Gregg, Rockwell, and Huston Bring Choke to Silver Screen

What do you get when you mix an elderly, female Tyler Durden with a choking con artist and a recovering compulsive masturbator? Clark Gregg’s dark, vulgar comedy with a surprisingly big heart, Choke.

Being a fan of the novel from which the film is based (written by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk), I was overwhelmed with geeky fan-girl joy when I read that Choke was to be translated into film. That was three years ago. After nearly waiting an excruciating year after hearing about its premiere at Sundance, the indie film with an all-star cast helmed by writer/director/actor Clark Gregg is finally hitting theaters this weekend, and it certainly will not disappoint movie-goers. That is, unless, the trailer fooled you into believing that the film is a romantic comedy.

Romantic? In a punk rock way. Comedic? Most definitely. Chick flick? Far from.

Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the novel, Sam Rockwell (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) wonderfully brings Victor Mancini to life as the med school drop-out sex addict who pays for his mother’s hospital bill by choking in restaurants. Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums) and Kelly MacDonald (No Country for Old Men) round off the supporting actresses as Mancini’s mother and the new, attractive doctor who assumes care for her. Clark himself makes an appearance as High Lord Charlie, Mancini’s anal-retentive boss at a colonial theme park, where Mancini works as a historical interpreter (a job, as we’re reminded in the film, which is not to be confused with a tour guide).

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Review: Young@Heart

Since 1982, the Young@Heart chorus, with members averaging an age of eighty, has wowed audiences with unique and entertaining interpretations of classic punk and rock songs.

Director Stephen Walker follows the geriatric troupe as they prepare for one of their biggest and most challenging undertakings: the Alive and Well tour. The film delves into the personal lives of key chorus members, spotlights group leader Bob Cilman, and attempts to explain the appeal of watching elderly people singing your favorite songs. The appeal doesn’t need much explaining, however—Young@Heart touts some of the most fascinating people you’re likely to find, and, if you have any doubts as to whether you’ll enjoy the film (like I did), by the end you’ll be wondering why you’ve never heard of these idiosyncratic octogenarians.

Read the full review after the jump.

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