Category: General News

Here’s the Official Trailer and Poster for Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

   
Academy Award-winning writer/director Barry Jenkins’ first film since the Best Picture Oscar-winning Moonlight is If Beale Street Could Talk, his adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel – the first English-language feature film based on the work of the author, to whom the movie is dedicated.

Set in early-1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk is a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers (screen newcomer KiKi Layne). A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny (Stephan James). Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
Through the unique intimacy and power of cinema, If Beale Street Could Talk honors the author’s prescient words and imagery, charting the emotional currents navigated in an unforgiving and racially biased world as the filmmaker poetically crosses time frames to show how love and humanity endure.

Jimmy Stewart in MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON Back in Movie Theaters Nationwide on October 14th and 17th

Graft, Greed and One Man’s Fight Against Political Corruption: The TCM Big Screen Classics Series Brings Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Back to Movie Theaters Nationwide on October 14 and 17 Only.

he David-and-Goliath story, set within the not-so-hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol. This special presentation of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington also includes exclusive insight from TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz.

When Governor Hubert “Happy” Hopper (Guy Kibbee) appoints affable Jeff Smith — head of the Boy Rangers — to the U.S. Senate, corrupt political boss Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold) and secretly crooked U.S. Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains) believe they can easily manipulate the newly minted politician when he arrives in Washington.  But guidance from his hard-nosed, Beltway-savvy secretary Clarissa Saunders (Jean Arthur), Mr. Smith exposes graft and greed that threatens the very fabric of American democracy, and the junior Senator becomes a heroic one-man filibuster.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was nominated for 11 Oscars®, including Best Picture, Best Director (Capra), Best Actor (Stewart), Best Screenplay (Sidney Buchman), and Best Supporting Actor (Rains and Harry Carey as the President of the Senate); Lewis R. Foster took home the Academy Award® for Best Original Story.  Initially panned by the U.S. political establishment and even banned by dictator-led foreign governments, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington went on to be recognized as one of the greatest films in cinema history.  In 1989, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was added to the United States National Film Registry which called the film “a dramatic tale concerned with the values of a modern western state and, more broadly, a perilous moment for western civilization.”

 

WHO:

Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Columbia Pictures

WHEN:

  • Sunday, October 14 – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)
  • Wednesday, October 17 – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)

WHERE:

Tickets for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington are available at www.FathomEvents.com or participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 600 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).

Buster Keaton in GO WEST with Music by The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra Sept. 27th at Maryville University

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“Some people travel through life making friends wherever they go, while others – just travel through life.”

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The 1925 feature GO WEST,  starring Buster Keaton, will screen at 6:15pm Thursday September 27th at Maryville University (650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis 63141). The film will be accompanied by The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra. Assistant Professor Jess Bowers will introduce the movie and then, after the viewing, lead a presentation and/or Q&A session.

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There’s nothing better than silent films accompanied by the Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra. The group is a treasure and St. Louis is lucky to have them here. The group has actively redefined both the local music and film cultures of the area. The ensemble – equal parts indie/punk-stalwart and academically trained composer and musicians – provide life performance of new film scores to classic silent films. The Rats are hitting the road next Thursday September 27th and will be playing at Maryville University (650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis 63141). The show starts at 6:15pm. Assistant Professor Jess Bowers will introduce the movie and then, after the viewing, lead a presentation and/or Q&A session.

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In GO WEST (68 minutes – 1925), Keaton plays a character referred to as Friendless. The opening scenes of the film show him bouncing around from one unfortunate (and hilarious) situation to another. Yet rather than feel pity for him, the audience can root for this character and good-naturedly laugh at how Friendless reacts to and deals with his misfortunes. It’s difficult not to admire the way he overcomes all challenges. When he finds a friend in a cow named Brown Eyes, his loyalty to her and the rancher that employed him precipitates an amazing sequence of events, culminating in an unbelievable cattle stampede through the streets of LA. You’ll never forget the image of Buster Keaton running down a city street in a red devil’s outfit being pursued by a giant herd of cattle. It’s considered to be one of the most hilariously absurd scenes ever filmed. There are great gags from beginning to end and, as usual for Keaton, the final sequence is very satisfying.

This is a Free event

A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/1934697270169003/

 

 

 

 

 

Encore! – MANDY Starring Nicolas Cage AGAIN This Weekend Midnights at The Moolah


“You vicious snowflake!”


MANDY screens Midnights AGAIN this weekend (September 21st and 22nd) at The Moolah Theater and Lounge (3821 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108) as part of  Destroy the Brain’s monthly Late Nite Grindhouse film series. 


How crowded was it at The Moolah last weekend for the St. Louis premiere of MANDY? So crowded that I did NOT get to sit in one of their comfy black couches Dammit! The Destroy the Brain guys are bringing it back for an encore. If you missed it, you’ll have no excuse!


MANDY is set in the primal wilderness of 1983 where Red Miller (cage), a broken and haunted man hunts an unhinged religious sect who slaughtered the love of his life. It’s nuts!!


The Facebook invite for the Friday encore screening is HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/714542668882686/
The Facebook invite for the Saturday encore screening is HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/1890399534380473/

The Moolah Theatre & Lounge serves alcohol until 2:30AM! Feel free to show up early and stay late to have some drinks and get friendly with the amazing Moolah staff.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST Screening at The St. Louis Library for Banned Book Week!


“If I was a woodcutter, I’d cut. If I was a fire, I’d burn. But I’m a heart and I love. That’s the only thing I can do.”


THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (1988) screens at The St. Louis Public Library Central Branch (1301 Olive Street St. Louis) as part ‘Banned Book Week’. The film begins at 1pm Saturday, September 29th. A discussion with Cliff Froehlich, Executive Director of Cinema St. Louis, follows the screening. This is a FREE event.


In conjunction with Banned Book Week, St. Louis Public Library is celebrating the freedom to view controversial films and discuss their cultural significance. The film selected for 2018 is Martin Scorsese’s THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. When released in August of 1988, the film was banned by some cities and one theater in France was set on fire while the film was screening. Religious groups ridiculed this film for its portrayal of Jesus Christ.


The story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and its aftermath are the subject of the sometimes iconoclastic but always passionate religious drama THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. On its initial release, the film was the center of a notable controversy, thanks to protests from fundamentalists objecting to the film’s unconventional depiction of Jesus.THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST tells of the life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST stars Willem Dafoe , David Bowie, Barbara Hershey, Harvey Keitel, and Harry Dean Stanton.

CANCELLED! – William Shatner at the STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Screening in St. Louis

Set phasers to Disappointed! This engagement has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict!

St. Louis audiences were supposed to see WILLIAM SHATNER, live on stage after a screening of the classic film STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on September 27th, but that event has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict!

Dammit Jim!

Voice Actress Stephanie Young at the Toyman Toy Show in St. Louis September 23rd


The Toyman Toy Show in St. Louis has been going strong for almost 30 years now and just keeps getting bigger and better! The fun now takes place nine times a year at The Machinists Hall 12365 St Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton, MO 63044. There are over 120 vendors at the Toyman Toy Show spread out over 220 tables. all selling vintage toys, comics, dolls, diecast cars, movie memorabilia, and more as well as cosplayers and artists. It’s an unbelievable amount of fun for only $5!

The next Toyman Show is this Sunday, September 23rd from 9:00a to 3:00p and artist and Voice Actress Stephanie Young, best known for known for his work as Nico Robin in One Piece, Lizbell in Casshern Sins, Clare in Claymore and Olivier Mira Armstrong in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will be there!


Stephanie Young is an American voice actress working for FUNimation Entertainment. She’s also a Jazz singer and the vocalist of her husband’s band ‘The Brehm’s’.

Come to The Toyman Toy Show and see over 140+ Vendors on 225+ tables of Toys, Comics, Games, Movie posters, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Die-Cast, Models, Pop Culture and NEWLY ADDED ARTIST ATTIC (Balcony) with SEVERAL Illustrators, Authors, Artists, Pop Culture Crafts, WPW Wrestling, Curvy Kitty Cosplay, along with A.P.G. Grading, and DOOR PRIZES with CASH EVERY HOUR.

Adult Admission at the Toyman Show: $5.00 – Children 16 & under free. Sunday: 9:00am – 3:00pm. Early Bird @ 8:00a – $12.00 – * FREE PARKING *

The Toyman Toy Show site can be found HERE

A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/677973415917940/

Disconnect HAL Midnights at The Tivoli this Weekend – 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

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“Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.”

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2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY plays midnights this weekend (September 21st and 22nd) at The Tivoli Theater as part of the Reel late at The Tivoli Midnight series.

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1968 was a watershed year in American history and cinema. Director Stanley Kubrick and writer Arthur C. Clarke combined their geniuses to create 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, a film that takes humans from the dawn of evolution to the edge of space and time. I saw this movie for the first time at the Esquire Theater on Clayton Road in a 1976 re-release. It was actually on one of their upstairs screens, a tight area that served as a balcony in that theater’s first decades. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY left this 14-year old dazed and confused – and I still am to this day.

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The special effects, even by today’s standards are impressive even though the film is nearly 46 years old. I’m still in awe of the over engineered mechanics on just about every device you see in the movie. The quality of the sets were stunning, if a little clinical (maybe it was thought we’d tidy our acts up by then), and Kubrick’s use of classical music is still unparalleled. And the “plot” is still not an easy one to fully embrace. What I take from the movie is the viewpoint that mankind took a quantum leap millions of years ago when, as only monkeys, it came in contact with the monolith (knowledge? ….God?) and learned how to use tools. We jump immediately to the “future” (at least it was the future in 1968!) and find technically-superior man has now discovered the mysterious monolith on the moon. The subsequent journey to Jupiter presents the opportunity for man’s own tools (HAL-9000) to utterly betray mankind. The viewer finds out that HAL already knew the purpose of the Jupiter expedition, in which an extraterrestrial intelligence could imply the end of the newfound superiority of machines over mankind (we view the scene in which HAL easily defeats Dave in a chess match – I think HAL is well aware of its superior powers over man). HAL has to exterminate this possibility, but ultimately fails due to man’s supreme willpower to live (I guess). Dave is able to complete the journey beckoned by the monolith, and ultimately attains the next quantum leap, to a “star child” which I can only remotely guess as to what that really means. Then again, I could be totally wrong about all this. Maybe I should read the book.

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2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is a great classic and lucky St. Louisans will have the chance to see it in all its big, wide glory when it screens midnights this weekend (September 21st and 22nd) NOT at the Esquire, but at The Tivoli as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli Midnight series.

2001 A Space Odyssey (1968) Lobby Card 4

The Tivoli’s located at 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO. Admission is a mere $8!

A Afcebook invite for this can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/2103684533214420/

The Tivoli’s website can be found HERE

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/st.louis/tivolitheatre.htm

Here’s the Reel Late at the Tivoli Line-up for the next few weeks:

Sept.28-29 – THE ROOM

Oct. 5 &6 – BEETLEJUICE

Oct 12 & 13 – HALLOWEEN (1978)

Oct 19 &20 and Oct. 26 & 27 – ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW  with live shadow cast, Samurai Electricians!
All tickets $10

 

 

The Tivoli Announces the ‘Reel Late’ Midnight Line-Up – 2001, BEETLEJUICE, HALLOWEEN

Another brilliant lineup of midnight movies for the ‘Reel Late at The Tivoli’ to end the 2018 season. It’s an especially good variety of titles that will draw the late night movie buff crowd with several retro surprises. The Midnight Movie experience has always catered to a college-age crowd and that’s the way it should be. The oldest film this time is 2001  SPACE ODYSSEY from 1968 and the most recent is THE ROOM (again!). There’s no Miyazaki this schedule (a first in a long time!) but a couple of standards including BEETLEJUICE . I’ve been hosting the midnight show at The Tivoli for ten years now and I think HALLOWEEN may be  new to the Tivoli midnight roster. I it will draw a good crowd.

Tickets are $8 (except for ROCKY HORROR).

Here’s the line-up:

Sept. 21 & 22 – 2001  SPACE ODYSSEY

Sept.28-29 – THE ROOM

Oct. 5 &6 – BEETLEJUICE

Oct 12 & 13 – HALLOWEEN (1978)

Oct 19 &20 and Oct. 26 & 27 – ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW  with live shadow cast, Samurai Electricians!
All tickets $10

 

Restored NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Comes to Movie Theaters October 24th and 25th

A half-century ago, the living dead had their night, but for decades the inexorable dread of George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” has been seen only in murky, fuzzy versions.

On Wednesday, October 24, and Thursday, October 25, only, “Night of the Living Dead” returns to nearly 600 movie theatres nationwide in a newly restored and remastered version presented by Fathom Events, Image Ten Inc. and Living Dead Media, in association with Janus Films and the Criterion Collection. “Night of the Living Dead” will play at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. (local time) both days, presented through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN).

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Commemorating its 50th anniversary, “Night of the Living Dead” will be accompanied by a new behind-the-scenes look at the making of this iconic film. Tickets for “Night of the Living Dead” are available beginning today at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations can be found on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Prior to his death in 2017, Romero supervised the restoration of “Night of the Living Dead” in anticipation of the film’s 50th anniversary. He worked with the film’s sound engineer, Gary Streiner, to restore and remaster the movie in 4K Ultra HD from the original camera negative. The Museum of Modern Art, The Film Foundation, The George Lucas Family Foundation, and The Celeste Bartos Film Preservation Center supported the restoration project.

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The film tells the deceptively simple story of a group of strangers trapped in a farmhouse and find themselves fending of a horde of recently dead flesh-eating ghouls. Romero’s claustrophobic vision of a late-1960s America literally tearing itself apart rewrote the rules of the horror genre, combining gruesome gore with acute social commentary, while quietly breaking ground by casting an African-American actor (Duane Jones) in its leading role.

Named one of the 10 best horror films of all time by Rolling Stone, “Night of the Living Dead” continues to influence pop culture and remains loved by films and critics alike: The film holds a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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“There are not many films that warrant the kind of attention ‘Night of the Living Dead’ has received from the Museum of Modern Art, but there are also not many films whose influence remains so strong in global popular culture 50 years after it was made. George A. Romero’s film has never looked better, and we are proud to present this dazzling new restoration to film lovers and horror fans,” said Fathom Events VP of Studio Relations Tom Lucas.

Steve Wolsh, CEO of Living Dead Media, added, “It’s been a two-year labor of love to bring this stunning version of ‘Night of the Living Dead’ into theaters for the 50th anniversary. This movie was intended to be seen in a dark theater with a live audience, and this restoration gives fans and newcomers alike a chance to see the film as they’ve never seen it before.” Please visit the film’s Facebook page for all things “Night of the Living Dead.”