MON AUG 10 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
TUE AUG 11 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7 (OCAP)
WED AUG 12 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
THU AUG 13 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 ONLY
FRI AUG 14 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & MELTDOWN @ 7
SAT AUG 15 - ODYSSEY @ 12:25, 3:40 & MELTDOWN @ 7
SUN AUG 16 - MELTDOWN @ NOON, THE PRICE OF PLACE @ 4 & ODYSSEY @  7
MON AUG 17 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & GHOST IN THE MACHINE @ 7
TUE AUG 18 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7 (OCAP)
WED AUG 19 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
THU AUG 20 - ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
FRI AUG 21 - TONY @ 4:45 & 7
SAT AUG 22 - TONY @ 2:30, 4:45 & 7
SUN AUG 23 - TONY @ 2:30, 4:45 & 7
MON AUG 24 - TONY @  4:45 & 7
FRI AUG 28 - TONY @ 4:45 & COYOTE VS ACME @ 7

Data analysts will tell you that someone who fails at their primary job seven out of every ten times, probably is a liability to their company. In baseball, however, it might get you enough votes for the Hall of Fame. This has to do mostly with the degree of difficulty in hitting major league pitching. The correlation with, say, George Brett, a lifetime .305 hitter with 319 career dingers, and someone I had the privilege of competing against in High School, (even marrying his HS sweetheart), it sometimes is emotionally soothing to know that on those days when no one shows up at the theatre and I feel like a complete and total loser, that I could, and probably next time up will, nail a 2-2 fastball right back up the middle and into our auditorium where 200 seats and a great film await. Time traveling like a frozen rope into Cooperstown. The moral of this pithy opening anecdote simply being, that if you stay in the game long enough you are bound to either get better, or get luckier. With many wishing to be lucky rather than good. I have long considered that the secret to success, or survival, lies in one’s ability to constructively deal with the failures while awaiting the next success. And what does it say when success; sold out locally produced shows like STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER and DETENTION are followed by the eerie emptiness of universal superstar CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’s ODYSSEY on this beautiful, if smokey, August afternoon? This is what it says: DON’T LET IT GET YA DOWN, KID. And so…..

THE ODYSSEY. Is both epically spectacular and monumentally disappointing in back-to back notations on the parchment, the minor fall and the major lift, in a desperate winner take all battle Royale. Maybe it was all the hype, the metrics, the buzz. Dunno. Quite possibly it was my expectations from CN, hoping he, and perhaps only he, could somehow rise above what I saw as hopelessly boring source material. Sacrilege and monocular, I understand, but, historically, just not my cup of Earl Grey. It was Napoleon, Gladiator, Spartacus and The Ten Commandments all searching for the proper narrative tone. Birkenstocks and broad-swords? No, thanks. Sure it is big, sprawling, intimidating and often ethereal, but mostly hollow, just missing several key opportunities to truly excel. Still good, yes, very good, but awesome? Sadly, no. Worth the price of admission? Without question.

THE ART OF THE STEAL. Islander and former Economic Hit Man, JOHN PERKINS, will be hosting a private screening of his documentary on Thursday night with his production crew winging up from LA for the debut. If you know John and would like an invite, give him a ring. He and I chatted yesterday about his life and times. Link here.

MELTDOWN. FRI, SAT & SUN AUG 14-16, Director COLTON VAN TIL will be with us Saturday night after the screening for a talkback. We had a podcast chat on Thursday and looking forward to sharing more with you this coming Sat evening. Please make your plans to join us.

THE PRICE OF PLACE. Not to be outdone, longtime Islander and part-time Spaniard, JULIA BENZINGER has assembled a collective of talented artists, activists, filmmakers and actors to present a multi-media opportunity to engage with your community on the subject of housing. Short films, a panel discussion and some operatic divertimenti are all part of the festivities. Sunday, Aug 16 @ 4.

GHOST IN THE MACHINE. Islander VALERIE VEATCH, now living in London, will be back to intro and host a Q&A on Monday, August 17 @ 7, after the screening of her latest doc on the dangers of AI, THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE. From the peoples viewpoint, not the dastardly Tech Bros. Tickets here.

COYOTE VS ACME. On Sunday, Aug 30, local NED THORNE, will join us on-stage for a Q&A after the screening for a under-the-hood look at how this incredible live-action animation was produced. Ned worked on the project as a post-production artist and I am sure he will enjoy your questions on exactly how it was done as well as why WB sat on it for several years prior to selling distribution rights to V10 and Ketchup Entertainment earlier this year. Ned is here on Aug 30 @ 7.

All for today folks, thanks for your loyalty and support, looks like we’ve found an assistant to help out around here, and our conversion therapy to 501(c)3) is actually going very well. Should you be interested in joining forces with us in a managerial, development, outreach or volunteer capacity, please initiate contact in your chosen manner and at your earliest convenience. I like it best when you come in and say hello. Enjoy the rest of summer my friends and please make a date to attend one of our many special events before Labor Day signals it’s about Back to School time in the GPNW. Lastly today, be sure to secure your grip on the bat (or reality) with a little pine tar. Just not too much, or as JULIA B might request, Allegro Non Troppo. 

Ciao,

Kevin

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My guest today unabashedly calls himself an Economic Hit Man. After an episodic career in the administration of US interests in every global hot-spot known to man and media, Islander JOHN PERKINS had, on 9.11, the inspiration to write about his work. This decision, as one might expect, was not met with universal approval, even leading to an assassination attempt. Undaunted, John tells of his adventures in a series of books, all New York Times best-sellers. He apprenticed with shamans when he lived in the Amazon rainforest from 1968 to 1971 and has since studied with shamans from many different cultures. His eleven books on economics, shamanism, and transformation have been on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 70 weeks, sold millions of copies, and are published in at least 38 languages.

In our discussion today, we create the verbal bridge between his covert dealings in the International Intelligence communities, to his writing - and now with the release of a feature length documentary that we will debut in two weeks.

If this all sounds like something from a James Bond or Jack Bauer episode, you have the right idea. Fascinating, dramatic, dangerous and as important as any back-story could want to be, the arc of John’s transformation holds the keys to the successful sustainability of our community, and quite possibly to our civilization. Please take a listen and for deeper detail check out his sites. Here is his link at IMDB. 

 Please note that advance orders for his latest work, The Art of the Steal, yes, it is exactly what you think it is, can be found here. Signed copies from Eagle Harbor Books are also available. I highly recommend. 

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My guest today is filmmaker Colton Van Til, a Northwesterner by birth in Redmond and graduate of the infamous Loyola/Marymount school of Film and Television. Currently living in LA, Colton’s sophomore feature film, MELTDOWN, will do a three-day weekend run at the HLT, Friday, August 14th at 7, Saturday, August 15th at 7 and Sunday August 16th at Noon. Mr Van Til will be live in-house for the intro and post screening Q&A for Saturday’s event. Here lies the link to CVT's production company's website. You can purchase your tickets for either of the three shows here. But please give extra consideration to seeing Colton live with us after the Saturday screening. I guarantee you will enjoy his enthusiasm for the craft and his already vast library of film knowledge. Ask him about Michael Mann. 

K

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HLT # 172 - JULIA BENZINGER

I have had the pleasure of knowing Julia Benzinger for many years. Through that time I have always been impressed by her effervescent personality and massive talent. It provides great satisfaction as a result, to be honored in providing the venue with which to allow her talents to flourish. Her latest work is called THE PRICE OF PLACE, and will take place on Sunday, August 16 @ 4pm at our place, The Historic Lynwood Theatre. It is produced by her creative group, RISING WATERS COLLECTIVE. Being multi-media in format, the event will feature a pair of short documentary films, a panel discussion and rely heavily on themes of community, social interaction and the issues facing a modern society in desperate need of more art and music and less bombast and anger. From their site: Through bold storytelling, innovative collaborations, and a relentless pursuit of artistic integrity, Rising Waters Collective cultivates a space where opera is not just performed but lived—where history, engagement, and creativity converge to inspire lasting impact. THAT is a beefy rhetorical construct - and one in which I wholeheartedly encourage. On Sunday, Aug 16th at 4pm, we’ll share a dance with this monumental challenge, wrap the timely issues of the modern world around the rise of fascism, oppression, gentrification, affordability and hope they can impact even the most insular of seemingly safe locations, such as those surrounded by the precious waters of the South Salish Sea, and share a dialogue in the hopes of finding common ground, and the peace they promise. For a deeper dive into the supporting cast, please visit (and support) the following so-sponsors - and then please navigate over to our site to purchase your advance tickets for this exciting opportunity to be a part of the solution. Hope to see you here on the 16th. Namaste. 

RISING WATERS COLLECTIVE

MARY'S PLACE

AUG 16 TICKETS

Kevin

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MON AUG 3 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 & 7
TUE AUG 4 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 & THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS @ 7
WED AUG 5 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS @ 4:30 & THE ODYSSEY @ 6:30
THU AUG 6 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
FRI AUG 7 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
SAT AUG 8 - THE ODYSSEY @ 12:25, 3:40 & 7
SUN AUG 9 - THE ODYSSEY @ 12:25, 3:40 & 7
MON AUG 10 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
TUE AUG 11 -THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7 (OCAP)
WED AUG 12 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
THU AUG 13 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
FRI AUG 14 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & MELTDOWN @ 7
SAT AUG 15 - THE ODYSSEY @ 12:25 & 3:40 & MELTDOWN @ 7
SUN AUG 16 - MELTDOWN @ NOON & RISING WATERS COLLECTIVE @ 4, THE ODYSSEY @ & 7
MON AUG 17 - GHOST IN THE MACHINE @ 7

COMMENTARY.

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW. Oh, the painful loss of innocence in small town America. 1950. “There ought to be a law against gossiping. Gossip does a lot more damage than drugs.” This film is, and rightly so, on the list of first quarter syllabus for every Film School this side of the Big River. A black and white, mono, coming of age spellbinder from the book by Larry McMurtry as Directed by Peter Bogdanovich in 1971. The controversy over then 20 year-old Cybill Shepherd skinny-dipping almost says it all. Almost. A bittersweet must see for all students of cinema - and no need to take out a student loan for tuition.

THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS. PLEASE note the plural. As in many. Many are the shuttered theaters of the American West who, faced with modern technology and dwindling audiences, made, what I am sure was a pain-filled and traumatic decision to close up shop and go dark. I get misty just thinking about it. Seattle Filmmaker RUSTIN THOMPSON spent the better part of three years, in ten states, visiting 123 theaters crafting this elegy for small-town cinemas. Rus will be on-hand to host our Tuesday night screening at 7. A continuation of the HLT Film School. Serious bonus credits for those partaking in this once-in-a-lifetime double bill.

THE ODYSSEY. Tell me about a complicated man. Sure, it opened at Bainbridge Cinemas over two weeks ago, with a good percentage of our regulars unable to resist the lure of Christopher Nolan’s IMAX charm, but I think this is as safe a programming gamble as we’re going to get. I am willing to take the chance that this one has the legs to go the distance. For those of you who held out waiting for it to screen here, please allow my candid expressions of total and complete love to flow forth everlastingly in your direction. And WTG Devyn Dalton. Trivia is all but impossible these days as a result of Mr Google’s residency on Jeopardy! Production costs for 250 million please, Alex.

MELTDOWN. This is COLTON VAN TIL’S (another Loyola/Marymount alum) latest effort, an trippy tale of a 50’s family ascension into madness, resulting from spiked LSD at a dinner party. I am hosting CVT on the podcast this week, so stand by for additional details shortly.

RISING WATERS COLLECTIVE presents THE PRICE OF PLACE, The latest multi-media extravaganza from Islander JULIA BENZINGER, she our favorite Mezzo Soprano, director, organizer, advocate and storyteller.

GHOST IN THE MACHINE. Former Islander VALERIE VEATCH, now living in London, is credited with four films at IMDB, GITM being her latest. The AI debate has two sides: The Tech Bro’s capitalistic dream of world domination and the Peoples hope of it somehow improving their lives. As of this moment on the time line of that drama, we (the people) are getting creamed. Hoping to have Val on board for intro and Q&A. Stand by.

NOTES: We have what we all hope to be the final meeting with counsel on Tuesday in the transition to 501(c)(3) status. This cannot happen too soon. We have reached critical mass in the already grossly over-extended life expectancy of almost all our utilities, functional, structural and practical. After 90 years of (mostly) 7 days a week performances, the bones begin to creak with the wear and tear of a thousand shows manifesting in rust, decay and mechanical failure. Add Hollywood’s latest self-invention, a desperate dystopian nightmare of monopolies and gorilla style marketing, and it’s hardly surprising that we are one of the last remaining historic one-screens still standing. Heck, take a look at the titles above, two of them spell it out: THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS. Still, we persevere, keeping the duct tape, bailing wire and Bazooka Bubble Gum at the ready. Until the day arrives where we can, again, go boldly forth to the inner sanctum of our community and…ask…for…ideas…content… and support. And you thought it was all about money, ha!

All for today my friends, hope you take advantage of this robust programming we’ve lucked into and head out for a visit. The streets of Lynwood Center, that might be called The Strip this time of year, beckon you and yours. Whether it’s NOLAN, CAMERON OR BAGDANOVICH, one thing is certain in our view, when it comes to movies, bigger is definitely better. And thank you Norah.

Ciao,

Kevin

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ENJOY THE JOURNEY WITH US

TUE JULY 28 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45 (OCAP)
WED JULY 29 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
THU JULY 30 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
FRI JULY 31 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 & 7
SAT AUG 1 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 & DETENTION @ 7
SUN AUG 2 - DETENTION @ NOON & THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 2, 4:30 & 7
MON AUG 3 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 & 7
TUE AUG 4 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 (OCAP) & THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS @ 7
WED AUG 5 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS @ 4:30 & *THE ODYSSEY @ 7
THU AUG 6 - *THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
FRI AUG 7 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7
SAT AUG 8 - THE ODYSSEY @ 12:25, 3:40 & 7
SUN AUG 9 - THE ODYSSEY @ 12:25, 3:40 & 7
MON AUG 10 - THE ODYSSEY @ 3:40 & 7

COMMENTARY.

Every silver lining has a touch of grey. Trying to comfortably fit 250 patrons into a 200 (plus 25 roll-out) seat auditorium is going to be an exercise in chaos management. One might assume that I would be somewhat adequate at this drill by now, but alas, I am always amazed by how quickly the warning lights come on my dashboard, flashing blood red warnings. But, being in the entertainment business and loyal to the ‘show must go on’ mantra, I will, nine times of ten, default to the ‘we’ll figure something out’ strategy when dealing with the impossible, the chaotic or the outrageous. As so Sunday’s screening of STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER, was no ordinary special, sold-out, locally produced reunion. It was a hundred times that, and, when the dust had settled, a most amazing and thoroughly spiritually uplifting community experience. And worth every penny of sweat, effort and drama that accompanied it. Thanks to everyone for their participation and especially to GINA CORPUZ and RON STEWART for their work behind the scenes on the project. Bravo.

THE INVITE. I find something compelling about small-scale Indi productions, shot in a single room, that rely on a clever scrip and the impeccable acting chops of the cast. Toss in a seductive and sensational score, and you, well, get an invite. Saturday night’s crowd was particularly energized, laughing as long and loud as any engagement I have witnessed since, well, ever. Sure, the few cringe scenes make it occasionally uncomfortable, but the payoff is worth it, set ups for the gag, even if the gag hurts, helps or haunts.

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW. This is the classic 1971 dust-up from Peter Bogdanovich. This reason behind this clarifier will be obvious momentarily, suffice it to say that Peter and his young cast; Cybill Shepard, Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cloris Leachman, all share in the deserving legacy of the ode to life in small town America (even Texas). And now the great reveal….

THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS. Please note the plural. As in more than one. This is the doc produced by Seattle filmmaker RUSTIN THOMPSON (He of WTO fame) that has been making the national rounds, creating quite a stir in the process. To have these films playing back-to-back on Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th gives you the opportunity to relive the golden days of Hollywood lore and do a double feature of films, literally on the same subject. With the same name. A singular pluralism. If you will. Rus and I did a podcast last week should you need for more backstory.

DETENTION. Seems like we have been waiting since High School graduation for this MARK & EMMA CAMERON coming of age saga. It, too, has finally arrived with a sold out first screening on Aug 1 and almost maxed second show the next day.

THE ODYSSEY.  * PLEASE NOTE THE ADDED SHOW TIMES.  Do I need to say more? Thank you to all our loyal patrons who have patiently waited for this CHRISTOPHER NOLAN blockbuster to make it to our favorite South Island One-Screen. Like Odysseus’ heroic journey, it has been a long, hard sail on a turbulent, unforgiving and perilous sea of tragedy and trauma. But it’s finally here, so come see and if your patience was earlier found lacking, come see it again. 

MORE UPCOMING NOTES (As musicians will surely appreciate) 

MELTDOWN, A nuclear family’s ascension into madness is the tagline for COLTON VAN TIL’S, another grad of the Loyola/Marymount School of Film and TV, latest work. Mr Van Til, A George A.Romero fellow, is trying to arrange his busy schedule to join us for one of the three screenings, Aug 14-16. GHOST IN THE MACHINE, a doc by local, but now living in London, filmmaker VALERIE VEATCH, will screen on Aug 17 at 7. TONY, the doc about Anthony Bourdain, starring Dom Sessa (THE HOLDOVERS) and Antonio Banderas looks at his early career in Provincetown. COYOTE VS ACME has a local hook, young NED THORNE, worked in post production for the film and has agreed to trek up from LA to intro and Q&A. We’re also trying to book it for weeks run, is stay tuned for that.

All for today folks, Tuesday’s are now becoming the norm for podcast drops as our logistics have forced a longer wait time from the studios for feature confirmations. Not much I can do about it, so please adjust your listening habits accordingly. 

Call anytime, 24/7. 206.451.4336. Hope to see you soon at the HLT. Ciao,

Kevin

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My guest today is Seattle filmmaker Rustin Thompson. Those of you who visited us for last year’s BAINBRIDGE ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL will remember his earlier work, the mesmerizing and candid, THIRTY FRAMES A SECOND: THE WTO IN SEATTLE. His latest film, THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS - NOT to be confused with the 1971 Peter Bogdanovich classic of almost the same name (but in the singular) THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, is a road trip thru the American West where independent one-screen movie theaters - once the life blood of the movie industry - have dried up, rusted out and left town. Rustin spent two years on the dusty trail seeking to document those that remain, gathering opinion, the facts and fallacies, from the small towns where they once stood majestic and proud, in what he calls ‘the cinema desert’. He cautions us to be patient with the film’s arc and that it is not all doom and gloom nor a cautionary tale of apocalyptic scope. There is still time to honor the past while looking forward to the next big release from Hollywood’s established and trusted stars. There is also a place in our lexicon for Independent filmmakers, shooting on the fly, guerrilla style on limited budgets, because, as we agree, it is always about the story. THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS is a story about love and loss, fame, glory and ruin; rags to riches to rags again under the spell of a thirty frames per second magic act.

More on Rustin Thompson here.

Please join us on Tuesday, August 4 @ 7p for the screening and subsquent Q&A with Rustin. If you can’t make that one , we’ll screen again the following day, Wednesday, August 5 @ 4:30. Tickets for both are here. 

And don’t forget to put Friday, July 31 on your calendar for our two screenings, in celebration of its 55th anniversary, of that ‘other’ Picture Show, starring Cybill Shepard, Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Ellen Burstyn and Cloris Leachman and directed by Mr. Bogdanovich. I can guarantee you that that movie house no longer exists. Except in our hearts and heads, where it counts. 

Ciao,

Kevin

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Our guests today are Gina Corpuz and Ron Stewart, the creative force behind the documentary STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER, a short film which will screen this Sunday afternoon at 2pm. I am fairly confident that in the almost six years and approaching 400 episodes of our humble little podcast, 70 episodes of which are one-on-one with local talent, industry leaders, celebrities, artists, athletes and politicians, not one, up until today, can make the claim of actually being born on Bainbridge. The rhetorical term ‘Islander” or the time required to ‘earn it’, is a moving target, always managing to carry a degree of clout and credibility, however ambiguous, with, almost always, more being better, for reasons not fully defined. It is with great pride and respect that we visit with Gina and Ron today to talk about about our history, how we got to be where we are, how we are doing and maybe even where we’re headed. Truly, these are the things that get the creative ball rolling, the connections, tangents, stories and people who’s strong shoulders we stand upon to forge the future, struggling to make sense of a world gone mad with greed, power and control. I believe that sharing our stories is the most powerful way to remember who we are - and why we’re here.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER is the story of us, Bainbridge Island, spanning time from the 40’s to today, as told by seven families who farmed our fertile fields producing strawberries. Picker Cabin Stories is the subtitle of the documentary that places us, historically in the middle of a World War II and geographically in the South Salish Sea. As fascinating a time as any historian could choose to research, and local to the core. Here is a chapter of that saga, one who’s ramifications ripple to our consciousness this very day. Perhaps, as we discuss, we are actually capable of learning from the past, taking the lessons learned from the effort, love and labor of our ancestors and using it as the foundation for building a better, stronger, more kind and gentle community. This is that story. Please join us this Sunday at 2pm to share the experience of celebrating the past - as a way to shape the future. For additional information or to purchase tickets via will call, our number here is 206.451.4336.

For a deeper dive on the work of our guests today, please visit:

INDIPINO COMMUNITY OF BAINBRIDGE AND VICINITY
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND JAPANESE AMERICAN EXCLUSION MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND FILIPINO COMMUNITY
RON STEWART VIDEO
EO 9066 REPARATIONS 

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MON JULY 20 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
TUE JULY 21 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
WED JULY 22 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
THU JULY 23 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
FRI JULY 24 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
SAT JULY 25 - TITANIC @ 11, THE INVITE @ 2:10, 4:25 & 6:45 & CASABLANCA @ 9
SUN JULY 26 - GLADIATOR @ 11, STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER @ 2, THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45 & FORREST GUMP @ 9
MON JULY 27 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
TUE JULY 28 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & LISTEN @ 6:30
WED JULY 29 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
THU JULY 30 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
FRI JULY 31 - THE LAST PICTURE SHOW @ 4:30 & 7
SAT AUG 1 - DETENTION @ 7 (Sold out)
SUN AUG 2 - DETENTION @ NOON.


COMMENTARY.
THE INVITE.  Held over for a second week. Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, Edward Norton and actor/director Olivia Wilde jettison all social filters in asking a hip new audience exactly why anyone was ever afraid of Virginia Wolf. Embrace your fears and spread the love. Two for the price of one ratings at RT trending up and adding a point (to 97%) after an impressive opening week (going tit for tat with THE ODYSSEY). LOL with, “I hope she didn’t push too hard” is OMG funny. A must see for anyone who has been married over five years or FB friends with anyone named Cassavetes, Altman or Rudolph, Allen or Soderbergh.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER. Sponsored by the INDIPINO COMMUNITY OF BAINBRIDGE AND VICINITY, produced by GINA CORPUZ, and edited by RON STEWART, the short film subtitled, ’Picker Cabins Stories’, shines the sometimes defused light on the plight of Indigenous, Filipino and Japanese farm workers, many of them former owners of hundreds of acres of prime BI farmland. Legendary Island families, KITAMOTO, KOURA, RAPADA, MORALES, CORPUZ, OLIGARIO and SUYEMATSU are featured in the historical, educational and local narrative. This is OUR story! SUNDAY AT 2. Tickets here.

DETENTION. Mark and Emma Cameron host their locally shot, home-grown homage to THE BREAKFAST CLUB, on Sat & Sun, Aug 1&2. Sat is sold out (boy do I like typing THAT) unless you don’t mind a folding chair or only standing room. Call for these alternative accommodations, or take advantage of the Sunday afternoon discount.

Also coming up, we’ve signed up four local films for screenings in the upcoming weeks.

LISTEN from Taliesen Black-Brown, July 28
THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS by Seattleite Rustin Thompson, on Aug 4 & 5.
MELTDOWN by Colton Van Til, August 14,15 & 16.
GHOST IN THE MACHINE by Valerie Veatch, on Aug 17

As of this moment all four filmmakers will be in attendance to support their work. I will post updated info as we fit them into the marketing and promotions schedule. PLEASE remember, dear friends, that THIS is exactly what we mean by supporting local artists. I got them here, now you do your part. Por favor.

The finalists in our 90th Anniversary Free Screenings Event this Sat & Sun, as noted above are:
#4 FORREST GUMP
#3 GLADIATOR
#2 TITANIC, and the number one vote getter,
#1 CASABLANCA

We had to move the start times up an hour to accommodate the run-times of all but CASABLANCA. Still, a free big screen gander at these tent-pole blockbusters any time of day, should make one smile. Hope to see you here. 

In the Capitol Improvements category, yes, we are experiencing ‘aging issues’ with the popcorn machine (elements and thermostat), ice maker (32 years and out) and plumbing, so please bear with us as we attempt these bailing wire and duct tape no-budget repairs. We do have some salty carb replacements to offer during the repair, and fully realize the demand for our product is fierce, but getting the replacement parts is both challenging and expensive. Why is it that these two so often walk hand in hand? And as I am quite sure by now that you are quite satisfied with the volume of my industry rantings, but interestingly enough, several of the Indi theater owners interviewers in the trailer for THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS - not to be confused with the 1971 classic, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW by Peter Bogdanovitch which we will be screening twice on Friday, July 31, echo the same, almost exact, sentiments, my favorite being, “We could make twice the money and satisfy ten times more customers if the studios would let us decide what films to screen.” Where have you heard THAT before? Be prepared, because I am sure I will be unable to contain any decorum when this line is delivered. Enthusiasm is, as you know, explosive like dynamite and way less destructive.  

All for today, hope to see you soon at the HLT. Ciao,

Kevin

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MON JULY 13 - THE ROSE OF NEVADA @ 4:45 & ROAD TO EVERYWHERE @ 7
TUE JULY 14 -  THE ROSE OF NEVADA @ 4:30 & 7 (OCAP)
WED JULY 15 - THE ROSE OF NEVADA @ 4:30 & 7
THU JULY 16 -  THE ROSE OF NEVADA @ 4:30 & SWEET HOME ALABAMA @ 7
FRI JULY 17 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
SAT JULY 18 -  THE INVITE @ 2:10, 4:25 & 6:45, GATEWAY COMEDY @ 9
SUN JULY 19 - THE INVITE @ 2:10, 4:25 & 6:45
MON JULY 20 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
TUE JULY 21 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
WED JULY 22 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
THU JULY 23 - THE INVITE @ 4:25 & 6:45
FRI JULY 24 - TBD
SAT JULY 25 - 90TH ANNIVERSARY FREE FILMS @ NOON & 9
SUN JULY 26 - STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER @ 2 & 90TH ANNIVERSARY FREE FILMS @ NOON & 9

COMMENTARY.

ROSE OF NEVADA. You know that I consider the meek adjective ‘interesting’ to be among the weakest of choices when describing a film. “How did you like the film?” I ask while conducting the obligatory exit-poll, and then recoil at the first syllable of that response. However, in the case of THE ROSE OF NEVADA, it holds water. An art film cleverly disguised as a time-travel sci-fi drama, with documentary and even (light) horror overtones. Life on a small fishing boat is the setting, three fishermen and a tiny Cornish town are the bait. Check that, RON is very interesting.

THE INVITE. Two neighboring couples share a home-cooked soufflé and learn more about each other than how to shake & bake. Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, Edward Norton and actor/director Olivia Wilde deliciously star from soup to nuts in this 95% at RT therapy for couples. Tasty social food for thought, because all recipes are not alike, who says we can’t experiment? Still sitting at 96% at RT (with over 200 reviews).

SWEET HOME ALABAMA. Karey Roe has stepped up to sponsor a series of films designed around revisiting Rom-Coms, with the REECE WITHERSPOON classic as the lead. Festivities start across the street at Marketplace and finish here with a 7pm start time. Tickets here.

THE ODYSSEY. Christopher Nolan assembles an all-star cast (to great debate) in the 7,000th remake of the Homer Greek Tragedy, along with the 750th recent role for Zendaya, I will fess up and say that while I am a huge Nolan fan, I am genuinely nonplussed by this choice of subject and talent matter, except for Bernthal. I would rather see Memento II. Your actual opinion may certainly vary, that being, of course, a good thing, this being a text book ‘prove me wrong’ film. And I hope I am. More below.

Our 90th Anniversary Celebration is on the 25th and 26th. Ballots are everywhere, all you do is vote for your favorite three Best Picture Award Winners spanning the 90 years from 1936 - the present, and the one’s getting the most love, see the screen, FREE. That’s right, PICK THREE AND WATCH FOR FREE. I will announce the winners on the July 20 podcast so you can make your plans, meaning you have ONE MORE WEEK to vote. Here are the vote leaders to date (Monday): CASABLANCA (1943), TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (1983) FORREST GUMP (1994) ON THE WATERFRONT (1954). Vote today - don’t make this a conspiracy. Ballots are here.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER. Sponsored by the INDIPINO COMMUNITY OF BAINBRIDGE AND VICINITY, and produced by GINA CORPUZ, the short film subtitled, ’Stories of the Picker’s Cabins’ shines the sometimes harsh light on the plight of Indigenous and Filipino farm workers, many of them the former owners of hundreds of acres of prime BI farmland. Legendary Island families, KITAMOTO, KOURA and SUYEMATSU are featured in the historical, educational and local narrative. This is YOUR story! TICKETS.

Also coming up, we’ve signed up three local films for screenings in the upcoming weeks. MELTDOWN from Colton Van Til, LISTEN from Taliesin Black-Brown and THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS by Seattleite Rustin Thompson. As of this moment all three filmmakers will be in attendance to support their work. I will post updates info as we fit them into our schedule. After surviving another ROTARY AUCTION, and THREE screenings of Steve Stolee’s marvelous annual homage to the Biggest Rummage Sale on Earth, as well as an intense hosting of the World Cup, we are back to normal programming. Our battle with Universal Studios heads into extras with the split-decision of opening at the Pavilion and not here. Why? Get this: Because the algorithm they used by the studio determine ‘worthiness’ was that we out-performed Bainbridge Cinemas with, the analytical 2024 hit OPPENHEIMER, and therefore we should expect similar with CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S latest work. Meaning, since we should earn more, we should pay more up front for the privilege of the opening week screening. PLEASE MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. So hold out and hold on folks. If you really want to support us, wait for a week or two, when the Universal coffers have been adequately re-stocked and release widens. We’ll get it then, you can enjoy the spectacle in your favorite historic home-town one-screen and, with enough of a turnout, everyone will walk away happy. Disaster narrowly averted. Once again. 

In the Capitol Improvements category today, we have installed the new lobby handrail, ready to assist customers from the front door to the concession stand, it is utilitarian, simple and IMHO, looks great, I need to add a coat of benite and cut the ribbon as project sponsor Marlene proudly demonstrates. Big HLT thanks the Mark at NORSE SKY BUILDERS for the craftsmanship and fabrication. 360.860.0615 if you need some work done under budget and on time. Yes, we are experiencing ‘aging issues’ with the popcorn machine (elements and thermostat) ice maker (32 years and out) and plumbing (Ladies toilet repair), so please bear with us as we attempt these no budget repairs. We do have some salty carb replacements to offer during the repair, and fully realize the demand for our product is fierce, but getting the replacement parts is both challenging and expensive. Why is it that these two so often walk hand in hand? 

All for today, hope to see you soon at the HLT. Ciao,

Kevin

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