Schedule, May 17-23, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

NEW THIS WEEK

Hi All,

There is a heavy Sam Raimi influence on this week's lineup. We have both his latest movie and a re-make of one of his most popular movies. Despite not really loving any of the Spiderman movies (I am coming to the realization that I may hate Tobey Maguire) I am a big Raimi fan. I grew up watching Crimewave once a month (written and later disowned by the Coen brothers) and generally love his mixture of horror and slapstick. Even in his mainstream movies you get some lovely little Raimi moments that are a joy to watch. Let's dive right into this week's eclectic mix of movies. 

Oz- The Great and Powerful 

(Fri: 7:30, Sat: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, Sun: 12:00, Mon: 4:30, Tue - Thu: 6:30)

I am a big fan of the side-of-the-bus advertising for this movie. Showing Oz on the extreme left it basically shows Disney- The Great and Powerful, on the right. Very fitting somehow. This is very different from the original classic. But Raimi wisely does not try to replicate the original's tone and feel (because it would have been impossible) and instead unleashes a non-stop adventure that is fun for the whole family. Most of the complaints about this movie are directly comparing it to 'The Wizard of Oz'. Let's face it, if you were to compare most dramas to 'Casablanca' they would not come off well. 

James Franco is in fine form (the opposite of his stoned Oscars hosting appearance) and is well supported by a wonderful trio of witches in Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams. This movie is a visual wonder and is meant to be seen on a big screen. If you have been patiently waiting for this to hit on DVD in a couple of months, you are making a big mistake. See it on the big screen while you still can. 

Evil Dead

(Fri: 9:55, Sat: 5:45, 8:00, 10:00, Sun: 9:30, Mon: 7:30, 9:45, Tue: 9:30, Wed: 9:45, Thu: 7:00, 9:30)

The original 'Evil Dead' movie is one of the best original low-budget horror movies ever made. It established Sam Raimi as a very talented, young director (he was 20 when filming). Five college students go to the woods. They release demons. Chaos ensues. What's not to like? The re-make has a similar story. But a very different style. It is polished with the advantage of a much bigger budget. So it does not feel like a homemade movie. It is inventive and clever and definitely fits into the same spirit as the original. 

And it is scary. Why else would you go to a horror movie other than to be scared senseless. And this re-make is very effective at scaring the living crap out of you. It is terrifying and intense. And it does not outstay it's welcome. It is a lean 90 minutes and packs a lot of nail-biting tension into that running time. Horror movies are meant to be experienced with a crowd. After nearly wetting yourself, it is delightful fun to look around and see the relieved, tension-filled looks on the rest of the audience. 

Doin' it in The Park

(Fri: 7:00, Sat: 3:30, Mon - Wed: 9:15)

Did you love 'White Men Can't Jump' growing up? Who couldn't? It had a young Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. Rosie Perez wasn't super annoying in it. 'Doin' it in the Park' is nothing like 'White Men Can't Jump' in terms of style and story. For starters, it is an independent documentary. Really, the only similarity is basketball. The film explores the definition, history, culture, and social impact of New York's outdoor summer basketball scene, the worldwide "Mecca" of the sport.

As I haven't seen this yet, I can only go so far in my effusive praise. But it is guaranteed to have some great basketball action. And when the Warriors complete their glorious comeback (or lose miserably in the next game), you can settle in and discover what you loved about the sport in the first place. If you don't like basketball but are a sucker for documentaries, I am sure there will be something in this movie you will love. There. Two whole paragraphs about a movie I have never seen. 

The Lords of Salem

(Fri & Sat: 10:30)

This is a limited run of only two shows. So I will keep my remarks brief. The Lords of Salem tells the tale of Heidi, a DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a "gift from the Lords." Heidi listens, and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of the town's violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the "Lords of Salem" returning for revenge on modern-day Salem? 

There is only one way of finding out. Well actually there are two ways. You could see it at the Parkway during one of its two screening times or wait until late July when it's out on DVD. The latter is the safe option. Locked away in your house, perfectly safe. Anything can happen out there in the real world. In Oakland. It's the only way to watch a horror movie. For legal reasons I should clarify you should be perfectly safe at the Parkway. We don't have hired people roaming the theater intentionally scaring people during horror movies. Don't have the budget. Yet. 

Adam

SPECIAL EVENTS

·      We’ve got Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Foxy Brown in the same weekend

·      The Godfather 1, 2, and 3 are all in the house on Sunday as we do our second movie marathon on May 19^th.  Only a few hours left to buy special Feast tickets that include movies, food, and drink. Get your tickets today!

·      Mad Men will be on the giant screen as part of our two-hour television time slot, 9-11PM on Sundays, with special cocktails.

·      We’re showing a great film about activism that should fill the house: Bidder 70

·      Cheryl Dunye is back with The Owls

·      The Oakland Poetry Slam will be in the house on Thursday night

·      The Champions League Final is only 9 days away.  It’s sure to sell out, and if we fill one house in advance, we may very well be able to show it on two screens, and make it even grander than the Super Bowl where they play that other football.

·      Nerd Nite East Bay is on Memorial Day.  Good stuff if you’re trying to get smart.

And now for more about our weekly special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Friday afternoon at 4 and Saturday at 12:30.  Can you say Dick Van Dyke?  And I just learned that it’s a Roald Dahl creation and produced by the people that brought us James Bond.  That really makes it for the whole family.  And it’s co-sponsored by 510families.com who would like to see all of your smiling faces in attendance.

Spectrum Queer Cinema—Spectrum is showing Free Angela but it’s totally sold out, so why waste any more breath on something we can’t attend?  Second showing anyone?

Thrillville—Sunday, May 19 at 6pm, THRILLVILLE THEATER presents FOXY BROWN (1974) hosted by MISERY ANN MAYHEM!  Pam Grier literally kicks serious ass in this sexy, violent and outrageous blaxploitation classic, written and directed by Jack Hill ("Coffy"). As co-star Antonio Fargas (AKA Huggy Bear on "Starsky and Hutch") astutely points out: "She's a whole lotta woman!"

Sunday TV Night—Always something that’s being broadcast between 9-11 on Sunday nights.  Mad Men with special drinks and likely Iron Chef this week. 

Baby Brigade—We’ve got Oz for our 4:30 Baby Brigades on Monday.  And we’re partnering with 510families.com, the best frickin’ website in the East Bay for families with  babies and children.   If they say “go see a movie”, you say “yep, Oz”.

Doc Night—We’re showing Bidder 70 this week, a doc that’s got so many awards—not to mention advance purchases—that I think it’s really going to fill the joint on Tuesday.  It’s the story of Tim DeChristopher, a young man who disrupted a controversial BLM Oil and Gas leasing auction in 2008. He posed as a bidder (#70) and bid $1.7 million to win 22,000 acres of land he had no intention of paying for (or drilling on). Tim was federally indicted, convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for his courageous act of civil disobedience. Bidder 70 is a personal story surrounded by a wider context of citizen action, our history of peaceful civil disobedience, and grass roots movements demanding government and industry accountability (IMDB).

Parkway Classics—Will the Thrill's PARKWAY CLASSICS presents HEATHERS (1988).

Our part time cult movie programmer Will Viharo's pal Christian Slater - currently developing a film adaptation of Will's pulp novel "Love Stories Are Too Violent For Me" - made his big initial splash in this searing, satirical and enduringly quotable noir-comedy cult classic, one of the greatest high school movies ever made, co-starring sultry young Winona Ryder in her breakout role. "I love my dead gay son!" "Eskimo!" 

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses

Schedule May 10-16, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

In an effort to get some more butts in the seats at the New Parkway, we’re making a few changes with more to come in June.  I think you all know that the goal for this theater is sustainability and we’ve been losing money so far so we’ve got to tweak things here and there to stay afloat.  We’ve found that folks love our special events but we need more people coming out to our regular old features, which we think are pretty good offerings.  Won’t you help spread the word a be a tad more of a regular at what we hope is or will become your favorite East Bay Theater…Here are some of the highlights of the upcoming week or two:

·      Tonight’s Parkway Classic is Wild at Heart and we’ve got the movie and the book’s author, Barry Gifford, here in person.  Here the Q&A, get a book signed, see a classic.

·      We’ve got at least three Warriors’ games as they bounce their way towards the NBA championship.  Scheduled games in the best viewing room in town are Friday at 7:30, Sunday at 12:30, and Tuesday at 6:30.  Come show your love!

·      Shining Alert!  We’ve got the double feature of Room 237 followed by The Shining happening tomorrow night.  Scary good!

·      We’ve got Feelmore Fresh tomorrow night with Adults Only.  Where else can you see porn in a real theater without creepy dudes?  Here, that’s where, and without the creep!  We call it erotica and follow it up with a community dialogue, all brought to you by Feelmore 510.  Starting at 10:30 or so this week.

·      How about Streets of Fire with the Spinning Platters on Saturday night?  Or The Wiz Sing-Along with Spectrum Queer Media on Sunday afternoon?

·      Mother’s Day is Sunday!  And we’ve got the good mother, bad mother double feature brunch.  Or if you prefer your movies to be stranger and more Thrillvilling, you might spend your Mother’s Day evening with us with Mothra, the mother of all moths, or something like that.

·      Due to public demand, we’re starting a Sunday night Live TV segment from 9-11PM.  That means Mad Men live from 10-11PM and then perhaps some rotating shows beforehand.  This week, we’ll likely show the airing of Iron Chef.  And we’ll always have our special drinks to go along with Mad Men and perhaps all of our TV offerings.  $5 gets you a seat in front of the big screen.

·      Oppa Oakland Style is back on Monday with Peepli Live.  Peep that!

·      Wednesday is changing dramatically here at the New Parkway.  We’re ditching our two afternoon showings, swapping out the 2 for 1 ticket special (why didn’t enough people come for that?) for Happy Hour drinks and prices all night long, and we might add some special programming as well.

·      Next Thursday, we’ve got Battle Royale followed by Shaun of the Dead.  Not a double feature, but it would make a doubly good night at the New Parkway.

And yet another plug for some upcoming things, including the brilliant Brando:

·      We’re doing our second movie marathon on May 19^th, this time showing the Godfather trilogy.  That means roughly 10 hours of mostly outstanding moviemaking and some optional movie-inspired food and drink.  Get your tickets today!

·      The Champions League Final is only 3 weeks away.  It’s sure to sell out, and if we fill one house in advance, we may very well be able to show it on two screens, and make it even grander than the Super Bowl where they play that other football.

And here’s what Adam has to say about our features.  So clever…

Hi All:

The weather is starting to pick up. That delicious summer haze has finally started to descend upon us. After months of staying in and catching up on 'House of Cards' and 'Justified', we can finally start to open the curtains and enjoy the glorious sunshine. And you will thoroughly enjoy that sunshine as you walk from your car to the New Parkway. Because there is something uniquely wonderful about going to a movie when it is beautiful outside. The popcorn tastes fresher (we buy old kernels in the Winter), the beer tastes colder (we turn our fridges on in the Summer), and the staff is friendlier (they drink the cold beer and eat the fresh popcorn before work). So embrace the sunshine and sit indoors for a great movie. 

Olympus Has Fallen

I went through a period back from 2005-2007 when I watched an ungodly (God likes moderation) amount of documentaries. They were informative and gripping and brought a number of unknown topics to light. I felt smart and well-informed. But those documentaries didn't have a ridiculously armed war helicopter shooting the living hell out of the White House. And sometimes that's exactly what the doctor ordered. I find perverse joy in stupid, fun action movies that know exactly how silly they are and proceed with their tongue firmly in cheek. 

This movie could have been made by Kim Jong-Un's propaganda department and segments will likely be shown in North Korea in years to come as factual events. Gerard Butler continues where '300' left off with somewhat limited acting skills but impeccable action star skills. Please proceed as follows: Walk in, buy popcorn and beer, leave brain at door (you can collect it later), enjoy the spectacle and then go to see a documentary (to fill up the cotton candy swirling around your head). 

Disconnect

Do you think the Internet is evil? Not evil like a Bond villain, sitting at the bottom of a volcano, stroking a hairless cat, while causing mayhem. Maybe evil is too strong a word. How about inherently dangerous? If so, this movie is right up your alley. If not, just wait. When you drunkenly Facebook message your ex, this movie will be perfect for you. Jason Bateman headlines his first major dramatic role. And he delivers with a strong performance.

Murderball director Henry Alex Rubin explores the destructive potential of the internet in this ensemble drama. Even in the heightened awareness of a post- age, it is naturally gripping (NPR). It is an absorbing analysis of who we are as a people living in an advanced electronic age that is both potentially dangerous and convenient.

Trance
Some rare directors are just so good they never make a bad movie. Danny Boyle is definitely in this category. After taking a time-out to complete the masterful Olympics opening ceremony last year, Boyle is back with an all-star cast in this gripping psychological thriller. Simon (James McAvoy), a fine art auctioneer, teams up with a criminal gang to steal a painting worth millions of dollars, but after suffering a blow to the head during the heist he awakens to discover he has no memory of where he hid the painting. The gang's leader (Vincent Cassel) hires a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson) to delve into the darkest recesses of Simon's psyche.

Like any good Hitchcock movie, this movie has plenty of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end. The acting is superb. Be warned: it requires some semblance of thought and concentration on your part. Well- more than Iron Man 3 anyway. 

Adam

And now for more information about our repertory and special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing Charlotte’s Web on Friday afternoon at 4 and Saturday at 12:30.  If this is not a family classic, then what is?  And this week, and from this point forward, we are partnering with the lovely and informative 510families.com who demand that every single one of their followers come to this very very cool, very family friendly theater.  Heed their call!

Spectrum Queer Cinema—On Sunday at around 3:30, Spectrum Queer Media presents The Wiz Sing-Along. Bring mom and the entire family out to have fun singing along with one of the most incredible Broadway film song lists EVER! 

Thrillville—on Sunday at 6:15PM or so, join us as THRILLVILLE THEATER presents MOTHRA (1961), hosted by renowned kaiju eigu expert and award-winning author AUGUST RAGONE ("Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters")  What better way to celebrate Mothra's - that is, Mother's Day than with the mother of all Japanese monster movies, the massively maternal masterpiece MOTHRA (1961)! Plus trivia, prizes and surprises from our celebrity guest host. Presented in original Japanese language with English subtitles. Don't worry, you'll pick up the plot easily enough - it's right there in the title.

Sunday TV Night—Always something that’s being broadcast between 9-11 on Sunday nights.  Mad Men with special drinks and likely Iron Chef this week. 

Baby Brigade—We’ve got Trance and Disconnect for our 4:30 and 6:30 Baby Brigades on Monday.  That’s a whole bunch of thrill and mind twists and turns.  But good stuff and worth considering making it your baby’s first double-feature.  Come on, you owe it to yourself.  And for this as well, we are partnering with the energetic and inquisitive 510families.com who demand that every single one of their followers come to this very very cool, very family friendly theater.  Again, heed their call!

Parkway Classics—Will the Thrill's PARKWAY CLASSICS presents SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004).  Arguably the funniest "zomedy" ever made is best enjoyed in a pub that also serves pizza, surrounded by hungry, drooling….fellow patrons. They'll be laughing, too. Starring Simon Pegg (co-writer) and Edgar Wright (writer/director) as the affable British slackers fighting off hordes of rabid, ravenous zombies (the old school slow but scary kind). The apocalypse has never been so horrifying - or hilarious.

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses

Schedule May 3-9, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

Welcome to May at the New Parkway!  Here are the early highlights:

·      Tomorrow night’s Parkway Classic is Pulp Fiction.  If you’ve not seen it, it’s an absolute must, and if you have seen it, it’s an absolute must that you come to quote along your favorite lines.  So between the two groups, it’s sure to sell out, so get your tix early.

·      We’ve got at least two and likely more Warriors games this week.  Tomorrow is the first one, and depending on how that goes, we’ll have more added the schedule.  Because we’ve had raucous full houses for these showings, we’re scheduling these as they are announced, so that sometimes means some last-minute schedule changes.

·      We’re hosting the Rose Foundation’s Action! Film Festival this Saturday night.

·      Our entrée into showing live TV shows on our giant screen—sports aside—will kick off with RuPaul’s Drag Race finale on Monday night.   Join us at 7pm in the Ulterior Illusions Lounge (ie the mezzanine cafe) for encore screenings of two of Season 5's most sickening episodes.  Then, grab your drinks and your squirrel friends, and sashay into the auditorium for a LIVE screening of the Reunion Episode and watch as RuPaul's Drag Race crown its Season 5 Winner!  Treats for anyone who comes in drag!

·      First Friday is two days away.  Cool free offerings from 6-9PM followed by less-free offerings (our feature movies) starting at 9:30.  Parking is tricky so take public transportation and have a great time at the New Parkway.  We promise one of the best beer selections and the most plentiful free bathrooms on the First Friday strip.

·      Next week’s Parkway Classic will be Wild at Heart with author Barry Gifford in attendance.  Come for the movie, stay for the Q & A.

·      Shining Alert!  We’re showing Room 237 for our Doc Night and then have a great double feature three days later: a May 9^th doubleheader of Room 237 followed by The Shining.  Scary good!

We’ve also got some other biggies coming our way, so get your tickets now for the following events, in reverse order:

·      We’re doing our second movie marathon on May 19^th, this time showing the Godfather trilogy.  That means roughly 10 hours of mostly outstanding moviemaking and some optional movie-inspired food and drink.  Get your tickets today!

·      We’re partnering with Tugg to present Battle Royale, as long as there’s enough interest.  It’s a bit like Kickstarter in that it only happens if we get 60 people to advance purchase tickets for the May 16^th show.  Check it out and join us for this special showing.

·      Mother’s Day is right around the corner.  Why not join us at the New Parkway for our first Mother’s Day.  We’re throwing a good mother, bad mother double feature brunch, Joan Crawford style.  We’ll start by delighting you with Mildred Pierce, along with an outstanding brunch, and then horrify you with Mommie Dearest.  How’s that for an unforgettable Mother’s Day?

Hi All:

It's the calm before the summer season storm (well it is as I write this). Before Robert Downey Jr can pummel your weary brain senseless in Iron Man 3 (expect a good review in a month if we manage to get it) you can catch up on a spring hit and Danny Boyle's latest offering. Or watch 'Silver Linings Playbook' again. Or you could wait in line for 'Iron Man 3' on Friday. An over-excited kid will probably puke on your shoes. You will arrive 20 minutes early and see a long winding queue wrapping around the local movie theater. When you eventually make it into the cinema, the solitary remaining seat in the front row to the extreme right will be waiting for you. After you pay $126 to the chiropractor for your permanently damaged neck, you will realize you should have gone to the New Parkway. Where civilized people go. To watch good movies with a hearty ale and delicious pizza. 

Silver Linings Playbook

It's back. For another week. Why? (having a two sided conversation with yourself via email is the first sign of insanity) Because it is that good. If you have heard nothing about this delightful movie, you must not get out much. Or at all. You are probably still living at home with an old Victorian doll named Viola that your mom made for your 6th birthday and every year she knits you a new outfit. 

For everyone else, if you have not seen it yet, you are missing out. A conversation will come up in the next 2-8 years where other people are discussing how good it is. You might mention that you have never seen it and the rest of the group will shake their heads like you are a true fool. Or you might lie and pretend you have seen it and be secretly hoping no-one questions you on it because then you are screwed. Don't let this situation happen. Just go see it. Save yourself the social embarrassment. 

Trance

Some rare directors are just so good they never make a bad movie. Danny Boyle is definitely in this category. After taking a time-out to complete the masterful Olympics opening ceremony last year, Boyle is back with an all star cast in this gripping psychological thriller. Simon (James McAvoy), a fine art auctioneer, teams up with a criminal gang to steal a painting worth millions of dollars, but after suffering a blow to the head during the heist he awakens to discover he has no memory of where he hid the painting. The gang's leader (Vincent Cassel) hires a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson) to delve into the darkest recesses of Simon's psyche.

Like any good Hitchcock movie, this movie has plenty of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end. The acting is superb. Be warned: it requires some semblance of thought and concentration on your part. Well- more than Iron Man 3 anyway. 

Identity Thief

What would happen if someone stole your identity and racked up thousands of dollars of charges in a few days. And you found that person? It's pretty clear to any sane person that you would inflict severe pain on the identity thief and made sure they never had fingers to steal with again. Fortunately for us, not everyone thinks like a sane person and as a result we have 'Identity Thief'. 

Melissa McCarthy is an acquired taste. I really liked her in 'Bridesmaids'. But I know plenty of people who can't stand her. She shows surprisingly good comedic range here. She is well supported by Jason Bateman who is just a naturally good actor. This movie was a surprise hit. There must be a reason for its unexpected success. There must be. Go see it to find out. 

Adam

And now for more information about our repertory and special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing the Last Unicorn on Friday at 4PM and Sunday at 12:30.  Only one of the mythological creatures escapes the evil King Haggard's plan to eliminate all unicorns from the land in Rankin-Bass's (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) sophisticated production of The Last Unicorn. In hopes of rescuing her exiled breed, the last unicorn (voice by Mia Farrow) teams up with the kindly, if bumbling wizard Schmendrick the Magician (voice by Alan Arkin), who accompanies her on the far-reaching and treacherous quest to save her kind. 

Spectrum Queer Cinema—SPECTRUM Queer Cinema is happening on Sunday with a queer surprise.  Not necessarily because it’s a surprise but because we don’t know what’s showing so it will be a surprise to everyone.  3PM, and check back on their site for more info.

Thrillville—on Sunday at 6PM, join us for THRILLVILLE THEATER’s Cinco de Mayo Special: Johnny Legend presents NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES (1969).  Johnny Legend hosts his own special edition of this notoriously sleazy Mexican monster movie classic (not for the faint of heart or immature, contains graphic content!), plus a B movie trailer reel, prizes, and a special guest personal appearance by The Aztec Mummy himself!

Baby Brigade—We’ve got Trance and Identity Thief for our 4:30 and 6:30 Baby Brigades on Monday.  No Academy Awards here but some mediocre to good stuff of different flavors.

Doc Night—as described earlier, we’ve got Room 237 about the making of the Shining on Tuesday night. 

2 for 1 Wednesdays—Final Alert!  Unless attendance picks up, 2 for 1 Wednesday is going to go away and we’re going to do other more expensive things that night.  Here’s the info about our current Wednesday: All day Wednesday, 2 for 1 admission prices with movies starting at 3:30.  Happy Hour drinks from 5-7PM followed by arts and crafts projects in the café that you can do with your buzz on.

Parkway Classics—Will the Thrill's Parkway Classics presents WILD AT HEART (1990) with author BARRY GIFFORD in person!  Don't miss this special screening of David Lynch's truly bizarre but beautiful road movie/love story chronicling the incredibly strange adventures of Sailor (Nicolas Cage) and Lula (Laura Dern), including a Q&A session with the novel's author and co-scriptwriter, the Bay Area's own literary lion, Barry Gifford!

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses

Schedule April 26-May 2, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

Here’s what’s coming up at your neighborhood picture pizza pub: lots.  Now for some of the highlights:

·      We’ve got a very special documentary presentation on Tuesday night of Funk Jazz Kafe, Diary of a Decade, with the filmmaker in attendance.  The award-winning Funk Jazz Kafe has sold out everywhere it’s played and Oakland does not want to disappoint.  Don’t miss it, and buy your tickets today.

·      We’re doubling up the documentaries on Tuesday with a free showing of Out in America starting at 6PM.  This is a special early start time so that we’ve got time to show…

·      We’ve got at least three and likely four Warriors playoff games this week, so come on out to root for the home team as they take on the Denver McNuggets.   The games are tomorrow (Friday) night in the café (free admission) and Sunday and Tuesday night on the silver screen ($5 admission).  And there will likely be a game on Thursday but we don’t have info about that one just yet.

·      Nerd Nite will be filling the house on Monday night.  Aint hundreds and hundreds of nerds in one place worth seeing?

·      If you’ve not been out to a Barely Legal event yet, you’re barely living.  Instead, come live la vida loca, or, in this case, the La Vida Abba.  On Saturday, they’ll help bring out your inner Abba as they lead a sing-along of Mamma Mia.  Sing loud so that you can mask the less than stellar singing of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. 

·      Parkway Grindhouse is back on Friday night with Dead Alive aka Braindead, hosted by Misery Ann Mayhem.   So that means that everyone will be yucking it up with corny horror and pre-film trivia and prizes.

·      We’ve got the UEFA Champions League semifinals, part deux, on Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:45.  What’s that you say, Germany has conquered the soccer world?  The last time that Barca was counted out, they showed us, and Real Madrid has had its back to the wall a few times and they’re still around.  So come out for the thrilling conclusion.  Free admission.

·      Next Thursday’s Parkway Classic is Pulp Fiction.  If you’ve not seen it, it’s an absolute must, and if you have seen it, it’s an absolute must that you come to quote along your favorite lines.  So between the two groups, it’s sure to sell out, so get your tix early.

We’ve also got some other biggies coming our way, so get your tickets now for the following events, in reverse order:

·      We’re doing our second movie marathon on May 19^th, this time showing the Godfather trilogy.  That means roughly 10 hours of mostly outstanding moviemaking and some optional movie-inspired food and drink.  Get your tickets today!

·      We’re very excited about our irreverent approach to our first Mother’s Day.  So come on out on May 11^th for our good mother, bad mother double feature brunch, Joan Crawford style.  We’ll start by delighting you with Marge Pierce, along with an outstanding brunch, and then horrify you with Mommie Dearest.  How’s that for an unforgettable Mother’s Day?

·      Speaking of double features and horrifying you, we’ve got a May 9^th doubleheader of Room 237 followed by The Shining.  Scary good!

·      Our entrée into showing live TV shows on our giant screen—sports aside—will kick off with Ru Paul’s Drag Race finale.   Join us on May 6^th at 7pm in the Ulterior Illusions Lounge (ie the mezzanine cafe) for encore screenings of two of Season 5's most sickening episodes.  Then, grab your drinks and your squirrel friends, and sashay into the auditorium for a LIVE screening of the Reunion Episode and watch as RuPaul's Drag Race crown its Season 5 Winner!  Treats for anyone who comes in drag!

And here’s what Adam has to say about our features:

Hi All:

It turns out there is a real interest in romantic comedies and mental health. Well, if the movie is good. Sandra Bullock's 'All About Steve' (disturbingly also featuring Bradley Cooper) was a disaster on a number of different levels and did not receive the same level of interest. Deservedly. There is also legitimate interest in young women in bikinis making bad choices under the evil influence of James Franco. Who knew? As a result, we are holding over these two very popular movies and supplementing them with a wonderfully different choice. 'No' is the most popular word in a 3 year old's (very limited) vocabulary. It is also the name of a gripping, political thriller set in Chile. Options galore. Embrace them.

No

In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet (under considerable international pressure, is forced to call a vote on his presidency. Opposition leaders for the NO campaign persuade a young advertising executive (Gael Garcia Bernal), to run their campaign. With few resources and under scrutiny by the dictator's followers, his team devise a plan to win the election and set Chile free. The movie is a funny look at the way the media warps public opinion. It is extremely perceptive and done in a thrillingly satirical way.

Despite being wonderful in nearly every foreign language film he appears in Gael Garcia Bernal has never managed to break through in American movies. But honestly, who cares when he is this good in foreign language films. He is intense and engaging and is allowed to flourish with a sharply written script and direction. This film is truly excellent and you will not regret taking a chance on it.

Silver Linings Playbook

David O. Russell is an interesting filmmaker. And quite a passionate person. Past history includes getting into a fistfight with George Clooney and yelling angrily at Lily Tomlin which subsequently leaked on to YouTube. But you can't deny his talent. 'Flirting with Disaster' is one of my favorite movies ever. 'Three Kings' and 'The Fighter' feature gripping stories and outstanding acting. 'I Heart Huckabees'- eh. Not much to say about that movie because I am still confused. Thankfully 'Silver Linings Playbook' absolutely belongs in the upper echelon of Russell's movies. 

This is Bradley Cooper in his finest role yet. Daniel Day Lewis was outstanding in 'Lincoln'. But he must have been feeling slightly nervous before his name was called out because Cooper is a revelation here. He is in excellent company with Jennifer Lawrence who probably deserved the Oscar more for 'Winter's Bone' but is wonderful here too. You would hardly think mixing mental health and football into a romantic comedy would ever work but it really does. Robert De Niro also gives a performance that makes you angry at his time-wasting in bad movies over the last ten years. 

Spring Breakers

I am big fan of the Guardian Film podcast (UK based newspaper). They take great relish in discussing movies before ripping them uniformly to shreds. No matter how highly regarded it is by the mainstream press, they will find fault and point out plot holes and inadequate (in their view) story development. Imagine my shock when asked for their favorite movie of the year so far, 'Spring Breakers' featured prominently on the list. Shock registered because of the storyline. The film follows four college-aged girls who decide to rob a fast food restaurant in order to pay for their spring break. Hardly Pulitzer Prize material.

But Harmony Korine's fast paced crime thriller transcends normal expectations and delivers a thoroughly entertaining film. It features Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez in debaucherous form that probably has their old Disney paymasters blushing. Korine's story is a 'searing indictment of today's hedonistic, nihilistic youth, and his script is loaded with sharp, telling dialogue that exposes the rotten moral cores of its characters' (Toronto Star). James Franco is delightful in full 'Drexl' mode as a charismatic drug dealer.

Adam

And now for more information about our repertory and special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER on Friday and Saturday.  The Muppets.  Bring the family!

Spectrum Queer Cinema—SPECTRUM Queer Media.com presents THE AGGRESSIVES. The Aggressives is a dynamic film shot in vibrant NYC on digital video, featuring intimate interviews with six lesbians who define themselves as "Aggressives." We show their daily lives and also highlight their participation in the underground lesbian "ball" scene (the female counterpart to "Paris is Burning"). The Aggressives range in masculinity but do not aspire to be men. Nor are they "drag kings." They have found an unexplored loophole in society's gender tapestry and this film seeks to expose their world.

Thrillville—on Sunday at 6PM, THRILLVILLE THEATER presents THE TINGLER (1959), hosted by THE UNDERTAKER!  William Castle's most famous and frightening film stars Vincent Price in one of his most sinister roles, creating creepy spinal-monsters and experimenting with psychedelic drugs! A creature feature classic, not be missed on the big screen. As for wiring the seats and sofas for "Percepto," don't worry, you'll be wired enough. Presented by local horror host The Undertaker, making his Thrillville/Parkway debut.

Baby Brigade—We’ve got the Academy Award nominated No!, starring the man you want to father all your future babies, Gael Garcia Bernal, making his Baby Brigade debut on Monday.  Come see this interesting depiction of Chile’s 1988 plebiscite, only at 4:30.   

Doc Night—as described earlier, two docs, Funk Jazz Kafe and Out in America, both on Tuesday night, dueling for documentary supremacy.

2 for 1 Wednesdays—Spoiler Alert #2!  Unless attendance picks up, 2 for 1 Wednesday is going to go away and we’re going to do other more expensive things that night.  Here’s the info about our current Wednesday: All day Wednesday, 2 for 1 admission prices with movies starting at 3:30.  Happy Hour drinks from 5-7PM followed by arts and crafts projects in the café that you can do with your buzz on.

Parkway Classics—Will the Thrill's Parkway Classics presents PULP FICTION (1994).

What else can be said about Quentin Tarantino's enduringly influential, hysterically hilarious neo-noir masterpiece? Uma Thurman, Samuel Jackson, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Harvey Keitel and many other stars make that Oscar-winning dialogue zing. The only things that could possibly make this famously fun flick a more enjoyable experience are pizza, beer and a crowd of fellow fans. Those we got. Foot massages are up to you, but be careful whom you give them to...

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses

Schedule April 19-25, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

We’ve got some real quality flicks coming our way this week.  No joshing!  Adam will tell you more about the new features shortly, but here are some of the other highlights:

·      Even though it’s not on the calendar yet, we’ll be showing some of the Golden State Warriors’ playoff games this upcoming week (link here soon).  Game times will be announced tomorrow so we’ll juggle a few things then.  We can’t promise that we’ll show all the games but if the people come, we will build it.  And we’ll build it big!

·      Filmmaker in the house alert!  We’ve got a second showing of The Battle for Brooklyn on Saturday at 4:45 with a Q&A following the show. 

·      After three great weeks, we’ve got two last showings on Saturday and Sunday of Side Effects.  This is worth seeing and there’s no better place to see it than at the New Parkway.  Come on out!

·      In case you celebrate all things 4/20, the New Parkway is the perfect after party or pre-party with the worldwide debut of Cheech and Chong’s Animated Movie both Friday and Saturday nights.  Chong even talked about the premier at the New Parkway on the radio.  Maybe he’ll even show up.  If not in real life, you might imagine both Cheech and Chong in attendance under the right influence.  Sorry, absolutely no smoking allowed at the New Parkway Theater.

·      If you prefer the real life to the animated, come on out for burlesque on Saturday night.  Fear not, there’s a grassy theme for the nudie dudies you’ll be laying eyes on for our monthly visit with Sequinsomnia.

·      Just in case everything was feeling too naughty with Spring Breakers, Cheech and Chong, and burlesque, we’ve got the Sound of Music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to balance things out.  Come with the family.  Come sing songs.

·      Paris will burn on Sunday afternoon as part of Spectrum Queer Media’s Sunday matinee (link here soon).  What better way to enjoy the afternoon than with Paris is Burning!?!

·      We’ve got two very important films on Monday and Tuesday nights.  We’ll be showing one of the nominees for the Best Foreign Film, War Witch, on Monday as part of our Foreign Cinema night, and everyone should learn more about the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  You’ll also want to check out Fierce Green Fire about environmentalism and activism on Tuesday.  Both are over 95% on Rotten Tomatoes (link here soon)!

·      We’ve got great café activities happening weeknights including beer tasting, live music, team trivia, art-making, and board games.  And it’s almost all free.  Come have a beer with us, have fun, and build community.

Again, just a reminder to check our calendar regularly to see if the Warriors are bumping any of the currently scheduled features.  And another reminder that if you’d like to have a great party at the New Parkway, and can get at least 40 friends to come with you, you should apply for one of our Sunday nights.

Here’s what Adam has to say about our features:

Hi All,

Very exciting line-up this week. Before the summer movie season kicks off you have a great opportunity to catch up on one of the best movies of last year and one of the most exciting movies of this year. And they could not be more different.  You get to see the loss of Disney innocence (always the best innocence to lose) due to James Franco's dubious means and a sweet, romantic comedy that deals with mental health issues. Both are well worth watching and definitely worth a trip to the New Parkway.  

Silver Linings Playbook

David O. Russell is an interesting filmmaker. And quite a passionate person. Past history includes getting into a fistfight with George Clooney and yelling angrily at Lily Tomlin which subsequently leaked on to YouTube. But you can't deny his talent. 'Flirting with Disaster' is one of my favorite movies ever. 'Three Kings' and 'The Fighter' feature gripping stories and outstanding acting. 'I Heart Huckabees'- eh. Not much to say about that movie because I am still confused. Thankfully, 'Silver Linings Playbook' absolutely belongs in the upper echelon of Russell's movies. 

This is Bradley Cooper in his finest role yet. Daniel Day Lewis was outstanding in 'Lincoln'. But he must have been feeling slightly nervous before his name was called out because Cooper is a revelation here. He is in excellent company with Jennifer Lawrence who probably deserved the Oscar more for 'Winter's Bone' but is wonderful here too. You would hardly think mixing mental health and football into a romantic comedy would ever work but it really does. Robert De Niro also gives a performance that makes you angry at his time-wasting in bad movies over the last ten years. 

Spring Breakers

I am big fan of the Guardian Film podcast (UK based newspaper). They take great relish in discussing movies before ripping them uniformly to shreds. No matter how highly regarded it is by the mainstream press, they will find fault and point out plot holes and inadequate (in their view) story development. Imagine my shock when asked for their favorite movie of the year so far, 'Spring Breakers' featured prominently on the list. Shock registered because of the storyline. The film follows four college-aged girls who decide to rob a fast food restaurant in order to pay for their spring break. Hardly Pulitzer Prize material. 

But Harmony Korine's fast-paced crime thriller transcends normal expectations and delivers a thoroughly entertaining film. It features Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez in debaucherous form that probably has their old Disney paymasters blushing. Korine's story is a 'searing indictment of today's hedonistic, nihilistic youth, and his script is loaded with sharp, telling dialogue that exposes the rotten moral cores of its characters' (Toronto Star). James Franco is delightful in full 'Drexl' mode as a charismatic drug dealer. 

Adam

And now for more information about our repertory and special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing THE SOUND OF MUSIC on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  It’s the Sound of Music!  Enough said!

Spectrum Queer Cinema—SPECTRUM Queer Media.com presents PARIS IS BURNING (link here soon!).  You know it.  You love it.  And you’ll mark your calendars to be there and/or to be queer.

Thrillville—on Sunday at 6PM, THRILLVILLE THEATER presents STARCRASH (1978) hosted by Lord Blood-Rah and the Cave Girls from Creepy KOFY Movie Time!  The incredible Caroline Munro stars in this infamous "Star Wars" rip-off from legendary schlockmeister, Roger Corman. Cheap sci-fi thrills, psychedelic and psychotronic, '70s exploitation style!

Baby Brigade—We’ve got SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK two times on Monday, at both 4:30 and 6:30.  So come out to watch a great movie with baby in tow.

Foreign Cinema—Monday we’re showing one of 2012’s best films, WAR WITCH (link here soon!), about the Democratic Republic of Congo, about war and children soldiers, and about albinism.  If you’ve not taken your vitamins in April, or even if you have and you want to make your brain healthier, this is a flick to catch.

Doc Night—We’ve got the fiercely-loved A FIERCE GREEN FIRE (link here soon) for Doc Night on Tuesday night.   It’s by the director of Berkeley in the Sixties—great movie—and is narrated by the smart, committed, and foxy quintet of Isabel Allende, Robert Redford, Van Jones, Meryl Streep, and Ashley Judd.  That’s a good Tuesday night!

2 for 1 Wednesdays—Spoiler Alert!  Unless attendance picks up, 2 for 1 Wednesday is going to go away and we’re going to do other more expensive things that night.  Here’s the info about our current Wednesday: All day Wednesday, 2 for 1 admission prices with movies starting at 3:30.  Happy Hour drinks from 5-7PM followed by arts and crafts projects in the café that you can do with your buzz on.

Parkway Classics—Will the Thrill's PARKWAY CLASSICS presents DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993) (link here soon).  Richard Linklater's celebrated 1970s answer to "American Graffiti" is a hilarious yet oddly touching time capsule of the classic pet rock era, also told via intersecting episodes over the course of one memorable night. Features an amazing ensemble cast including young Milla Jovovich and Matthew McConaughey.  Quentin Tarantino has called it his favorite film of the 90s. 

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses

Schedule April 12-18, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

There seems to be some debate about the quality of our features this week—come see for yourself—but there is no debate about our selection of local beers nor about the awesomeness of our Mystery Meal, our new Hot Meat of the Day, and our Deep-Fried Rice Balls.  Ignore them at your own risk.  Here’s what else is hot and meaty at the New Parkway:

·      We’ve got the kick-off of the Oakland Poetry Slam tonight at 9:30.  Actually, not the kick-off, but they’ll be doing their thing for the first time here at the New Parkway, including an open mic.  Where’s CJ?

·      We’ve got the 16^th Anniversary of Thrillville on Sunday night which is quite a feat for a theater that’s only been open four months.  But they’ll be yucking it up with their funny hats and cultish (movie) grins as they celebrate a generation of offbeat film.

·      The return of Feelmore Fresh is tomorrow night with Hysteria.  Don’t miss our night of erotica.

·      The New Parkway will have a whole mess of folks trapped in the closet on Saturday night, and singing along.   This will sell-out so we encourage you to get your tickets in advance.  There’s only so much room in that closet, after all.

·      Movies AND music on Sunday night.  Like some high quality stuff!

·      Beer-tasting and music on Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, art on Wednesdays, and board games on Thursdays.

And a few other things to mark on your calendars…more info to follow:

·      We’re going to do two Mother’s Day brunches (or join us for a Joan Crawford double feature) on May 12^th.  The theme this year is Good Mom, Bad Mom, and we’ll be showing Mildred Pierce followed by Mommie Dearest.   Each movie will be accompanied by yummy food and drink, and we’ll be sending out more info about these shortly.

·      We’re ready to announce our second Movie Marathon, May 19^th, as we show the Godfather trilogy.  So mark your calendars for an 11am start time and a whole bunch of pasta and chianti, along with a whole bunch of Brando.   Again, more info to follow.

Here’s what Adam has to say about our movies this week:

Hi All,

Now that March Madness is over (except for those that are deeply disturbed) you can settle down and catch up on movies you have been ignoring at the New Parkway (no excuse for not seeing Side Effects now), other movies you have not had a chance to see (On the Road) and movies that had questionable trailers and made you not want to see them (Jack the Giant Slayer). Or you can go about your everyday life. Doing laundry. Washing dishes. Waking up with nothing to look forward to. Day after day. Just one more day before the inevitable end. 

Side Effects

Have you ever taken prescription drugs and noticed the label says they should not be combined with grape-fruit juice? And after drinking a few Greyhounds to see what would happen, woken up in Tijuana with no clothes. Most people actually follow the advice of the label and don't encounter these problems. But even the label readers can encounter some issues with the side effects of some drugs. You have seen the ads. A happy older woman frolicking around with her grandchildren. After promising renewed health, vigor and life changing remedies, the ad is legally obliged to list some of the side effects. May cause insomnia, bleeding from the ear, rage and high blood pressure. 

The movie Side Effects deals with the creepy underbelly of the pharmaceuticals industry. By taking certain drugs what are we leaving ourselves open to? Given it's a Steven Soderbergh movie, it is done in an entertaining and highly believable way. Featuring Jude Law and Rooney Mara (heiress to the NY Giants NFL franchise) in superb form, this Hitchcockian (not sure if this is a term) thriller pulls no punches and is a riveting thriller. 

On the Road

Jack the Giant Slayer

Yes, the trailers looked decidedly dodgy. Too scary for kids. Too childish for grownups. But sometimes you need a good old-fashioned adventure. And Bryan Singer delivers. Avoiding the fact that they need to stop making these modern updates of fairy tales (Hansel and Gretel- Witch hunters and Red Riding Hood being two atrocious examples) Jack the Giant Slayer (Killer was apparently too scary for kids) is consistently amusing, fun and well acted. In the hands of Peter Jackson, there is an excellent chance this would have turned into a 9 hour trilogy delving into the history of giants with a new update released every year. But 'Jack the Giant Slayer' is action packed and squeezes a lot into it's less than 2 hours running time. 

Part of the problem is when you spend $200M on a movie (and $100M marketing it) if it does not do exceedingly well, it is tagged as a failure. As a result, no-one goes to see it. But this is one of those movies that is surprisingly fun and wonderful to see on the big screen. 

On the Road

Based on Jack Kerouc's beloved American novel, On The Road is the story of Sal Paradise, an aspiring New York writer, and Dean Moriarty, a  charming ex-con, married to the very liberated and seductive Marylou. Sal and Dean bond instantly upon meeting. Determined not to get locked into a constricted life, the two friends cut their ties and take to the road with Marylou. Thirsting for freedom, the three young people head off in search of the world, of other encounters, and of themselves

Following up the excellent 'Motorcycle Diaries', Walter Salles road movie has been in the making for a long time. Francis Ford Coppolla bought the rights in 1979 and has tried to make this movie multiple times over the years. Featuring an all-star cast including Garrett Hedlund (widely praised for his role), Amy Adams, Steve Buscemi, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Kristen Stewart, this is an excellent ensemble period piece that is thoroughly enjoyable. 

Adam

And now for more information about our repertory and special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing AN AMERICAN TAIL on both Friday afternoon (pre-First Friday) and Saturday at 12:30.  It’s our most family-friendly showing (meaning G-rated) and we’re co-presenting with www.510families.com, so if you’re a family in the 510, there’s no reason for you not to attend.

Spectrum Queer Cinema—SPECTRUM Queer Media.com presents The Watermelon Woman. The first film by and about an African-American lesbian, writer-director Cheryl Dunye's fantasy is a "mockumentary," focusing on recapturing the life and times of a fictionalized 1930s Hollywood actress. Dunye plays herself as a video store employee who yearns to be a director. She decides to make a documentary about Fae Richards (Lisa Marie Bronson), a forgotten African-American actress from the 1930s. Dunye discovers the woman, who often played degrading roles as a "mammy" in Hollywood films, was the secret lover of a white director, Martha Paige. Dunye interviews feminist historian Camille Paglia (playing herself), who explains Richards' career and its importance. While researching the project, Dunye falls in love with Diana (Guinevere Turner), a white customer. But her unceasing work on the film project interferes with her relationships with Diana and also with her friend and fellow video store employee Tamara (Valarie Walker). ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi 

Thrillville—THRILLVILLE'S 16TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW featuring THIS ISLAND EARTH (1955), hosted by Will the Thrill!  Come celebrate 16 years of B movies - brains, blood, beasts, breasts, bikers, blaxploitation, beatniks and more - in swingin' style as original Parkway programmer and longtime host/producer of the cult movie cabaret Thrillville (now "franchised" at TNP), Will "the Thrill" Viharo presents this vintage sci-fi classic direct from Metaluna, plus a few surprise Space Age shorts, with prizes and signed copies of his latest novel, the sci-fi pulp epic "It Came From Hangar 18," for sale. Cheers!

Baby Brigade—We’ve got Side Effects and On The Road for you this Monday, at 4:30 and 6:30 respectively.  Co-sponsored by www.510families.com, so you know that it’s good, clean, fun, or so we believe.  Even the dirty scenes in each movie have the stamp of approval to show to babies under 1 year of age, so go on out and watch a movie, you parents.

Foreign Cinema—Oakland Oppa Style is back, and this Monday, we’re showing THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE WEIRD, the story of two outlaws and a bounty hunter in 1940s Manchuria and their rivalry to possess a treasure map while being pursued by the Japanese army and Chinese bandits.

Doc Night—Michael Orange’s Brooklyn Reconstructed series has its finale on Tuesday night with The Battle for Brooklyn.  Battle for Brooklyn (2012), by Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley, follows the story of reluctant activist Daniel Goldstein as he struggles to save his home and community from being demolished to make way for a professional basketball arena and the densest real estate development in U.S. history. Along the way, he falls in love, gets married and starts a family while living in a vacated building located at the heart of the project site. Over the course of seven years, Daniel spearheads the movement against the development plan as he and the community fight tenaciously in the courts, the streets, and the media to stop the abuse of eminent domain and reveal the corruption at the heart of the plan.

2 for 1 Wednesdays—All day Wednesday, 2 for 1 admission prices with movies starting at 3:30.  And now with Happy Hour drinks from 5-7PM followed by arts and crafts projects in the café that you can do with your buzz on.

Parkway Classics—Will the Thrill's Parkway Classics presents Alex Cox's punk sci-fi cult classic REPO MAN (1984), starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. Killer soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop and many others. "Plate of shrimp."  Come on out on Thursday!

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses

Schedule April 5-11, 2013

Dear New Parkway Lover:

Had a good last week and now we’re heading into what could be a real biggie at the New Parkway.  Here are some of the highlights:

·      It’s the first Friday of April, and that means Art Murmur at the New Parkway.  We’ve got two theaters of free programming from 6-9PM, art up on the walls, live music, and great food and drink.  And then we’ll have Argo and Side Effects after that.

·      We’ve got the Oakland International Film Festival all day Saturday and Sunday. 

·      Spectrum Queer Cinema is presenting the pilot of Dyke Central featuring our very own Mercedes Gibson.  Yay, Mercedes! 

·      We’re showing the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game on Monday night at 6PM.  AND, if the Cal women make it into the championship game, we’ll show that as well on Tuesday night, bumping Side Effects.  Sorry, Side Effects, but this is Bear Country if they’re in the final.

We’re keeping two of our features from last week, but we’re going to let Adam say something about them anyways:

Hi All,

This week we have a combination of new and old movies. Well, they are both old in that we showed them last week. But Side Effects came out pretty recently and Argo came out in limited release before the election. Why on earth would you go and see a movie at the Parkway when you could just stream it in the comfort of your own home? Well, a couple of reasons actually:

1) It's about the same price. Even if there are two of you, just come on Wednesday 2 for 1. 

2) Not everyone has a Roku/Apple TV/PS3 to stream a movie. Then you have to go to a grocery store to rent it and it's a hassle to bring it back. 

3) No pizza/delicious snacks or beer that will be hand delivered to you during the movie

4) Some people don't have comfortable homes. They are cool and hip (probably live in SOMA in San Francisco) and have a designer couch that looks cool but gives you a back ache. 

5) Being able to pause a movie to answer your phone kind of takes away the immersion effect movies can offer. There is no easier way to remove tension in a thriller than chatting to your friend about Bob's affair, during a crucial scene. 

Argo

What do you get when you combine Ben Affleck, George Clooney and one of the support actors of True Lies (a hacker on Arnold's special ops team)? A producing team who have made one of the best movies of the year. I remember last year arriving in to San Francisco Airport with a suitcase full of Irish sausages and bacon and feeling slightly nervous when confronted by a sniffer dog and an AK-47 wielding police officer. Having to sneak through an Iranian airport during the hostage crisis must have been even more terrifying (one would think). Especially if you were an American who had escaped the embassy attack and were pretending to be a Canadian movie crew. 

Expertly plotted with tension you could cut with a knife (not literally). This is excellent movie making. It also has the added bonus of Alan Arkin's best role in years, even if he is only in it for 20 minutes. Plus, who does not like movies where the Canadians are the heroes (probably the Iranians). 

Side Effects

Have you ever taken prescription drugs and noticed the label says they should not be combined with grapefruit juice? And after drinking a few Greyhounds to see what would happen, woken up in Tijuana with no clothes. Most people actually follow the advice of the label and don't encounter these problems. But even the label readers can encounter some issues with the side effects of some drugs. You have seen the ads. A happy older woman frolicking around with her grandchildren. After promising renewed health, vigor and life changing remedies, the ad is legally obliged to list some of the side effects. May cause insomnia, bleeding from the ear, rage and high blood pressure. 

The movie Side Effects deals with the creepy underbelly of the pharmaceuticals industry. By taking certain drugs what are we leaving ourselves open to? Given it's a Steven Soderbergh movie, it is done in an entertaining and highly believable way. Featuring Jude Law and Rooney Mara (heiress to the NY Giants NFL franchise) in superb form, this Hitchcockian (not sure if this is a term) thriller pulls no punches and is a riveting thriller. 

Adam

And now for more information about our repertory and special events programming:

New Parkway Family Classics—This week we’re showing THE NEVERENDING STORY on both Friday afternoon (pre-First Friday) and Saturday at 12:30.  So come on out with the family.

Spectrum Queer Cinema—SPECTRUM Queer Media.com presents a double feature, "Dyke Central" Pilot and "Fiona's Script", including a post screening Q&A with Filmmaker Florencia Manóvil and several cast members!  And one of them works at the New Parkway.  That alone is worth the price of admission!

Thrillville—THRILLVILLE THEATER and JOHNNY LEGEND present THE BIG TNT SHOW (1966, Directed by Larry Peerce, 93 min., Black & White).  This amazing time capsule has had almost no theatrical exposure in the past several decades, and we have the best digital transfer available (and our host Johnny Legend was there for the entire filming and is listed as a cast member on IMDB!).  Originally billed as "The T.A.M.I. Show II," this legendary musical documentary perfectly captures the entire pop music scene of the mid-1960s. Where else can you see Joan Baez, The Ronettes, Bo Didley, Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, The Lovin' Spoonful, Roger Miller, The Byrds, and on and on and on on the same bill. Phil Spector produced and directed, which explains the eclectic mix and incredible production values.  Songs include "She's Alright", "Downtown", "magic", "500 Miles", "Georgia", "Lost That Lovin' Feeling", "Be My Baby", "King of the Road", "Turn, Turn, Turn", "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Writing on the Wall", "Sweet Joy", etc....

Baby Brigade—Due to NCAA basketball, we’re back to only one Baby Brigade this week but we’re showing Argo and what’s not to like about that?

Doc Night—We’re hosting the Game Changers Project and their screening of We Got Next.  Movie, presentation, & discussion.  This is the way we like to do things!

2 for 1 Wednesdays—All day Wednesday, 2 for 1 admission prices with movies starting at 3:30.  And now with Happy Hour drinks from 5-7PM followed by arts and crafts projects in the café that you can do with your buzz on.

Parkway Classics— Will the Thrill's PARKWAY CLASSICS presents EVIL DEAD 2 (1986)

Sam Raimi's legendary supernatural slapstick spook show—the more popular sequel to/remake of his 1981 horror hit "The Evil Dead"—made a genre superstar out of Bruce Campbell as chainsaw-armed, demon-fighting, zombie-killing Ash. Made to be experienced with an audience full of fellow shrieking, beer-guzzling, pizza-munching fans of this gory all-time cult favorite, never to be duplicated. WARNING: Whenever your mouth is wide open—whether eating, drinking, laughing out loud or screaming—watch out for flying eyeballs…"Groovy!"

Thanks for your continued and growing support of the New Parkway Theater.  We hope to see you soon!

Moses