August 10, 2016 The Skanner Page 7
Arts & Entertainment
Sausage cont’d from pg 6
FILM REVIEW: ‘The Fight Within’
a Touching Tale of Redemption
By Kam Williams
For The Skanner News
L
Seth Rogen voices the character Frank who has a crush on a Glamour Bun, voiced by Kristen Wiig.
do question their blind faith and make
a break for it, including Brenda, Sam-
my Bagel, Jr. (Edward Norton), Teresa
the Taco (Salma Hayek), Lavash the
Pita bread (David Krumholtz), Grits
(Craig Robinson), Twinkies (Scott Un-
derwood) and fellow sausages Barry
(Michael Cera), Carl (Jonah Hill) and
Troy (Anders Holm). What ensues
is a rollicking, raunchy exploration
of religion, sex and political issues
from the perspective of these anthro-
pomorphized, foul-mouthed grocery
items.
For example, Middle East concerns
are relected in the bitter badinage
over aisle space between the bagel
and the pita bread, a thinly-veiled
reference to Jewish and Palestinian
tensions. Race in America is touched
upon when Grits complains about
“Crackers” in a tirade during which he
bellows “They call me Mr. Grits!”
Still, most of this expletive-laced
adventure is dedicated to the sort of
sexual innuendo designed to titillate
testosterone-sodden males. Frank’s
explicit lirtations with Brenda are
actually matched by lesbian Tere-
sa’s equally-tawdry appeals (“I have
crotch feeling for you!”).
Co-directed by Greg Tiernan and
Conrad Vernon, “Sausage Party” is
a hard to pigeonhole, adult-oriented
cartoon. It’s certainly a coarse and
crude teensploitation lick which
relentlessly earns its R-rating. Most
reminiscent of a couple of other
equally-outrageous animated adven-
tures, namely “Team America” (2004)
and “South Park” (1997), this is a take
no prisoners comedy which will un-
doubtedly resonate with fans of such
politically-incorrect shock-fare.
Very Good HHH
Rated R for ethnic and of-color hu-
mor, graphic sexuality, drug abuse
and pervasive profanity
Running time: 89 minutes
ogan (John Major
Davis) and Mason
(Mike H. Taylor)
have been doing
their best to move on
with their lives since the
death of their father (Dan
Severn) a couple years
ago from a heart attack.
But that has proved eas-
ier said than done, since
their dad, Rich “The
Destroyer,” had been
the Mixed Martial Arts
Heavyweight Champion.
Upon his retirement,
Rich had opened a gym
which he let in his will
to both his sons. How-
ever, while Mason had
been willing to assume
the reins of the business,
Logan found himself
looking for something
more meaningful in life,
despite the fact that he’d
exhibited promise as an
MMA cage ighter.
In fact, he’s the only
person who’d ever beat-
en Hayden Dressler
(Matt Leddo), the other-
wise undefeated Middle-
weight Champ. And with
Hayden aching to avenge
Mike H. Taylor and John Major Davis play brothers raised in the world
of Mixed Martial Arts in ‘The Fight Within’
that loss, a decent payday
might be in the oing.
Nevertheless,
Logan
has turned a new leaf,
between studying Eth-
ics in college where he’s
made the acquaintance
of Emma (Lelia Syming-
ton), a cute, Christian
classmate from the oth-
er side of the tracks. She
proudly wears her faith
on her sleeve and talks
freely about her calling
to mission to orphans in
Mozambique.
Between Emma’s be-
guiling beauty and his
curiosity about God, Lo-
gan inds himself falling
for her hook, line and
sinker. Soon, he’s ready
to leave the rough ight
game, the only world he’s
ever known, behind.
Trouble is there’s a
big promoter willing to
sponsor a rematch with
Hayden who has been
teasing him about being
afraid to enter the ring
with him again. Further-
more, Mason has hinted
that he sure could use
See FIGHT on page 11
FREE MOVIE SCREENING
The wake
of vanport
Digital narratives and storytelling from lood survivors and residents of Vanport
FRI. AUG. 26, 2016 1:30 PM
Embassy Suites Portland-Downtown, 2nd Floor, 319 SW Pine St., Portland, OR
Free to the public. Limited seating. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
REGISTER ONLINE: htp://thewakeofvanport.eventbrite.com
HHHH Together, this
touching collection of truly
heartfelt remembrances
paint a poignant portrait of
a short-lived, idyllic oasis
—Movie Critic Kam Williams
BOOK SIGNING
AT THE EVENT
FREE BOOK TO THE
FIRST 40 GUESTS!
Portland author Zita Podany will be
signing copies of her book “Images
of America: Vanport” at the event.
Oregon Community Foundation
Meyer Memorial Trust • Portland Prime
Oregon Arts Commission • Oregon Humanities