‘X-Men Apocalypse’ Takes Over Local Screens; South Side BBQ Serving Up Grilled Delights (Fri., 5/27/16)

1) X-Men Apocalypse – You thought mutants weren’t a thing until 2000 when Bryan Singer directed the first in the X-Men franchise? Well think again! Mutants have been around since the beginning of civilization … specifically a mutant named Apocalypse. He may be immortal and invincible but even demi-gods need a rest so he settles down for a nap—and doesn’t wake up for a thousand years. When he does he looks around and, like so many of us after a long sleep, is disgusted by the world. So comic book movies being what they are, he decides to kill all the regular people (a.k.a. “non mutants.”) As per usual, Magneto is up for some human hunting so he, with more mutants-gone-bad, join Apocalypse in his quest. And, also per, Dr. Xavier and the nice mutants take it upon themselves to get rid of Apocalypse and his gang … and oh! the CGI battles which ensue. Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy star, along with Oscar Isaac, Olivia Munn, Sophie Turner, Nicholas Hoult, Jennifer Lawrence, and Hugh Jackman. (TH)

2) Since the late ‘80s, Pat Joyce had owned or run the 17th St. Café until he decided it was time for something new. With help from his brother, Mike Joyce, the 17th St. Café was reborn as The South Side BBQ Company. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and has a brunch menu on weekends. They also cater. In addition to offering the best of Carolina, St. Louis, and Texas hospitality, the restaurant has a Pittsburgh original—the Bar-Ba-Cone! That’s chicken or pulled pork, coleslaw, and mac n’ cheese … in a waffle cone. And if you think you’ve seen The Southside BBQ Company outside the South Side, it is because the brothers also operate a food truck, “CarnivoreMobile.” 1707 Wrights Way, South Side. (CM)

3) Captain America: Civil War – Well, they’ve run out of villains! As in the recent Batman v. Superman, the fine folks at Marvel Studios are now turning their heroes against one other. It’s like a skin rash run amok! In this little photoplay, the government is trying to pass something called the “Anti-Hero Registration Act” meant to curb the doings of superheroes who have, on our behalf, rid the planet of evil-doers but, in the process, left cities desolate in their wake. It turns out us mere mortals just don’t understand what a hard job saving the world on a daily basis is. Some of our costumed crusaders are cool with the law; Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, and Spiderman to name a few. Others, however, are perfectly furious!; including Captain America, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man, and Winter Soldier. So these two groups fight a bunch of CGI battles with each other in (according to internet pre-reviews) parking lots around the globe.

I think the actual battle is going to be between the special effects department and the agents of this roster of movie stars—Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Daniel Brühl, William Hurt, Martin Freeman, Marisa Tomei, John Slattery, Alfre Woodard, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, John Slattery, and Hope Davis. It’s two-and-a-half hours long, which means that each of those actors will only get, on average, eight minutes screen time. Although, when I think about it, that still much be too much. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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