LCD Soundsystem movie coming to Theatre N in July, care of the Arden Club.

Press release:

Shut Up and Play the Hits! Starring LCD SOUNDSYSTEM

Shut Up and Play the Hits!
Starring LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Wednesday, July 18
Theatre N at Nemours
11th & Tatnall
Wilmington, DE 19801

Tickets $12, available June 8, 2012

For one night only, you can experience the band you should have been listening to for years. Arden Concerts presents LCD SOUNDSYSTEM's documentary "Shut up and Play the Hits" at Theatre N at Nemours on July 18, 2012.

On April 2nd, 2011, LCD SOUNDSYSTEM played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza did just that, moving the thousands in attendance to tears of joy and grief, with New York Magazine calling the event "a marvel of pure craft" and TIME magazine lamenting "we may never dance again." SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS is simultaneously a document of a once-in-a-lifetime performance and an intimate portrait of Murphy as he navigates both the personal and professional ramifications of his decision.

The film was directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace and is being distributed by Oscilloscope Pictures (the distribution company of late Beastie Boy Adam Yauch). It will be released in theaters across America for a special "one-night only engagement" on July 18th.

Before his unfortunate passing Yauch said of the band: "It can be pretty clear when a band starts, but perhaps less so when it ends, or how it should end. In that sense, it's brilliant of James [Murphy] to end it in such a definitive way."

James Murphy said of the final show, "If it's a funeral . . . let's have the best funeral ever!!!" and encouraged everyone to wear black or white or black and white. In the spirit of the event, we are requesting the same.


About Shut Up and Play the Hits
Official trailer: http://youtu.be/t0-s1XkvWzM
Website: http://www.shutupandplaythehits.com/

About LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
http://lcdsoundsystem.com/main/
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM was an American-based dance-punk band from New York City. It was fronted by American singer-songwriter and producer James Murphy, co-founder of record label DFA Records. The group released three critically acclaimed albums - LCD SOUNDSYSTEM, Sound of Silver and This Is Happening with the last charting in the Billboard Top 10.

ABOUT THE ARDEN CLUB
www.ardenclub.org
https://www.facebook.com/ardenconcertgild
Act, sing, cook, dance, garden, read, listen, swim, and think deeply! The utopian community of Arden, Delaware, is home to the Arden Club, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Members of the Arden Club enjoy exclusive discounts to Club events. Annual dues are $20.

About Theatre N at Nemours
http://www.theatren.org
The last movie theatre in Wilmington, The Rialto, closed in 1982 and was later demolished. Twenty years later, movies return to Wilmington with the opening of Theatre N at Nemours. Located in The Nemours Building at CityCenter@Wilmington 1007 Orange Street the theater underwent renovations that include new seats, painting, carpeting, movie screen and a concession area. It is located on the first floor of a 14-story building in Downtown Wilmington formerly owned by the DuPont Company. Today, the newly renovated property is owned by the Buccini/Pollin Group.

Three last-minute additions for things to do tonight, Wednesday:

Tonight at Theatre N:

Delaware Humanities Forum presents If You Lived Here You'd Be Home By Now, a film on New Deal artist Jack Lewis, who settled in Bridgeville DE and has used his talents to improve the community there.
The movie starts at 7pm, the price is $7.  Street parking is free, or park in the Community lot across 12th street and get validated parking.

More info:
http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/December/If-You-Lived-Here,-You-Would-Be-Home-By-Now

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Tonight at Logan House:

'Stache Bash, the culmination of a 4 week contest to grow the best mustache.  Benefits "Supporting Kidds".  5:30-9pm, $10. http://inwilmingtonde.com/events/event.php?e=1764

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Tonight in the skies above:

Night #2 of the Geminid meteor shower, which is one of the 2 most brilliant meteor showers of the year.  The peak night was last night, but you still should be able to see something tonight.  Read more here (thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited for pointing this out): http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide

Theatre N this week:

(Note - I just realized that I've been inadvertantly ripping off Spark this whole time with my "This Week at Theatre N" titles.  Sorry dudes - it was unintentional.  It took me so long to realize this because I never consult the Spark for leads, honestly). 

That said, this will have to be short and sweet and sparse on the personal interpretations - I have to get ready for work and am going to be working straight through (at my day job or official music making) until Friday.

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Amigo

AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War. When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters. But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor. Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.

Friday at 8, Saturday at 5, Sunday at 5:30.  $7.

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The Hedgehog

In French with English subtitles. 

Inspired by the beloved New York Times bestseller, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery, THE HEDGEHOG is the timely story of Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) a young girl bent on ending it all on her upcoming twelfth birthday. Using her father’s old camcorder to chronicle the hypocrisy she sees in adults, Paloma begins to learn about life from the grumpy building concierge, Renée Michel (FRENCH TWIST’s Josiane Balasko).

When Paloma’s camera reveals the extensive secret library in Renée’s back room, and that the often gruff matron reads Tolstoy to her cat, Paloma begins to understand that there are allies to be found beneath the prickliest of exteriors. As the unlikely friendship deepens, Paloma’s own coming of age becomes a much less pessimistic prospect.

Friday at 2, Saturday at 2 & 8, Sunday at 11:30 am. $5-$7.

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Theatre N: indie films, cheap popcorn, beer and wine, validated parking, please patronize this place so I can stop being the youngest person there (and I ain't all that young).  http://www.theatern.org/

This week at Theatre N:

The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)

Nevermind that the theatre is calling it "the original" when the 1982 version is a remake of the black & white original.  They're showing it only one time, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, and admission is FREE.  Street parking will be free and you can get booze right in the theatre; why take your date to a bar on Thursday?  This is much more likely to impress.  Or how about this - park, go to a happy hour nearby (like Mikimoto's), walk to the theatre.  I think I may just be talking myself into doing that.  I'll be the one with the sushi breath.

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Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story

Documentary about how Monopoly became a worldwide success, and about the Monopoly players' yearly championship.  Friday at 8, Saturday at 5, Sunday at noon.  $5-$7.

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Senna

In English, French & Portugese with English subtitles.   A documentary about the life of a Brazilian Formula One racer.  Friday at 2, Saturday at 5 & 8, Sunday at 6.  $5-$7.

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Animated selection of the week:  The Secret of Kells

By the producer of The Triplets of Belleville.  Oscar-nominated for best animated feature.  Starring the voice of Brendan Gleeson (once again: the red-headed middle-aged guy from Gangs of New York and 28 Days Later).  "Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times."    Saturday at 11am only.  $5.

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Ballet or opera selection: Esmeralda, ballet.  Recorded at the Bolshoi just this past Sunday. 
Sunday at 2:30. $15.
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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best option for indie, foreign, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is in the Nemours Building, at 11th & Orange St. (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Street parking is free on the weekends, or use the Community garage across 11th street for $1 validated parking.  Ask for a frequent viewer card.  For more info: http://www.theatern.org/Films

Kennett Flash to begin Movie Monday series. October selections are horror classics.

This is exciting news, because let's face it: Movie Mondays at the Trocadero are a little far, and Theatre N doesn't show much in the way of Halloween films like they used to (remember when they had the Devil Music Trio provide live scores to classic black & white films?). 

The schedule is:

October 10th - The Ring
October 17th - Poltergeist
October 24th - Halloween (one of my all-time favorites)

No admission will be charged for these showings, though donations are encouraged.  The door time will be 7pm, with the showings starting at 7:30pm.  Food and drink are available at the Flash. 

http://www.kennettflash.org/

And now my rant about people who go to these things and ruin it for the rest of us by loudly making fun of the films as they're being shown:

I hope people don't show up to these screenings to just laugh their way through the pivotal moments.  Anytime I've seen a horror classic on screen, there is always at least one drunk d-bag (usually female, by the way) who forces out ironic gales of laughter at what are supposed to be the scariest moments, totally ruining the mood.  I say "forces out" because it never sounds like she thinks it's actually funny, but it's more like she's trying to impress a date by showing how unaffected she is by suspenseful cinematic moments.  Don't do this.  It's annoying to those of us who came out to appreciate the vintage film as it was originally intended.

This week at Theatre N:

I haven't done this post in a couple of weeks because Theatre N hasn't had many showings the past couple of weeks (maybe due to the Newark, Wilmington, and Taiwan film festivals that happened in September).  But they're back in full swing this week, with two regular showings and one animation.

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The Guard

Starring Brendan Gleason (the red-haired guy from Gangs of New York and 28 Days Later - you know the one) and Don Cheadle.  "The Guard is a comedic fish-out-of-water tale of murder, blackmail, drug trafficking and rural police corruption.  Two policemen join forces to take on an international drug-smuggling gang- one, an unorthodox Irish policeman and the other, a straitlaced FBI agent."  Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.

Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 5pm, Sunday at 11am.  $5-$7

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Brighton Rock

Based on the Graham Green novel, and starring Helen Mirren. 

"With the aesthetics of a British gangster flick and the soul of classic film noir, screenwriter Rowan Joffe’s debut feature BRIGHTON ROCK tells the story of Pinkie, an ambitious teenage gangster who will stop at nothing to make a name for himself in Britain’s sinister world of organized crime.His aspirations are nearly derailed when Rose, a naïve local waitress, stumbles upon evidence linking him to a revenge killing. To keep his alibi alive, Pinkie seduces Rose, weaving a chilling web of deception and passion, violence and love."

Friday at 2pm, Saturday at 2 & 8pm, Sunday at 6:30pm.  $5-$7.  An icebox talk discussion will follow the Saturday 8pm showing.

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Summer Wars: Visually stunning Japanimation about a math whiz teenager who falls and love and nearly causes a world catastrophe.  One showing only - Saturday at 11am, $5.

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Opera in Cinema: Gounod's Faust.  Performed at the Royal Opera House in London (just this Wednesday, in fact).  Sunday at 1:30pm, $20. 

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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best option for indie, foreign, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is located in the Nemours Building, between 10th & 11th on Orange St. (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Parking is free and plentiful on the weekends, or you can park in the Community garage across the street and get $1 validated parking.  Ask about the frequent viewer card.  For more info about the films or the theater:
http://www.theatern.org/Films

Newark Film Festival is happening now through the 15th, with several films repeating in Wilmington from the 15th-18th

Full details are here: http://www.newarkfilm.com/?page_id=12&show=wilmfilm

Here's the thing: there are a lot of good movies in this line-up, but the majority are films that played recently at Theatre N.  It would have been nice to have the option of more movies that I haven't had local access to in the past couple of months.  In one case, the same movie is showing at the festival that is showing at Theatre N this very weekend. 

The same goes for the films that will be shown at the Wilmington Film Festival next week (really just a smaller selection of the same films), to be held at the Delaware Art Museum.  Most of those movies played a few blocks away a very short time ago, so there's not a lot that's new for the die-hard indie film audience in the area.  No, it's not the worst thing in the world to see a good movie twice or have a chance to see it if you missed it the first time.  But I know there are a lot of indie movies out there that never made it to Delaware, and it would be nice if the organizers strived to book more films that haven't just been shown here. 

This weekend at Theatre N:

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

Hosted and directed by actor Michael Rappaport.  Expect a lot of gushing about ATCQ by current hip hop industry players and some re-opening of old wounds.  I'm not dissing it, but either you're a fan of hip hop and will enjoy this, or you're not.  For me to try to sell anyone on the merits of this film would be superfluous.

Friday at 2pm, Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 6pm.  $5-$7

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The Tree

A film based in the Australian outback that looks like a real heart-wrencher. 

"After the sudden death of her father, 8-year-old Simone shares a secret with her mother Dawn. She’s convinced her father speaks to her through the leaves of her favourite tree and he’s come back to protect them.  But the new bond between mother and daughter is threatened when Dawn starts a relationship with George, the plumber, called in to remove the tree’s troublesome roots.  As the branches of the tree start to infiltrate the house, the family is forced to make an agonizing decision. But have they left it too late?"

Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2 & 5pm, Sunday at noon.  $5-$7

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Azur & Asmar

Animated film from a French animation master.  In English with some Arabic.

Said to be visually stunning, Azur & Asmar is a tale reminiscent of the beginning of The Kite Runner - two boys raised as brothers, though one boy is the young master of the house and the other is the nanny's son.  The dark-colored boy and his mother are cast out of the house.  As the boys grow up, now in separate lands, fortunes change and the blue-eyed boy becomes penniless while the dark-eyed boy becomes wealthy.  Eventually reunited, they set off on a dangerous mission together to find resolution to a story they had been told as young boys living in the same household.

Saturday at 11am. $5

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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best (and only) option for indie, foreign, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is located in the Nemours Building, between 10th & 11th on Orange St. (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Parking is free and plentiful on the weekends, or you can park in the Community garage across the street and get $1 validated parking.  Ask about the frequent viewer card.  For more info about the films or the theater:
http://www.theatern.org/Films

Congrats to Theatre N, who had an absolutely packed house for Monday afternoon's showing of Midnight In Paris.

If it's not obvious by now, I'm a big fan of Theatre N and I want people to patronize it.  I do not work for the City of Wilmington, I do not volunteer there (I'd like to, but I always get hung up on the thought: what if I don't get along with one of the other volunteers, and then have to avoid the place?)

Being a Theatre N cheerleader, I was thrilled to see a long line of people waiting to see a movie on Monday.  Even better, a lot of them were younger, under the age of 40.  Usually it's mostly a retired crowd, plus me and my man and maybe one or two other young-ish couples.  Don't get me wrong: I'm glad the seniors, at least, are supporting this place, but I always lament the fact that there aren't many younger people in this city who give a damn about independent theater.  I don't mean to say that I wish this city was filled with pretentious snobs like certain other cities are.  Definitely not.  But come on, give me a few young people who would rather see an arthouse film than play beer pong in Trolley Square!

But this packed showing made me wonder if word is finally getting out about this theatre to people more my age with an interest in culture.  Or will they only come out for blockbusters like Midnight In Paris (Woody Allen's highest-grossing film so far)?  I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this trend.

This weekend at Theatre N:

El Bulli: Cooking In Progress

This is one for the foodies.  In Catalan, with English subtitles.  El Bulli, featured recently on an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" show, is a restaurant in Spain that's famous for its experimental dishes.  This documentary takes a close look at how dishes are conceived and tinkered with on their journey to becoming part of the restaurant's ever-changing menu.  Friday at 2, Saturday at 2 & 8, Sunday at 5.  $5-$7.  http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/September/El-Bulli

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Life Above All

In Pedi with English subtitles.  (No, I have no idea what Pedi is.)

"Just after the death of her newly-born sister, Chanda, 12 years old, learns of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth."

Friday at 8, Saturday at 5, Sunday at 2.  $5-$7

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And on Monday September 5th, you have one last showing of Midnight In Paris, at noon, and of Tabloid, at 6pm.  These two movies were supposed to have been shown the previous Monday, and were postponed due to the storm.

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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best (and only) option for indie, foreign, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is located in the Nemours Building, between 10th & 11th on Orange St. (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Parking is free and plentiful on the weekends, or you can park in the Community garage across the street and get $1 validated parking.  Ask about the frequent viewer card.  For more info about the films or the theater:
http://www.theatern.org/Films

Upcoming festivals

There are two major festival periods in Delaware.  There are the weeks in May/June when the Greek Festival, Italian Festival, Chinese Festival, and more happen one after another.  September is the other one.  So get your lederhosen/mushroom recipes/polka shoes ready now.

I'll post more detailed info on the appropriate weeks, but here's a heads up if you want to plan in advance.

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• 104th annual Arden Fair.  Saturday Sept. 3, 10am-6pm (raindate is Sunday Sept. 4, 10am-5pm).  Free admission, except for the antique market.

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• Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral, September 5th, 5:30pm (a silly event that I shouldn't even acknowledge, really.  Everyone without kids knows summer lasts into October, or UNTIL I SAY IT ENDS.  I'm being facetious here, but seriously - every year when I see notices about this event, it depresses the bejeesus out of me.  Why do it soon?). http://www.bethany-beach.net/jazzfuneral.htm

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• Newark Film Festival. September 8th-15th, Cinema Center 3.  http://www.newarkfilm.com/

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• Kennett Mushroom Festival.  September 9th-11th, center of town.  http://www.mushroomfestival.org/

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• St. Hedwig's Polish Festival.  September 12th-17th, Wilm. riverfront.  http://www.polishfestival.net/

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• Wilmington Film Festival. September 15th-18th, Delaware Art Museum. http://www.newarkfilm.com/?page_id=12&show=wilmfilm

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• Oktoberfest.  September 16th-18th, off Salem Church Rd. in Newark.  http://www.delawaresaengerbund.org/v5_Oktoberfest.shtml

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• Taiwan Film Festival.  Sept. 4, Sept. 11, and Sept. 25th, Delaware Art Museum.  Details.

Movies that were scheduled to play at Theatre N on Sunday are moved to Monday September 5th.

That means:

Woody Allen's Midnight In Paris will be playing at noon on Monday, September 5th, instead of today. Description. $5


Tabloid will be playing at 7pm on Monday, tomorrow, as regularly scheduled.  It will also play one more time on Monday September 5th.  Details.  $7

I wish that they had given us another showing of The Trip, since that played at 5pm last night and there can't have been many people there.  Who cares if they show Tabloid one more week?  Maybe it's me.

Theatre's website: http://www.theatern.org/Films

This weekend at Theatre N

This weekend the theater is playing one new film, and several films that were popular over the last few months.  But these films only have one showing each, so plan accordingly.

Tabloid

"Thirty years before the antics of Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears were regular gossip fodder, Miss Wyoming Joyce McKinney made her mark as a tabloid staple ne plus ultra.

Academy Awardwinner Errol Morris’ Tabloid follows the much stranger-than-fiction adventures of McKinney, a former “beauty queen” whose single-minded devotion to the man of her dreams leads her across the globe and directly onto the front pages of the British tabloid newspapers. Joyce’s crusade for love and personal vindication takes her through a surreal world of gun point abduction, manacled Mormons, oddball accomplices, bondage modeling, magic underwear and dreams of celestial unions. "

Friday at 2 & 8 pm, Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 6pm, and Monday at 7pm. $5-$7

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POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Morgan Spurlock's latest, a fast-paced and entertaining look at the world of product placements.

One last showing only, Saturday at 2pm.  $5

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The Trip

Sideways but about restaurants instead of vineyards, the British countryside instead of Napa Valley, and spot-on impersonations (the preview had me at the Michael Caine voice) instead of womanizing.

Tapped by The Observerto review fine restaurants throughout the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, Steve (Coogan) finds himself without a traveling companion after his girlfriend decides not to go at the last minute. After being turned down by everyone else he knows, Steve extends an invitation to Rob (Brydon), and together the pair attempt to navigate the winding back roads of rural England, impersonating popular celebrities such as Michael Caine, Woody
Allen and Liam Neeson (among many others) and bickering along the way.

Over the course of six different meals at six different restaurants, the ultimate odd couple tests the limits of their friendship, questioning what is most important to them and along the way discover the limits of what they are and are not willing to give up for fame.

One last showing only, Saturday at 5pm.  $7

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Midnight In Paris

Woody Allen is said to make one great movie every 3-4 movies, and this is supposed to be that one.  Starring Owen Wilson, set in Paris.

One last showing only, Sunday at noon.   $5

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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best (and only) option for indie, foreign, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is located in the Nemours Building, between 10th & 11th on Orange St. (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Parking is free and plentiful on the weekends, or you can park in the Community parking lot across the street and get $1 validated parking.  Ask for a frequent viewer card - every 6th movie is free, if there are two of you. For more info about the films or the theater:
http://www.theatern.org/Films

The 48-hour film-making competition for Fringe Festival Wilmington is now open for registration

Only the first 50 registrants will be accepted, and the deadline is September 2nd. 

As part of this competition, contestants will have 48 hours in which to script, film, and edit a 5 minute film (maximum), which will then be shown during the Fringe Festival, in late September.

Visit the link for the full rules and details: http://fringewilmingtonde.com/artistApplication_48hrFilmIntro.php

This week at Theatre N:

You have two choices this time.  Last week there were, what, four different movies?  Meh, sometimes I think it's better to have less choice in life.  Makes decision-making easier.  So here are your movie choices:

BUCK

Okay, you tell me if this is a documentary or not, based on the description Theatre N gives.  I *think* they're saying it's a documentary, but usually a documentary doesn't claim to "follow" a person from childhood.  Hmm... 
(From Theatre N): "BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment. Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life. A truly American story about an unsung hero, BUCK is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds.

Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 & 5, Sunday at 5.  $5-$7.

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PASSIONE

A 90 minute music documentary by John Turturro which looks at the musical traditions and influences of Naples, Italy.  In English, Italian, and Arabic with English subtitles.   This is a good one to bring to Wilmington, where a large portion of our Italian-American population are "NA-boh-lee-don", as they call themselves in the dialect their parents and grandparents brought from that region of Italy.

Friday at 2, Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2, and Monday at 7.  $5-$7
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Theatre N: 11th & Orange, enter on the courtyard side of the Nemours building.  Validated parking at the Community Parking Lot across 11th.  Cheap beer, wine, popcorn and candy available before the movie starts.  

This weekend at Theatre N:

Bride Flight

In Dutch with English subtitles.  Follows 3 women who leave post-WW II Holland to start new lives in New Zealand.   The women part ways on arrival, but their lives continue to periodically intersect in unpleasant ways (infidelity, near tragedy), leading up to a reunion 50 years after their flight.

Friday at 8, Saturday at 5, Sunday at 2.  $5-$7

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Fear of a Black Republican

Documentary by a native New Jerseyan that examines the relationship between the GOP and black Americans over a period of 4 years.   Each screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the film-maker, Kevin J. Williams.

Thursday at 7, Saturday at 11am, Sunday at 11am. $5-$7

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POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

New documentary/gimmick from Morgan Spurlock, who gave us the gross-out fast food documentary Super Size Me, about product placement and the movie industry.   Part of the film involves his attempts to find a company that will fund the film in return for placement in the very title of the movie.  Obviously, POM Wonderful is the company that takes the bite.   I'd be curious to find out what affect this has on their sales figures, in the long run. 

Friday at 2, Saturday at 2 & 8, Sunday at 5, and Monday at 7.  $5-$7

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Theatre N is located in the Nemours Building at 11th & Orange.  Enter on the courtyard side of the building.  Street parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays, but you can also park in the Community Parking lot across 11th street and get $1 validated parking.  Cheap beer and wine are available in the theatre before the movie starts, as well as cheap (by movie theater standards, or any standards, really) popcorn and candy.  Best date night in Wilmington.

This week at Theatre N:

A Happy Ending (film premiere)

"Jeremy, a 26 year old chemistry/neuro-science graduate student invents a new drug that gives you 24 hours of complete euphoria, enlightenment, and complete happiness before peacefully falling asleep to your death. This magic pill is intended solely for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of a dying person.
Jeremy takes his miracle pill to his well connected, drug dealing best friend, Jordan, and convinces him to sell the pill on the black market. The pill immediately becomes a popular news topic when 14 terminally ill patients at one hospital all decided to exercise their free will and take this miracle pill.
Jordan's girl friend, Shelby, is effected by this mass suicide when she is informed that her sister was one of those 14 people who took their own life. Shelby, who's battled depression her entire life, can't ignore the allure of the pill while seeing this on the news everyday. She's not alone. Brandon, Jeremy's roommate, also has selfish motives to feel the effects of this pill. Brandon is a struggling artist searching for nothing more than the mind opening experience."
Thursday night only, 7pm, $20 (the website doesn't say, but I'm guessing this is a locally made film). 

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Incendies

In French & Arabic with English subtitles.  Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Film.  "When notary Lebel (Rémy Girard) sits down with Jeanne and Simon Marwan (Mélissa Désormeaux Poulin, Maxim Gaudette) to read them their mother Nawal’s will (Lubna Azabal), the twins are stunned to receive a pair of envelopes – one for the father they thought was dead and another for a brother they didn’t know existed."  Fact-finding trips to the Middle-East ensue. 
Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 5pm, Sunday at 2pm.  $5-$7.

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The Best and The Brightest

Comedy starring Neil Patrick Harris and Amy Sedaris.  Wait, whaaaaat?:  "Fresh-faced couple from Delaware moves to NYC and struggles to get their 5 year old into a good pre-school".  Ha.
Friday at 2pm Saturday at 2pm as well as 8pm, Sunday at 5pm.  $5-$7.

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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best (and only) option for indie, foreign, low budget, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is located at 10th & Orange in the Nemours Building (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Parking is free and plentiful on the weekends, and at any time you can park in the Community parking lot across the street and get $1 validated parking.  For more info about the films or the theater:
http://www.theatern.org/Films

This week at Theatre N:

The Trip

Picture the movie Sideways, then set it in Britain and make it about a grand tour of restaurants rather than wineries.  "An acerbically witty, largely improvised ride through the English countryside."
Friday at 2, Saturday at 8, Sunday at 6:30.  $5 & $7.

Page One: Inside the New York Times

Documentary chronicling the inner workings of a changing New York Times at the juncture when the rise of internet news threatens to fell the newspaper industry.
Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 & 5, Sunday at 12:30pm.  $5 & $7.

A Boy Called Dad

One showing only, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.  Part of the "From Britain With Love" series. 
"A BOY CALLED DAD tells the story of Robbie – a 14 year old boy who has just become a father. Abandoned by his own dad Joe, Robbie snatches his baby son and goes on the run. As Joe joins the search for Robbie, they are each forced to face up to the past and what it really means to be a father."
Saturday at  11am, $5, followed by Q&A session.

Opera in Cinema: Aida

Sung in Italian with English subtitles.  Opera in four acts from the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.  Aida is the only major opera set in Egypt, making it unique among the cannon of well-known operas.
Sunday at 2:30 (with 2 intermissions), $20. 

For list of upcoming films, and more info about the theatre:  http://www.theatern.org/Films

As always, street parking is free and abundant on weekends (and weekdays after 6pm), or you can park in the Community parking lot across 11th street and get $1 validated parking at any time.  Beer (good beer too, like local microbrews.  And only $2-$3 a bottle), wine, and cheap popcorn and candy are available at the concession table inside the theatre, though get it as soon as you come in because the volunteers who man the table close up shop just before the previews start to roll.

This week at Theatre N:

This week signals the return of multi-showings!  The last couple of weekends, probably because of the jazz festival (which is put on by the same city office that oversees Theatre N), the showings have been really sparse.   And I thought "Oh man - the city finally figured out that not enough people go to the theatre to support 3 showings of each movie per weekend.  I knew this day was coming". 

But it's back to normal for the theater this week, and they've got some great films coming up (like Woody Allen's latest, which is supposed to be the "good one"  he makes every 3-4 years).  Do me a favor and go see a movie there once in a while, so the city doesn't ever cut down on showings or pull the plug.  It's the only art house theater we have.

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NEDS (Non-Educated Delinquents) (followed by Q&A with the filmmaker):

Wait, don't get turned off just yet by the name of the film.  This is a British film by the writer/director of The Magdalene Sisters (which was a terrific and haunting film) - who will be in attendance to answer questions after the showing, by the way.  It's a look at a boy living in 1970s Glasgow, Scotland, who starts out with a promising academic future but spirals into delinquency (alcoholic father, teachers who judge him based on their memories of his trouble-making old brother, peer pressure).   An excerpt of Theatre N's description:

"As with Mullan's previous films, he brings a raw intensity to the screen. This piercing authenticity comes from Mullan's attention to detail—from the Glaswegian accents to the period clothes and homes. The intense performances—from a mostly unknown cast, led by rare find Conor McCarron as John—heighten the authenticity. In his screen debut, McCarron effortlessly taps into John's inner complexity as he transitions through his rough downward spiral. NEDS is a hard-hitting coming-of-age drama wrapped inside a gripping period piece that still resonates today."

Saturday at 11am, $5.  Free and abundant street parking on Saturday mornings.

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The First Grader:

A moving Kenyan story, by the director of The Other Boleyn Girl and the script writer of The Chronicles of Narnia, The First Grader is about an octogenarian veteran freedom fighter who fights for the chance to learn how to read in a newly-created school.  Theatre N excerpt:

"Full of vitality and humor, the film follows the friendships formed by Maruge and his young classmates who, at first, regard him with curiosity. Throughout his studies, Maruge reflects on his past and the cost of freedom; his playful days of working alongside the children are punctuated by memories of living under British colonial rule and the harsh conditions of the British detention camps."

Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 5pm.  All showings $7.

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Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen):

Critically acclaimed film that is a fine example of Allen's hallmark of romance coupled with extreme skepticism.  The question Allen tries to answer this film is: What would we find if we could travel back to a place and time in the past that we've romanticized in our heads?

This one is a 4-shower, so the theatre is anticipating a big audience for this one.  You have your choice of Friday at 2pm, Saturday at 5pm & 8pm, or Sunday at 2pm. $5 and $7.

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And on Thursday there are two showings of a small-budget, locally-made film called Ignorance that the filmmakers have rented out the theatre to show.  The filmmakers are charging $20 to recoup their costs: http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/July/Ignorance-Movie-Premiere

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Note: there are some exciting films in the line-up for the rest of the summer.  Check out the list here: http://www.theatern.org/Films

Screening of "Ninety Miles", a jazz documentary, on Saturday morning.

(Note: Other Theatre N films will be grouped into the weekend listings for this week, since each film only has one showing). 

The film "Ninety Miles", about the jazz trio of the same name that just performed at the Jazz Fest, will be shown at Theatre N on Saturday morning.  The slightly-more-than-an-hour-long documentary will be shown at 11am, and is free.   Theatre N's description:

"Ninety Miles unites North American, Puerto Rican and Cuban jazz artists.

Critically acclaimed jazz musicians vibist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sánchez and trumpeter Christian Scott have collaborated to create a distinctly unique collection of songs, Ninety Miles. Recorded over the span of a week in Havana, Cuba, the US based trio recruited local Cuban musicians including pianists Rember Duharte and Harold López-Nussa to create the 9 song collection. The result is a true Cuban American musical collaboration that defies political borders.

All distance is relative, especially where geopolitical borders and ideologies are involved. We speak one language, they speak another. We follow our system, they follow theirs. When we focus on the differences, a relatively short stretch of land or water starts to look like a yawning chasm. But when we look at each other as individuals and focus on the similarities, that “chasm” is actually a very short distance. Less than a hundred miles.

Musicians – especially jazz musicians, whose craft is in many ways an improvised form of communication – understand this principle inherently, perhaps better than any politician or diplomat could ever hope to. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sanchez and trumpeter Christian Scott cross that divide in their new recording, Ninety Miles."

http://www.theatren.org/Films/2011/June/Ninety-Miles