March 7 Weekend Preview

This weekend you have an eclectic mix of films being released this weekend. The biggest releases is Oz The Great and Powerful. This adventure fantasy stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams. Disney's fantastical adventure directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot--fame and fortune are his for the taking--that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity--and even a bit of wizardry--Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
For a unique viewing experience of this film head to Union Station and catch it on the Extreme Screen.
If you are into action flicks you might like Dead Man Down. This movie stars Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace as two strangers whose mutual desire for revenge draws them together and triggers an escalating trail of mayhem. The film, which also stars Academy Award-nominee Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper, marks the American theatrical debut of director Niels Arden Oplev (the original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo").
Lastly, there is the limited release of Emperor. A gripping tale of love and honor forged between fierce enemies of war, "Emperor" tells the story, inspired by true events, of the bold and secret moves that won the peace in the shadows of post-war Japan. Starring Academy Award-winner Tommy Lee Jones, Matthew Fox, and newcomer Eriko Hatsune, "Emperor" brings to life the American occupation of Japan in the perilous and unpredictable days just after Emperor Hirohito's World War II surrender. As General Douglas MacArthur (Jones) suddenly finds himself the de facto ruler of a foreign nation, he assigns an expert in Japanese culture - General Bonner Fellers (Fox), to covertly investigate the looming question hanging over the country: should the Japanese Emperor, worshiped by his people but accused of war crimes, be punished or saved?
I also want to mention that one of my favorite westerns is getting the big screen treatment at the Alamo Drafthouse. This coming Wednesday the Drafthouse will be showing The Wild Bunch. This is a film about the mantle of violence passing from old professionals, who live by a code, to even more chaotic and deadly future generations. And what is the code these old men live by? Stand by your friends and against the world, take what you can get, and don’t kill civilians...unless they get in the way.
If you are a Gearhead then you will be happy this weekend. the Greater Kansas City International Auto Show at Bartle Hall. The event kicks off Wednesday and runs through Sunday afternoon. More than 500 new cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and minivans will be on display. Product specialists will be ready to provide all the latest information and demonstrations. Prices are $11 for adults and $6 for children ages 8 to 12. For more information and a full schedule visit their website at: http://kansascityautoshow.com/
The sports weekend kicks off a day early this week. You have two choices to pick from on Thursday. First there is the Comets playoff game. For the third year in a row, the Comets will face off against last year's MISL Champions, Milwaukee Wave at 7:35p at the Independence Events Center!
Also – the Comets will be holding a Pre-Playoff Game Pep Rally Thursday from 3:30-4p at the Independence Chamber of Commerce Business Expo at the Hilton Garden Inn directly across I-70 from the IEC!! Join Comets players, coaches, mascot and the Galaxy Girls for this FREE event! The playoffs are here! Please join the Comets on their march to the MISL Championship!
College basketball tournament time is also officially here. This weekend the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) will hold its Men's Basketball Championships at Municipal Auditorium (March 7, 9-10) for  the 11th straight year. The conference's top eight regular-season finishers will play in the championship tournament over its three-day stretch. Tickets for games can be purchased now at the Municipal Auditorium box office or online through Ticketmaster. You can also support your favorite team by purchasing tickets through each institutions ticket office and receive a $15 discount off the KC Tournament Pass, which provides you access to all of the games in Kansas City. $5.00 Student KC Single Session and $20 Adult Single Session tickets are also available. Children 6 and under are admitted free.
While you are downtown you can continue to satisfy your basketball jones. The College Basketball Experience will host expanded hours during the month of March. Next week if you show your Big 12 Men's ticket at the door you save $2 on admission.
The Mavericks have a home game this Friday as they host the Quad City Mallards. Back by popular demand, buy 3 tickets to this game and get one free. The next night the situation will be reversed as the Mavericks will battle the Mallards on their home ice. Then the Mavs will be back home on Sunday to host Interstate rival the Wichita Thunder. This is a Pepsi Family 4-Pack game.  The 4-packs include 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 Pepsi products. The Mavericks will also host a post-game skate with the team on Sunday. You can register to skate with the team at the ticket table behind section 109. It is $5 to rent skates, $2 if you have your own skates. Click here to get your 4-Packs now!
You also have a chance to catch the Kansas City Renegades as they wrap up training camp this week. If you want to catch their final practice of camp at the KC Sports Lodge (19310 E. 50th Terrace, Independence, MO) they will be there from 8am-11am.
The Topeka RoadRunners are on the road this Thursday and Friday to take on the Texas Tornado. As with all RoadRunners home games there will be a watch party at Blind Tiger Brewing.
Have A Great Weekend!