...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

June outings (& the future!)

So you might've noticed there was no outing in May.

Which is a shame, because May was our two-year anniversary.

However, I've come to believe that the old format of Out @ the Movies (post a poll in first week of the month, announce event in second week, have event in third week, post reviews in fourth) hasn't been working for a while.

So we're a new approach: unpredictable!

There will be polls for movies every now and again but more often there will simply be events posted: come if you want, don't come if you don't want. Events will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, here on the blog and sent to our mailing list.

We'll actually be having two events in June. Two!

First up: Out @ Stephen Sondheim's Company - Wednesday, June 15

Secondly: Out @ Wide Open Wide - Saturday, June 25

There are a few movie outings I'm excited to organize for the summer. Perhaps even one during alFresco filmFesto?

I hope the new format sees success as we roll into our third year!

-Kirk

November = No-vember

Hey moviegoers!

Since the first Out @ the Movies night out (May 19th, 2009), we've never missed a single month. Despite times where I was away or sick, we've gone to at least one movie per month. Unfortunately, that's ending now. No movie for November. Sorry. I know some of you are new and wanted to keep the momentum going.

I do still intend to have a movie night on December 20th, so mark that in your calendars.

However, after that, I need your help. I have recently returned to university full-time and have classes on every night except Friday/Saturday/Sunday night. I know most of us have plans those nights so they don't seem ideal nights for Out @ the Movies.

So how can you help? I need volunteers to host movie nights!

You would arrive to the movie theatre early and wear something distinguishing so newcomers know who to look for. You would introduce moviegoers to one another and make sure everyone knows the post-movie plan. You'll also foster discussion amongst the group before leading everyone into the movie.

After the movie, you'll rally the troops to head to whichever coffee shop, restaurant, etc. is hosting the post-movie discussion. Once there, you'll facilitate discussion (but usually at this point, everyone is good to go on their own) and get moviegoers to write up reviews that we post here on the blog.

If you can take pictures as well, that's a great addition!

I can do the rest (writing up the blog, making facebook events, sending out e-mails, running the twitter account, posting to various forums and so on).

There are some details about volunteers you should know:

• You'll have been to one (or more) of our movie nights already so you know how they've worked in the past.
• You'll need to be able to commit to seeing whatever the movie is (and trust me, sometimes we will pick movies that you don't want to see).
• You'll need to be somewhat outgoing as well.

My ideal scenario would be that a few of you (say 3 or 4) would volunteer. That way, some months, we'd have several hosts but when someone can't make it, there's a back-up plan.

So, if you're interested (and I hope you are because otherwise, we're going on hiatus until the summer) - please send an e-mail to halifax.out.movies@gmail.com. If you're somewhat interested but need to know more, send an e-mail too and I'll try and answer them.

Thanks to everyone who's come out to our movies and I hope we can continue the fun into the new year,

Kirk

Halifax Pride - Late Night Film Series

Hey moviegoers and film fans!

Want to support Pride while seeing some great LGBTQ flicks at a great price? Halifax Pride has the answer!

In the weeks leading up to Pride (July 18-26), the organizers of Halifax Pride have teamed up with Empire Theatres for a series fundraising film screenings. Tickets are only $6.99. Or, for only three dollars more, you get a ticket/popcorn/drink combo. Just $9.99! You can pre-purchase movie tickets online but not ticket/popcorn/drink combo. Net box office proceeds will be donated by Empire Theatres to the Halifax Pride 2010 Festival.

Each movie is being played at Empire 8 Park Lane at 11:30 p.m. on a Friday and Saturday night. So if you can't make it to one night, you can try the other! For more info, you can check out the facebook event.

A Single Man

IMDB entry

Friday, June 25 & Saturday, June 26 @ 11:30 p.m.

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.

Transamerica

IMDB entry

Friday, July 9 & Saturday, July 10 @ 11:30 p.m.

Bree is a highly educated, conservative transsexual woman who passes as a G.G., living in a poor section of Los Angeles and working two jobs to save money for her final sexual reassignment surgery. Her life takes an unexpected journey when she learns that when she was a he, she fathered a son, now a teenage runaway hustling on the streets of New York. When she receives a phone call from Toby, who's looking for his father, she realizes she must confront her past. She flies to New York to bail Toby out of jail and offers him a ride cross-country, secretly plotting to abandon him with the stepfather he ran away from.

The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert

IMDB entry

Friday, July 16 & Saturday, July 17 @ 11:30 p.m.

Two down-at-heels transvestites and an older transsexual travel by bus from Sydney to a cabaret engagement in the Australian outback.

...Hm. Since that description doesn't do it justice, here's a trailer:

See you at the cinema!

Kirk

May 17th = IDAHT

Monday, May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (either IDAHO or IDAHT depending on who you ask). Why am I mentioning this? Besides the obvious fact that this is a group for those who are targeted by such things? Because there's a movie of course!

But we'll get to that.

Let's start with NSRAP's rally at Grand Parade Square in Halifax. If you're able to attend, the event starts at 5 and lasts one hour (giving you time to get to the movie, but again, we'll get to that). Speakers will include Catherine Meade of NSRAP, the Honourable Scott Brison (MP for Kings-Hants) and Michael Gills of Dalhousie Allies. There will also be performances from DaPoPo Theatre and The Women Next Door. The entire event is free! There is, of course, a facebook event.

But what if you don't live in Halifax? Don't worry, NSRAP's Web site (http://nsrap.ca) lists events for:

• Antigonish
• Sydney
• Truro

And now, the movie!

Cultulralproduct.com is showing Word Is Out! in honour of IDAHT. What is Word Is Out? Well, it's groundbreaking and historic. Watch a short (4 minutes, 46 seconds) retrospective to truly grasp how important this documentary was in its time and still is today:

Intrigued? Good! Here are the details.

Date: Monday, May 17th
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: CBC Radio Room (1599 South Park Street)
Cost: $10
Summary: In 1978, Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives, directed by several filmmakers including Peter Adair, Nancy Adair, Andrew Brown, Robert Epstein, Lucy Massie Phenix, Veronica Selver, startled audiences across the country when it appeared in movie theaters and on television. Interviewed were twenty-six homosexuals, who comprise a sample of American society: women and men, liberals and conservatives, civilians and military officers, students and professionals -- all across the subdivisions of class, ethnicity and race.
The first feature-length documentary about lesbian and gay identity made by gay filmmakers, the film had a huge impact when it was released and became an icon of the emerging gay rights movement of the 1970s.
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=341680803204

So why not head out to see a landmark documentary and support a great cause!

And, of course, the day after is our next movie outing.

Happy birthday to us!

Happy birthday to us

Happy birthday to us
Happy birthday dear Out @ the Movies
Happy birthday to us!

That's right, today is the anniversary of Out @ The Movies! On April 29, 2009 I wrote up the first blog post, created the facebook group and first tweet. And on Tuesday, May 18th, we'll celebrate the anniversary of our first movie outing. True, it's a day early (the actual anniversary is Wednesday, May 19th) but what can ya do? The Poll for that night will be released next week.

It's been an exciting year full of watching movies, drinking coffee, eating ice cream and making friends. I thought I'd share some of the highlights:

• Angels & Demons - our first outing. I was incredibly nervous that no one would show up, even though I had several friends coming. I've always said that I'd be happy with a dozen but the first night? The first night ever we had almost 20 people. Also a lesson learned: make sure your post-movie venue is actually open late enough for people to enjoy.
• The Taking of Pelham 123 - our second outing. The numbers went up to 25 and more importantly, everyone had a great time! Afterwards, we headed down to Second Cup (which soon became our usual post-movie place) and friends and connections were made.
• Brüno - Hilarious! This over-the-top movie inspired more feedback than most.
• Mamma Mia - the Pride outing that never happened due to rain at alFresco Film Festo.
• GI Joe - the first outing I missed (I was away for work in Montreal).
• MacBeth - We tried something a little bit different at the end of August and went to see Shakespeare By The Sea's production of MacBeth. Not a great turnout but those who came had a good time.
• Gremlins - notable for two reasons; 1) Bad weather kept most away; 2) it started a mini-horror streak in our films that continued until March.

And most importantly...

Friendships and fun - I've seen several connections and friendships made through our movie nights. And heard a lot of laughs and seen a lot of smiles.

If you'd like to share some of your memories, post them in the comments section below!

So thanks to everyone who's come out to one of our movie nights, whether it's once or a dozen times. We've got another year of movies (both good and bad) ahead of us!

Kirk Furlotte

Atlantic Film Festival - That's So Gay!

The Atlantic Film Festival kicks off on September 17th and runs until September 26th. As part of their programming, they offer That's So Gay - a selection of movies of interest to our community. Given the number of movies, there will be no official Out @ the Movies event but I do encourage you to go as many as you can! Show the AFFA that there is interest!

Look below to find out the movies and their screenings.

Tickets are $11.30. You can purchase tickets online at http://atlantic.bside.com/2009/films.

Friday, September 18th @ 9:35 PM @ Park Lane - 3

J’ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother)

97 min.

ATTENTION: Cette film est présenté en Français seulement (this film will be presented in French only)

Hubert Minel n’aime pas sa mère. Du haut de ses 17 ans, il la jauge avec mépris, ne voit que ses pulls ringards, sa décoration kitsch et les miettes de pain qui se logent à la commissure de ses lèvres quand elle mange bruyamment. Au-delà des irritantes surfaces, il y a aussi la manipulation et la culpabilisation, mécanismes chers à sa génitrice. Confus par cette relation amour/haine qui l’obsède un peu plus chaque jour, Hubert vague dans les arcanes d’une adolescence à la fois marginale et typique - découvertes artistiques, ouverture à l’amitié, ostracisme, sexe - rongé par la hargne qu’il éprouve à l’égard d’une femme qu’il aimait pourtant jadis.

Saturday, September 19th @ 7:15 PM @ Park Lane - 3

Drool

85 min.

http://www.uploadfilms.com/drool/

Anora Fleece has got it rotten. Her husband is abusive, her children are disrespectful and she lives in the middle of nowhere, feeling like a nobody. Then Imogene Cochran moves into the neighbourhood. Imogene sells Kathy K. Kosmetics makeup for the cocoa-skinned woman. The neighbours don’t like cocoa-skinned anything but that doesn’t stop Imogene and Anora from becoming friends and, well, more than friends. When Anora’s husband Cheb finds them, all hell breaks loose but the tables are turned when Anora accidentally shoots Cheb dead. Anora and Imogene then pile the kids in the Kathy K. car, throw the corpse in the trunk and ride off on a family road trip to bury Daddy.

Sunday, September 20th @ 9:35 PM @ Park Lane - 3

Shank

89 min.

http://www.shank-movie.co.uk/

Teenage gang member Cal, hides his sexuality from the his fellow happy slapping gang members despite their often futile and violent dislike of anyone that isn't the same as them be they unsuspecting shoppers, foreign students, gays etc. Hooking up with a random stranger (Scott), Cal is unaware that this chance meeting will eventually provide him with choices and routes of escape from the tedium of his unambitious and depraved life. When his world collides with Olivier, a student he rescues from a pointless beating, he encounters a lifestyle that presents as many new experiences as it does obstacles.

Monday, September 21st @ 9:25 PM @ Park Lane - 7

Men For Sale

145 min.

http://films.nfb.ca/men-for-sale/

New Brunswick filmmaker Rodrigue Jean filmed male prostitutes in Montreal over the span of a year to create this vastly unconventional but startlingly illuminating documentary. Between the candid conversations are cool, nighttime urban compositions that blend austerity with a rigorous formalism; Jean’s origins as an experimental filmmaker are clearly on display as he gently explores the sex workers’ stark—and sometimes darkly humorous—confessions.

Tuesday, September 22nd @ 9:35 PM @ Park Lane - 3

Pornography

113 min.

http://www.pornographythemovie.com/

A journalist named Michael moves into a too-good-to-be-true Manhattan apartment with his partner and begins to notice strange details about the space. As he investigates the situation, Michael uncovers mysterious activity surrounding the haunting disappearance of an adult film star and an engrossing darker conspiracy. As he closes in on the truth, the lines of reality start to blur and the increasingly surreal twists of this bold, psychological thriller prompt echoes of David Lynch's work.

Wednesday, September 23rd @ 9:35 PM @ Park Lane - 3

Fig Trees

104 min.

http://www.yorku.ca/greyzone/figtrees/

Winner of the Teddy Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival, multitalented and versatile director John Greyson (The Law of Enclosures, Proteus) delivers a poignant message about HIV with this beautiful collision of music, art and film. A visually stunning experimental documentary opera about pills, Gertrude Stein and AIDS activism. Possibly one of the most important and creative statements this year from a Canadian artist and filmmaker.

Thursday, September 24th @ 7:15 PM @ Park Lane - 3

It Came From Kuchar

86 min.

http://kucharfilm.com/

Before John Waters, there were the Kuchars. Early pioneers of the low-fi, camp aesthetic, the Kuchars became unlikely heroes of the New York underground film scene of the 1960s. Inspired by the Hollywood movies of their youth, these filmmaking twins began making their own homespun melodramas using just an 8mm camera, friends, family and their love of movies.

Combining interviews with the Kuchars and their famous admirerers (including John Waters and Guy Madden) and a hit parade of Kuchar movie clips, director Jennifer M. Kroot pieces together an inspiring portrait that should be required watching for all aspiring filmmakers.

Friday, September 25th @ 9:35 PM @ Park Lane - 3

Pop Star On Ice

85 min.

http://www.popstaronice.com/

Olympic skater and three-time National Champion Johnny Weir taught Kathy Griffin to skate, modelled for Heatherette and rocked the skating world with his irreverent public remarks. This playful documentary reveals how a young Russophile and Chihuahua lover from rural Pennsylvania rose to pop stardom.

August Movie Outings!

Hey moviegoers; just wanted to give you a quick update after the (wonderful) insanity that was Halifax Pride.

As you may know, Out @ the Movies is a pretty recent invention. So every movie outing is just a bit different as we find what works best for the group. Some things are set in stone (Park Lane - because of its convenient location; early shows so that people aren't getting home too late) while others are a little more flexible. For example, we've gone to a couple different places after the movies. Just trying to find what works best.

For August, we have two movie outings:

August 6th; a Thursday!

August 18th: the classic third Tuesday that started it out.

We'll also be changing the voting process slightly. I'm cutting the lead time down by a few days. For example, for the August 6th movie, the poll will open July 29th and close on the night of Sunday the 3rd. The invitations will be sent out Monday (or probably Sunday night, depending on how much sleep I want to sacrifice).

For the 18th, it'll be much the same. The poll will go up on the Monday, August 10 and close on Thursday, August 13 with invitations being sent out shortly afterwards.

I also want to take a moment and thank everyone who'se attended. I might organize it but if you didn't come, it'd just be me laughing out loud to myself at a lot of these movies.

If you ever have any feedback, comments, requests, suggestions, etc, please send them to halifax.out.movies@gmail.com.

Kirk

Empire Fan Favourites

Hey Moviegoers!

Are you a night owl? Do you prefer to see movies on the big screen rather than at home? Do you like a good deal on said movies? Well then, Empire Fan Favourites (formerly Empire After Dark) may just be your movie series. It's a film series hosted by Empire 8 Park Lane dedicated to bringing classics back to the Big Screen.

They show the original 35mm versions of several films over the course of the summer. Each date listed below is a Friday and Saturday. They'll play the movie both nights at 11:30 (approximately). Best of all: tickets are just $6.99. Even better: spend an extra three bucks and get a ticket, regular drink and a regular popcorn. All for just $9.99!

So what movies are they playing this summer?

• July 11th - Exorcist (Reissue)
• July 17th & 18th - Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• July 24th & 25th - Old School
• July 31 & Aug 1 - Predator
• Aug 7th & 8th - Grease

Where can you go to find out more? You can check out their facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30134442529) or visit their Web site (http://www.empiretheatres.com/fanfavourites#NS).

Kirk F

Flag Wars

Hey Moviegoers!

I just wanted to let you know about a special movie screening coming up. It's not an Out @ the Movies event but I thought it might interest you.

Queer and Rebel Days (http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/CommunitySupport/QueerAndRebelDays) will be hosting a screening of Flag Wars on Tuesday, July 14th at the Roberts Street Social Centre (5684 Roberts St). The event is at 7 p.m; it's free and all are welcome. After the movie, there will be a discussion.

Queer and Rebel Days 2009 is a week of performances, discussions, food, and workshops in Halifax, NS, running from July 10 - 16, 2009. All events are free, trans and queer positive, and childcare is available upon request. You can learn more at their Web site or by sending an e-mail to queer.and.rebel.days.2009@gmail.com.

"Flag Wars" is a 2003 cinema verite documentary that follows the conflicts that arise when gay white professionals move into a black working-class neighborhood. Filmed over a four years in Columbus, Ohio, "Flag Wars" leads viewers on an eye-opening journey into a divided community. You should be advised that the movie has strong content.

You can learn more about the movie here by watching an interview with the directors (see below) or visiting the PBS site for an extended trailer (http://www.pbs.org/pov/flagwars/).

-Kirk F