Outing May 7: The Company You Keep

As previously announced, this month's film is The Company You Keep. Directed by and starring Robert Redford, it's about a man who in his youth was involved in a violent act by the Weather Underground. In the present day, an ambitious journalist discovers the Redford character's past and tries to out him. It's getting good reviews as a thoughtful thriller with some terrific stars, including the elusive Julie Christie.

We'll see it at the Varsity. Screening is at 1:10, so meet me in front of the box office at about 12:50. Afterwards, we'll go downstairs to Scaccia Restaurant for a snack or meal. I must make a reservation for the correct number of people, so be sure to CONFIRM VIA EMAIL IF YOU'RE COMING TO THE RESTAURANT NO LATER THAN THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON. As always, no need to let me know if you're only coming to the movie.

A word about our June outing: I think the new Canadian movie Still Mine would be ideal for Movie Club members. It opened today to admiring reviews, but there's no way of knowing at this point whether it will still be playing a month from now. I'll let you know as soon as I know, but you might want to hold off seeing it until hearing from me.

Terry

Our Plan B Movie: The Sapphires

If you checked this blog yesterday, you'll know that Robert Redford has let us down, postponing The Company You Keep, which we had agreed to see this coming Tuesday.

So, with too little time between now and then to ask for your opinion about what to see, I've decided we should catch what sounds like a delightful new Australian film. The Sapphires is a musical comedy based on the real-life adventures of a '60s singing group that was called "the Aborigine Supremes." Check out the details below, including a trailer for the film.

We'll be heading to the Varsity Cinema (Bloor & Bay) for the 2:30 screening on Tuesday, April 9. Note that there's a slight chance the screen time will change for week days but, if so, I'll email all Movie Club members. If there's no change, meet me in front of the box office by 2:10. 

After the movie, those who wish to discuss it over a snack or meal will go to the bottom level of the ManuLife Centre to Spaggia, the same restaurant we met in after Quartet. As always, there's no need to confirm if you're only seeing the movie, but if you're also planning to go to the restaurant, PLEASE CONFIRM BY MONDAY, APRIL 8, or earlier so I can make a reservation for the correct number of people.

Terry

THE SAPPHIRES

1hr 38min - Rated PG - Comedy/Drama/Musical - English

Inspired by a true story, THE SAPPHIRES follows four vivacious, young and talented Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group, The Sapphires, entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. Cynthia, Gail, Julie and Kay are more »discovered by Dave (Chris O’Dowd from The Bridesmaids and Doc Martin), a good-humored talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. As their manager, Dave books the sisters their first true gig giving them their first taste of stardom, and travels with them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGS6XashbtE

Robert Redford Let Us Down!

So, as you know, I was waiting for today (Friday) to see where and when The Company You Keep will be playing this Tuesday. But lo and behold, there was no sign of it in the weekly listings. I've got a suspicion that RR has postponed it, possibly to get it into one of the big film festivals before it comes to the theatres.

So we're on to Plan B (or Plan C, given that we agreed to go to a film together on the second Tuesday of the month this time, rather than our usual first Tuesday).

I'm checking things out and will get back to you all by email tomorrow with details. But you can count on us going to a good matinee on Tuesday, April 9.

That's what I get for making what I thought was a groovy plan, I guess!

This Month We're Going on the SECOND Tuesday

LIFE's Movie Club members usually go to see a film on the first Tuesday of each month. But for April, I suggested in an email to all members that we switch to the SECOND Tuesday this month (April 9). That's when can see what seems to be an extraordinary film that many, if not most, of us should enjoy. (It doesn't open until a few days after our usual first Tuesday.)

I asked all members to let me know by last Friday if they had a problem with this plan. No one did, but many said they're interested in Robert Redford's The Company You Keep, so that's what we're going to see. I won't be able to choose the screening time and cinema until this Friday, when the new movie listings come out - after which I'll email everyone with the information.

Meanwhile, here's a synopsis of the film and a link to its trailer for you to check out.

The Company You Keep

Starring: Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Nick Nolte

A former militant wanted by the FBI for 30 years who goes on the run when a young, ambitious reporter exposes his true identity. Robert Redford directs and stars as a single dad who is living a quiet upper-middle-class life as an attorney in upstate New York. But his past comes back to haunt him when a story surfaces that he was the shooter in a bank robbery years ago, when he was a member of a group called the Weather Underground. The man must go on the run to find an old girlfriend who may be able to prove his innocence.

http://www.movieinsider.com/m1299/the-company-you-keep/videos/9192/

cheers,

Terry

Our March Movie: Bonnie & Clyde

Hope you're in the mood for a blast from our respective pasts because this coming Tuesday, March 5, we're going to see the 4:30 screening of Bonnie & Clyde at the Yonge & Dundas cinema still known as AMC (even though it's now owned by Cineplex Odeon).

It should be a treat to see this ground-breaking film on the big screen after 46 years. Directed by Arthur Penn, it stars Warren Beatty as Depression-era bank robber Clyde Barrow, as well as Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman and Estelle Parsons as his partners in crime, plus a hilarious Gene Wilder in his debut movie role.

To quote Leonard Maltin, Bonnie & Clyde "plunges from comedy to melodrama and social commentary ... and remains vivid and stylish throughout."

If you plan to journey back to 1967 next Tuesday, buy your ticket downstairs as soon as you arrive, then let's meet in front of the upstairs entrance before the film at about 4:10.

Afterwards, those who are interested in discussing the movie over a snack or meal will walk half a block east on Dundas to the Imperial Pub, where the food is basic but tasty and very reasonably priced, and there is no need to order alcoholic beverages if you don't wish to.

IMPORTANT: There's no need to let me know if you're coming to the film, but if you plan to join us at the restaurant, please email me ASAP so I can make a reservation for the correct number of Movie Club members.

Hope to see you there and then,
Terry

Which Film Should We See in March?

There seems to be general agreement that the first gathering of Life's revived Movie Club on February 5th was a smashing success. All of us enjoyed seeing Quartet and many of us also had a good time at the restaurant afterward.

Now it's time to decide what to see on the first Tuesday of next month, i.e. March 5. We agreed that I would compile a list of movies we're likely to enjoy and then invite Movie Club members to vote on their favourites. Unfortunately, I've been so busy preparing for a move to a new apartment that I haven't had time to see any movies lately, so I haven't seen any previews either.

So please send me your suggestions ASAP, either by leaving a comment on this blog, or by emailing me at poultonterry@gmail.com. I will then compile a list of the top choices and post it on the blog late next week. Then we'll all have a chance to vote on our top choice from that list (again, via comment or email). I'll tabulate the results and announce the winning film one week before our March 5th outing, and post it on the blog along with details about when and where we'll see it.

Ready for Quartet tomorrow?

Life's revived Movie Club is now up to just over 40 members - about 30 of whom plan to gather at the Varsity Cinema to see Quartet TOMORROW (Feb. 5) at about 1:10 for the 1:30 screening, then take the escalator two flights down from the theatre to eat at Scaccia Italian Restaurant and discuss the film and chat about what we'd like to see on the first Tuesday in March.

This is just a reminder of those details. So buy your tickets as soon as you arrive, then look for Terry, who will be holding up a sign saying: Life Movie Club, and say hello. Then let's go in, choose whichever seats suit us individually, enjoy the film, and head down to Scaccia afterwards.

See you at the movie!