August Outing: Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine

 

The first Tuesday in August is the 6th, and I've chosen Woody Allen's new film. It's called Blue Jasmine and looks like something most of us will really enjoy. A description and link to the trailer is below.

Not sure yet which theatre we'll be going to because Cineplex Odeon hasn't yet specified where it will be shown. I'll let you know ASAP.

Blue Jasmine
Comedy: Directed and written by Woody Allen, starring Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins

Synopsis: After everything in her life falls to pieces, including her marriage to wealthy businessman Hal (Baldwin), elegant New York socialite Jasmine (Blanchett) moves into her sister Ginger's modest apartment in San Francisco to try to pull herself back together again.

Trailer: http://cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/Blue-Jasmine.aspx?loc_cookie=,&trailer=0

-- 

Terry

July Movie Club Outing: Unfinished Song

It's that time again, almost, and a film that looks nearly tailor-made for us has just arrived at the Varsity. It is Unfinished Song, which is about a seniors' singing group and stars the incomparable Vanessa Redgrave and Terence Stamp. 

 

Below is a link that should lead you to a more detailed description plus a video trailer. So if you're interested, let's meet near the box office at the Varsity at about 2:40 (screen time is 2:55) and, afterwards, have a snack or meal downstairs at Scaccia.

As always, there's no need to let me know if you plan to attend only the movie (or if you don't), but if you also plan to eat, please email me no later than Monday, July 1, at noon so I can make a reservation for the correct number of people.

http://www.google.ca/movies?hl=en&near=Toronto,+ON&dq=varsity+cinema+toronto&mid=862f5763458eb021&sa=X&ei=b5XNUdi-DsO3ywGEzIHwAQ&ved=0CDsQwAMoDw 

 

See you at the movies!

--
Terry 

June 4 Movie Club Outing

As I mentioned last month, I was hoping that Still Mine, which I think most of it will really enjoy, would still be on at a downtown cinema for our June outing - and it is!

 

We'll be going to the only cinema still offering it at that time, which is Carlton Cinemas (20 Carlton St.) on the first Tuesday of the month (the 4th).

And instead of going to our usual early screening, we'll go to the 3:50 screening. This is because several Movie Club members have told me they don't like eating in late afternoon because it interferes with their usual dinner time. Later, I'll try to determine which time frame a majority of members prefer. 

So after the film, those who wish to eat together will go to a popular and venerable Toronto landmark: the original Fran's Restaurant on Carlton St. half a block west of Yonge (north side). 

As always, there's no need for MC members to notify me if they're planning to attend only the movie; but if you also plan to join us at Fran's, please email me no later than Monday, June 3, so I can make a reservation for the correct number of people.

Below is a link to a Globe & Mail article about Still Mine that contains a link to a video trailer.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/still-mine-portrait-of-a-man-always-true-to-his-own-code/article11680408/  

 

Terry

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