Entertainment : In Depth: 'Snitch,' 'The Call' and 'Charlie Brown'

An angry Lucy (Alexis Peterson) demands help from Charlie Brown to find her science project.

Not for the faint of heart – we’ve got ACTION – VIOLENCE – SUSPENCE at the Palace this weekend.

First up, in our regular time slot, “Snitch” opens Friday, April 5 and runs through Thursday, April 11 at 7 pm, and Monday, April 8 at 2 pm.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivers the best work of his career playing a guy who squares off against a pack of small-time street thugs — and winds up face down on the ground, his mug bloodied and his wallet gone. ~Roger Ebert

When his son screws up by becoming a drug courier, getting caught, and sentenced to ten years in prison, John Matthews (Johnson) makes a deal with the feds to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel to spare junior the jail time.

Patrons in are for some fast-paced, high-energy entertainment with this flick.  Rated PG-13 and running a mere 112 minutes, I would still recommend at least a large popcorn.  And trust me, you won’t be eating because you’re bored!

THE CALL

Take a nap, or take advantage of a rare Sunday afternoon matinee, because you won’t want to miss “The Call,” playing THREE DAYS ONLY, Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6 at 9 pm, and Sunday, March 7 at 2 pm.

Halle Berry is Jordan Turner, a 911 operator who becomes embroiled in a serial killer mystery.  Perhaps all the scary stuff made the trailer, but this film looks heart-wrenching and downright terrifying.  If you’re a Criminal Minds fan, this movie is for you.

Stifle your scream reflex, clutch your date, cover your eyes, but don’t spill your popcorn! “The Call” runs just 95 seat-gripping minutes and is rated R for violence, disturbing content, and language.

WHO TOOK SALLY BROWN’S SCIENCE PROJECT??

Good grief!  How can Charlie Brown direct the spring play and find the courage to talk to that little curly-haired girl if he spends every minute searching for Sally’s lost science project?  Lucy won’t stop bossing him around, his dog Snoopy is in trouble again, and poor Charlie Brown has no friends.

While the Palace is off-limits for kiddos this weekend, we’ve got just what you need at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School.  “Love’s a Mystery, Charlie Brown!” presented by the VSHS Drama Department, takes the stage Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.  Tickets, $5 for adults and $4 for students, are available at the door.

“Love’s a Mystery, Charlie Brown” features a humorous and reminiscent collection of skits by Charles Schultz, arranged by director Marcy Horst.  The Peanuts Gang characters are played by Will Hancock as Charlie Brown, Alexis Peterson as Sally, Alyssa Cantrell as Lucy, Austin Bader as Linus, Emma Lippmann as Frieda the little curly-haired girl, Nick Gardiner as Schroeder, Shannon Fox as Peppermint Patty, Stephanie Berry as Marcie, Josh Ridley as Snoopy, Kyra Blix as Woodstock, Jonah Blix as Pigpen, Lily Horst as Violet, and Keri Webster as Claudia.

Special thanks to Allan Merchant and Gerald Horst for an awesome set (yeah, mostly Allan), Nick Stout backstage, Teresa Strong for costumes, Gerald Horst on sound, and sixth grader Gracie Horst on the light board.

There's nothing like unrequited love to take all the flavor out of a peanut butter sandwich.