With schools going on break and summer holidays in full swing, it’s also the summer movie season and so far, it’s been stellar. Box office numbers have been up, and people are going back to the cinemas in droves. We’ve seen in 2025 such juggernauts as A MINECRAFT MOVIE, LILO & STITCH, SINNERS … but one of our absolute favorites has been MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING. Tom Cruise proves once again his movie star charisma brings audiences out to witness the spectacle. No one can entertain like he does. In her review, Cate Marquis says, “The stunt sequences are the major appeal of the series, and this one delivers. Thrilling, physics-defying sequences are abundant in this nearly three-hour long action thriller extravaganza.” Thus far, the film has grossed worldwide $506,816,000. (Box Office Mojo)
If you’re in New York City for your summer vacation, a visit to the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) is a must.
They have launched a major initiative celebrating the phenomenon of Paramount Pictures’ thrilling MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise, and the release of the eighth film in the series, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—The Final Reckoning. The exhibition will spotlight star and producer Tom Cruise’s exceptional commitment to practical stunt work, and explore how the series combines technical ingenuity, personal discipline, and artistic commitment, all in service of storytelling, character development, and performance.
The MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE experience at MoMI will be anchored by MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – Story and Spectacle, an exhibition that immerses visitors in the breathtaking stunts and key dramatic moments of the series, pulling back the curtain to allow insight into story and character development and the planning and execution of action sequences. The exhibition and related programs will provide a focal point for fans of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise, both those in New York and worldwide through virtual and/or livestreamed events.
Sections of the exhibition will be devoted to each film in the series, with a focus on that film’s key stunt or action sequence, along with unique behind-the-scenes content that offers insight on how the remarkable stunts were prepared for and filmed, complemented by related production artifacts.
“For almost 30 years, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE films have thrilled audiences with suspenseful stories and unparalleled practical stunts,” said Barbara Miller, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs. “MoMI is excited to partner with Paramount Pictures on this major exhibition to explore the series’ unique achievements and create a fun, illuminating experience for fans and visitors.”
Access to MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – Story and Spectacle will be included with general Museum admission tickets during its run.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – Story and Spectacle and related programs are supported by a Market New York grant from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism.
Back in the heyday of drive-in movies – the ’50s through the ‘70s – St. Louisans flocked to outdoor theaters such as the 66 Park-in, The Airway Twin, and The Holiday. They’re all long gone now but take a nostalgic trip back in time on June 14th when Tom Stockman, editor of the website We Are Movie Geeks, gives a 90-minute talk about all of the drive-ins that were in our area in those years. Tom’s talk will include hundreds of images he has collected of those drive-ins. Tom will also discuss the movies that played there and tell his own stories about attending. Local singer/songwriter Kevin Renick will be on hand for a performance of his song ‘Twilight of the Drive-Ins’.
Admission is FREE! A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE
The I-44 Drive-in Movie theater was a regular hangout for me in the late 1970’s. A perfect day was to spend the daylight hours at Six Flags in Eureka, then head East on 1-44, get off at Highway 141 and spend the evening watching a double feature at that Drive-In. The I-44 had the worst location for a drive-in. It sat in the valley wedged between a landfill, railroad tracks, and the Meramec river. The fog would settle in the Valley and block out the projector’s beam, the train noise would often drown out the sound, and the mosquitos loved the river, the landfill, and the taste of those attending the drive-in. But I still loved it there. If you drive past I-141 on I-44 you can still see the building that housed the concession stand.
Don’t miss this talk Thursday June 14th at 7pm at Lee Auditorium inside the Missouri History Museum (Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri) I
Sometimes I get a sad nostalgia pang when I drive by the location of a defunct Drive-in theater in the St. Louis area. The outdoor theater I frequented the most was the Holiday, on Page Boulevard about halfway between Lindbergh and I-70. The Holiday had four screens and in the summer, they would play triple features 7 nights a week. My buddies and I all had restaurant jobs in those days and we would get off work and meet at the Holiday three or four times per week. I kept a lawn chair in my trunk so I could just park it at whichever screen was showing the better film at that time. Now the spot where the Holiday sits is owned by U-Haul and there’s a fleet of their trucks parked there.
The Airway Twin, on St. Charles Rock Road near Lindbergh, was another popular Drive-in that I frequented. The Airway had an amazing neon marquee that featured a giant drum majorette. Her neon baton would twirl in circles and her leg would kick. The Airway is long gone but officials of the city of St. Ann recognized the sign’s importance in 1991 and approved its restoration when they built what is now known as ‘Airway Shopping Center’. The sign still stands.
There were a lot more Drive-ins in the St. Louis area: The South Twin, The North Twin, The 66 Park-In, The St. Ann 4, The Ronnies, The Manchester, The Broadway, The 270, and many more including the infamous Olympic, which was sued by the city of Pagedale in 1969 for showing soft-core sex movies that could be seen from the street! They had to drape black vinyl material around the whole complex so that the screen couldn’t be seen! I’ll be discussing all of these inclsuing the metro East-area drive-ins such as the French Village, The Mounds, The Futura, and The Bel-Air.
They’re all gone now (except the Skyview in Belleville). Admission is FREE!
This morning, Zac Efron appeared live on TODAY to announce the start of THE GREATEST WEEK – a series of fun, fan-centric activities in New York to celebrate the release of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. A New York City-based musical extravaganza about the origins of show business and the power of imagination, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN hits theatres on December 20, 2017. THE GREATEST WEEK is a part of a partnership with 20th Century Fox and NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, on a holiday campaign titled THE GREATEST NEW YORK CITY.
“‘The Greatest New York City’ campaign showcases extraordinary experiences during the holiday season, when the City puts on its greatest show,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Only New York City could host ‘The Greatest Week,’ and we invite fans to celebrate the film release across the City this week with specialty experiences involving our world-class arts, culture and attractions.”
Zac Efron and the TODAY hosts revealed this morning that the TODAY Plaza has been officially renamed “Showman Alley” in honor of THE GREATEST WEEK and viewers were directed to TODAY.com to learn full details of the week ahead.
Two lucky TODAY fans were also surprised with tickets to the film’s premiere tonight. The Greatest Showman red carpet event promises to be a truly unique experience: the first ever floating premiere takes place onboard the Cunard Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, which will be docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in front of an expansive view of the New York skyline.
Fans worldwide can have a ring side seat for the premiere by watching the red carpet stream live starting at 5:30 pm ET / 2:30 pm PT on Yahoo! and Cunard’s Facebook pages, https://www.facebook.com/yahoo and https://www.facebook.com/cunard/. The stream will also run simultaneously on the pages of Yahoo! Entertainment, Huffington Post, and Moviefone.
The fun continues tomorrow, December 9th at the Empire State Building with a lighting ceremony. At 8:30 pm ET, the Empire State Building will debut “THE GREATEST MUSIC TO LIGHT SHOW” – the Building’s first ever LIVE music and light show, featuring Showman cast member Keala Settle performing music from the film LIVE, coordinated to the Empire State Building’s tower lights. Fans worldwide can enjoy the show live on the Empire State Building’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EmpireStateBuilding) starting at approximately 8:25 pm ET.
Sunday’s highlight, is “THE GREATEST SINGING AND SHOPPING EXPERIENCE,“ and there will be pop up performances of a song from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN and holiday favorites performed by Broadway artists – who will also be inviting shoppers to join in for some impromptu sing-alongs right in the middle of the Urbanspace Holiday Market at 3:00 pm ET in Union Square. There will also be a custom painted piano, courtesy of Sing for Hope.
On Monday, December 11th “THE GREATEST PIANO BAR TAKEOVER” takes place at Club Cumming – actor Alan Cumming’s East Village piano bar – where Keala Settle will celebrate the holidays with a program of Holiday standards. Broadway fans will be given the chance to win tickets to this intimate event by going to Show-Score.com.
Tuesday December 12th is “THE GREATEST KIDS” day. The Harlem School of Arts will perform a song from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN soundtrack and a Christmas favorite at a pop up concert at NASDAQ headquarters in Times Square. Fans can watch and hear the kids sing starting at 12:10 pm ET on NASDAQ’S Facebook Live feed at facebook.com/nasdaq.
On Wednesday December 13th , fans can feel “THE GREATEST INSPIRATION”. Music lovers can come to the heart of the world for a heartfelt pop up concert in Times Square’s Duffy Square with the amazing Broadway Inspirational Voices choir. The choir will perform holiday classics and “Come Alive” from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN soundtrack at 3:00 pm ET.
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Available now. Get it HERE!
THE GREATEST WEEK closes out on Thursday December 14th with a surprise, greatest performance for everyone to enjoy…stay tuned for more details!
There will be a one-time-only screening of THE SWEET LIFE Presented by KUTO & Friends on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 6:30pm at at AMC Creve Coeur 12 — 10465 Olive Blvd., in Creve Coeur. A Q&A will follow the screening. Ticket information can be found HERE https://www.tugg.com/events/the-sweet-life-xgft
THE SWEET LIFE is an edgy and unconventional dramedy starring Chris Messina (Live By Night, The Mindy Project) and Abigail Spencer (Rectify,Timeless) as Kenny and Lolita, who meet by chance on the La Salle Street bridge in Chicago. The awkward, disillusioned and hopeless pair agree to travel cross country to San Francisco. Along the way, lives are changed and lives are saved as they come to realize life can be sweet. Directed by TV veteran Rob Spera (Criminal Minds).
Kenny is a disillusioned and apathetic ice cream vendor. He meets Lolita, a quick-witted, downtrodden insurance actuary, on a Chicago bridge. Lolita invites Kenny to travel with her to San Francisco, where they will jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, they meet a host of characters, and as their relationship deepens, they include each other in final connections with people they have known intimately: the woman who left Kenny at the altar, as well as Lolita’s ailing mother. Kenny and Lolita are guarded — and even combative — with each other at first (as they are with most everyone in their lives). But as they continue their journey, small details about each of them emerge and they soften. They begin, reluctantly, and certainly without having had proper practice in the art, to fall in love. As they reach San Francisco, and Lolita’s resolve to end her life intensifies, Kenny begins to waver. He knows that he is the only human who can stop Lolita from jumping … and he is finally ready to embrace that challenge, and all the ones that will naturally follow in the course of a life lived fully.
MY LITTLE CHICKADEE, WHITE HEAT, and RAGING BULL constitute the three-film series sponsored by The Mildred Kemper Art Museum next week at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in the University City Loop). This ties into the museum’s current exhibit “Rosalyn Drexler: Who Does She Think She Is?” These are FREE screenings!
A kiss. A punch. A body braced for impact. The paintings of Rosalyn Drexler exude uncanny stillness, anticipation and, frequently, the dread of imminent violence. Moments of intimacy and conflict are frozen, sliced and readied for examination — excerpts from narratives whose conclusions can only be guessed. From Feb. 10 to April 17, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University in St. Louis will present “Rosalyn Drexler: Who Does She Think She Is?”, the first full-career retrospective for the multi-talented artist. Surveying six decades of work, the exhibition features major paintings and collages alongside rarely seen early sculptures. Also included are books, photographs and other materials documenting Drexler’s wide-ranging and colorful career as a novelist, playwright and — briefly — professional wrestler.
Kemper Art Museum presents three films illustrating various aspects of Rosalyn Drexler’s groundbreaking work as an artist and writer. Drexler has often adapted subjects drawn from both classic films and B-movies in her paintings, asking viewers to consider not only the glamorous myths of popular culture’s stereotypes and tropes but also their disturbing underside.
My Little Chickadee, directed by Edward F. Cline Tuesday, March 7, 7p
The 1940 comedy-Western My Little Chickadee brings together two golden age screen icons who have directly impacted Drexler’s works: Mae West, celebrated and censored for her groundbreaking mix of humor and overt sexuality, and W.C. Fields, famed for playing a sardonic misanthrope.
White Heat, directed by Raoul Walsh Wednesday, March 8, 7p
Starring James Cagney as a ruthless gangster who has a special dedication to his mother, celebrated film noir White Heat (1949) blends masculine violence and vulnerability, a recurring motif of Drexler’s work.
Raging Bull, directed by Martin Scorsese Thursday, March 9, 7p
Starring Robert De Niro in an Oscar-winning performance, Cathy Moriarty, and Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull (1980) tells the story of Jake LaMotta, a figure who is featured in Drexler’s boxing scenes that, like the film, lay bare the brutal yet intimate violence of the sport.
The Kemper museum is located on Washington University’s Danforth Campus, near the intersection of Skinker and Forsyth boulevards. Regular hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Tuesdays and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. the first Friday of the month. The museum is closed Tuesdays.
One of the screen’s most memorable romances, An Affair to Remember, is coming back to the big screen for two days only … just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Named the #5 most romantic movie ever by the American Film Institute, Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in the classic tale of love, fate and the Empire State Building (“the nearest thing to heaven!”). Celebrating its 60th anniversary, An Affair to Remember has captured the hearts of generations of moviegoers and moviemakers — it was the inspiration for the blockbuster hit Sleepless in Seattle. And it’s the ultimate Valentine’s weekend date for movie lovers.
Showing at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (local time) each day in more than 700 theaters nationwide, An Affair to Remember combines movie glamour, mid-century style and gorgeous widescreen cinematography like no other film before or since.
The yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series continues in February with an unforgettable cinematic Valentine – An Affair to Remember, from 20th Century Fox. The tear-jerking romance starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2017 by returning to movie theaters for two days only, shown in its original aspect ratio.
An influential movie milestone that helped inspire the blockbuster Sleepless in Seattle, An Affair to Remember dazzles both the heart and the eyes with its widescreen cinematography, mid-century glamour, and a story of lovers who are destined to be together, despite their circumstances. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) host Ben Mankiewicz offers brand-new commentary both before and after the feature, which is a perfect way for movie lovers to celebrate the most romantic day of the year.
WHO: Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and 20th Century Fox
WHEN:Sunday, February 12, 2017; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)
Wednesday, February 15, 2017; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)
WHERE: Tickets for An Affair to Remember 60th Anniversary can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 700 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website(theaters and participants are subject to change).
“I kissed her as she lay there in the coffin; and her lips were cold.”
WHITE ZOMBIE (1932) Starring Bela Lugosi screens Thursday February 2nd at 7:00pm at Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Avenue Maplewood, MO 63143).
Now I know where Eddie Munster got his widow’s peak! He must have watched WHITE ZOMBIE as a toddler and decided to emulate his Uncle Dracula who remained behind in Transylvania while Grandpa, Herman and Lily moved to America. Actually, Bela Lugosi isn’t Dracula in the 1932 chiller WHITE ZOMBIE, but he might as well be. He’s a voodoo master who has taken his enemies lives over, turned them into zombies and made them his slaves. When he is contacted by a man who is coveting somebody else’s wife, Lugosi simply turns her (Madge Bellamy) into one of the living dead by waving her scarf over an open flame. She keels over, is buried and given one of the most somber funerals ever on screen. Soon, the body is dug up, and Bellamy (looking very much like a silent movie heroine even though this is a talkie!) sits quietly as the hero desperately tries to get over her apparent death, discovering the truth almost too late.
A spooky vulture follows Lugosi wherever he goes, and the faces of these dead zombies will instill themselves in your memory as their sinister close-ups continue with truly creepy music. Somber photography as well as slow editing and pacing make this seem like something that the Germans had done with THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI and NOSFERATU while Universal’s Gothic thrillers definitely had their own unique style. There’s something to be said for the independent studios. While obviously made on a lower budget than those at Universal, this is almost even more memorable because of the artistic triumph that the film’s creative team didn’t even realize they had done. The ending is one of the most chilling in history and may leave you with nightmares! Don’t miss WHITE ZOMBIE when it screens Thursday February 2nd at Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Avenue Maplewood, MO 63143) as part of the ‘A’ Film Series
$6 for the screening. A yummy variety of food from Schlafly’s kitchen is available as are plenty of pints of their famous home-brewed suds.
“Culture Shock” is the name of a film series here in St. Louis that is the cornerstone project of a social enterprise that is an ongoing source of support for Helping Kids Together(http://www.helpingkidstogether.com/) a St. Louis based social enterprise dedicated to building cultural diversity and social awareness among young people through the arts and active living.
The films featured for “Culture Shock” demonstrate an artistic representation of culture shock materialized through mixed genre and budgets spanning music, film and theater. Through ‘A Film Series’ working relationship with Schlafly Bottleworks, they seek to provide film lovers with an offbeat mix of dinner and a movie opportunities.
Fly over the moon. Sing in the rain. Fasten your seatbelts. Make an offer no one can refuse. See classic movies on the big screen!
Gene Kelly will sing in the rain, Bette Davis will fasten her seatbelt for a bumpy night, Marlon Brando will make an offer no one can refuse, Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint will scurry across Mount Rushmore, and Elliott and E.T. will fly over the moon – and they’ll do it all on the silver screen in 2017. Today, Fathom Events and TCM announce their continuing partnership to bring monthly screenings of their “TCM Big Screen Classics”series to movie theaters nationwide throughout the year.
For the second consecutive year, “TCM Big Screen Classics” offers film fans an amazing journey into the magic of movies year-round. Beginning in January, the series presents one or more films each month in movie theaters – all accompanied by specially produced commentary from TCM host Ben Mankiewicz or Saturday-afternoon host Tiffany Vazquez, giving unique insight and behind-the-scenes tidbits that enhance the movie-going experience. Each title returns for four showings only, making the “TCM Big Screen Classics” series a monthly must-see for movie buffs of all ages.
Each of these cinematic treasures will be digitally projected in its original aspect ratio at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time each day (Sundays and Wednesdays).
Tickets for the 2017 “TCM Big Screen Classics”series can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com, or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website(theaters and participants are subject to change).
“TCM and Fathom are proud to announce some of the greatest feature films of all time in the 2017 TCM Big Screen Classics series. These 14 titles were released over five decades and include Best Picture winners, epic storytelling, astounding direction, legendary star-power and memorable soundtracks, all of which have captured the hearts of film lovers and defined moviemaking magic,” said Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations Tom Lucas.
“The TCM Big Screen Classics series presents a unique opportunity for movie lovers to experience some of the most beloved classics of all time, on the big screen and with a live audience, as they were originally intended to be shown,” said Genevieve McGillicuddy, vice president of partnerships and brand activation, Turner Classic Movies. “Expanding our long-term relationship with Fathom Events and our studio partners makes it possible for TCM to directly engage with a community of movie fans in a meaningful and memorable way, and share our love of classic film in local markets across the country.”
From January to December 2017, here’s a month-by-month look at the amazing films that comprise this year’s “TCM Big Screen Classics” series:
Silent film movie star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) finds his muse in Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) just as Hollywood discovers talking pictures, but mega-star Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) isn’t going to stand for it – she’s bigger “than Calvin Coolidge, put together!” With the help of Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor), Don and Kathy will find a way to overcome the scheming Lina. Co-directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, Singin’ in the Rain is a glorious, grin-inducing example of the Hollywood studio system at its finest, one of the happiest of musicals ever made.
The perfect Valentine’s Day event for romantics and movie-lovers alike, this CinemaScope classic remains as much a tearjerker today as it was 60 years ago, when its misty-eyed tale was first released. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star as the two lovers who meet by chance on a trans-Atlantic voyage and fall in love despite their existing relationships. When they agree to meet six months later atop the Empire State Building, they cannot foresee the tragic circumstances that will test the limits of their devotion – and of the tear ducts of millions of moviegoers who have fallen in love with this swooning story of love, fate and circumstance.
Backstage backstabbing and treachery has never been as deliciously fun or as intensely dramatic as it is in All About Eve – which is tied only with Titanic for the most Academy Award® nominations for a single film. Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s black-and-white masterpiece also stars a young Marilyn Monroe in one of her first important roles. With a record-breaking four nominations in female acting categories (Bette Davis and Anne Baxter as Best Actress and Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritter as Best Supporting Actress), it remains one of the most riveting dramas ever made, a movie often imitated but never duplicated.
From its dazzling opening credits sequence by Saul Bass, set to a wild scherzo by Bernard Hermann, to its cliffhanging finale atop Mount Rushmore, director Alfred Hitchcock’s cross-country adventure offers non-stop thrills. It stars Cary Grant as Roger O. Thornhill, a man wrongly accused of murder, who hops on to a train … and into the lap of Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint). All the while, he’s pursued by the sinister Philip Vandamm (James Mason), who is convinced that Thornhill is a spy. He’s not – but he’s about to become one. Few films are as effortlessly delightful as Hitchcock’s grandest adventure ever.
Dustin Hoffman delivers a Hollywood rarity: a true star-making performance as the confused, floundering Benjamin Braddock. He’s a new college graduate who seems to have no ambition in life until he crosses paths with the very married Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The biggest box office surprise of the decade, The Graduate was an Oscar winner for director Mike Nichols (among its seven nominations), and Simon & Garfunkel’s score started a new trend in movie soundtracks. The Graduate may be celebrating its 50th anniversary, but it remains as insightful, relevant and sharply funny as ever, and comes back to movie screens just in time for a new generation of graduates to learn the secret to success: Plastics.
The summer of 1977 might be best known for a certain intergalactic adventure, but Smokey and the Bandit was the year’s second highest-grossing movie, a gleefully silly romp that grossed the adjusted box-office equivalent of nearly $500 million. The plot is almost non-existent – the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) has 28 hours to drive a truckload of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia while avoiding the relentless “Smokey,” Sherrif Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) – and takes a backseat to the stunt-driven action of director Hal Needham and the still-sizzling on-screen chemistry of Reynolds and Sally Field.
There is the sheer perfection of the performances by such legendary names as Brando, Pacino, Keaton and Duvall; the impeccable direction of Francis Ford Coppola; the haunting musical theme by Nino Rota; and the stunning cinematography by Gordon Willis. Any one of these elements would make The Godfather a classic, but this epic crime drama combines them all into a towering achievement in American filmmaking celebrating its 45th anniversary, an epic saga that redefined cinema.
This hysterical comedy from director Billy Wilder finds Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon masquerading as women inorder to elude irate Chicago mobsters while befriending a beautiful singer, Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe). One of the most influential movies ever made, Some Like It Hot is one of the greatest comedies of all time, still generating laughs nearly sixty years later.
Director Amy Heckerling’s adaptation of Cameron Crowe’s book (he also wrote the screenplay) didn’t simply capture a moment in time – it defined a generation by observing the behaviors and habits of teenagers in the early ‘80s with sharpness and an endless wellspring of humor. Pitch-perfect performances and a soundtrack filled with hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, make Fast Times at Ridgemont High one of the quintessential cinematic experiences of the era – a nostalgic look back for those who lived through it and an eye-opening revelation for younger audiences.
1968 file photo of Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in the movie BONNIE AND CLYDE. Courtesy of Warner Home Video.
Faye Dunaway is Bonnie Parker and Warren Beatty is Clyde Barrow in Arthur Penn’s violent, sexually charged and deeply influential crime drama, a nostalgic look back at notorious outlaws filmed with the passion and zeal of filmmakers who were beginning to explore the boundaries of their craft. With a legendary screenplay by writers Robert Benton and David Newman, Bonnie and Clyde features supporting performances by an exemplary cast that includes Gene Wilder, Gene Hackman, Michael J. Pollard and Estelle Parsons and became a pop-culture sensation. A movie about legends that became a legend itself, Bonnie and Clyde made international superstars out of its cast and influenced generations of filmmakers and audiences.
Thirty-five years since its release, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial remains a singular achievement, a movie that enchanted a generation with its sheer moviemaking prowess and its simple, exquisite story of the bond between a little boy and an alien. Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison, it’s one of the rare movies that can be universally defined by a single shot: Elliott and E.T. flying on a bicycle against a full moon. Set to a lush, unforgettable score by John Williams, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial mesmerizes everyone who sees it – including the United Nations, who, in September 1982, awarded Spielberg the U.N. Peace Medal for his creation of one of Hollywood’s most enduring movies.
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles – doesn’t sound too bad! Director Rob Reiner’s charming fantasy-adventure, from a screenplay by William Goldman (and based on his novel) is a fairy tale like no other, a movie that is as beguiling to adults as it is to children, infused with magic and beauty. Robin Wright stars as Princess Buttercup, with Cary Elwes as her dashing Westley, and Mandy Patinkin is the revenge-seeking Inigo Montoya – just the beginning in an adventure that’s as fresh, fun and tongue-in-cheek as ever. The perfect cast also includes Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane and, as the young boy who gets the best bedtime story ever, Fred Savage.
As time goes by, some movies age – but Casablanca remains timeless. Perhaps no other movie has become as beloved and as synonymous with Hollywood glamour as Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart is Rick Blaine, owner of Rick’s, the nightclub that everyone in Casablanca attends – including resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) and his wife, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), whose sudden appearance leads to some of the best dialogue ever written for the movies. The screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch took an unproduced stage play and turned it into a movie unlike any other, which received the Academy Award® for Best Picture and became one of the most classic films of all time.
Fifty years ago, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner scandalized audiences with its bold depiction of interracial romance – a poignant subject at this time in history, and its depiction of prejudice overcome by love remain powerful and moving. Sidney Poitier delivers a commanding performance as John Prentice, who accompanies his fiancée, Joey, (Katharine Houghton) to her parents’ home – without telling them that he is black. As her parents, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy star in their final film together. Produced and directed by Stanley Kramer and written by William Rose, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was a box-office sensation across the country, including in the South, where the studio worried that audiences would shy away from its subject. It is, in the words of TheNew York Times, “a deft comedy and – most of all – a paean to the power of love.”
DEEPWATER HORIZON’s Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, and Director Peter Berg visited the Keesler Air Force Base on Tuesday in Biloxi, MS to introduce a special advance screening of their upcoming film DEEPWATER HORIZON – in theatres on September 30th.
In addition to the screening introduction – Kate, Kurt and Pete spent time touring the base, meeting troops and their families along top ranking military officials and got an up close view WC-130J aircraft.
The talent and filmmakers selected the base to show support for those that serve in the Gulf region, a region that was deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina and the DEEPWATER HORIZON tragedy.
DEEPWATER HORIZON opens on September 30th
SYNOPSIS
On April 20th, 2010, one of the world’s largest man-made disasters occurred on the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Directed by Peter Berg (Lone Survivor), this story honors the brave men and women whose heroism would save many on board, and change everyone’s lives forever.
The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien and Kate Hudson
Here are some more pictures from the screening at Keesler Air Force Base
Another brilliant lineup, but only five movies to announce as we end the season for this year’s ‘Reel Late at The Tivoli’ midnight series. It’s a typically good variety of titles that will draw the late night movie buff crowd with a couple of retro surprises. The Midnight Movie experience has always catered to a college-age crowd and that’s the way it should be. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with live shadow cast with the Samurai Electricians climaxes the new schedule on October 21st and 22nd as well as October 28th and 29th. The oldest film this time is YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN from 1974 (this was actually chosen before Gene Wilder’s death) and the most recent is MEAN GIRLS from 2004. I think John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN is new to the Tivoli midnight roster, and I suspect it will draw a good crowd.
The Tivoli is located at6350 Delmar – in ‘The Loop’
Tickets are $8 except for ROCKY HORROR
Here’s the line-up:
Sept. 23-24 MEAN GIRLS
Sept. 30 – Oct 1 ALIENS – 30th Anniversary
Oct. 7-8 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Oct. 14-15 HALLOWEEN (1978)
October 21-22 and Oct 28-29 ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW – with live shadow cast, Samurai Electricians! – All tickets $10 for ROCKY
