...Aaand scene.

Well, it's been a good run.

Out @ the Movies launched in April 2009 after I read an article about the Minnesota Movie Bears. The concept seemed simple: get together, see a movie, spend some social time.

Over the last two years, we've seen a lot of movies and a lot of connections have been created. I've made new friends and strengthened bonds with existing ones. Unfortunately, despite the occasional great turnout, we never seemed to reach that critical mass needed for it to be a self-sustaining group.

I've also been unable to commit to all the movie nights that I might like due to personal commitments. My attempts to find volunteers to take over have not been very successful.
So no more movie nights. The blog will stay up but will no longer be updated. The Facebook page and Twitter account will remain live for a little while longer before they are turned off.

In the end, I hope you remember the fun: enjoyable movies (either because they were actually good or because they were so wonderfully bad) and good conversation with a diverse group of moviegoers.

If you're LGBT in Halifax and looking for something to do, I'd encourage you to check out http://gay.hfxns.org.

Can't find a group that meets your needs? Start one! We need more recreational groups in Halifax.

Thanks to everyone who came out. I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as I.

I'll see you at the cinema.

-Kirk

Beginners - Reviews

So, first off: how amazing is the Oxford? It's a classic cinema in every sense of the word. And it's great to see that Empire Theatres is investing some money to refurbish the exterior. Perhaps some minor updates to the interior are in store (e.g., slightly more roomy seats?)

Now, the main attraction: Beginners. As usual, after seeing the movie, we went to a coffee shop where attendees could chat with each other about the movie (and anything else that comes up). Reviews were mixed for Beginners and some of the best comments were off the cuff, not actually written down. So let's start with what I remember people saying, slightly paraphrased and unattributed:

• The movie was the least enjoyable part of the evening.
• It was a good movie but it wasn't the movie that was advertised.
• Not what I was expecting but good for what it was.
• I fell asleep. Twice.
• There's an awful lot of gay history jammed in there!

Now, onto the actual reviews that some of our attendees provided:

• Ewan was on a TV commercial of an English school in Japan in 2000. -Tom
• The movie was a bit slow, however a good story. -Jeff
• [You'd be better off] renting the movie. -Kelly
• I enjoyed the trailers more than the move. -KC
• A cathartic experience if that's what you're looking for. -Chris
• A quirky take on grief, mourning and our quest for love, no matter who we are or who we love. At times funny, at times sad but always very human. -Kirk

So that's it for July!
No news yet on our August outing but you can keep up to date via our e-mail list, Facebook page or Twitter stream.

This is what love feels like

Halifax Pride is just a few days away! And why not celebrate by seeing a movie with Out @ the Movies?

In fact, there are two movies of interest this week: Beginners and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. And, if you time, it right, you'll be able to do both!
Priscilla is playing at Friday, July 15th at 11 p.m. at Park Lane (RSVP via Facebook).

But our movie outing is for the Ewan McGregor/Christopher Plummer movie, Beginners.
Synopsis

"Beginners" imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver. Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna only months after his father Hal has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father who -- following 44 years of marriage -- came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life. The upheavals of Hal's new honesty, by turns funny and moving, brought father and son closer than they'd ever been able to be. Now Oliver endeavors to love Anna with all the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him.

Trailer

Details

• Date: Friday, July 15th
• Location: the Oxford (corner of Oxford & Quinpool)
• Time: 6:30 to 10; movie starts at 7, is two hours long and an hour allotted for coffee afterwards.
• Cost: Tickets are $11.50
• Plan: We'll meet outside and head in at 6:30 to grab tickets, food and seats. Look for the rainbow flag! If you arrive later (or it's raining), just head in as soon as you arrive and look for the rainbow flag in the upper balcony.
• Post-movie: We'll head across the street to Tim Hortons/Cold Stone Creamery.

You can also RSVP via Facebook.

See you at the cinema!

Out @ Wide Open Wide

What is Wide Open Wide? Well, it's from Queer City Cinema. What is Queer City Cinema? well, it's "the largest and oldest ongoing lesbian and gay film arts festival between British Columbia and Ontario." And this year, they're doing a road show to Halifax! Look for 28 short films and videos, including some locally made ones!

The plan: ...This is a lot less organized than our typical outing. Basically, all you have to do is show up. It does run late (I believe ending around 11) so there won't be time for post-event discussion for many.

Here are the details:

• Saturday, June 25, starting at 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Carbon Arc Cinema @ The Khyber
• Cost: Just $6!!
• RSVP via Facebook
• More info? Official site.

A brief description (via their Facebook event): Wide Open Wide brings you twenty-eight queer films and videos that examine and play with notions of queer identity and that use queer experimental artistic expression to propose diverse ways of looking at sexuality, politics and queer media art itself. The films and videos selected represent artists from Victoria to Halifax and beyond and a variety of genres that collectively profile the interests and concerns of queer media artists.

I'll be there! Hope to see you there too.

-Kirk

June 15 - Out @ Stephen Sondheim's Company

Empire Theatres is presenting a broadcast of a star-studded edition of Stephen Sondheim's Company on Wednesday, June 15th at 7 p.m. at Park Lane. And Out @ the Movies is going!

The Plan: Meet at Park Lane before (tables by the arcade - look for a small rainbow flag), head in around 6:30 then bask in the glory of Sondheim then head down the street to Second Cup for coffee and conversation. (You can RSVP via Facebook.)

Ticket prices are a bit higher than a regular movie:

• General Admission: $19.95 +tax
• Golden Age: $17.95 +tax
• Child: $12.95 +tax

Synopsis (from empiretheatres.com):
Screenvision, The New York Philharmonic and EMK Productions are proud to present "Stephen Sondheim's Company with the New York Philharmonic" in movie theatres across North America. The production was shot in early April as part of the Philharmonic's spring gala. Neil Patrick Harris leads an all-star cast which included Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Christina Hendricks, Craig Bierko and Martha Plimpton. Company's plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. It's a concept musical composed of short vignettes linked by a celebration for Bobby's 35th birthday.

A preview clip: