existed. Together, they discuss clothes shopping (“K-Mart sucks”) take a road trip (“I’m a great driver”), watch “The People’s Court” television show (“One minute to Wapner”) and play some blackjack in Las Vegas (“Counting cards is bad”). As the two form a relationship, Charlie is faced with questioning his own values.
If that classic is too mushy for you, don’t worry because “Tommy Boy” will bring the lighthearted slapstick comedy you didn’t know you needed on 25 February. The A-list comedy stars Saturday Night Live alums Chris Farley and David Spade as well as Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek and Rob Lowe.
KIDS CLUB
If your kids are into fantasy/adventure, there are few movies that reach the zenith of pure magic as “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” which is showing Saturday morning, 15 February.
The following Saturday, on 22 February, a clownfish named Marlin scours the seas in search of his missing son in “Finding Nemo.” Remember: JUST KEEP SWIMMING.
CULTURE
Fans of political dramas like “House of Cards” will enjoy “Hansard," a play filmed at the National Theatre in London last year and broadcast in cinemas around the world as part of the National Theatre Live programming. A British politician comes home to find his wife, his garden and other aspects of his life falling apart. Catch it at the Culture at the Cinema screening on 15 February.
This article was originally published in the February 2020 print edition of Camana Bay Times with the headline “Remaking Sonic in his own image.”