Fiddler on the Roof

In celebration of Chanukah, the Senator Theatre is presenting a limited engagement of the classic film, Fiddler on the Roof. During the run, each night a different Jewish community figure lights one more candle of the menorah and delivers a speech.

Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, this film highlights the story of a man struggling to raise his Jewish family in a changing environment while maintaining his traditional views.

Although they have their annual Christmas drive to raise money and collect canned goods for the needy, this is the first time the Senator has recognized and celebrated Chanukah. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and promises to be another yearly tradition.

Fiddler on the Roof is running through Thursday, so be sure to catch it before it’s gone!

image courtesy of: www.senator.com

Juno

The new film Juno is set for release this Friday, December 21, 2007. This movie is the latest project from the producers of some of this year's smash-hits, including Superbad and Knocked-up.

This film is about the unplanned, teen pregnancy of the title character. It features the realities of dealing with school, family, social life, and a relationship while having to consider a brand new life.

The film stars Ellen Page and Michael Cera as the young couple, as well as Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, who play the wealthy married couple expecting to adopt the baby. Juno will be playing at the Senator and the Landmark theaters.

image courtesy of: http://www.senator.com/

AFI Silver Theater

The American Film Institute's Silver Theater and Culture Center is a unique little movie theater located Silver Spring, Md. It was created by the citizens of Montgomery County and is "dedicated to artists, educators and audiences of the world."

The AFI has three screens and boasts state-of-the art technology and staduim seating. The concession counters are equally as impressive: one serves traditional movie food such as hot dogs, popcorn, and soda, the other serves alcoholic beverages and gourmet desserts. There are several tables set up to enjoy your treats before or after the movie, or you can take them inside.

The AFI has new movies and revivals at any given time. There selection is the most varied and random of the local theaters, so it helps to check back often. Anything could be there!

image courtesy of: www.afi.com/silver

Landmark Theater

The new Landmark Theater in Baltimore opened for business on Nov. 2. Although the Landmark is a chain theater, it has an independent feel in appearance and movie selection. The theater features blockbuster movies as well as indie films from little-known studios. It includes five screens with state-of-the-art sound and stadium seating. The impressive concession counter serves the classics such as popcorn, soda, and candy, as well as gourmet food and alcohol.

The theater should be a nice addition to the Baltimore movie scene, as it joins independent theaters the Senator, the Rotunda, and the Charles in providing a quality film-going experience to the city. Playing now: No Country for Old Men, Enchanted, Bee Movie, and American Gangster.

image courtesy of: http://www.landmarktheaters.com/

American Gangster

American Gangster is based on real life criminal Frank Lucas and his rise to the top New York drug game in the Vietnam era. Denzel Washington plays the infamous Lucas in this extraordinary film. Russell Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts, who successfully brings Lucas to justice, despite warnings from other officers.

For that time, Lucas notoriously introduced the purest form of heroin into New York City. The inner cities witnessed an epidemic of drug use and an increase in crime; this primarily affected minorities.

What was interesting about Lucas’ character was that he never had any interaction with the incredible devastation he caused. He remained a low-key family man, taking care of his wife, mother, siblings, and all of their families. For about one-third of the movie, Crowe doesn’t even know of Washington’s existence, let alone as a suspect.

This movie provided an interesting perspective of a gangster who is typical not portrayed in our films: unknown, humble, and inconspicuous. This film is now playing at the Senator Theater and the Landmark Theater.

image courtesy of: http://www.landmarktheaters.com/

Video Activism

Towson University’s Video Activism Group hosted a film event on campus last Thursday evening at the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theater. The event, which was co-sponsored by The New York Times, showed the use of films as a form of activism. The featured short films included entries from Electronic Media and Film (EMF) students at Towson, a Towson alumnus, Kids on the Hill, Wide Angle Youth Media, and Digital Harbor High School. The festival also included a sneak peak of an animated feature-length film about consumerism. The film’s director, Ann Leonard, is an activist based in Berkeley, Calif.

One goal of the festival was to promote video as a way to “promote social issues and motivate others toward civic engagement,” according to coordinator and Towson EMF professor Gordon Glover. “We are using video for advocacy, activism and as a tool for social change,” he says.

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Halloween

Don’t have anything to do this Halloween weekend? Go to the movies! A variety of independent movie theaters in the area are showing movies themed towards the frightful holiday.

The American Film Institute in Silver Spring, MD is having an event called “Halloween Screams!” The featuring films, Nosferatu - a Symphony of Horror, The Wicker Man, and The Texas

Chainsaw Massacre, will be playing though October 26 – 31.

This Sunday, the Capitol Theater is playing an Alfred Hitchcock’s film classic, “Birds.” This film features a terrifying take on what would happen if our feathered friends suddenly turned against us.

Today and on Halloween night, the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse is playing the newest “Halloween” which is Director Rob Zombie’s take on a cult classic. The Drafthouse is also showing the British comedy, Shaun of the Dead, on Halloween, which pokes fun at zombie movies.

Have a great Halloween!

images courtesy of http://www.afi.com/silver/new/