Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Super 8"

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Super 8"

Dir.: J.J. (TV's "Alias", "Lost",etc.) Abrams Characters/Actors: Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney), Alice (Elle [Dakota's sister] Fanning), Jackson Lamb (Kyle [TV's "Friday Night Lights"] Chandler), Nelec (Noah Emmerich), etc.

In the summer of 1979 in the town of Lillian, Ohio, four schoolboys and a girl several of them have a crush on film a zombie movie to try to win a prize near a train station. While filming, a pickup truck on the tracks derails an oncoming train and causes a massive explosion and mayhem. The children stumble across a government and military secret that could get them killed for knowing too much. Before long a contingent of military personnel with berets and rifles take over the town and round up the inhabitants. Perhaps an homage to movies from the eighties like "E.T" made by the producer of this film Steven Spielberg. There is a lot of explosions, unexplained creatures, and mysterious happenings to satisfy the urge to escape from the real world for a couple hours in an air conditioned theater on a hot summer day. I expect that this will do well.

Poetry: "The Land Beyond The Forest"

Poetry: "The Land Beyond The Forest" (Transylvania) A work in progress

In the Land Beyond The Forest

There are creatures of the night

Bats and wolves and vermin which

Are bound to cause ye fright... (tbc)

Poetry: "The Murky River"

Poetry: "The Murky River"

Don't ever swim in the Murky River

A hidden shark may eat your liver

Especially at night, when you'll never see it bite

It's not a fair fight

The water turns red and you'll turn white.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "The Conspirators"

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "The Conspirators" (2010)

Dir.: Robert "Ordinary People" Redford Characters/Actors: Captain Frederick Aiken (James "The Last King of Scotland" Mcavoy, Mary Surrett (Robin "Forrest Gump" Penn), Tom "Batman Begins" Wilkinson, Edwin Stanton (Kevin "A Fish Called Wanda" Kline), Colm "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Meaney, Evan "Across The Universe" Rachel Wood, Justin "Accepted" Long, etc.

During the American Civil War Union Army war hero Frederick Aiken (James Mcavoy) resigns from the military and becomes a civilian lawyer. In one of his first cases he reluctantly defends a Southern devout Catholic widow and owner of a rooming house (Robin Wright) who as the mother of a collaborator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the attempted assassination of two other prominent people is likewise charged as a conspirator. Throughout the trial she proclaims her innocence, but in spite of being a civilian she is in a Kangaroo Court military tribunal where her guilt is pretty much assured. Aiken makes many enemies when he zealously defends the unfortunate woman. An excellent film with a great cast.

Poetry: "A Place Called Hell on Earth"

Poetry: "A Place Called Hell on Earth"

There is a place called Hell on Earth

A place devoid of any mirth

Makes you regret your day of birth

And makes you doubt your very worth

This hellish place is really bad

The stress enough to drive you mad

Even on the best of days

Just being there can make you sad... (tbc?)

Eulogy for the Demise of a Small Theater

A few days ago (today is Friday morning, June 2nd) while inquiring about job openings, I found out that the Sharon Cinema 8 on 700 North Main Street in Sharon, Massachusetts is closing forever in late June. The Sharon Cinemas is part of The "Your Neighborhood Theatre" chain by Boston Culinary Group: Theatre Division. These cinemas are in seven states, most of which are in New England. What I liked about Sharon Cinemas was that every Tuesday was bargain day, with all seats $6 from matinees to evening films. All matinees before 6 p.m. were $6 seven days a week. The evening shows were less that $9. They had a discount punch card. When paying for a movie with the card after 9 or 10 movies you'd get one free. The theater was seldom crowded and never had a sellout as long as I went there. Within the last couple years the Patriot Place Cinema Deluxe (owned by National Amusements) in Foxborough, MA opened a couple miles away adjoining Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots and New England Revolution play. That combined with the recent Legacy Place Cinema De Luxe in Dedham, Mass, about 10 miles away from the Sharon Cinemas likely led to the neighborhood cinemas inevitable demise. Although I attend several local theaters, I will miss the Sharon Cinema 8 and I hope it is not too late to save it.