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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2011)
local news DVD review: ‘bridesmaids’ Female Answer to ‘The Hangover’ arrives A nnie Walker (Kristen Wiig) has been in a tailspin since her bakery failed during the recession. And she’s cur- rently in danger of losing the job she got at a jewelry store only because a member of her mother’s (Jill Clayburgh) support group took pity on her. Excellent (4 stars) Rated R for pervasive profanity and graphic sexuality. Running time: 125 minutes Distributor: Universal Studios Home Entertainment DVD Extras: Gag reel, deleted scenes, extended and alternate scenes, “Line-O-Rama” and “Cholodecki’s Commercial.” Annie’s problems at work stem from her bad habit of openly expressing her skepti- cism about marriage to customers shopping for engagement rings. She has good reason to be cynical, between hearing her biologi- c o m cal clock ticking and her poor track record in relationships, including the shallow guy (John Hamm) she’s currently involved with who treats her like a doormat. Annie is also close to being kicked out of her apartment by her roommates (Rebel Wilson and Matt Lucas) for falling behind in rent. This means she might have to move back in with her mom. Given all of the above, is it any wonder why Annie has such mixed emotions upon being asked to be her best friend Lillian’s (Maya Rudolph) Maid of Honor? For on the one hand, she’s happy that the ecstatic bride-to-be has finally landed the man of her dreams (Tim Heidecker). On the other hand, however, the impending fairy- tale wedding promises to serve as a constant reminder to the thirty-something spinster of just what an unmitigated mess her life has become. These diverging fortunes set the stage for a boatload of laughs in Bridesmaids, a screwball comedy co-written Kristen Wiig who enjoys her best big screen outing to date courtesy of a character displaying oodles of that trademark sarcasm we’ve seen her display on Saturday Night Live for m u n I t y years. The plot thickens when the other bridesmaids are introduced, and Annie sud- denly finds herself constantly in competi- tion with Helen (Rose Byrne), the filthy- rich wife of the groom’s boss (Andy Buckley). Even though Helen hasn’t known Lillian very long, she shamelessly lobbies to replace hapless Annie as the Maid of Honor because she has the bucks, taste and class to help plan a more lavish bridal shower, bach- elorette party and wedding reception. The only other bridesmaid of consequence is Doug’s larger than life (literally and figura- c a l e n tively) sister, Megan, played to perfection by scene stealer Melissa McCarthy in a peerless performance. Motor-mouthed Megan intermittently provides comic relief as a constant reminder that the escalating tension between Annie and Helen shouldn’t be taken seriously, especially once the former finds herself being wooed by an Irish cop with a heart of gold (Chris O’Dowd). An estrogen-fueled adventure featuring madcap hilarity ranging from the scatological to the sublime! d a r S eattle S eptember 2011 Friday September 23 If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com Friday – Sunday September 9 – 25 Do ThE puYAllup FAir: Fair opens September 9 at 10 a.m. and runs thru September 25. hours are as follows Sat – Sun 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sun – Thurs 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Admission is adults $11, seniors (62+) $8.00, students (6 – 18) $8 and children under 5 are free. Page 2 The Seattle Skanner September 21, 2011 FAll FAMilY Fun nighT: Join us for our annual Fall Family Fun night, we’ll pack toys, a bouncy house, carnival games and much more all in the gym. Suggested donation of $3 per family. garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Saturday – Sunday September 24 – 25 EXplorE, EXpEriEnCE AnD EnJoY ThE iTAliAn FESTiVAl: The italian Festival offers entertainment, exploration and insights into the rich and vibrant culture of italy. Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Center house, Fisher pavilion and Seattle Center pavilion. ThE SEATTlE publiC librArY FAll book SAlE: More than 250,000 books, CDs, DVDs, Audio books, Sheet Music, Art pieces and posters are among the items up for sale to the public at bargain prices. Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. warren g. Magnuson park, 7400 Sand point nE, building 30 Saturday October 1 norThwEST glASS puMpkin pATCh: over 4000 hand blown glass pumpkins crafted by local glass artisans. Come pick the perfect pumpkin for yourself or as a gift. Free admission. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Seattle Center pavilion (room b behind the Skate park) 200 Thomas St.
