Happy Saturday of St. Patrick's Day Weekend

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Happiest of Saturdays to you all, and Happy LA Marathon weekend to all who are running it. I am not, because while I’m back to running again after my knee surgery last June, I’m definitely not in that kind of shape. One of our run club coaches always says that no one ever runs two marathons — either you do one, or you do them all. I may be the exception to that rule. Having done LA twice, I think I’m good.

But! I did go up to LA yesterday to record in person with Alonso for the first time in … gosh, five years. What was it that happened back in March 2020? I can’t quite recall. Anyway, it was so nice to be together on a rainy Friday.

It’s been a week of great films, pretty good films and a couple of truly terrible films, including one that will definitely make my worst-of list at the end of the year. Here’s what we talked about on our Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast.

• BLACK BAG. Sleek, sexy and slightly over 90 minutes: This is Steven Soderbergh’s sweet spot. His second film of the year, following “Presence,” is a spy movie that isn’t really a spy movie. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender lead a terrific cast as married secret agents surveilling each other in impossibly stylish clothing. This is the best movie of the week. In theaters.

• NOVOCAINE. Jack Quaid has an everyman likability reminiscent of a young Tom Hanks, which helps ground this wild action comedy. Quaid stars as a mild-mannered bank manager who can’t feel pain, a trait that comes in handy when robbers kidnap the woman of his dreams (Amber Midthunder). This is a lot of fun but eventually grows tiresome. In theaters.

• THE ELECTRIC STATE. If you watch this movie on Netflix, please keep in mind that it cost a reported $320 million to make. Setting that money on fire would have been more useful, if only as a source of warmth. The latest star-studded extravaganza from the Russo Brothers features Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Anthony Mackie, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Brian Cox, Jason Alexander, Jenny Slate, and Woody Harrelson as Mr. Peanut. Yes, you read that right. Streaming now.

• OPUS. Ayo Edebiri has had an incredible run of projects lately, including “The Bear” and “Bottoms.” This one had promise, but ends up falling apart. Edebiri stars as an ambitious young journalist who gets invited to the remote estate of a legendary pop star (John Malkovich) to hear his first album in 30 years. Weird things happen, but maybe they’re not weird enough …? This is your second Amber Midthunder movie of the week, by the way. In theaters.

PLUS: I discussed all four of these movies this week on Press Play With Madeleine Brand, alongside my insightful friend, William Bibbiani. Listen and enjoy on KCRW.

Speaking of Novocaine, I had the pleasure of seeing it last weekend at a sneak at the CinemaWest Beach Cities. This is the old ArcLight location, right at the border of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, which closed at the start of the pandemic alongside the whole upscale ArcLight chain. That Hollywood location, next door to the historic Cinerama Dome on Sunset Boulevard, was like our home away from home, and it still hasn’t reopened — a huge loss for film lovers. I can’t even tell you how many press screenings I attended there over the years, how many Q&As I moderated. When Nic was 8 years old, Chris and I took him to see “2001: A Space Odyssey” there in 70mm on a Sunday morning. That’s how we parent.

But! I’m psyched that the CinemaWest chain has come in and reopened the Beach Cities location. It was so nice to go back there over the weekend and see that it’s just as comfortable and well-appointed as before. The seats are plush and the picture and sound are high-quality. Heartbreak also feels good in a place like this. Plus, they’ve added a Pink’s Hot Dogs so you can grab a bite and have a drink before or after your movie. I’m hoping to do some Breakfast All Day events there — hangouts in the lobby, introductions, Q&As — so stay tuned for details. Until then, go check ‘em out if you’re in the area!

And while we’re on the topic of great movie theaters, TimeOut recently compiled a list of the 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world. I love stuff like this: Whenever we go out of town or on vacation, I like to try to see a movie there, just to have a different experience and get a feel for the community. I have been to six of these theaters. How many have you visited? What makes a movie theater great for you?

Thank you so much for sharing some of your weekend with me. Nic has a track meet later on today, and then I’m making Irish soda bread for St. Patrick’s Day in the proud tradition of my drunk, pasty people. If you’ve enjoyed my Saturday Matinee newsletter, I’d be honored if you’d share it with the movie fans in your life. And if someone shared it with you, I hope you’ll subscribe. Have a great week, and I’ll see you back here next Saturday.