...Not so much. Sorry film fans. For those of you who have been reading the blog (all 2 of you; Hey Mom!), I apologize. I'm going to have to trim down the features; I just don't have the time.
I'll still occasionally post movie events of interest to the queer community or that I deem cool.
I'm also cutting the twitter account in the next few days.
Does this mean the end of Out @ The Movies? Heck, no! It's just going to allow me to focus more energy on the core points.
If you do want to find movies in Halifax that are a bit off the beaten track, I recommend the following:
http://www.empiretheatres.com; as the only movie chain in Atlantic Canada, they are the biggest game in town. They do lots of special features such as the opera or Empire Fan Favourites.
There's a lot happening in Halifax over the next few months for you! Lots of indie screenings and movies-with-discussions. Let's see how we wrap up the first month of 2010, shall we?
FOOD, INC
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Sunday, January 24th @ 1:30
Location: Potter auditorium, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (6100 University)
Behind the Scenes: Presented by Business Alliance for Local Living Economoies NS, Farmers’ Market Investment Cooperative and Dalhousie University's College of Sustainability. Panel discussion to follow with refreshments from Halifax Farmers’ Market.
The Movie: In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
The Movie: ART & COPY reveals the stories behind and the personal odysseys of some of the most influential advertising visionaries of our time and their campaigns, including Lee Clow (Apple Computer 1984, and today's iPod); Dan Wieden ("Just Do It"); Phyllis K. Robinson (who invented the "me generation" with Clairol); Hal Riney (who helped President Reagan get re-elected); and George Lois (who saved MTV and launched Tommy Hilfiger overnight).
Location: St. Andrews United Church (6036 Coburg Rd)
Behind the Scenes: Presented by St. Andrew's United Church and the Halifax Shambhala Sustainability Initiative
People of many faiths around the world recognize our sacred Earth is in grave danger. The communities of St. Andrew’s United Church and the Halifax Shambhala Centre have joined to explore the deep connections between Spirit and Earth in a new cooperative film series, Sacred Earth Awake. We invite you to share these films with us and aspire to a broader understanding of how to live together in our precious world.
The Movie: In a world teetering on the edge of self-destruction, award-winning filmmaker Velcrow Ripper sets out on a unique pilgrimage. Visiting the 'Ground Zeros' of the planet, he asks if it's possible to find hope in the darkest moments of human history. ScaredSacred deftly weaves together stunning footage with haunting memories, inspirational stories, and an evocative soundscape. An exquisite portrait of a search for meaning in times of turmoil.
Location: Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, QEII
Behind the Scenes: Part of States of Mind 2010: a Film Series on the Ethics of Mental Health. Novel Tech Ethics (Dalhousie University) invites you to its fourth film series on the ethics of mental health. The four films have been chosen to highlight specific mental health issues. The screening of each film will be followed by a question and discussion period on the ethical issues provoked by the film. A panel of professionals, chosen for their knowledge and experience of the mental health issues involved, will respond to audience questions and offer further elucidations on the topic.
The Movie: "Rachel Getting Married" is a about the return of an estranged daughter to the family home for her sister's wedding. Kym's reemergence throws a wrench into the family dynamics, forcing long-simmering tensions to surface in ways both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Location: MacAloney room, 4th floor, Dalhousie Art Gallery (6101 University)
Behind the Scenes: Part of the film series Jane Austen: Wit and Realism, to accompany the exhibition Lord Dalhousie: Patron and Collector.
The Movie: At 10, Fanny Price, a poor relation, goes to live at Mansfield Park, the estate of her aunt's husband, Sir Thomas. Clever, studious, and a writer with an ironic imagination and fine moral compass, she becomes especially close to Edmund, Thomas's younger son. Fanny is soon possessed of beauty as well as a keen mind and comes to the attention of a neighbor, Henry Crawford. Thomas promotes this match, but to his displeasure, Fanny has a mind of her own, asking Henry to prove himself worthy. As Edmund courts Henry's sister and as light shines on the link between Thomas's fortunes and New World slavery, Fanny must assess Henry's character and assert her heart as well as her wit.
Location: Tantallon Public Library (3646 Hammonds Plains Road)
Behind the Scenes: Bring the family to a movie at the library, it’s fun and it’s free!
The Movie: Shawn Levy (CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, JUST MARRIED) directs the sequel of his hit film NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. Night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), now a successful entrepreneur, returns to the Museum of Natural History to visit his friends--the exhibits that come to life at night--only to learn that they are being shipped off into deep storage at the Smithsonian Institution. To make matters worse, the exhibits at the Smithsonian, including the pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), are suddenly coming to life--and they aren’t at all happy about their new visitors. Determined to save his friends, Larry rushes to Washington, D.C., and makes his way into the inner workings of the largest museum complex in the world while Kahmunrah recruits the likes of Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon (Alain Chabat), and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal). Larry, meanwhile, finds himself with spunky Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) as a co-conspirator and love interest, and General Custer (Bill Hader) leading the battle for the Smithsonian.
Location: Alderney Gate Public Library (60 Alderney Drive)
Behind the Scenes: The Saint Mary’s lecture series at Alderney Gate this winter is an Introduction to Shakespeare. To prepare, the library is presenting three films featuring two of his greatest works.
The Movie:No info on which version this is... the classic plot outline: Murder and violence, revenge and intrigue, sex and desire, paranoia and madness -- the heady brew of passion and emotion that makes up Shakespeare's great tragedy has intoxicated audiences of all ages. The story of the Prince of Denmark, who seeks revenge for his father's murder at the hands of his perfidious uncle, delves into fundamental issues about humanity and the nature of being.
Location: Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax (5500 Inglis St)
Behind the Scenes: The Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax Young Adult Ministry hosts a chili (vegetarian and meat options) dinner and movie ("Bent"). All young adults 18-35 are welcome to attend. Email for more information.
The Movie: Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay and gets a yellow label (the one for Jews) instead of pink (the one for gays). In camp he falls in love with his fellow prisoner Horst, who wears his pink label with pride.
Location: Scotiabank auditorium, Saint Mary's University (923 Robie)
Behind the Scenes: International Week (IW) is an annual tradition that provides an opportunity for students and the wider community to learn more about issues pertaining to international development both within Canada and abroad. It provides an occasion to showcase international opportunities, and cultures, as well as activities that encourage discussion and sharing of ideas on issues that are of great concern. The theme this year is food and more importantly, food security.
The Movie: Directed by local filmmaker Timothy Barron Tracey - Where does food come from? Why are there so few young farmers? These are all questions addressed by “Feast Or Famine”. Our society has embraced a bigger, faster, cheaper model of food production, choosing convenience over sustainability. Large-scale mono crop farming has lowered the value of food, making it very difficult for small-scale farmers to make a living. In turn causing less and less youth to choose farming as a career. Knowledge that was traditionally passed on from generation to generation is slipping through the cracks. Why are so few youth choosing farming as a career?
Cost: $6.99 (or $9.99 which includes a reg. popcorn & reg. drink)
Date/Time: Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30 @ 11:45 p.m.
Location: Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden Rd)
Behind the Scenes: Empire Fan Favourite is a film series hosted by Empire 8 Parklane dedicated to bringing classics back to the Big Screen. These are original 35mm prints, not re-mastered DVDs!
The Movie: Peyton Westlake is a scientist who has discovered a way to produce synthetic skin. This could revolutionise skin grafting, except for one minor glitch; the synthetic skin degrades after 100 minutes of exposure to light. When gangsters attack Peyton, he is horrifically burnt, and assumed dead. In his quest for revenge, Peyton, aka the Darkman, is able to take on the appearance of anyone (using the synthetic skin,) but he's only got 100 minutes per disguise.
Behind the Scenes: Presented by AFCOOP - Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (http://afcoop.ca).
The Movie: Every spring, China’s cities are plunged into chaos, as all at once, a tidal wave of humanity attempts to return home by train. It is the Chinese New Year. The wave is made up of millions of migrant factory workers. The homes they seek are the rural villages and families they left behind to seek work in the booming coastal cities. It is an epic spectacle that tells us much about China, a country discarding traditional ways as it hurtles towards modernity and global economic dominance.
Behind the Scenes: Tom Ford's directorial debut starring Colin Firth.
The Movie: In Los Angeles 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis George Falconer, a 52 year old British college professor is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner, Jim. George dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters, ultimately lead him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim. George is consoled by his closest friend Charley, a 48-year-old beauty who is wrestling with her own questions about the future. A young student of George's, Kenny, who is coming to terms with his true nature, stalks George as he feels in him a kindred spirit. A romantic tale of love interrupted the isolation that is an inherent part of the human condition and ultimately the importance of the seemingly smaller moments in life.
A special note... If you want to see this movie, I highly recommend you go within the first week as movies at the Oxford tend to play for only one week. And this isn't some big box-office-blockbuster like Avatar; it may only last the week.
La Mariée était en noir (The Bride Wore Black)
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Saturday, January 16 @ 7
Location: Alliance Française (5509 Young St)
Behind the Scenes: Practice your French skills by watching this movie with Alliance Française.
The Movie: After trying to commit suicide, the widow Julie Kohler pretends to her mother that she will leave her town. Actually she stays, chases and assassinates the five men that accidentally killed her beloved husband in the stairs of the church immediately after their wedding ceremony.
Behind the Scenes: ...no idea why they're playing it...
The Movie: A gritty and emotional look at the lives of a platoon of American soldiers as they patrol, fight and die in the jungles of Vietnam as seen through the perspective of a young recruit. Two veteran sergeants clash when one of them precipitates a massacre of villagers.
Location: Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, QEII
Behind the Scenes: Presented in part by the Scandinavian Society.
The Movie: An elderly man is found murdered in his basement flat. Inspector Erlendur and his crew don't have much to go by in the investigation, but a photograph of a young girl's grave gives them a lead.
Location: Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, QEII
Behind the Scenes: Novel Tech Ethics (Dalhousie University) invites you to its fourth film series on the ethics of mental health. The four films have been chosen to highlight specific mental health issues. The screening of each film will be followed by a question and discussion period on the ethical issues provoked by the film. A panel of professionals, chosen for their knowledge and experience of the mental health issues involved, will respond to audience questions and offer further elucidations on the topic.
The Movie: The only thing hurting Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez more than his face from a recent bike accident was his pressing need for story ideas. Then he discovers Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill, homeless street musician who possesses extraordinary talent, even through his half-broken instruments. Inspired by his story, Lopez writes an acclaimed series of articles, and attempts to help both him and the rest of the underclass of LA have a better life. However, Lopez's good intentions run headlong in the hard realities of the strength of Ayers' personal demons and the larger social injustices facing the homeless
Behind the Scenes: Presented as part of the Dalhousie Art Gallery's film series; this was an earlier movie of Ang Lee who went on to direct Brokeback Mountain.
The Movie: With an Oscar-winning script by and starring Emma Thompson, this mid-90s costume drama by Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee set off a vogue for Jane Austen that has yet to abate. The story concerns a worthy but impoverished family who must marry off their daughters into financial stability, possibly at the cost of true love.
Behind the Scenes: It's the return of The Thrillema! Thrillema's goal? Bringing 35mm prints of cult films to Dartmouth. They've returned after a far-too-long hiatus with two wonderfully gory flicks! First up: the locally produced short Blood Shed. Following that is the main feature, Peter Jackson's Dead/Alive AKA Brainded. If you haven't experienced Thrillema yet, this will be a great introduction!
The Movie:
Blood Shed - Bizarre, bloody, exploitative tale of two Acadian brothers who snort drugs, shoot guns, and go berserk in the eastern Canadian woods.
Dead/Alive - Poor Lionel. He lives with his mother and has just fallen in love. When his mother tries to destroy the relationship between Lionel and Paquita, his new girlfriend, she ends up bitten by a rare monkey. Lionel's mother soon dies and, not long after, his house becomes zombie central.
Not many special movie screenings next week (just the one listed below that I could find). So I've also included some movies that are opening next week. You should also check empiretheatres.com for hours; they close early on December 24th for example.
It's a Wonderful Life
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 22 @ 7 p.m.
Location: Veith House (3115 Veith Street)
Behind the Scenes: Presented by Safe Harbour Metropolitan Community Church (http://www.safeharbourmcc.com). Safe Harbour is a Christian Church with a special welcoming and affirming ministry for the Rainbow Community.
The Movie: George Bailey spends his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of his town, Bedford Falls, as we see in flashback. But in the present, on Christmas Eve, he is broken and suicidal over the misplacing of an $8,000 loan and the machinations of the evil millionaire, Mr. Potter. His guardian angel, Clarence, falls to Earth, literally, and shows him how his town, family and friends would turn out if he had never been born. George meant so much to so many people; should he really throw it all away?
Let's take a look ahead at the movies and films showing in Halifax between December 14 and 20. What can you look forward to? A mix of Christmas-themed movies and ... strangeness.
The Rape of Europa
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Tuesday December 15 @ 5 p.m.
Location: Dalhousie Art Gallery
Behind the Scenes: The Dalhousie Art Gallery offers the longest-running fine art and repertory Film and Video Program east of Montreal.
The Movie: The Nazis' obsession with art is the focus of this feature-length documentary that zeroes in on what actually happened to many of the western world’s masterpieces when war threatened theft and destruction.
The Movie: A young boy lies awake in his room one snowy Christmas Eve, excited and alert. Breathing silently. Hardly moving. Waiting.He's listening for a sound he's afraid that he might never hear--the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh. The time is five minutes to midnight. Suddenly, the boy is startled by a thunderous roar. Clearing the mist from his window he sees the most amazing sight--a gleaming black train rumbles to a stop right in front of his house, the steam from its powerful engine hissing through the night sky and the softly falling snowflakes. The boy rushes outside, clad only in his pajamas and slippers, and is met by the train's conductor who seems to be waiting just for him. "Well, are you coming?" the conductor inquires. "Where?" the boy asks. "Why, to the North Pole--of course. This is the Polar Express!" What unfolds is an an adventure which follows a doubting young boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Location: Public Archives Building (6016 University)
Behind the Scenes: The #HalifaxChicks are a collection of Halifax women involved in social media. They are participating for "Bust a Move" - raising money for new digital mammogram equipment for local hospitals.
The Movie: A man buys a Mogwai as a Christmas present for his son. The young boy is told to keep the pet away from water, out of the light and never to feed it after midnight. Inadvertently, the creature is dampened and almsot instantly, produces half a dozen furry replicas of itself -- which continue to multiply and turn the small town upside down.
Behind the Scenes: The 10th Annual Atlantic Filmmakers Co-operative SUPER-DUPER-SUPER-8 Handmade Holiday Screening. This is an entertaining evening of holiday fun as the films from AFCOOP's annual holiday-themed film challenge are revealed!
The Movie: A sweeping story of the battle of good against evil is told through an anthology of short animated films about a glowing green orb (the Loc-Nar) that is the personification of ultimate evil in the universe. Based loosely on the French magazine "Heavy Metal."
Location: Empire 17 Cinemas Bayers Lake (190 Chain Lake Drive)
Behind the Scenes: The 3rd Annual Holiday Charity Screenings series. Donate a Non-Perishable food item for Feed Nova Scotia and receive free admission to the screening. Cash donations will also be happily accepted.
The Movie: In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) attempts to create a picture-perfect, old-fashioned Christmas for his family and invites his extended family to celebrate the holidays at his home. But a festive supporting cast (including Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Juliette Lewis and Doris Roberts), 25,000 lights on the room, an exploding turkey on the dining room table and a SWAT team taking siege outside soon help Clark realize that more does not always mean merrier.
Let's take a look ahead at the movies and films showing in Halifax between December 7 and 13.
Taxi to the Dark Side
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Tuesday December 8 @ 7:30
Location: Room 224, Student Union Building, Dalhousie University (6136 University)
Behind the Scenes: Organized by Halifax Peace Coalition, Student Coalition Against War, NSPIRG and SALSA.
The Movie: Winner of the 2008 Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature as well as a 2008 Peabody Award, Taxi to the Dark Side takes a disturbing in-depth look at the highly questionable interrogation practices used by United States military guards on prisoners in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay in the years following 9/11. Beginning with the story of an innocent young Afghan taxi driver named Dilawar, who was killed while being held in Bagram prison in 2002, Taxi to the Dark Side tells the grim, cautionary saga of how the U.S. government, desperate to draw out information from a top Al Qaeda leader detained in Guantanamo Bay, approved the use of cruel and unusual interrogation techniques that bordered on torture - which were systematically imported to other US prisons abroad. In examining the interrogation practices used in Bagram, Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, the film includes shocking photos, archival footage, expert commentary, and interviews with several soldiers stationed at prisons in Afghanistan and Iraq. These guards admit to using unorthodox techniques - including isolation, ceiling handcuffing, sleep deprivation, strip humiliation, "water boarding," threats by menacing dogs, sexual abuse and more - that they say were condoned and even approved by their superiors, despite being in clear violation of the humanitarian rules outlined in the Geneva Conventions.
Location: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia 91723 Hollis)
Behind the Scenes: Organized by the Nova Scotia Environmental Network (http://www.nsen.ca). Co-sponsored by MLA Leonard Preyra (http://www.preyra.ca). A talk on climate change will follow the screening.
The Movie: ‘The Age Of Stupid’ is the new cinema documentary from the Director of ‘McLibel’ and the Producer of the Oscar-winning ‘One Day In September.’ This enormously ambitious drama-documentary-animation hybrid stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching "archive" footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance?
Location: Empire 17 Cinemas Bayers Lake (190 Chain Lake Drive)
Behind the Scenes: The 3rd Annual Holiday Charity Screenings series. Cash donations will be accepted at the door for IWK Children's Hospital.
The Movie: A young boy lies awake in his room one snowy Christmas Eve, excited and alert. Breathing silently. Hardly moving. Waiting.He's listening for a sound he's afraid that he might never hear--the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh. The time is five minutes to midnight. Suddenly, the boy is startled by a thunderous roar. Clearing the mist from his window he sees the most amazing sight--a gleaming black train rumbles to a stop right in front of his house, the steam from its powerful engine hissing through the night sky and the softly falling snowflakes. The boy rushes outside, clad only in his pajamas and slippers, and is met by the train's conductor who seems to be waiting just for him. "Well, are you coming?" the conductor inquires. "Where?" the boy asks. "Why, to the North Pole--of course. This is the Polar Express!" What unfolds is an an adventure which follows a doubting young boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Let's take a look at what movies are playing in town between November 30th and December 6th.
Speaking Out Against Violence collection
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Monday, November 30 @ 7
Location: Women’s Community Space, YWCA Halifax (1233 Barrington)
Behind the Scenes: Part of the 20-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. Twenty years after the Montreal Massacre, the December 6th Planning Committee will launch a 20-day campaign to end violence against women and honour the 14 women who tragically lost their lives on December 6, 1989.
December 6th was declared by parliament as the “National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women” following the murder of 14 women at L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. Remembering this horrific event has become the basis of recognizing and supporting united action against the widespread violence committed against women.
The Movie:
After the Montreal Massacre - December 6, 1989. Sylvie Gagnon was attending her last day of classes at Ecole Polytechnique, an engineering school in Montreal, when Marc Lepine entered the building. Systematically separating the women from the men, he opened fire on women students, yelling "you're all a bunch of feminists." Sylvie survived a bullet wound to the head while fourteen other women were murdered.
Vienna Tribunal - This video is a living testimony that dramatically captures the abuses women suffer. Highlighted are the moving and gut-wrenching personal stories of women from around the world who testified before a panel of judges at the Global Tribunal on Violations of Women's Human Rights during the UN World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna. A contemporary and highly relevant program that speaks to the new and growing interest internationally in women's human rights issues.
WHAT ON EARTH, 1966! NFB classic comedy animation. A classic blast from the past - Martians look for intelligent life on Earth with comic results...
WHAT ON EARTH, 2009 - someone's still looking... Suzanne Taylor's documentary about crop circles and the accompanying cast of characters...
"Filmmaker Suzanne Taylor is part of a lively community of iconoclasts who marvel at crop circles. This documentary tracks her interactions with these 'croppies,' in England, as they go circle-chasing, indulge in circle-analysis, and share why they are so fascinated by the phenomenon."
Whether taken as a contemporary folk expression of pop cultural iconography, or as evidence of intelligent non-human communication, the circles are spectacular huge-scale works of landscape sculpture. Seen from the air as they are in much of this film, the scale and complexity of the works can be taken in much more easily - they are clearly intended to be best appreciated from an altitude. No matter what you think the cause may be, the breathtaking visual aethetic effect is worth taking in.
Location: Room 224, Student Union Building, Dalhousie University (6136 University)
Behind the Scenes: Please come to watch this important new film “Rethink Afghanistan” by Brave New Foundation. Donations appreciated. Organized by Halifax Peace Coalition, Student Coalition Against War and NSPIRG.
The Movie: Rethink Afghanistan is a 2009 documentary about the ongoing war in Afghanistan. This full-length documentary campaign features experts from Afghanistan, the U.S., and Russia discussing critical issues like military escalation, how escalation will affect Pakistan and the surrounding region, the cost of war, civilian casualties, and the rights of Afghan women.
Behind the Scenes: We know that rising greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are affecting the climate, but how are they affecting the oceans that cover 70% of the Earth and play an essential role in regulating our oxygen levels and sustaining us? A Sea Change: Imagine a World Without Fish explores this question. The answer makes immediate action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions imperative. Following the screening will be a Q&A session with researchers working on climate change, impacts on the developing world and fisheries. Presented by Ecology Action Centre and St.Mary’s University International Activities Office.
The Movie: The film follows Sven Huseby, a retired history teacher, as he tries to understand what ocean acidification means. Speaking with oceanographers, marine biologists, climatologists, and artists, Sven discovers that global warming is only half the story of the environmental catastrophe that awaits us. Excess carbon dioxide is dissolving in our oceans, changing sea water chemistry. The more acidic water makes it difficult for tiny creatures at the bottom of the food web to form their shells. The effects could work their way up to the fish 1 billion people depend upon for their source of protein.
Time for another look ahead at what's happening in movies next week. The busiest day of the week? Tuesday. Very busy on Tuesday. Lots of movie/film-going options. Also, be sure to check out the twitter feed (http://twitter.com/OutAtTheMovies) for anything that comes up during the week.
Out @ The Blind Side
Cost: $8.99
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 24th @ 6
Location: Empire 8 Park Lane (Spring Garden)
Behind the Scenes: It's our next official Out @ the Movies event!
The Movie: Sandra Bullock will pull tears out of your eyes!
Behind the Scenes: Presented by the National Film Board of Canada with Paradise Cinema, Linda Joy Media Arts and culturalproduct.com
The Movie: Twenty years after the promise of the House of Commons "to eliminate poverty among Canadian children," 8-year-old Isaiah contemplates what "less fortunate" means as he finds his voice through his own magical drawings and photographs. Astute about the fact that his parents don't make a lot of money, Isaiah is unaware of their constant worry about putting food on the table, affording any after-school opportunities, and keeping stereotypes at a distance.
Four Feet Up invites us into the lives of this determined family, revealing an intimate and touching experience of child poverty in one of the world's richest nations.
Behind the Scenes: Presented as part of the Dalhousie Art Gallery's film series
The Movie: Shot in Germany, New York City and---substantially---in Cape Breton, a portrait of Philip in twelve parts sees Shine director Scott Hicks following internationally renowned minimalist composer Philip Glass as he writes his Symphony No. 8 and launches his opera Waiting for the Barbarians. Artist Chuck Close also appears.
Bombies - Film Screening & Debate on Cluster Munitions
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 24th @ 7
Location: Room 305, Weldon Law Building, Dalhousie University (6061 University)
Behind the Scenes: The Even Wars Have Limits working group of the Canadian Red Cross will host a screening of the documentary “Bombies” followed by a debate on the use of cluster munitions by Sodales, the Dalhousie Debating Society.
The Movie: Between 1964 and 1973 the United States conducted a secret air war, dropping over 2 million tons of bombs and making tiny Laos the most heavily bombed country in history. Millions of these 'cluster bombs' did not explode when dropped, leaving the country massively contaminated with 'bombies' as dangerous now as when they fell 30 years ago.
Bombies examines the problem of unexploded cluster bombs through the personal experiences of a group of Laotians and foreigners and argues for their elimination as a weapon of war. Unfortunately they are still a standard part of the US arsenal and were dropped in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq
The Movie: Die Feuerzangenbowle ("The Fire-Tongs Bowl" or "The Punch Bowl") is a 1944 movie, directed by Helmut Weiss and is based on the book of the same name. It follows the book closely as author Spoerl also wrote the script for the movie. Both tell the story of a famous writer going undercover as a pupil at a small town secondary school after his friends tell him that he missed out on the best part of growing up by being educated at home.
Location: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (6100 University)
Behind the Scenes: A film screening in celebration of the Canadian Red Cross's Centennial Year, followed by a panel discussion.
The Movie: Shot in cinema-vérité style, this feature documentary immerses the viewer in the sights and sounds of the world's largest field hospital, the International Committee of the Red Cross in Sudan. The ICRC allowed filmmakers David Christensen and Damien Lewis unprecedented access to the surgical hospital and local medical staff as they go about their duties, caring for wounded Sudanese soldiers and women and children, all casualties of the civil war. With no narrator and minimal explanation, War Hospital simply and powerfully captures the joy and sadness of life and death.
Behind the Scenes: Come and support a great cause. Polar Express will be showing in support of Feed Nova Scotia. Cost is only 6 dollars per person with a donation of a non-perishable food item for Feed Nova Scotia. Tickets must be purchased in cash!
The Movie: A young boy lies awake in his room one snowy Christmas Eve, excited and alert. Breathing silently. Hardly moving. Waiting.He's listening for a sound he's afraid that he might never hear--the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh. The time is five minutes to midnight. Suddenly, the boy is startled by a thunderous roar. Clearing the mist from his window he sees the most amazing sight--a gleaming black train rumbles to a stop right in front of his house, the steam from its powerful engine hissing through the night sky and the softly falling snowflakes. The boy rushes outside, clad only in his pajamas and slippers, and is met by the train's conductor who seems to be waiting just for him. "Well, are you coming?" the conductor inquires. "Where?" the boy asks. "Why, to the North Pole--of course. This is the Polar Express!" What unfolds is an an adventure which follows a doubting young boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
For more info...
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Cost: By Donation
Date/Time: Saturday, November 28th @ 1
Location: Oxford Theatre (6408 Quinpool)
Behind the Scenes: The Quinpool Dental Clinic will be passing out free loot bags to the first 150 people in line. Admission is free with an unwrapped toy donation goin to the Salvation Army. For more information, call, 209-2210.
The Movie: The curmudgeonly recluse Grinch, who hates Christmas, becomes annoyed with the out-of-control Christmas festivities in Whoville, the town lying below his cave dwelling on Mt. Crumpit. But after the Grinch conspires to deprive the Who's of their favorite holiday by sneaking into town on Christmas eve to steal everything associated with the holiday, he learns that the spirit of Christmas goes much deeper than tinsel and toys.
For more info...
Canadian Labour Independent Film Festival
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Saturday November 28th starting @ 6
Location: Room 255, Sobey Building, Saint Mary’s University
Behind the Scenes: This film festival is being held across Canada, the weekend of Nov. 27th/28th - with a weeklong festival being held in Toronto Nov. 21-28th.
The Movie:
6:00 - Opening Remarks
6:15 - Six Weeks of Solidarity (1999 - 9:21 minutes, Canada) Directed by Victor Dobchuk. A look at the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, 75 years later. English and French
6:30 - Seeds of Peace (2009 - 50 minutes, Israel) Directed Andre Kloer & Maaike Broos. Jawdat Talousy worked in a Jewish Settlement located on the West Bank. He was fired because he established a labour committee in order to get equal labour rights as Israeli co-workers. In the settlements labour laws for Palestinians are ambiguous and law enforcement is weak. Follow Jawdat's struggle to fight for his rights as well as learn about how this ambiguity affects other Palestinians in the settlements. English only
7:35 - 24 Days in Brooks (2009 - 42:03 minutes) In a decade, tiny Brooks, Alberta has been transformed from a socially conservative, primarily Caucasian town to one of the most diverse places in Canada. Hijabs have become commonplace, downtown bars feature calypso and residents speak 90 different languages. Immigrants and refugees have flocked here to work at Lakeside Packers - one of the world's largest slaughterhouses. Centring on the 24 days of the first-ever strike at Lakeside, this film is a nuanced portrait of people working together and adapting to change. They are people like Peter Jany Khwai, who escaped war in Sudan, wears an African shirt and a cowboy hat, and affirms his Canadian identity as well as his determination to fight for his rights. Or Edil Hassan, a devout Muslim born in Somalia, who counts her hours of organizing and picketing among her proudest moments. As 24 Days in Brooks shows, people from widely different backgrounds can work together for respect, dignity, and change - even though getting there is not easy.
8:45 - Poor No More (2009 - 45 minutes, Canada) Directed by Bert Deveaux. In the present economic crisis with industries collapsing and commodity prices falling many Canadians a destitute and many others are on the brink. Against this climate, a couple of Canadians go on a road trip to Ireland and Sweden, with comedian Mary Walsh as their guide, and get a chance to see how other countries have helped people like themselves. This movie will break your heart, split your side and open your mind to new possibilities. Not the least of which is: If other countries can do it, why can't we?
What can you look forward to in movie screenings next week? An exploration of violence apparently. Polytechnique remembers the Montreal Massacre; RoboCop is... well, it's RoboCop; The Witness explores pacificism towards other forms of lie.
Read on...
Polytechnique
Cost: By Donation; proceeds go to the Purple Ribbon Campaign.
Date/Time: Monday, November 16th @ 7
Location: Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden)
Behind the Scenes: To launch the 20-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and 20 Years since the Montreal Massacre on Dec 6th 1989. The film will be followed by a discussion with counsellors in attendance.
The Movie: A dramatization of the Montreal Massacre of 1989 where several female engineering students were murdered by an unstable misogynist.
For more info... ??
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Cost: Free
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 17th @ 5
Location: Dalhousie Art Gallery (6101 University)
Behind the Scenes: Presented as part of the Dalhousie Art Gallery's film series
The Movie: A deconstruction of the underage rape case that eventually drove legendary film director Roman Polanski from America, Wanted and Desired explores the convoluted mix of politics and morality that has kept the cineaste a fugitive from the USA ever since.
A live reading of "Mr.Happy;" a sharp and biting comedy about a misanthropic Buddhist, who's having a very bad day, forced to be happy by an unstable doctor to help eliminate a stress- induced brain tumour.
A screening of "Daddy's Little Girl;" a comedy about Virginia, a timid phone sex worker, just wanting to get ahead... What she gets instead is a family affair. A short comedy of error and innuendo starring Kathryn MacLellan, Theo Pitsiavas and Evany Rosen.
Behind the Scenes: Pier 21’s Diversity Spotlight encourages cultural groups to screen films at Pier 21 each month that tell their story, while exploring the themes of immigration, diversity, cultural heritage and identity.
The Movie: Jane Dawson, adopted as an infant by a couple from a small village in Quebec, was brought up learning about her original Mexican heritage. This film follows Jane as she discovers her aboriginal ancestry and seeks what has been missing in her life.
Based on a true story and presented in French with English subtitles. A discussion will follow the film led by Aurélie Resch, director of the film.
Location: Room 207, Weldon Law Building (6061 University)
Behind the Scenes: Organized by the animal rights organization, Abolishing the Status of Animals as Property (ASAP)
The Movie: Working hard to overcome the many challenges of growing up in a poor and violent Brooklyn neighborhood, Eddie Lama developed a deep sense of identification with the vulnerable and voiceless beings of our world. In one of the most moving sections of the documentary The Witness, he describes the harrowing experience of being beaten and left for dead, crying out for help and no one responding. Eddie then shares how this trauma helped him understand the plight of animals, who so often endure violence with no one to even witness their tragic fate, much less advocate on their behalf.
Location: Potter auditorium, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (6100 University)
Behind the Scenes: Presented by Dalhousie University's College of Sustainability.
The Movie: The privatization of water infrastructure explained by water and community activists Maude Barlow, Peter Gleick, and scientists Ashok Gadgil, Rajendra Singh and Vandana Shiva
Cost: $6.99 (or $9.99 which includes a reg. popcorn & reg. drink)
Date/Time: Friday, November 20th @ 11:30
Location: Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden)
Behind the Scenes: Presented as part of Empire Theatres' Fan Favourites series.
The Movie: From the director of Total Recall and Basic Instinct comes a sci-fi fantasy about an indestructible high-tech policeman who dishes out justice at every turn! When a good cop (Peter Weller) gets blown away by some ruthless criminals, innovative scientists and doctors are able to piece him back together as an unstoppable crime-fighting cyborg called "Robocop." Impervious to bullets and bombs, and equipped with high-tech weaponry, Robocop quickly makes a name for himself by cleaning up the crime-ridden streets of violence-ravaged Detroit.
Location: Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden) & Dartmouth Crossing (145 Shubie)
Behind the Scenes: Empire Theatres presents New York’s Metropolitan Opera's groundbreaking series of live, high-definition performance transmissions to select locations in Atlantic Canada.
The Movie: Set in ancient Egypt, Aida is both a heartbreaking love story and an epic drama full of spectacular crowd scenes. A cast of powerful voices and a grand production bring the story to life on the Met stage (and on the HD screen). Violeta Urmana stars in the title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess, with Dolora Zajick as her rival. Johan Botha plays Radamès, commander of the Egyptian army, and Daniele Gatti conducts. Among the score’s highlights is the celebrated Triumphal March.
