Coming Attractions:
Tue, Dec 19 - SALTBURN @ 4 & 6:45 (OCAP)
Wed, Dec 20 - SALTBURN @ 4 & 6:45
Thu, Dec 21 - SALTBURN @ 4 & 6:45
Fri, Dec 22 - THE HOLDOVERS @ 4 & 6:45
Sat & Sun - Dec 23 & 24 - THE HOLDOVERS @ 1:15, 4 & 6:45
Mon, Dec 25 - THE BOYS IN THE BOAT @ 2, 4:30 & 7
Tue, Dec 26 - THE BOYS IN THE BOAT @ 2, 4:30 & 7 (OCAP)
Wed - Fri, Dec 27-29, THE BOYS IN THE BOAT @ 2, 4:30 & 7
Sat & Sun, Dec 30 & 31, THE BOYS IN THE BOAT @ 2, 4:30 & 7
Briefly, a few comments. Let’s do it chronologically, as the clock starts for the 12 Days countdown.
SALTBURN. With every viewing I become more of an Emerald Fennell fan. Not only is the plot deliciously diabolical, although not entirely original, as say, her freshman offering of Promising Young Woman was, but more canny, clever and complex. There is not a throwaway scene to be found in its 127 minute run time. The sets, camera angles and choreography are picture perfect, all under almost perfectly resplendent lighting conditions, whether inside to out. From the production standpoint, this is never easy, but Emerald and her crew make it look as if all is as natural as a running naked through the castle. Or dancing through to be more specific. And that final scene where Ollie (Barry Keegan) shows his stuff, is all a single, one-shot take. Kudos.
THE HOLDOVERS. I wanted this one since reading about it in the Hollywood Reporter about six months ago. Learning that it would go to the Pavilion instead of here at the HLT was relatively shocking, but, as we have seen, not uncommon. Why? Because if there is no-one willing to speak up for our sophisticated and discriminating core demographic (you), our booking agent will do her best to give us whatever Hollywood has to offer, you know, she tosses a dart. It takes unabashed and fearless tenacity along with persistent e-mail badgering, relentless texting and even a weekly telephone solicitation campaign to get the films I know you want. The films you deserve to see. Here. On the big screen, not your streaming screen, however large a diagonal it may boast. Almost immediately after I finished cleaning up the mess in the auditorium from the weekend’s record-setting acts, one music and one film, I launched the offensive. And much like Joe Rantz (don’t call him Hobo Joe), at the finish line, we won that one by a hair as well. So we have a weekend of THE HOLDOVERS, replacing what would have been three weeks of SALTBURN. Because I, like Santa, feel that you should get the best gifts we can provide. And this is a Christmas movie, not like Home Alone, Die Hard or Bad Santa, but a bona fide, true-to-life heart-warming story of a modern day Scrooge, as played by the incomparable Paul Giamotti. Nuff said.
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT. Yes, we sold 225 tickets for Sunday's sneak preview. If you were among them you now know what it is when we talk about the movie going experience. THAT was fun! And not simply because we won and Hitler turned and ran for the shadows, but because we all got to see it and cheer and laugh, boo and hiss together. I will admit that during the final race scene, as I stood in the back by the curtains, I was giving the boys all the body English I could muster to get them to the line first. Sports movies do me that way. Always have.
All for today folks, Thanks to everyone who came out over the weekend and helped us celebrate the essential nature of our humanity. It is our solemn honor and privilege to serve all who come looking for music, art, film and the joyful sharing of life’s beauty and magical moments. May there be many more to follow as we close out 2023.
Kevin
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