Join us for some old-school 16mm Movie Madness! – It’s our monthly 16MM DOUBLE FEATURE NIGHT at The Way Out Club (2525 Jefferson Avenue in St. Louis)! Join Tom Stockman and Roger from “Roger’s Reels’ for complete films projected on 16mm film. The show is Tuesday May 2nd and starts at 8pm. Admission is FREE though we will be setting out a jar to take donations for the National Children’s Cancer Society.
First up Is MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949)
The producer –director team of Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack attempted to recreate the magic of KING KONG in 1949 with MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, which followed the Kong story closely but this time with more humor, affection and a big ape that kids could see as a hero. Again Robert Armstrong leads a safari to an isolated land to find a new attraction and again discovers a giant ape attached to a young blonde (19-year old Terry Moore). The Golden Safari nightclub sequence in Mighty Joe Young is a colorful centerpiece, with voodoo dancers, Joe lifting Moore on a platform while she plays ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ on the piano, ten circus strongmen in leopard-skins who take on Joe in a tug-of-war, and a wild rampage after a trio of drunks go backstage to ply the already contentious ape with booze. Special effects master Willis O’Brien and his young protégée Ray Harryhausen succeeded in making Joe as much of a real character as Kong ever was, using technical advances to give the ape an even more expressive face and mannerisms.
Next is MACHINE GUN KELLY (1958)
Director Roger Corman gave Charles Bronson his first starring role in the low budget gangster bio MACHINE GUN KELLY as a hardened criminal who always has his Thompson machine gun in hand and the fear of death on his mind. The most interesting thing about watching MACHINE GUN KELLY today is seeing a relatively young Bronson (actually he was 37) give the type of performance he wouldn’t give after he became a megastar; that of a smiling, fast-talking ladies’ man (and watch him tease a caged lion!). This was one of the first films to gain Corman international recognition and acclaim, due in part to his crisp and efficient directorial style and also a symbolism-heavy script that focused on the psychological mind of a criminal. It was Corman’s idea to film the story of Kelly, a real-life thug who coined the term ‘G-Men’ but ended up surrendering meekly to authorities and later died in prison.
There will be movie trivia with prizes and of course The Way Out Club will have a full bar and Way Out Pizzas for sale. Don’t miss it!
A Facebook invite for this event can be found HERE
Inspired by true events, see what happens when a couple vacationing in the Bahamas is hunted by a group of modern-day pirates in Isolation, available on DVD at Walmart, Digital HD and On Demand April 18 from Lionsgate. Boasting an all-star cast including Luke Mably (The Prince and Me, 28 Days Later), Tricia Helfer (TV’s “Lucifer” and “Burn Notice”), Marie Avgeropoulos (TV’s “The 100,” 50/50), Stephen Lang (Don’t Breathe, Avatar), and Dominic Purcell (the upcoming “Prison Break: Sequel” and “Legends of Tomorrow”), watch the film JoBlo.com calls “suspenseful and unpredictable” with a “killer ending.”
Now you can own the ISOLATION DVD. We Are Movie Geeks has four copies to give away.All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie beginning with the letter ‘I’? (mine is INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN!). It’s so easy!
Good Luck!
OFFICIAL RULES:1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES. NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.
2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.
Hoping to restore their flagging marriage, Lydia (Tricia Helfer) and Creighton (Luke Mably) journey to a remote island in the sun-drenched Bahamas. One drunken night, they return to their cabin to find it ransacked. Will nearby couple Max (Dominic Purcell) and Nina (Marie Avgeropoulos) offer them help — or harm? Also starring Stephen Lang, this seductive, sinister thriller shows that trust can be a dangerous thing.
The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm announced today two major upcoming release dates.
Star Wars: Episode IX is now set for release on May 24, 2019. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the film will close out the third Star Wars trilogy.
In addition, the fifth chapter of the Indiana Jones series is now confirmed for a July 10, 2020 release. Both Steven Spielberg, director of every Indiana Jones film, and star Harrison Ford will return.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s LA LA LAND is now available on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. To celebrate its release, We Are Movie Geeks wanted to share these clips from the bonus features with you:
Ryan’s Piano Teacher:
Filming on the Ramp:
Costume Changes:
Iconic L.A.:
City for Dreamers:
Ryan and Emma:
Lionsgate announced today that the dazzling Academy Award® and Golden Globe®-winning music-filled masterpiece La La Land arrives on Digital HD on April 11 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand April 25 from Summit Entertainment, a Lionsgate Company. Written and directed by Academy Award® winning director Damien Chazelle and starring Oscar® Best Actor nominee Ryan Gosling and Oscar® Best Actress winner Emma Stone, La La Land tells the story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern-day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.
“The movie of the year” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) premiered at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival to unanimous critical praise. La La Land won 6 Academy Awards® including Best Director for writer-director Damien Chazelle, won a record-breaking 7 Golden Globe® Awards and has become a global box office phenomenon grossing over $400 million globally. The film also features ten-time Grammy®-Award winning singer/songwriter John Legend who contributed the single “Start a Fire” to the soundtrack which also includes the tracks “City of Stars” (Golden Globe® winner for Best Original Song – Motion Picture), and “Audition.”
La La Land is more than the most acclaimed movie of the year — it’s a cinematic treasure for the ages that you’ll fall in love with again and again. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star as Mia and Sebastian, an actress and a jazz musician pursuing their Hollywood dreams — and finding each other — in a vibrant celebration of hope, dreams, and love.
Damien Chazelle’s magical interpretation of the City of Angels is destined to be a modern classic and an icon of the era. The home entertainment release includes the breathtaking film to watch again and again, as well in-depth bonus material revealing the untold story of how Damien’s passion project came to life. The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD special features include audio commentary by writer/director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz, and 10 behind-the-scenes featurettes including: “Another Day of Sun: They Closed Down a Freeway” which gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Damien Chazelle and his team had only two shoot days to make the film’s spectacular opening number a reality; “La La Land’s Great Party,” looking at the creation of the Hollywood Hills party scene; “Ryan Gosling: Piano Student” showing how hard Ryan Gosling worked to truly play the piano as Sebastian; “Before Whiplash: Damien Chazelle’s Passion Project,” that uncovers the story of La La Land’s origins; “La La Land‘s Love Letter To Los Angeles,” in which the term La La Land is explained; “The Music of La La Land” delving into the process of creating the iconic music; “John Legend’s Acting Debut” featuring the Grammy®-Winning singer’s thoughts on being in the film; “The Look of Love: Designing La La Land,” with interviews with the film’s design team; “Ryan and Emma: Third Time’s the Charm,” marking the third time in which Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have starred on screen together, and “Epilogue: The Romance of the Dream,” exploring the extraordinary ending to the film. The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD also feature “Damien & Justin Sing: The Demos”, showing the original pitches for the film. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray of La La Land will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead.
The La La Land DVD features audio commentary with Chazelle and Hurwitz, “La La Land’s Love Letter to Los Angeles,” and “Ryan and Emma: Third Time’s the Charm.” All releases include song selection. La La Land will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99 and $29.95, respectively. 4K/BLU-RAY/ DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary with writer/director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz
“Another Day of Sun: They Closed Down a Freeway” Featurette
“They took the idols and smashed them, the Fairbankses, the Gilberts, the Valentinos! And who’ve we got now? Some nobodies!”
SUNSET BOULEVARD screens Wednesday April 26th at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in ‘The Loop’) as part of their new ‘Classics in the Loop’ Crime & Noir film series. The movie starts at 7pm and admission is $7. It will be on The Tivoli’s big screen.
Billy Wilder is widely considered as one of the most decorated directors of the golden black and white era with movies such as SOME LIKE IT HOT, THE APARTMENT, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, etc., but SUNSET BOULEVARD may be his darkest. The movie starts with a man lying dead in a swimming pool of a huge villa located in Sunset Boulevard, a prime location in Hollywood where movie stars dwell. The viewers are then taken into flashback explaining the events that led to his death. The flashback takes the viewer into a roller-coaster ride into the insides of Hollywood and the sad condition of yesteryear’s silent actors who have been long forgotten and live the life of a recluse. The movie ends in such a manner that the viewer is forced to have sympathy on the person who killed that man.
William Holden as a struggling writer portrays the ‘Will do anything for success’ part excellently. Erich Stroheim as the Butler cum Yesteryear Director Cum First Husband of a Matinée Idol lives his part. But Gloria Swanson takes the cake as far as the performance is concerned. Her portrayal as a yesteryear silent movie super-star who fans have forgotten makes us feel for her. Her struggle to convince herself that she is still (At 50) the biggest superstar around with millions of fans wanting her to comeback leads her to live the life of a recluse which finally makes her mentally unstable. Overall, a classic not to be missed and you’ll have the opportunity to see it again on the big screen this Wednesday, April 26th at The Tivoli!
Here’s the rest of the line-up for the ‘CLASSICS IN THE LOOP’ film series:
May 3rd – THE THIRD MAN – 1949 May 10th – TOUCH OF EVIL – 1958 May 17th – CHINATOWN – 1974 May 24th – BLOOD SIMPLE – 1984
Look for continued coverage of the ‘CLASSICS IN THE LOOP’ film series here atWe Are movie Geeks.
“I had a purpose, I was needed again and again and again. With each new life I was learning a new lesson.”
A DOG’S PURPOSE IS NOW AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD AND ON BLU-RAY & DVD MAY 2ND
Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A DOG’S PURPOSE, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, Peggy Lipton, Pooch Hall and Dennis Quaid.
Now you can own A DOG’S PURPOSE Blu-ray. We Are Movie Geeks has seven copies to give away.All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie starring Dennis Quaid? (mine is BREAKING AWAY!). It’s so easy!
Good Luck!
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES. NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.
2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.
This week’s episode of our podcast WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS The Show is up! Hear WAMG’s Cate Marquis, Jim Batts and Tom Stockman talk movies. We’ll discuss the weekend box office and review BORN IN CHINA, THE PROMISE, UNFORGETTABLE, PHOENIX FORGOTTEN, COLOSSAL, TOMMY’S HONOUR, THEIR FINEST, and CEZANNE ET MOI.
“Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.”
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY plays midnights this weekend (April 28th and 29th) at The Tivoli Theater as part of the Reel late at The Tivoli Midnight series.
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.
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.
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 (April 28th and 29th) NOT at the Esquire, but at The Tivoli as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli Midnight series.
The Tivoli’s located at 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO. Admission is a mere $8!
Get ready for an all-new animated adventure when the family film ALPHA AND OMEGA: JOURNEY TO BEAR KINGDOM arrives on DVD, Digital HD and On Demand May 9 from Lionsgate.
Get ready for an all-new animated adventure when the family film Alpha and Omega: Journey to Bear Kingdomarrives on DVD, Digital HD and On Demand May 9 from Lionsgate.The wolf pups Stinky, Claudette, and Runt must defend Bear Kingdom’s royalty and their forest home from the evil Rogue Wolves. With over three million DVDs of the animated seriessold worldwide, the Alpha and Omega: Journey to Bear KingdomDVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
The pack is back in a pawsitively thrilling adventure the whole family will love! All the animals in the Eastern Forest are excited because Queen Bear and Princess Canue are coming to visit. But when evil Rogue Wolves threaten the royal bears, wolf pups Stinky, Runt, and Claudette leap into action. With courage, wits, and plenty of help from their wild and wonderful friends, the alpha and omega wolves rise to protect the queen and princess and save their forest home.
CARRIE (1976) screens Midnights this weekend (April 28th and 29th) at The Moolah Theater and Lounge (3821 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108) as part of Destroy the Brain’s monthly Late Night Grindhouse film series.
Over the past few decades, almost everything ever written by Stephen King has been filmed for either TV or the silver screen; however, very few of these adaptations have come close to matching the extremely high standard set by CARRIE the first King novel to receive the movie treatment, way back in 1976 (which is when I first saw it at the old Webster Groves Cinema – double feature with DEMON SEED!).
Directed by Brian De Palma, this superb supernatural horror stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy and awkward teenage girl who is mercilessly bullied at high-school and further tormented at home by her overbearing, religious zealot mother (Piper Laurie). To make matters worse, at the same time as Carrie experiences her first period (during the film’s unforgettable opening shower sequence), she also discovers that she has developed telekinetic abilities that get more powerful but less controllable as she becomes increasingly distressed.
When a group of spiteful classmates (led by the gorgeous Nancy Allen and a young John Travolta) implement a nasty plan to humiliate Carrie during prom night, the poor girl finally snaps and unleashes her full psychic wrath on the unsuspecting revelers.
Determined to impress with his first major Hollywood movie, director De Palma pulls out all the stops to bring Lawrence D. Cohen’s excellent screenplay to life, displaying a confident and flamboyant style full of the fluid, gliding camera movements and impressive visual trickery that would eventually become synonymous with his work; these stunning visuals, combined with a lush orchestral score by Pino Donaggio and faultless performances from an amazing cast go to make Carrie an unmissable experience. Spacek’s central performance is astonishing: her touching portrayal of the vulnerable and withdrawn Carrie—always wary, yet aching for acceptance—is heartbreaking and anyone who has suffered the indignity of bullying will no doubt find the fiery prom night massacre a strangely cathartic experience. Also worthy of praise are Piper Laurie as Margaret White, who mistakenly believes that she is protecting her daughter, but is actually doing much more harm than good (although her motherly advice about skipping the prom was, for once, right on the money), William Katt as Carrie’s well-meaning prom date Tommy Ross, and Amy Irving as repentant bully Sue Snell, who is unable to thwart her school-pals’ cruel trick.
Stylish, beautiful, tragic, shocking, and even occasionally humorous, CARRIE is an absolute classic that deserves to be enjoyed again on the big screen and you’ll have the chance this weekend at The Moolah!
A Facebook invite for the Friday show can be found HERE
TICKETS ARE $7 AND YOU CAN BUY THEM ONLINE VIA MOOLAH’S WEBSITE.
THE PSYCHOTRONIC PRE-SHOW STARTS AROUND 11:30P WITH THE FILM STARTING AT MIDNIGHT.
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.
