Monday, March 31, 2008

[Reel Pizza] update

hey everyone--
here are the titles and times at Reel Pizza from Friday April 4 - Thursday April 10. 
Maybe we will see you this week?  I think the kids and I will be here twice....
-Lisa, Chris, Pierce and Chloe

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Fri 4/4 - Thurs 4/10
THE BANK JOB (R)  110min    6:00 and 8:15
True Story:  In 1971, an East London branch of Lloyd�s Bank was robbed by some amateur crooks and the secret contents of many safe-deposit boxes were plundered.  A few days later, without any money or valuables being recovered or arrests made, all journalistic investigation was abruptly stopped by the government, citing national security.  Veteran screenwriters Deck Clement and Ian La Frenais (The Commitments, Flushed Away, Across the Universe) and director Roger Donaldson (The World�s Fastest Indian) have made a confident, lively, cleverly entertaining and inventively speculative heist thriller. With a stellar cast of British character actors, led by Jason Stratham (Snatch, Transporter) they weave a web of high level corruption, murder, and sexual scandal that spans the London criminal underworld, Scotland Yard, the highest levels of British government, and the Royal Family.  It is a sharp, satisfying caper drama. 

Fri 4/4 - Mon 4/7
PERSEPOLIS  (PG-13)  95min  [in French with subtitles]    5:30 and 7:45
The pages of Marjane Satrapi�s bestselling graphic novel wondrously, poetically come to life in her Oscar-nominated, hand-drawn animated film. At times comic, at others painfully heartbreaking, her autobiographical coming-of-age story is both appealingly universal and specifically personal, telling the riveting story of the shifting fortunes of her affluent Iranian family in a tumultuous time.  The daughter of intelligent and pro-Western parents, Marjane is spirited and rebellious like her grandma.  Growing up in Tehran late in the despised Shah�s dictatorship, she loves her modern lifestyle, values, and freedom, until suddenly, one day, there is a revolution and all these things are forbidden.  Featuring the voices of legendary Danielle Darrieux as the grandmother, world-renowned Catherine Deneuve as the mother, and her daughter Chiara Mastroianni as Marjane, this is an extraordinary, enthralling masterpiece.

Tues 4/8 - Thurs 4/10
STEEP  (PG)  92min    5:30 and 7:45
Experience vicariously the white-knuckle thrills found in the super-extreme sport of big mountain skiing by a group of fearless and talented athletes, including Andrew McLean, Doug Coombs, Shane McConkey, Glen Plake and female pioneer Ingrid Backstrom.  Directed by veteran ABC documentary journalist Marc Obenhaus, this remarkable adventure film combines heart-stopping recent filmwork with visually exhilarating archival footage to tell the story of an exciting, dangerous sport.  The spectacular photography by cinematographer Erich Roland shows off the amazing scenery of remote mountains in Alaska, the French Alps, British Columbia and Iceland, while these death-defying skiers show off acrobatic stunts with parachutes, racing against avalanches, and runs straight down steep mountains only accessible by helicopter.
 
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

[Reel Pizza] update

hi everyone--
here is the Reel Pizza schedule for this week Fri Mar 28 - Thurs Apr 3.
Senior film this Thursday 3/27 is Academy Award Nominated Animated Short Films at 1:30.
see you soon.
-Lisa

Fri 3/28 - Thurs 4/3
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL  (PG-13)  115min    5:30 and 8:00
Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) as Mary, and Natalie Portman (Star Wars 1,2,3, Garden State) as Anne are sensational together as sisters, manipulated by their elders to achieve welcome into the bed of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana, Munich) in order to advance their family�s power and status, and between whom a ruthless rivalry develops for the King�s attention.  Tautly directed by Justin Chadwick using a screenplay by Peter Morgan (The Queen) this engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal is set against the backdrop of a defining moment in history, as England goes its own way from the Holy Roman Empire so King Henry can divorce wife #1, Catherine of Aragon.  Stylish costumes by Oscar winner Sandy Powell (Shakespeare in Love, The Aviator) and production design by John Paul Kelly (Tristam Shandy) artfully recreate the courtly atmosphere of this appealing period costume drama.

Fri 3/28 - Mon 3/31
HONEYDRIPPER  (PG-13)  122min   6:00 and 8:30
Extraordinary writer-director John Sayles (Sunshine State, Lonestar), again embracing community, continues his exploration of the complexities and shifting identities of American subcultures.  Set in Jim Crow Alabama, this intelligent ensemble musical drama considers a local blues club whose business is suffering from the competition of electric rock-n-roll at the joint across the street.  The club�s owner (Danny Glover) takes a desperate gamble on booking a famous guitar player, his one last chance to save his place, and maybe his marriage as his wife is spending more and more time at revival meetings, and his daughter has eyes only for the guitar-toting vagabond just arrived in town.  Real musicians fill the cast, including Keb�Mo, Dr. Mabel John and Gary Clark Jr.

Tues 4/1 - Thurs 4/3
THE VIOLIN (NR)  98 min  [in Spanish with subtitles]     6:00 and 8:15
This satisfying and internationally award-winning feature debut of Mexican writer-director Francisco Vargas is an absorbing, suspenseful fable of heroic resistance in the face of brutal oppression.  Set in the 1970�s, this beautiful, poetic black and white film tells the story of a family of humble musicians and farmers who support the peasant�s guerilla rebellion against the repressive government army.  Eighty-three year old musician Don Angel Javira won the best actor prize at Cannes for his charismatic performance as the mischievous, daring grandfather who must try using only his music to rescue the rebellion�s ammunition cache from under the nose of the sinister captain. 
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Monday, March 17, 2008

[Reel Pizza] update

good morning everyone

Before I get into the films, I must address a vicious rumor that seems to be circulating around the island about Reel Pizza. 
In the past week or so, I have received several concerned phone calls about the "fact" that Reel Pizza has installed a cellphone tower on our building's roof.  We guarantee that this is 100% NOT TRUE!  On our roof is merely a TV antennae that we use once a year to tune in to the Academy Awards.  We also used it last spring as a flag pole for our Jolly Roger banner when we played Pirates of the Caribbean 3.  But a cellphone tower?  Nope, NOT HERE.  We don't even own cellphones.  Additionally, for those who are worried/interested about a related issue, we have no wireless communication in our building either.  Please do feel empowered to make people aware that we do not have a cellphone tower on our roof, if you find yourself in a position to do so.  

Also, I have been informed that island resident Barbara Meyers will be presenting information she has learned this winter about health issues associated with cellphone towers to the public tomorrow evening (Tuesday 3/18) at 6:30pm at the A&B Market on Cottage St in Bar Harbor. 

On to the films.  We have slightly departed the text.  And please read the times carefully for the Short Films.  Each part will only be screening once each evening. 

Happy Spring, Happy Full Moon, Happy Easter, Happy Week.
-Lisa and Chris

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Friday 3/21 - Thurs 3/27
SEMI-PRO  (R)  85min  6:00 and 8:00
Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights, Blades of Glory) moves onto goofing on professional basketball in this wacky, good-natured comedy.  In an outrageous spoof of the 1970's era short-lived and headed out American Basketball Association, he stars as Jackie Moon, a disco-era one-hit wonder with a hairstyle to match, who, with his payday, buys, then coaches and plays forward for the Flint (Michigan) Tropics, a team destined for nowhere until he realizes he can bring his team to glory by being being part of the merger into the NBA.  But then he realizes that they have to win.  Its plain, silly entertainment.   Costars include Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett, Andre Benjamin, Jackie Earle Haley, and Andy Richter. 

Fri 3/21 - Mon 3/24
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES  (PG)  97min    5:30 and 7:45
Peculiar things start to happen the moment mom, twins Simon and Jared (both Freddie Highmore, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) Grace leave New York and move into the secluded old house owned by their great-great uncle Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn).  The family blames the strange disappearances and accidents on Jared�s mischief, but the children�s investigations reveal that there is a fantastic truth behind the Spiderwick estate.  Director Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) has made the popular series into an adventurous and thrilling spectacle with top-notch special effects that is enchanting, imaginative and fun.
 
Tues 3/25 - Thurs 3/27
2007 ACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED SHORT FILMS  (NR (PG-13?))   [many are subtitled]
Animated: 85min  5:30 only
Live-Action: 137min  7:30 only
These two varied programs each contain the past year�s five Oscar-nominated short films in the animated and live-action categories.  The Animated program features the pen-and-ink drawn �I Met the Walrus� (Canada) bringing life to the audio track of a 1969 teenager�s surreptitiously accomplished interview with John Lennon; the beautiful painted on glass �My Love� (Russia) about a teenaged boy in love with two very different women; and the winning film, an updated version of the Prokofiev classic �Peter and the Wolf� (UK/Poland).  The Live-Action selections include the delightful �The Substitute� (Italy) about a new teacher in a highschool class; the unpredictable �Tangi Argentini� (Belgium) about a man who must learn to Tango in two weeks; and winner �The Mozart of Pickpockets� (France) about the changing fortunes of two unlucky thieves who take in a deaf homeless boy.  These are two separate shows with two separate admissions.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

[Reel Pizza] update

hi all
Here is what's happening at Reel Pizza for this coming week Fri March 14 - Thurs March 20.
The Senior Matinee on Thurs is BUCKET LIST (PG-13) at 1:30.
First in brief, and then in detail.  Next Schedule coming shortly.
-Lisa

3/14 - 3/20     DEFINITELY, MAYBE (PG-13)  5:30 and 8:00
3/14 - 3/17     THE SAVAGES (R)  6:00 and 8:30
3/18 - 3/20     WAR/DANCE (PG-13)  6:00 and 8:15

Fri 3/14 - Thurs 3/20
DEFINITELY, MAYBE (PG-13)  112min  5:30 and 8:00
This delightful romantic comedy stars Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) as a schoolgirl full of questions about her divorced dad's (Ryan Reynolds) courtship of her mother after her first sex education class at school started her thinking.  With intelligence, charm and actual intrigue, Dad spins a bedtime tale of his three loves, charging his daughter with the task of figuring out which woman he finally married and who became her mom.  Set in New York City, dad begins that he had just left his college sweetheart (Elizabeth Banks) behind in Wisconsin while he went off to work on the first presidential campaign of Gov. Bill Clinton.  He meets an ambitious journalist who is also dating her thesis advisor, and a quirky office worker helping but uncommitted to the campaign.  This engaging film is unpredictable, witty and honestly real.

Fri 3/14 - Mon 3/17
THE SAVAGES  (R)  113min   6:00 and 8:30
As not-that-close, self-absorbed, never-married siblings dealing with the increasing dementia of their estranged father (Philip Bosco) after the death of his partner, Laura Linney (Kinsey, Breach) earned an Oscar-nomination for her performance, while co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman's equally impressive work took a back seat to his Oscar-nominated performance in Charlie Wilson's War.  Writer –director Tamara Jenkins, whose last film was semi-autobiographical The Slums of Beverly Hills a decade ago, earned herself an Academy nomination for her original screenplay, a wry, sad, funny and honestly forthright story that follows this fumbling brother and sister during a winter of coming to terms with a lifetime of disappointments as they work together to make their ailing dad comfortable, despite that he never cared for them. 

Tues 3/18 - Thurs 3/20
WAR/DANCE (PG-13)  105min   6:00 and 8:15
This Oscar-nominated documentary by husband and wife team Sean and Andrea Nix Fine juxtaposes the cathartic healing abilities of music, song and dance with the horrors experienced by three young teens, members of the Acholi tribe, displaced by an ongoing 20 year rebellion in Northern Uganda where the rebels abduct children, boys to serve in their army and girls to service their adult soldiers.  With power, compassion and beauty, the filmmakers interweave the stories of the broken lives of these orphaned children who now live in the squalor that is the Patango Refugee Camp with the spiritual recharge gained by qualifying for, preparing for and finally participating in the National Music Competition in Kampala with students from all over their country.  These students, whose childhoods have been stolen, sing and dance with heartfelt joy the stories of their ancestors, of their homeland, of their future.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

[Reel Pizza] update

hi everyone

We received a nice spotlight, as a "Special Family Treat", in this month's (March/April) YANKEE magazine in an article on family adventure travel in New England (pg 46). 

The Emerson 8th Grade Benefit last Sunday was a great success.  A big Thank You to everyone who came out and participated, and to the stellar parents who made the event a reality.

The Senior Matinee on Thursday 3/6 is 27 DRESSES at 1:30.
The Senior Matinee on Thursday 3/13 is THE BUCKET LIST at 1:30.

Films for the week March 7 - 13 (in brief):

3/7 - 3/13   THE BUCKET LIST  (PG-13)  97min   6:00 and 8:15
3/7 - 3/10   THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY  (PG-13)  112min  [in French with subtitles]   5:30 and 8:00
3/11 - 3/13  PETE SEEGER:  THE POWER OF SONG   (PG)  93min   5:30 and 7:45

See you soon!
-Lisa

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(and in detail, in case you have forgotten)
Fri Mar 7 - Thurs Mar 13
THE BUCKET LIST (PG-13)  97min   6:00 and 8:15
Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman have great chemistry working together for the first time in their careers in this satisfying and funny end-of-life comedy drama from director Rob Reiner.  When two opposites, corporate billionaire Edward and working class mechanic Carter Chambers end up sharing a hospital room, both diagnosed with terminal cancer, they discover they have two things in common:  a desire to spend the time they have left doing everything they ever wanted to do before the end and an unrealized need to come to terms with who they are.  Checking themselves out, they embark on the road trip of a lifetime together, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest with insight and humor.

Fri Mar 7 - Mon 10
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (PG-13)  112min  [in French with subtitles]   5:30 and 8:00
At age 43, world-renowned French fashion editor Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric, Munich) suffered a catastrophic stroke rendering him unable to move except to blink his left eye-lid, but left whole his mind and senses, and sense of humor.  By blinking his one working eyelid with the help of a team of beautiful assistants, he composed his memoir.  From a screenplay by Ronald Harwood (The Pianist) and cinematography by Januzs Kaminski (Saving Private Ryan), director Julian Schnabel (Basquiat, Before Night Falls)  has created a visual marvel, a sensitive, imaginative and entirely unsentimental portrait of a complex, real character who, confined by his body, celebrates life through his imagination.  This film earned 4 Oscar nominations, for direction, cinematography, adapted screenplay, and film editing.
 
Tues Mar 11 - Thurs Mar 13
PETE SEEGER:  THE POWER OF SONG  (PG)  93min   5:30 and 7:45
This stirring portrait of amazing American treasure and institution Pete Seeger by documentary filmmaker Jim Brown is full of remarkable archival footage and personal films from the family�s collection, extended musical segments and recent interviews with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Nathalie Maines, Peter Paul and Mary, his wife Toshi, his children Michael and Peggy, and the 88 year-young man himself.  A revered singer and banjo player, blacklisted anti-war patriot, early ecologist and environmentalist, and outspoken advocate for social justice and civil rights, Pete Seeger has spent his long life using music to communicate ideas and unite people to make the world a better place.  His joy is most apparent when he unites a group in song, for he believes �participation will save the human race.�  Come appreciate him in this wonderful, joyous and inspirational film. 

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