Sunday, February 25, 2018

Surprise Guest at the Strand Last Night

We screened the 2018 Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts last night. They were a powerful and moving batch of films (with the exeption of the hilarious Australian comedy: 11 O'clock).

When they ended, the crowd streamed out of the auditorium trading opinions about what they had seen. I overheard a group discussing the first film, DeKalb Elementary. Someone was saying that things would not have happened the way they did in the film, which was about an encounter between a potential school shooter and the receptionist at the school. About that time, someone came from the auditorium to tell me that the actress who played the heroic receptionist was there at the Strand. "What, really?"

Really. Mississippi actress, Tarra  Riggs, the star of DeKalb Elementary, had heard the Strand was the only theater in the region screening the films, so she came over to see it on the big screen.

She might have been hoping to sneak in, see the films, and sneak out, but instead she came out to the lobby for an "up close and personal" talk with those who hadn't left yet. She graciously answered all their questions about the film and more. And, yes, the incidents in the film did go down pretty much as the film depicts. Tarra has been in a number of Mississippi related films (including The Help which screened in Jackson at the Museum Friday night.). We're hoping to have her back at the Strand for a screening of one of her other projects.

So, look, don't miss our films, and don't hurry out when they end. Stick around to talk about them. You never know who will emerge from the dark theater.








Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Oscar Nominated Short films at the Strand Sat. and Sun.

Ever since we started showing films at the Strtand, I have wanted to present the Oscar nominated shorts, and this year we have them! See these programs and be guaranteed to see an Oscar winning film.

On Saturday, February 24 at 7 PM we have the Live Action shorts.

Read this review from the Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/2018-oscar-nominated-short-films-live-action-1082878

And the nominees are...

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM NOMINEES

DeKalb Elementary
Director: Reed Van Dyk
Synopsis: Steven, a mentally unstable twenty something, enters an elementary school with a semi-automatic rifle. After he orders the school receptionist, Cassandra, to have the building evacuated, he holds her hostage and instructs her to call 911. With Cassandra as his go-between, Steven tries to navigate the troubled waters he has entered.
Country of Origin: United States
TRT: 21
Language: English

The Eleven O’Clock
Director: Derin Seale and Josh Lawson
Synopsis: A psychiatrist earnestly tries to help his delusional patient, but his efforts are complicated by the fact that the patient believes himself to be the doctor. With each trying to out-analyze the other, their session spirals out of control.
Country of Origin: Australia
TRT: 13
Language: English

My Nephew Emmett
Director: Kevin Wilson Jr.
Synopsis: In 1955, two white men invade the home of Mose Wright, an African-American preacher in Mississippi, to abduct his 14-year-old nephew, Emmett Till, who is visiting from Chicago. Emmett has been accused of whistling at a white woman, and Mose knows that his fate will be sealed if the men succeed in taking him.
Country of Origin: United States
TRT: 20
Language: English

The Silent Child
Director: Chris Overton and Rachel Senton
Synopsis: Libby, a profoundly deaf four-year-old, is the youngest child in a family who are all hearing. Unable to communicate but about to start school, Libby is assigned a social worker who teaches her sign language. Libby’s skeptical parents are reluctant to be involved, however, and pose a potential block to Libby’s education.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
TRT: 20
Language: English, British Sign Language

Watu Wote/All of Us
Director: Katja Benrath and Tobias Rosen
Synopsis: Jua, a Christian living in Kenya, boards a chartered bus to visit a relative and is uncomfortable being surrounded by Muslim passengers. The bus is stopped by the violent terrorist group Al-Shabaab, whose members demand that the Muslims identify the Christian passengers.
Country of Origin: Germany, Kenya
TRT: 22
Language: Swahili, Somali.

Advance tickets available at Highway 61 Coffeehouse for $5

Trailer and more information coming soon.

At the door: $7



And on Sunday, February 25 at 5 PM we present the
ANIMATED SHORT FILM NOMINEES 


R
ead New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/movies/oscar-nominated-shorts-review-animated.html

Dear Basketball
Director: Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant
Synopsis: On the eve of his retirement from basketball, NBA legend Kobe Bryant describes his love for the game, which began when he was a young child. From his youthful dreams of glory to his 20-year career, Bryant describes how he and basketball have given each other all they have. His inspiring poem, DEAR BASKETBALL is stunningly drawn to life by veteran animation director Glen Keane and set to the music of legendary composer John Williams.
Country of Origin: United States
TRT: 6
Language: English

Garden Party
Director: Victor Caire and Gabriel Grapperon
Synopsis: A luxurious villa and its grounds have become home to amorous, hungry and accident-prone frogs and toads. While they enjoy the bounties on offer, including caviar and macaroons, the amphibians uncover the whereabouts of the villa’s owner.
Country of Origin: France
TRT: 7
Language: French

Lou
Director: Dave Mullins and Dana Murray
Synopsis: Lou, the guardian of the lost and found box at an elementary school, tries to teach young bully J.J. that giving to the other kids will make him feel better than stealing from them.
Country of Origin: United States
TRT: 7
Language: English

Negative Space
Director: Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata
Synopsis: Even though Sam’s father is hardly ever home because he is often away on business trips, he is able to connect with his son by teaching him how to pack a suitcase.
Country of Origin: France
TRT: 5
Language: English

Revolting Rhymes
Director: Jan Lachauer and Jakob Schuh
Synopsis: The Wolf from the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” reveals the true and twisted story of his adventures and those of other characters in his world, including Snow White, Cinderella and Jack, the climber of beanstalks. The film is based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
TRT: 29
Language: English

Advance tickets at Highway 61 Coffeehouse: $5

At the door: $7.