Cinema Society

A LOBSTER TALE

Average
Rating

3.1

Tuesday, November 27, 2007, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

Invited Guest: Producer Lincoln Stalmaster

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

7:15PM: Introduction, Auditorium 4

7:20PM: Introduction, Auditorium 5

7:30PM: A LOBSTER TALE, Auditoriums 4 & 5

Auditoriums 4 & 5

Discussion will follow screening in Auditorium 4

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

Audience Award Winner, Phoenix Film Festival

A LOBSTER TALE

A LOBSTER TALE is a small yet magical story set against the magnificent backdrop of the North Atlantic Coastline and the small fishing village known as “Prospect”.

“Cody Brewer” (Colm Meaney) has been a lobster fisherman his whole life, which is reflected in his face from the fifty two seasons it’s been exposed to the harsh Atlantic coast. A kind and gentle man, Cody works hard through the season earning little more than what he needs to provide the bare essentials for his wife “Martha” (Alberta Watson) and fourteen-year-old son “Jake”( Jack Knight).

As Cody spends the last few days of the lobster season out in his small boat hoping for a good catch, he instead comes across a rather strange and mysterious sea moss in one of his lobster traps. It is upon this rather accidental discovery that his life and all others in this small sleepy town is forever changed.

A strong supporting cast, led by Graham Greene who plays the “Sheriff” in this small town, brings a real sense of humor to the film, as the town folk try to convince Cody to share with them what little moss he has.

A LOBSTER TALE is a feel good film about a father and husband struggling with life, and reminds us all that miracles do exist.

Directed by Adam Massey, A LOBSTER TALE stars Colm Meaney, Alberta Watson and Graham Greene.

Running Time: 95 Minutes

Rated: PG

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21-Jul-13: Bailey - Rating: 3

I can't hear you very well

21-Jul-13: Layla - Rating: 3

Where did you go to university?

21-Jul-13: friend35 - Rating: 3

Where do you come from?

21-Jul-13: Julian - Rating: 3

How much is a First Class stamp?

21-Jul-13: fifa55 - Rating: 3

I've got a very weak signal

21-Jul-13: Bryan - Rating: 3

I wanted to live abroad

21-Jul-13: Leah - Rating: 3

What sort of work do you do?

21-Jul-13: Michael - Rating: 3

I work here

21-Jul-13: Amelia - Rating: 3

How long are you planning to stay here?

21-Jul-13: Payton - Rating: 3

What sort of music do you like?

14-Dec-07: MN - Rating: 1

Richard and Barbara Vandervoot were right on in their comments of 11/29! This movie was a looser from beginning to end! I hate walking out of the discussion but I couldn't bear to stay in that theater one minute longer.

4-Dec-07: Bruce Macdonald - Rating: 2

I found it REALLY boring. I kept waiting for something to, er, "happen..." But nothing ever did. I brought my daughter with me, and we both wanted to leave halfway through the movie, but didn't tell each other until it was over and we were leaving the theater! The village lobstermen were the only source of any humor, and it was feeble. The director said he was aiming for a "family movie." Well, that means kids, and my kid (age 17) was bored silly. It's not something I'd recommend to my 10-yr-old either. Remember the movie "Cocoon," with a similarly "magical" element? That worked for us all. But not this flick.

1-Dec-07: EB - Rating: 3

Colm M. is one of my favorite actors and he did have some really sweet moments, but I think the material/script was a bit trite. Did the "viagra man" have to be arrested with a blue bra around his neck? is that how small town police arrest someone that they probably know? I thought G. Greene's character was a bit silly (and a litterbug!). Didn't love it.

28-Nov-07: Bob - Rating: 4

I was so curious to read the comments for last nights film that I waited to write mine.

The word for me is simplicity. To me this was a simple sweet story that in a real way made me feel good. Nothing fancy, but a straightforward feel good film. I can see why people would want to be challenged in a different way then these folks went however, it was that lack of a challenge for me that made this an enjoyable movie.

28-Nov-07: GEB - Rating: 5

My wife and I found this film entertaining, emotional and overall a pleasant 90 minutes. It did have a few slow moments in the middle but picked up stem and I was thrilled that it didn't wrap up like so many other films with the son getting new pants, or the family having a financial windfall. The message in the end really worked for us and we discussed it with our children tonight at dinner. Good find Andy.

28-Nov-07: JF - Rating: 1

I had to leave in the middle-enough said. I do appreciate family friendly films but this was a yawner all around.

I'm disheartened that some people consider a positive review of this film as an opportunity to emphasize that it's a good alternative to films with sex/violence. It's not.

28-Nov-07: Jennifer - Rating: 4

I laughed, (Graham Green was hysterical) I cried, (the scene on the dock with the son) and I really enjoyed myself.

28-Nov-07: Barry Shiloff - Rating: 4

Quite enjoyable. I thought the opening music fit well even tho it sounded Irish. The story was a nice uplifting one with a lot of amusing scenes. There was about the right amount of suspense. The acting was excellent. Every scene belonged in the movie.

28-Nov-07: Marsha - Rating: 4

The film had a "On Golden Pond" feeling to it for 21st century without the famous actors Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda & Katherine Hepburn but with a punch that money cannot buy. Good acting and a good solid story of values that we somehow have lost in the present time value system without all the Hollywood Glitz. I enjoyed it. Quite refreshing!

28-Nov-07: Mike Drury - Rating: 2

A Lobster Tail is another in a series of movies we have seen that have not offered enough entertainment to warrant waiting for the inevitable weak and painfully predictable end.

28-Nov-07: Elizabeth Rohwer - Rating: 2

A tepid story in the mystical realism genre with a superficial conflict, small crisis and a frigid resolution. The best moments were to witness the miracles: the glow of the white light, the suspense… ah! … what’s going to happen? The a-ha effect was nicely there when the dead friend stayed dead, but we were robbed of the “climax” miracle - Jake cures his bully - the event being retold by the grateful parents with the scene focus on Jakes reaction and the resulting connection to his father. A trivial, though worthy resolution. The treatment of the other remaining miracle – the restoration of sexual vigor - was also handled in the same way. We witnessed the result: satisfying and funny, though trivial too. But would it have been more rewarding to witness the healing process itself? In my opinion, the potential of the genre could be better exploited.

28-Nov-07: JH - Rating: 5

It was a pleasure to watch a film that wasn't trying to overwhelm us with obscenities and graphic violence to entertain. We enjoyed this film and appreciated the wonderful performances and sweet story.

28-Nov-07: GT - Rating: 5

Enjoyed the film. A warm experience.

28-Nov-07: Richard and Barbara Vandervoort - Rating: 1

Oh, Andy ...

We believe Mr. Stalmaster, in his opening comments, had good reason to be apprehensive about the reception of his movie.

It was as if the film makers kept saying to themselves over and over: "But will they get it?" ... and, "Let's make sure they do."

We got it.

Colm Meany's character, Cody, wasn't just down and out, he was incredibly, unbelievably and irretrievably down and out! He went lobster fishing with three traps in an open boat! Bait at $10, marine gasoline at probably $4.50/gal and he finds 6 lobsters at $2.00/lb. (or whatever today's lobstermen get). And, he is so dumb, he can't fix a 10-horsepower outboard motor. For days! And, the electric company shuts off his power. Oh woe is Cody! We got it!

And, the kid is ridiculed ... because of his pants!

And, the beautiful, dutiful wife can't figure out that the cook is coming on to her and she complains about the "nights" to him!

Then there's the magic moss, Colm's weaky (but obvious) character, Cody, turns everybody down including the guy with the real problem -- heart palpitations ... so the guy dies! And, Cody can't make a decision about what to do with his magic moss. Of course, the homeopathic drug guy and his delicious babe are bad, bad! And, the SOB plays ... golf! And, he wants the stuff ... to keep it off the market! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Where is Frank Capra when you need him!?

And, about those down-east accents! Well coached were they. Yoicks! Except when Colm went back to his brogue and others kinda got tangled up.

But, because Stalmaster was in the house, everyone obediently laughed and ahhhed at all the right moments. WE ALL FREAKIN' GOT IT!

What drivel. And, Stalmaster may have warned the crowd off being "meanies" to him with his opening comments. We don't know. With every other movie we've seen, we've always stayed to listen to the comments and Q&A. This time, we left the theater as soon as we found out where Stalmaster's "Mainer" film was made: Halifax of course. We knew it wasn't Maine and guessed it was Nova Scotia. Hooray for us.

Other than all of that. I don't think we liked the film very much.

But (to quote you, it's "Valentine" time since we don't want to shoot the messenger), we really have enjoyed our experience with the Cinema Society and GREATLY appreciate your commitment to it and your deep and broad understanding of filmmaking. We have seen some very good films in our first year and look forward to many more and for many more years. Your leadership of the Society far surpasses what we were used to with Talk Cinema in Chicago. Keep up the wonderful work!

28-Nov-07: JFY - Rating: 3

Just a bit long in the middle, and a little slow in places, but it has a good message and would make a good film to take the entire family to, a rarity these days. Best performances by Graham Greene (turns out the littering, donut eating sheriff is really the wisest person in town) and of course Colm Meaney as a man of few words.

27-Nov-07: KS - Rating: 5

What a complete joy!

Thanks Andy