Scott Tady: Tom Hanks' Otto gets feisty, enjoys a sweet treat in Ambridge

Wait until you see that big ol' Ambridge scene an hour into Tom Hanks' excellent new movie, "A Man Called Otto."

I know I'll never sit at the corner of Fourth and Merchant streets again, facing Ice Cream Therapy, without thinking about Hanks and road rage.

I won't spoil any plot points other than merely saying it is fun seeing Hanks' curmudgeonly character get in the face of a rude, impatient driver in a scene where the Oscar winner repeatedly drives through Ambridge's very recognizable business district.

Hanks, as the PG-13 film's title character, then pops into the clearly marked Stangl's Bakery, at 572 Merchant St., where we get a first glimpse of his softer side as he savors a scrumptious-looking Swedish eclair (a nice nod to the film's origins as a Swedish book-turned-film "A Man Called Ove.")

Lorianne Stangl Burgess, the proprietor of Stangl's Bakery, baked those eclairs specifically for the movie, and tells me she's considering putting that item on the menu there.

Much of the movie takes place in a Bellevue housing development with a garage area on a hill with a view of the Ohio River. Here's where embittered, etched-in-his-ways widower Otto has his life turned upside down by a cheerful Mexican-American family that moves in across the street.

The movie satisfyingly shows Otto's aversion to our greedy, tech-driven world. Like most of us, he hates robocalls, people too lazy to follow simple rules, and retail store policies that emphasize computers over common sense.

But as the story unfolds, we see his hidden heart of gold. When to our surprise, he harnesses Gen. Z technology to help a needy couple, "A Man Called Otto" rises to greatness.

And let's face it: Great, smart comedies are harder to make than effects-driven action films, or melodramas where the lead character contends with some mental affliction.

There's melodrama in "A Man Called Otto," but it's mixed evenly with laugh-out-loud humor, in a storyline that doesn't require you to stretch your imagination.

Hollywood won't nominate it for the Best Picture Oscar, but I'm sure "A Man Called Otto" is superior to two or three of the films that ultimately will get nominated.

I'll say this: "A Man Called Otto" is vastly more entertaining than the overrated "The Banshees of Inisherin," which won the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy honors at last Tuesday's Golden Globes.

I'd even rank "Otto" as better than the enjoyable and recommended "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," also nominated for a Golden Globe.

Screening now at a theater near you, go see "A Man Called Otto" and tell me what you think. The Lindsay Theater in Sewickley is offering a free ticket for anyone named Otto with a valid ID.

Meanwhile, I need to track down one of those Swedish eclairs.

More:Sting does his thing with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

A songwriters' special

An advance sellout is likely, so you might want to snag a ticket now for that Feb. 22 songwriter's showcase at Jergel's Rhythm Grille hosted by Joe Grushecky and Rick Witkowski and featuring Scott Blasey and Bill Deasy.

That's a Mount Rushmore of tri-state area songwriting.

Tickets are $10 at jergels.com

Jergel's also announced a rare fully seated show starring Johnny Angel & The Halos on May 26. The popular Pittsburgh oldies band played a triumphant comeback show last month at Rivers Casino.

More:Andy Taravella, popular local drummer, remembered

Eat like Elvis

Falling on the Saturday before Valentine's Day, Feb. 11 brings a bunch of unique options for romantic dates in the Beaver Valley.

Beaver Station & Cultural Center hosts a gourmet dinner and wine soiree.

Jimmie Ross & The Jaggerz play a Valentine's Dance & Concert at Hopewell VFW Post 8805. Tickets are $20 at 724-378-3993.

Let's Groove Tonight, an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band, entertains at The Strand Theater in Zelienople.

Lilly Abreu and her Brazilian Jazz Quartet play sensual music at the Iron Horse Community Theater in Ambridge.

Though most intriguing of all might be that Feb. 11 Elvis Presley tribute by Craig Newell at the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton. Following the 7:30 p.m. show, concertgoers will gather for a reception of Elvis' favorite foods, including fried dill pickles, meatballs wrapped in bacon, monkey bread, banana pudding, pound cake, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and peanut butter pie.

That'll make your tastebuds utter an Elvis-like "Uh... thankyouverymuch."

Cardiologists, not so much.

For tickets, call 724-846-1130 or stop by the gallery at 1100 Fifth Ave.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Tom Hanks' Otto gets feisty, enjoys a sweet treat in Ambridge