Written by Matt Drake and Michael Bacall; directed by Nima Nourizadeh

By Ed Symkus

While not exactly a sight for sore eyes, Project X is absolutely one of those rare movie treats that has no right to be as much fun as it is. It may be instantly forgettable when it’s over, but there are plenty of laughs to be shared in a crowded cinema while it’s on.

And even though it’s aimed squarely at a high school audience, its themes – or whatever they are – can be appreciated by anyone who ever went to high school, especially if they were, or thought they were, party animals.

Falling under the genre known as shaky-cam movies (everything is seen through the lens of one camera that follows all of the action, as in the recent Chronicle), we’re invited, along with seemingly the entire high school population of North Pasadena, to a 17th birthday party for Thomas (Thomas Mann), whose parents are conveniently going away for the weekend, leaving their nice suburban home wide open and ripe for a get-together of young folks.

“Please keep it to 4 or 5 friends,” says his dad before driving off, who later tries to calm down his nervous wife by saying, “Don’t worry. He’s a sweet kid, but he’s a loser.”

In other words, relax, no one’s gonna come to a party thrown by Thomas.

But dad didn’t count on Thomas’ pal Costa (Oliver Cooper) to be in charge, or to start inviting people via viral texting, even though Thomas has set his own limit of 50 guests.

Costa is a rude and crude fellow, a troublemaker who thinks he’s hip and funny. He’s also desperate, and knows that he and Thomas and their pal J.B. (Jonathan Daniel Brown) are all losers, and will never have a chance at being popular, unless the party is a hit.

Costa plans well: a deejay, a “security” force, afternoon calls on neighbors to apologize for any noise in advance, signs for the backyard pool that read “naked girls only.” But despite all of that, when party time rolls around, only one person shows – Thomas’ longtime platonic pal Kirby (Kirby Blanton). That is until a couple of cars pull up, then a few more, then a small bus.

You can see where this is going. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of extras in this movie, and they spill out all over the yard and the house and the neighborhood.

This is a story of things getting out of control early on, then spinning chaotically into utter pandemonium. First-time director Nima Nourizadeh manages to keep tight control of the situation, spending the right amounts of time not only on the party’s drugs, drinking, debauchery, and destruction, but also on tracking the character development of the three main friends (as well as providing odd hints about the mysterious, little-seen cameraman Dax).

The film comes in at a zippy 88 minutes, and there are very few slow spots. It has energy to spare, just like its cast of wildly partying teenagers. Time is taken to show a few lines of demarcation between teens and adults, and there are even moments where it looks like things are going to become dark. But those instances are fleeting, and it’s kind of a thrill to hear lines like “There’s a midget in the oven!” or see cops pull up, late in the loud night, just as some “outside interference” exacerbates problems that are already going full tilt.

Confession: I like these kids. I want to be at their party.

"Act of Valor"

By Tom Cannon & Ed Symkus

Opening February 24

Act of Valor
A couple of veteran stuntmen/first-time directors give us an action-filled story of Navy Seals going in for a dramatic rescue of a CIA agent, then discovering a terrorist plot that they must stop. The film’s gimmick is that many cast members are actual Seals. It’s apparently based on real events.

Gone
Young woman goes missing; sister says she knows who abducted her; cops won’t believe her; decides to solve the mystery herself. Oh, my, this one’s been made a few times before. Only this time we’ve got over-actress Amanda Seyfried in the lead. I haven’t seen a trailer, and I don’t know any more about the plot, but I bet I can tell you how it ends!

Pariah
A 17-year-old Brooklyn girl has kept her lesbianism so closeted, she can’t even talk to her parents about it (although it’s likely that they already know). It’s the story of young Alike’s (Adepero Oduye) journey to find herself and make things OK. Kinda depressing, with little bits of humor.

Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds
A wealthy businessman (Perry), engaged and used to an ordered life, finds a single mom (Thandie Newton) living in his office building, and decides to help her. Both of their lives change. And no, Perry does not don a dress in this one.

Wanderlust
With Wet Hot American Summer and Role Models under his belt, writer-director David Wain tells a story of a well-off Manhattan couple (Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston) who suddenly find unemployment looming large, and decide to skip town and go for a throwback to a hippie lifestyle out in the country.

Opening March 2

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
An old-fashioned animated version was made for TV about 40 years ago. Now the tale of the orange mustachioed creature, and the young lad who needs his special help, has been slicked up for a brand new CGI version. From the folks who made Despicable Me. Danny DeVito voices the title role.

Project X
A trio of less-than-popular high school guys hopes to get some cred by throwing the best party ever – upon discovering one guy’s parents are going away for the weekend, leaving a nice empty house. Things go wrong, and get worse. The film stays funny and silly and energetic. Warning: It’s one of those “shaky-cam” films that might make you a little dizzy.

A Separation
Already a Golden Globe Winner for Best Foreign Language Film, and an Oscar nominee for the same, this Iranian drama sure sounds depressing. A husband and wife want the best for their young daughter, which means moving to another country. Mom is ready to go. But dad can’t do it because his father is suffering from Alzheimer’s. There’s much emotional grief. Divorce might be the only answer.

By Mark Tichenor

The ROC Brewing Company has come a long way in eight short months. It’s remarkable considering brewer Jonathan Mervine never worked in a commercial brewery, having gone from homebrewing to brewery co-founder.

That’s a tough hurdle to jump, and some of the fledgling brewery’s beers aren’t quite there yet, but daily labor over his small brewing system, and fundamentally moving into the berwery, has allowed Mervine to develop rapidly as a brewer. It’s evident in the ever-increasing quality of the beer.

ROC Brewing was an audacious venture from the start. Mervine and his partner, Chris Spinelli, pretty much came out of nowhere, opening up in a glitzy glass-fronted building on S. Union Street and brushing aside the hurdles one would expect to surmount when opening an alcohol production facility in business-friendly Rochester, NY. But strong support from the local beer community and a knack for shoehorning themselves into local media allowed the brewery a strong start out of the gate.

Mervine and Spinelli also caught the attention of the Boston Beer Company (brewers of Sam Adams), who awarded them a $10,000 loan and brewing mentoring under their “Experienceship” program.

Currently, their tap room is open three days a week, and ROC Brewing Co. LLC beer is on tap at 15 bars and restaurants around town.

That’s a lot of beer for a one-barrel brewhouse, so ROC Brewing established a partnership with the Rohrbach Brewing Company to produce their flagship golden ale. In house, Mervine focuses on specialty styles, expanding his brewing range and fluency with each subsequent batch.

To date the pinnacle is ROC Brewing Belgian Blonde, which hits all the benchmarks of the style, from the grapefruit and clove notes to the earthy funk in the swallow. The beer promises a more rounded fruit character that doesn’t quite show itself, but satisfies as a well-balanced, beyond-competent blonde ale in the mold of Duvel or Afflingen. Its ruddy amber color also satisfies the eye, the head leaving attractive lace patters as you happily quaff. One to seek out.

I’m a sucker for oatmeal stout; I love how the deep, almost cola-like malt flavor combines with that silky finish from the oats added to the mash. It would have been nice to get a bit more of that silkiness out of ROC Brewing Oatmeal stout, but that’s just a quibble.

As you’d expect, the beer pours black, with a creamy tannish head that dissipates after just a few moments. It’s very sweet, and slightly cloying but hardly overwhelming. There’s a ton of vanilla both in the nose and on the palate. Overall, the Oatmeal Stout works as a solid, uncomplicated beer that does best by not trying to do too much.

ROC Brewing is still very young, and thus has a ways to go on the path to greatness, but these are solid beers, with distinctive character that shines because of, not despite, their simplicity, and, like Polaroid pictures, they develop further which each subsequent batch. It’s evident in the final product that Mervine and Spinelli have ambition, passion, and a can-do attitude which suggests that, in the long run, the only thing limiting these guys might be the physical dimensions of the brewery itself.

Mark owns a laptop and likes beer. For more on beer, check out the beercraft blog, updated regularly, at beercraftsite.com. Find me on Twitter @beercraft. Send your questions, suggestions, or comments to beercraft@rochester.rr.com.

Bryan Price of Eyesalve - New EP "A Chance To Start Over" Now On iTunes

Benefit Performances Around Town

•The benefit concert series, “If Music Be the Food,” will continue its third season with a program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 25 Westminister Rd., on February 26 at 7:30 p.m. The program features Eastman School faculty and students and benefits Rochester’s Foodlink; with concerts continuing thru May 11. (585-274-1417)

•Water Street Music Hall at 204 N. Water Street hosts the Michelle King Leukemia Fundraiser on February 26, starting at 2 p.m. The event benefits Michelle, a nurse who is fighting leukemia; and will feature the new band, Hall Pass that performs music from the ‘80s. (585-546-3887)

Karaoke Contests

•Currently running every Friday night, from 9 p.m. to midnight is a competition at CJ’s Pub & Grill, 45 Nichols Street in Spencerport. Finals will be on March 9. (585-352-5772)

•The Second Annual Italian American Karaoke Idol Contest will be held on May 11at Center Café in the Italian American Community Center, 150 Frank DiMino Way. You can start attending the Karaoke sessions on March 7, which continue every Wednesday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. (585-594-8882)

Special Shows

•The 2012 “Country Done Come To Town” tour makes a stop here in our area on March 3rd at The Jukebox, 5435 Ridge Road West in Spencerport. The show will feature Paul Cummings & Cross Roads Project 8pm; Alysia Groth 9pm; Cold Cross Creek 9:15pm; Bonnie McDowell Smith with special guests; Josie Waverly & Julie Dunlap 10:15pm; Erica McDowell 10:30pm; Flint Creek 11pm; Worthy Duncan 12am and Double Cross 12:15am. (585-352-4505)

•Two notable upcoming concerts are planned at the House of Guitars. A live in-store performance by BoneYard is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. The following week, on Saturday, March 3rd, an in-store concert by Envious Disguise is planned at 6 p.m. The HOG is located at 645 Titus Avenue. (585-544-3500)

News Flash

•The new JJ Lang Band performs original rock music with a raw, Southern edge. The group features JJ Lang, Steve “Walz” Walzer, Jae Furiuso and Anthony Gallucci; and will debut their first single, “My American Dream,” on February 26 on the Sunday Night Shakedown on 98.9 FM. They’ll make their live debut on March 3 at Pineapple Jack’s, 485 Spencerport Rd. (www.jjlang.com)

•EYESALVE has released a new 4-song maxi-single titled A Chance to Start Over. The work features a new pop-infused rock sound, according to Bryan Price, founder of the group, with songs that have you singing along at first listen. The release has been picked up by Island/Def Jam’s online distribution. Check it out at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/start-over-special-edition/id493353354; or www.ourstage.com/epk/eyesalve and myspace.com/eyesalveonline.

•Rochester’s own Skycoasters will once again team up with the New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner family to play on Opening Day, Friday, April 13, at the new Yankee Stadium. They’ll also be auctioning off one pair of tickets to the game on March 3rd during a performance at Shooter’s Sports Bar, 1226 Fairport Road, Fairport NY – with all proceeds going to Honor Flight Rochester. (585-225-1250)

As always, you can get your information out there by mailing it to us at 850 University Avenue 14607; or email to freetime@frontiernet.net

Reed Timmer

Rochester Museum & Science Center, Eisenhart Auditorium:

REED TIMMER, the Extreme Meteorologist on Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers, will speak on February 29th as part of the 30th anniversary “Science on the Edge” lecture series. His topic will be The Science of Extreme Storm Chasing. Timmer is currently completing a Ph.D. in meteorology at the University of Oklahoma and is author of Into the Storm. Call (585) 697-1942.

The Vision KIA Eastern Nationals, part of the ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross Series (postponed from earlier this month) is now scheduled to be held on the weekend of February 24 & 25 at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack, 5857 Rt. 96 in Farmington. Tickets previously purchased will be honored. The event features freestyle competition by both top professional athletes and local amateurs. This fan-friendly snowmobile race combines the big-air jumps and action of motorcross with a crisp winter environment – offering great, family-oriented fun.  Visit ISOCracing.com for details.

AMERKS SCHEDULE FOUR AT HOME

The Rochester Americans AHL Hockey Team will be in their home arena at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester on Wednesday, February 22nd, to take on Hershey at 7:05 p.m. Adirondack next arrives in town to face Rochester on Friday, February 24 at 7:35 p.m.; and the next evening, on Saturday, February 25, it will be Lake Erie who takes on the Amerks at 7:35 p.m. Then, Toronto takes the ice against Rochester on Sunday, March 4th at 5:05 p.m, For further information, visit amerks.com; and call (855) GO-AMERKS.

LAST LANCERS HOME GAMES IN REGULAR PLAY

Completing the home games in this season’s regular MISL season for our Rochester Lancers Indoor Soccer Club are two matches against Wichita. On Thursday, February 23, play starts at 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, February 26, the game stats at 1 p.m. in the Blue Cross Arena, downtown Rochester. You can get further information by checking online at rochesterlancers.com or by calling (585) 872-5425. And, remember, kids ages 12 & under, are admitted free (!) – limit of three youngsters per adult ticket – call for details.

TWO HOME GAMES FOR THE RAZORSHARKS

The Rochester RazorSharks Premiere Basketball League team will be on their home court at Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester for two upcoming games. The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers are the opponent on February 25 in a game that starts at 1:05 p.m.; and on March 1, it will be the Lake Michigan Admirals who face the Sharks at 7:35 p.m. Visit razorsharks.com for tickets.

Orchid Show & Sale @ Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion, March 2-4

by Sue Cannon

•As part of the City of Rochester’s Black History Month Celebration, a “Black Heritage Story Telling” event is planned on February 23 at Ryan Community Center, 530 Webster Avenue; and the 10th annual “Black Heritage Gala” is scheduled for February 25 at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 125 E. Main St. Visit www.cityofrochester.gov/bhm.

•On Saturday, February 25, the Bon Ton Court at EastView Mall will be the site of a special event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. sponsored by Thompson Health. Day of Dance For Your Health will offer free demonstrations and dance lessons in Ballroom, Jazzercise, Nia, Swing and Zumba; as well as free health screenings for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body fat, cardiovascular risk and more! Call (585) 919-3899.

•You can celebrate the opening of “Crafting Modernism: Mid-century American Art and Design” with an Exhibition Party at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Avenue. The February 25th event offers music, food and more. Participants can purchase cocktails, coffee, snacks and desserts or a full dinner! Call (585) 276-8939.

•On February 25, the Riverside Convention Center at 123 E. Main Street, hosts the 2012 Ugly Disco Bash – Party for a Cause. Billed as the best “swing ‘n eat bash this side of Hawaii-Five-Oh,” the event offers live music by Atlas, the Skycoasters, Fever – The Wrath of Polyester and a live DJ spinning radio hits from the ‘70s; and it includes plenty of food and drink! Even Barry Williams (“Greg Brady” of The Brady Bunch) will be on hand to enjoy the fun, with all proceeds going to Golisano Children’s Hospital. See our Coming to Town section for details on Barry Williams; and visit www.uglydisco.com.

•A Sock Hop for Mercy Flight Central is scheduled for February 25 at the Airport Holiday Inn, 911 Brooks Avenue. Live music for the event will be provided by “The Generations,” and there will be prizes and a silent auction. Call (585) 396-0584.

•Febraury 26 is the big day – time for the 84th annual Academy Awards show! And, what better place to celebrate than at the George Eastman House Academy Awards Celebration! This is the 16th annual movie-themed party at the Eastman House, 900 East Avenue, featuring live music, dancing, the showing of the Academy Awards in the Dryden Theatre and on monitors throughout the museum and plenty of great food! You can even pose for the paparazzi as you walk down the red carpet! Call (585) 271-3361.

•Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo), at 137 East Avenue will host Art of the Mix: Leap Day on February 29. Rochester’s top mixologists will be on hand to prepare their signature cocktails and spirits. Call (585) 461-2222.

•The 27th annual Greater Rochester International Auto Show moves into the Riverside Convention Center, 123 E. Main Street, for its annual four day stay, March 1 thru 4. Among the items displayed will be the Mini, the Smart Car, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van, Audi and Porsch, the Fisker Karma, and so much more. For kids, the Red Wings mascot, Spikes, will be on hand! Call (843) 686-5640.

•Running March 2 thru 4, the annual Orchid Show at Sonnenberg Gardens, 151 Charlotte Street in Canandaigua, promises flower fans of all ages a treat for the senses. Exotic blooms will be showcased in the greenhouse complex; along with educational seminars, and special sales. Call (585) 394-4922.

"Pretzel Guitar" by Rick Turner

Crafting Modernism

In the Grand Gallery at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Avenue, a new exhibit opens on February 26, running thru May 20. Crafting Modernism: Mid-century American Art and Design examines the years following the Second World War when there was an explosion of craft art in America. Men and women from all walks of life and corners of the globe rediscovered and reinvigorated such traditional media as ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood. In our region, both RIT and Alfred University became major creative centers. This show features works by Harry Bertoia, Anni Albers, Isamu Noguchi, Wendell Castle, Albert Paley, Peter Voulkos, Harvey Littleton and Maria Martinez. Call (585) 276-8900.

"Discover The Extreme Animal Kingdom - It's Alive!" @ The Rochester Museum & Science Center, Through February 26

by Sue Cannon

•RMSC FEBRUARY BREAK WEEK, which runs through February 26 at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, will find kids coming face-to-face with creatures of all shapes and sizes as part of a program called “Discover the Extreme Animal Kingdom – It’s Alive!” Events feature amazing animal discoveries, live animal encounters, and more. Call (585) 271-1880.

•The FAT BRAIN SCHOOL-BREAK WEEK activities planned at the Strong National Museum of Play, One Manhattan Square, will run thru February 26. Kids can put on their thinking cap and challenge themselves to mind-expanding games and toys; build amazing creations, and more. Call (585) 263-2700.

•Greece Olympia Auditorium at 1139 Maiden Lane will host a production of THE WEDDING SINGER from February 23 thru 26. The play is based on the popular Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore film; softened in tone so that it’s a family-friendly, PG-rated show featuring a great score, high energy dancing, and over 120 students. Call (585) 966-7947.

•Hands-on experiments and lively demonstrations by local scientists are part of the SCIENCE SATURDAYS program at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue. Coming up is a presentation titled “Journey to Mars” on February 25; “Fun With Hands-On Activities in Mathematics and Sciences” on March 3; “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Plastics” and “Much Ado About Nothing” – both on March 17; and “Astronomy 101: Finding Your Way Around the Night Sky” and “Fossils- A Window on the Past” – both on March 24. Call (585) 271-1880.

•At the Strong National Museum of Play, One Manhattan Square, TODDLER BOOK CLUB session are scheduled on February 27 (“Love Is In The Air”); and March 5, 12, 19 & 26 (“Fairy Tales”). Call (585) 263-2700.

•East Rochester High School at 200 Woodbine Avenue will present the musical comedy, HONK!, based on The Ugly Duckling, on March 2, 3 & 4. The show is appropriate for all ages and is directed by John Povino. Call (585) 248-6350.

•Wilson Drama Club, consisting entirely of Wilson High students, will present ELEEMOSYNARY by Lee Blessing on March 2, 3 & 4 at MuCCC, 142 Atlantic Avenue. The show was originally presented several years ago on the Wilson Magnet stage. Visit www.muccc.org for details.

•Part concert, part inspiration, DREAM ON is a scripture-based, high-energy event for teen girls, presented at the Auditorium Theatre, 875 E. Main Street, on March 3. For more details, visit revolvetour.com/events/Rochester.

•THE ROYAL BALL at the Strong National Museum of Play, One Manhattan Square, invites kids to put on a costume and be transported to a fairy-tale world where they can play games, make crafts, get their hair done in Rapunzel’s Hair Salon and more. The event is planned for March 3 & 4. Call (585) 263-2700.

•The Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, featuring young musicians in grades 8 thru 12, will present its annual SIDE-BY-SIDE CONCERT with members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on March 4 in Kodak Hall of the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs Street. The program is called “Moldau and Mahler.” Call (585) 454-2100.

•MONDAY KICKS FOR AGES 2 TO 6 at the Strong National Museum of Play, One Manhattan Square, as they present “Once Upon a Time” on March 5. Be transported to another world. Dance with the Queen of Play, make a crown and “feast” at the banquet table. Call (585) 263-2700.

"Giorgio Moroder's Metropolis" @ The Dryden Theatre, February 25

Black History Month Film Festival @ The Little Theatre

240 East Ave.; www.thelittle.org
2/24-26 The Interrupters / Chris Rock’s Good Hair / Phunny Business / Rejoice & Shout / Black Power Mixtape / Mighty Times: The Children’s March *See website for schedule

Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House

900 East Ave.; 271-4090 www.eastmanhouse.org (All films shown at 8 pm unless otherwise noted.)
2/22 Chinatown
2/23 The Long Riders
2/24 The Catechism Cataclysm *with Director Todd Rohal
2/25 Giorgio Moroder’s Metropolis >
2/28 Peter Ibbetson
2/29 The Passenger

ImageOut Screening

On February 23rd, ImageOut, Rochester’s gay and lesbian film and video festival, will kick off its 20th anniversary year with an encore screening of Loose Cannons (Mine vaganti, – in Italian with English subtitles) at the Cinema Theatre, 957 South Clinton Avenue; preceded by I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone (Eu Nao Quero Voltar Sozinho). Loose Cannons won the 2011 ImageOut Audience Award for Best Independent Narrative Feature; and is a hilarious comedy of manners. Visit www.ImageOut.org.

V-Films: Documentary Dialogues

The Little Theatre; 240 East Ave.; www.thelittle.org
2/28 Until the Violence Stops 7 pm *Discussion to follow screening