Hopes, dreams, a sense of community – these are all things we need more than ever right now. A new movie debuts March 20 that we can all watch from the safety of our own homes, while helping others on a bigger scale. Phoenix, Oregon opened in a Theatrical-At-Home opportunity that let people buy a ticket to watch the movie for a matinee price of $6.50 with 50% of ticket sales going to a group of small theaters around the country where the movie would have been shown. It was the producers’ way of helping hurting small businesses. We were allowed to view the film before opening to facilitate this review.
The production team explained that the “successful ‘do well by doing good’ initiative stuck a chord with appreciative movie fans and led to an additional very successful theatrical-at-home fundraiser for Oregon restaurant workers sidelined by the pandemic, which quickly raised thousands of dollars on their behalf.
‘Pretty soon, they were talking about the movie on the CBS Evening News, Fox News Channel, all over the media and internet. I think it really resonated with people that we tried to help and give back, rather than charge $20.00 for a digital release when people are hurting, and cut the theaters out of the equation. In the end, we probably got more attention for Phoenix, Oregon with our theatrical-at-home platform and helping others than we would have gotten with the traditional release in theatres,’ said Gary Lundgren, the film’s writer and director.
With the theatrical-at-home campaign winding down, “Phoenix, Oregon” comes to streaming and rental platforms Monday, June 1st via Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video Direct, Google Play, VUDU, AltaVOD, Xbox InDemand, DirecTV, DISH Echostar and Telus Canada The movie is available now for pre-order on Apple TV/iTunes. The film will also be available on DVD and Bluray online and at retailers nationwide.”
The movie is about two life-long friends, a graphic novelist somewhat mired in his own misery who feels aliens are overseeing and controlling our lives for their own amusement (we’re just their playthings) and a chef who is full of dreams, hope, and amazing pizza-making skills. They jump into an opportunity to reinvent their lives but, as is often the case, life takes them in a different direction. It’s funny, romantic, sad, infuriating, and hopeful. It’s also about bowling, amazing pizza and great wine, beer, and spirits.
You’ll see lots of familiar faces in the movie including James Le Gros (Amazon Prime’s Hunters), Jesse Borrego (Fox’s 24), Lisa Edelstein (Netflix’s The Kominsky Method), Reynaldo Gallegos (Triple Frontier), Diedrich Bader (ABC’s American Housewife) and Kevin Corrigan (Showtime’s Ray Donovan).
James Le Gros plays the lead and he’s a bit of a sad sack whose character is hard to watch sometimes. His depression and anger are palpable. Jesse Borrego is a passionate dreamer and we really want to taste the pizzas he’s making. Lisa Edelstein is luminescent as always and the female anchor of the movie. Reynaldo Gallegos’ character is an ass. I’ll leave it at that. Diedrich Bader? It’s a good thing his TV character personas are so loveable because his character is SUCH an ass. And Kevin Corrigan plays the guy you can’t help liking even though he’s such a jerk because he’s just so good at being a jerk.
Watch the film, starting on their website.
What else is In Good Taste? Make a night of it and bring in some pizza or other delicious food from any of the Denver Metro area restaurants offering carryout or delivery services using this list. Remember to wash your hands after touching the packaging and give the food a nuke to kill any bacteria.
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