Assorted ramblings from flicks and fests to comics to comedy:
One of the most buzzed about movies of the fall is ''The Master,'' the latest film from Paul Thomas Anderson (''Boogie Nights,'' ''There Will Be Blood'').
It's currently playing on nearly 800 screens nationwide, but local movie buffs will have to make the trek to the Cleveland area if they want to see it, at least for now. It's not opening in in Trumbull/Mahoning or western Pennsylvania this weekend, and Cleveland reps for The Weinstein Company, the film's distributor, said details about where and when it will expand next haven't been released.
I'll wait to do a full review until it opens locally, but it's a great movie, primarily for the performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix and a screenplay that establishes these characters as opposite sides of the same coin. That said, ''The Master'' isn't a movie that's going to have mainstream appeal. Those who hated Anderson's ''Magnolia'' or thought ''There Will Be Blood'' was over-hyped won't be swayed by ''The Master.'' But I can't wait to see it again.
The wait will be shorter locally for another platformed release. The show choir comedy ''Pitch Perfect,'' which is getting surprisingly glowing early reviews, is opening on about 350 screens Friday, including in Cleveland. But it will open nationally, including in the Mahoning Valley, on Oct. 5.
We can't see ''The Master'' yet, but a couple classics are making big-screen appearances next week at Cinemark Tinseltown in Boardman.
It is one of about 550 theaters nationwide participating in 30th anniversary event for the Steven Spielberg classic ''E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.'' The digitally remastered presentation will feature a video introduction by Turner Classic Movies' host Ben Mankiewicz and includes some video reminiscing by Drew Barrymore, who was 6 years old when she played Gertie.
Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday.
And the David Lean epic ''Lawrence of Arabia'' will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a 7 p.m. screening Oct. 4.
After doing the event in conjunction with the Downtown Warren Events and Promotions Council in the past, the Horseshoe Bar in downtown Warren is continuing its Octoberfest tradition.
The 17-piece Youngstown Saxon Brass Band will provide the music and German beers and food will be on the menu.
The fest runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The Funny Farm Comedy Club has a new home at Mojo's Pub in Austintown.
Plans are for a similar schedule to the one owner Dave Robich ran for years at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex in Liberty with shows at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and 8 and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Comedians who have a local following from past appearances also will dominate the booking lineup.
Dan Grueter, who appears frequently on the syndicated ''Bob and Tom Show'' radio program, will be the headliner this weekend. Upcoming shows will feature Jeff Blanchard (Oct. 5-6), Steve Iott (Oct. 19-20), Chili Challis (Oct. 26-27) and Frank Vignola (Nov. 2-3). Former MTV personality Tom Green is booked for a one-nighter on Nov. 7.
Liberty Comics will celebrate its grand opening Saturday with an appearance by Youngs-town comic book artist / writer Chris Yambar from noon to 5 p.m.
Yambar will signing be signing copies of the ''Simpsons Tree House of Horror No. 18,'' which includes a Bartman/Dark Knight parody he penned. He'll also be signing his independent comics, which include Mr. Beat, El Mucho Grande and Suckulina-Vampire Temp.
Liberty Comics is located in Church Hill Commons Plaza off Belmont Avenue.
Andy Gray is the entertainment writer for the Tribune Chronicle. Write to him at grayareas@
tribtoday.com