From a patchwork of superhero franchises, Joss Whedon assembles one big blockbuster

As a sequel to “Thor,” “Captain America,” and the two “Iron Man” films, “The Avengers” is truly an event movie. Throwing all these franchises together must have been difficult, and it could easily have been screwed up. Thankfully, director Joss Whedon pulls it off, and the risk pays in a big way.

It opens with Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, head of the secret military organization S.H.I.E.L.D., testing an alien energy source called the Tesseract when the headquarters is invaded destroyed by a vengeful Loki, Thor's brother. His goal is to take over the Earth, with the help of the Tesseract and an intergalactic army under his control.

“We are thrilled to continue Tropicana’s longstanding tradition of innovative and diverse entertainment that offers something for everyone,” said Tony Rodio, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tropicana Entertainment. “After an unforgettable 2011, our entertainment team came back with one of our most eclectic and striking lineups to date.”

Headlining in the Tropicana Showroom 

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 – Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat 40, Championship Mixed Martial Arts at 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 11 - Comedienne, actress and writer Whitney Cummings at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 19 – KC & The Sunshine Band at 9 p.m.

To mark the 70^th birthday of “Casablanca” – which was ranked No. 3 on the American Film Institute’s 2007 list of 100 greatest films – Turner Classic Movies is offering a rare treat for movie lovers. On Thursday, April 26, the 1942 motion picture will be presented on big screens in cities and towns across the U.S. Locally, “Casablanca” will be shown at the Regal Hamilton Commons, 4215 Black Horse Pike in Mays Landing.  There is just one showing, at 7 p.m.

Set in Morocco during the Second World War, “Casablanca” is the story of Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an American expatriate, former freedom fighter, and profound cynic who runs a nightclub in the German-occupied port city.

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ blends horror, hilarity

In many ways, “The Cabin in the Woods” is typical horror-movie fare. It’s also a film that likes to screw with your preconceived notions.
That dichotomy makes this a difficult review to write. While there’s no huge twist to reveal, or any intricate plot elements, the less you know going in, the better. Expect a traditional horror film, and you’ll have your expectations delightfully dashed within the first 10 minutes.

Here’s the ‘A’ plot: a group of young sexy teenagers stay in a mysterious cabin for the weekend, only to get picked off one by one. It’s pretty by-the-book, but the typical horror scenes are swiftly and sharply undercut by the hilarious ‘B‘ plot, about an exterior force that’s causing all the mayhem. By the third act, when the two stories finally merge, it’s a gleefully fun moment.

The screenwriters have fun playing with conventions and subverting expectations in the film, which is filled with solid belly laughs and some genuinely horrifying moments.

ATLANTIC CITY – Tropicana Casino and Resort has set Friday, May 4 as the grand opening date for Boogie Nights, billed as “the ultimate celebration of ’70s and ’80s nightlife and pop culture.

“Boogie Nights will dazzle Atlantic City’s nightlifers with unprecedented light and sound technologies, some of which are the first of their kind on the East Coast,” reads a press announcement from Tropicana Entertainment Inc.  “Resident DJs will spin a high energy dance mix of beloved and iconic songs from the ’70s and ’80s.”

Doors open at 9 p.m.

“The buzz surrounding this new venue has been intense and partygoers will soon see that nothing else in Atlantic City even comes close to the new Boogie Nights experience,” said Tony Rodio, president and chief operating officer of Tropicana Entertainment.

MARGATE – After a long winter’s nap, Lucy the Elephant kicked off her 2012 season by opening Saturday, March 31.

Entertainment for children will include pumpkin and face painting.

The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will present the fourth annual Seafood and Music Festival 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 on Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues.

Highlights of the festival include a street fair with food and craft vendors, a pie-eating contest, a clam chowder cookoff and music on two stages featuring Frank Bey and the Swing City Blues Band, the Rocktologists, the Good Tymes Band, Large Flower Heads and Bandstand.

‘Moneyball’ is consistently smart and funny

In 2002, the Oakland A’s put together a winning baseball team with less than a third of the budget of the New York Yankees. In doing so, they defied all conventional logic and forever changed the way teams are put together.

“Moneyball” stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, former athlete-turned-general manager of the A’s. Disillusioned by the state of baseball, where the teams with the most money attract the best players, Beane is not only losing three star players, but knows his miniscule budget will assure that the A’s can’t compete with even mid-range teams. It’s the same system that recruited Beane out of high school, practically guaranteeing that he'd be a star. Having gone through it, he understands why the approach is flawed. He just doesn't know how to fix it.

Parrot Head Phall Phlocking to benefit Jennifer Ward fund

Members of the Jersey Shore Parrot Head Club of Atlantic and Cape May Counties will hold the club's annual Phall Phlocking 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Seaville Fire Hall, 36 Route 50 in Seaville.

The festive island-style party will feature entertainment by trop-rock musician Mike Mallett 6:30-8:30, followed by DJ Eddie B, who will rock the house until closing with favorite tunes by Jimmy Buffett.

All attendees are invited to enter the second annual Chili Cook-off Challenge.

Joseph Mayes will perform selections on lute, archlute and classical guitar 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at Cape May United Methodist Church.

Joseph Mayes, who plays the lute, archlute and classical guitar, will perform a benefit concert for Access to Art Inc. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May.

Access to Art is raising money to present its second Cape May Renaissance Festival in the fall of 2012. Mayes was part of a lecture and demonstration on the Renaissance given at the Southern Mansion for Access to Art last year.

According to a press release, Mayes was self-taught until 1963, when he began his studies with Peter Colona at the Settlement Music school in Philadelphia. In l968, after three years in the army, the Spanish government gave Mayes a scholarship to study with renowned concert guitarist Andres Segovia. He holds degrees in guitar from Thomas Edison College of Trenton and Shenandoah University of Winchester, Va.