Summer film festivals and conventions bring delight to fanatics
The coming weeks offer a variety of cinematic choices for movie fanatics. From the Hudson Horror Show, returning in August to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to the largest Star Trek convention of the year, there’s plenty of options for the inner geek. A highlight has to be Film Forum’s Femmes Noirs festival taking place at the famed NYC movie theater complex.
• The Official Star Trek Convention returns to Las Vegas July 31 to Aug. 3 at the Rio Suites Hotel. This is perhaps the largest Trekker event of the year, so don’t miss Creation Entertainment’s gala.
Expected guests include William Shatner, Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks and Scott Bakula (Patrick Stewart and Chris Pine are the only two captains missing). From the new Star Trek movies, fans can meet Karl Urban, Peter Weller and Bruce Greenwood. Other notable guests: writer Harlan Ellison, Colm Meaney, Walker Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and David Warner, among many, many others.
Expect plenty of regular cast members from every iteration of Trek. Tickets are as cheap as $20 per day (this $20 option does not include access to the main theater). General admission is $35-$40 per day (perhaps the best value). Preferred tickets are also available. Autographs and photo ops are available. Most autographs run from free (Ellison) to $100 (Shatner). Interestingly, many (if not most) of the guests will be at tables in the vendors room. This is different than years past when celebrities had strict times to sign in the main theater. Also, check out the secondary theater for interesting alternative programming.
Click here for more information.
• The Hudson Horror Show took a small break as its home theater in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., changed hands. Now that everything is settled, the horror fans of the Hudson River are expecting a capacity crowd Saturday, Aug. 9. On the slate are Maniac, a 35-year anniversary screening of Mad Max, the uncut international version of The Burning, Lady Terminator and two secret movies. Tickets, priced at $26, are moving fast. The movies will be screened off 35mm (remember that?) with trailers in between. The madness begins around noon on Aug. 9 at the Empire South Hills 8, 1895 South Road in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Click here for more information and rules on the festival.
• On Saturday, Aug. 2, Exhumed Films from Philadelphia will present a special film festival at the Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers, N.Y. On the docket are several “guilty pleasures,” including 1990: The Bronx Warriors, Flesheater, The No Mercy Man, Death Promise and Night of a Thousand Cats. The festival starts at 2 p.m. with a ticket price of $25. The theater is located at 2548 Central Park Ave. in Yonkers, N.Y. Click here for more information.
• The New Beverly Cinema, the best movie theater in Los Angeles, has a few highlights on its July/August calendar. Included among the films: Cabin in the Woods, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Mysterious Island, Mutiny on the Bounty, Once Upon a Time in the West, Crocodile Dundee, Coming to America, Klute and Purple Rain.
Click here for more information. Remember: Many guests pop up for Q&A sessions at the New Bev.
• Film Society Lincoln Center presents Sound + Vision from July 31 to Aug. 6. Among the films, all dedicated to the intersection of music and movies, will feature Beautiful Noise and Pulp, plus live performances from Amkoullel and Dragons of Zynth. Other films explore such musicians as the Carter family, Talking Heads and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Click here for more information.
• New York City’s Film Forum will present Femmes Noirs from July 18 to Aug. 7. This exploration of Hollywood’s dangerous females will feature screenings of The Postman Always Rings Twice, Mildred Pierce, Pandora’s Box, The Maltese Falcon, Body Heat, Fatal Attraction, Double Indemnity and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, among other titles.
Click here for more information on the films and how the Film Forum runs double features.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
