The New Parkway: 2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Schedule September 27-October 3, 2013

FEATURES THIS WEEK

THIS IS THE END

Warning: This movie has it's share of juvenile sex jokes. If you hate this kind of humor you may find yourself eye-rolling a lot. Or you may be wondering why you saw this movie after this explicit warning and be wondering about your masochist tendencies. For everyone else, this is a true delight. Genuinely funny throughout, this end-of-the-world movie is self-depreciating and should have you laughing throughout.

Fri: 8:30 PM

Sat: 9:45 PM

Tue: 9:15 PM

Thur: 9:00 PM

DECEPTIVE PRACTICE

Let's face it. Everyone loves magic. You seriously have to be dead inside not to feel a tinge of joy when a magician performs a seemingly impossible act. My thoughts always quickly switch to the magician and who they are. How many times have they practiced that trick to make it flawless. Deceptive Practices traces Ricky Jay (a world-renowned magician) from his apprenticeship at age 4 through his life learning magic. Absolutely fascinating.

Sat: 2:20

Sun: 5:15

Tue: 7:00 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471513)

Thu: 9:30

THE SPECTACULAR NOW

This sounds like a drunk phrase you might use to describe yourself at a high school re-union, and this movie is not short on high school drinking. This is the tale of a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with "the good girl". It is engrossing and believable and unsentimental. You will not regret seeing it. From the writers of '500 Days of Summer'.

Fri: 6:00 PM

Sat: 7:20 PM

Sun: 1:00

Wed: 9:30

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

The latest hit from the Pixar dream factory. To be perfectly honest, their previous efforts of Cars 2 and Brave made it seem less of a dream factory and more of a gentle slumber factory. But thankfully, Monsters U is a welcome return for the local studio, with oodles of charm, wit and humor, making other animated kids movies positively boring by comparison.

Fri: 5:30 PM

Sat: 12:40 & 4:45 PM

Sun: 12:30 PM

Tue: 6:30 PM

Wed: 7:00 PM

Thur: 6:30 PM

20 FEET FROM STARDOM

Finally a documentary that lets you crawl beneath the under belly of the music business. Award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Many of the songs you love would not have existed without the talent and exploitation of some amazing singers. Really entertaining.

Sun: 7:20 PM

Wed: 6:30 PM

THE WAY WAY BACK

Everyone remembers what it was like to be 14. Working in a water park for the summer. With Sam Rockwell. Hating your mom's boyfriend. If not, you get to experience it in the Way Way Back. While this 14 year old is quite angsty, this movie perfectly captures the sullen moods of teenagers with a nuanced, funny script and wonderful performances all around.

Fri: 8:00 PM

Sat: 5:15, 8:00 PM

Sun: 3:30 PM

Mon: 4:30 PM

Tue: 9:00 PM

Wed: 8:45 PM

Thur: 7:00 PM

PICKS OF THE WEEK

POOR KIDS

The Appreciating Diversity Film Series is back with another free showing, this time of Poor Kids. We think we live in the land of the American Dream yet income disparity continues to grow. We think that it’s the land of opportunity for everyone, but is that really the case. Come out to watch the movie and participate in a community discussion.

Sat: 3:00

SHARKNADO

So bad it’s terrible? Or so bad that it’s awesome? You be the judge as this cable sensation hits the big screen and flying sharks hit the shores or California. After all, the only thing worse than a tornado is a Sharknado. And we’ve got one on Saturday night.

Sat: 10:30 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471654)

FOR Y'UR HEIGHT ONLY

I grew up with 007 and his womanizing ways, but he is no match for the special agent half his size. While there may be some doubt about Sharknado and its badness to goodness quotient, For Y’ur Height Only stands the test of time. It’s bad and it’s definitely good and it’s a cult classic. You miss it and y’ur out of luck.

Sun: 6:00 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/451885)

BREAKING BAD FINALE

It’s the night you’ve all been waiting for. The most grande finale of a strangely beloved TV series. And we’ve got it not only on the Mezzanine but also in the lobby. Everyone is coming out for this one final episode so come early to reserve a seat, and buy lots of food and drink so that we can keep the TV rolling with the Walking Dead and others. Free!

Sun: 9:00

PARTY AT THE PARKWAY (X2)

I needed a graphic for Party at the Parkway so I googled “Party at the Parkway” and this is what I got, our new poster child for fun on a Sunday night. She’s having a great time and she’s alluring and wants you to come crash the party. Only we’ve got two of them on Sunday. A student group watching The Big Sleep (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/465355) and a 3 year wedding anniversary watching Slither (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/465364) . Your only choice is which party to crash. Cake included.

Sun: 8:30 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/465355) & 9:30 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/465364)

NERD NITE EAST BAY #12

The Nerds are back and perhaps better than ever. They’ll be rocking the power point, along with some square music, and will be drinking beers and trying to be the cool kids that they never were in high school. This month it’s about planets, private investigators, and honeybees. So come on out and learn something for a change.

Mon: 8:00 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471452) (Doors at 7:00)

NEW PARKWAY NEWS

Karma Cinema Recap

We're still crunching the numbers but it looks like, due to your generosity, we'll be donating roughly $15,000 to the following four local nonprofits: College Track, Hopalong Animal Rescue, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and the Alameda County Community Food Bank. In the month of August, patrons at the theater paid what they wanted for their movie tickets with 30% going to local nonprofits. And we're continuing this giving every Wednesday night at the New Parkway. So come on out on a Wednesday night, pay what you want for your movie ticket, and have a portion benefit a great local cause. This month, the beneficiary is Creative Growth (http://creativegrowth.org) .

AT THE CAFE

You don’t have to see a movie to enjoy The New Parkway’s cafe. Open to the public seven days a week, we have a full menu and lots of great activities. Get all the details here. (http://thenewparkway.com/cafe.php)

http://thenewparkway.com/cafe-activities.php

Free Fun in the Cafe Join us for Open Mic Mondays (1st and 3rd Mondays), Trivia Tuesdays, Pop-Up Art Wednesdays, First Fridays, and Sunday Night TV. It's all free and it's about good, clean fun. Come with a friend or come alone.

http://thenewparkway.com/menus/New%20Parkway%20Menu.pdf

Great Food & Drink We've got some great new dishes every week. Come have pizza, our entree of the week, or the fantabulous Mystery Meal. Click here for a current (or recent) menu. (http://thenewparkway.com/menus/New%20Parkway%20Menu.pdf)

THEME NIGHTS!

Sure, you probably know about the Baby Brigade (every Monday) but we've also got Thrillville on Sundays, Parkway Classics on Thursdays, Doc Night on Tuesdays, Spectrum Queer Media on Sundays, and New Parkway Family Classics on Fridays and Saturdays. And now we've got Karma Cinema every Wednesday where you pay what you like for your movie tickets with a portion going to local nonprofits. Get all or most or some of the details here. (http://thenewparkway.com/theme-nights.php)

NOW PLAYING

🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/venue/156509) = Advance tickets available

All showtimes PM

Friday,

September 27

4:00 THE POWERPUFF GIRLS (New Parkway Family Classics)

5:30 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

6:00 THE SPECTACULAR NOW

8:00 THE WAY WAY BACK

8:30 THIS IS THE END

10:30 SUSPIRIA 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/456252)

Saturday,

September 28

12:30 THE RED POWERPUFF GIRLS (New Parkway Family Classics)

12:40 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

2:20 DECEPTIVE PRACTICE

3:00 POOR KIDS

4:45 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

5:15 THE WAY WAY BACK

7:20 THE SPECTACULAR NOW

8:00 THE WAY WAY BACK

9:45 THIS IS THE END

10:30 SHARKNADO 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/461023)

Sunday,

September 29

12:30 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

1:00 THE SPECTACULAR NOW

3:00 MY BROTHER THE DEVIL (Spectrum Queer Media) 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/475831)

3:30 THE WAY WAY BACK

5:15 DECEPTIVE PRACTICE

6:00 FOR Y'UR HEIGHT ONLY (Thrillville Theater) 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/451885)

7:20 20 FEET FROM STARDOM

8:30 THE BIG SLEEP (Party at the Parkway) 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/465355)

9:30 SLITHER (Party at the Parkway) 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/465364)

Monday,

September 30

4:30 THE WAY WAY BACK (Baby Brigade)

7:00 NERD NITE EAST BAY 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471452)

Tuesday,

October 1

6:30 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

7:00 DECEPTIVE PRACTICE (Doc Night) 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471513)

9:00 THE WAY WAY BACK

9:15 THIS IS THE END

Wednesday,

October 2

6:30 20 FEET FROM STARDOM

7:00 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

8:45 THE WAY WAY BACK

9:30 THE SPECTACULAR NOW

Thursday,

October 3

6:30 MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

7:00 THE WAY WAY BACK

9:00 THIS IS THE END

9:15 DECEPTIVE PRACTICE

SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS...

10/4 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

10/4 THE INSTITUTE 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/476330)

10/5 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

10/5 R KELLY TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET SING-ALONG 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471546)

10/6 CLOUDBURST 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/475835)

10/6 DIRTBAG

10/6 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD & WHITE ZOMBIE 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/466246)

10/8 THE INSTITUTE 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471517)

10/11 THE WITCHES

10/11 SINS INVALID CRIP SOIREE & SPEAKEASY 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/444189)

10/11 Mystery MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/471689)

10/12 THE WITCHES

10/12 SINS INVALID CRIP SOIREE & SPEAKEASY 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/444189)

10/13 MOSQUITA Y MARI 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/475949)

10/13 HORROR OF DRACULA 🎫 (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/466265)

10/15 THE ACT OF KILLING

10/18 WALLACE AND GROMIT: CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

MOVIES ON THE HORIZON

Wait to see them (and others) at the New Parkway:

Fruitvale Station

The Trials of Muhammed Ali

Blue Jasmine

Lee Daniels' The Butler

In a World

Aint Them Bodies Saints

We're The Millers

The World's End

Short Term 12

Elysium

Afternoon Delight

Prisoners

You're Next

Instructions Not Included

Oakland A's Playoff Baseball

The New Parkway Theater has free parking for patrons in a lot just a half block from the theater. Patrons may use the Douglas Parking lot across from ER Transmissions at 450 24th St. New Parkway patrons may use this lot after 6PM Mondays through Fridays (except during Art Murmur on the first Friday of each month), and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Please do not leave any valuables in your car and do not leave your car parked in this lot overnight.

http://goo.gl/maps/VOlky

About The New Parkway

The New Parkway Theater is a community-centered cinema and pub located in Oakland's Uptown district. Sit back and relax in our cozy couches while watching our new releases, cult classics, and fabulous special programming. Plus, enjoy yummy food and local beer and wine in our café or even delivered right to your theater seat all at affordable prices!

Our digits 510-658-7900 (showtime info)

510-338-3228 (box office)

Online tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/226669)

Email (mailto:info@thenewparkway.com)

Website (http://thenewparkway.com)

Connect with us!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-New-Parkway/158840547473643 https://twitter.com/TheNewParkway http://www.youtube.com/user/THENEWPARKWAYTHEATER

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Schedule week of June 28-July 4, 2013

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE Week of Friday, June 28, 2013 through Thursday, July 04, 2013

Sirius (NR)
Tue: 7:00 PM

Fast & Furious 6 (PG-13)
Fri: 7:30 PM
Sat: 9:00 PM
Sun: 9:15 PM
Mon: 7:00 PM
Tue: 9:30 PM
Wed: 9:15 PM
Thu: 3:30 PM

Frances Ha (R)
Fri: 9:45 PM
Sat: 12:00, 8:00
Sun: 12:15 PM
Mon: 4:30, 9:45
Tue: 6:30 PM
Wed: 9:30 PM

Mud (PG-13)
Fri: 6:45 PM
Sat: 6:00 PM
Sun: 6:15 PM
Mon: 8:50 PM
Tue: 8:45 PM
Wed: 6:30 PM
Thu: 4:00 PM

Free Angela and All Political Prisoners (NR)
Fri: 5:00 PM
Sat: 5:30 PM
Mon: 6:30 PM
Wed: 7:00 PM

Shortbus (NR)
Sun: 3:00 PM

Team America: World Police (R)
Thu: 7:00 PM

Hairspray (1988) (PG)
Sat: 10:30 PM

Back to the Future (PG)
Fri: 4:00 PM
Sat: 12:30 PM

Sleepaway Camp (R)
Fri: 10:30 PM

Jaws (PG)
Thu: 6:30 PM

The Wild Bunch (R)
Sun: 6:00 PM

Room to Breathe (NR)
Sat: 2:00 PM

Hi all,

It is a glorious time to be a movie fan. For fans of high-octane, non-stop racing thrills, Frances Ha is a wonderful alternative that will broaden your horizons in a necessary way. For uppity, holier-than-thou art-house movie snobs, Fast and Furious 6 will take your righteous snobbery down a peg and blow your hair back in a cascade of explosions, ripped muscles and amazingly stupid but hilarious one-liners. We have a brooding but scary Matthew McConaughey terrifying and amusing two teenage boys in the South and a hard-core documentary for the 'documentary crowd' who are scared by Fast and Furious 6'.

Fast and Furious 6

Who would have known? That a fun but blatant rip off of 'Point Break' would spawn five (soon to be six) sequels. I have not seen this level of bromance since Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise nearly swapped fluids (too descriptive?) in Top Gun. Even more surprising is the level of quality as the sequels progress. Typically for any franchise that reaches number 6, the standard is usually one step below a TV movie. The budget has steadily increased and as Vin Diesel's, Paul Walker's and The Rock's careers have steadily declined they have all come to the unmistakeable fact that this is easily their biggest money maker.

The producers have realized that street racing would only spin off three sequels. Now they are focusing on heists and it adds a wonderfully unpredictable element to everything that happens. Every movie guarantees a certain amount of crazy car chases, over-the-top action and somewhat stupid dialogue. I feel like I am being too harsh on this movie. It is on 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and the New Yorker gave it a positive review. Thus, it is the Citizen Kain of action movies.

Mud

Matthew McConaughey (I misspelled this a few times- and then misspelled misspelling) is undergoing a career renaissance right now. Previously I thought he was genuinely simple but lately his glorious master plan has been revealed. The plan involved being in as many bad romantic comedies as humanly possible within an 8 year time period so that the public saw him as a good looking buffoon with a Texas drawl who could barely provide enough charisma to make you sit through a lot of banal crap. When his stock hit rock bottom, he started to choose better roles and actually act again. The Lincoln Lawyer, Bernie, Killer Joe, Magic Mike and now Mud. Not only do we know what a good actor he is now but he made us feel guilty for under-estimating him.

Mud is an adventure about two boys, Ellis and his friend Neckbone, who find a man named Mud hiding out on an island in the Mississippi, who describes fantastic scenarios about how he killed a man in Texas and vengeful bounty hunters are coming to get him. . It features wonderful performances from everyone involved. It is taut and very well paced. It is worth every minute of your time.

Frances Ha

Every summer a fun looking movie set in New York, with quirky characters, a delightfully different script, and enchanting performances comes along and makes you happy to be human (dogs enjoy the soundtrack too). '500 days of Summer' comes to mind. This year Noah Baumbach follows up 'The Squid and the Whale' and 'Greenberg' with 'Frances Ha'. It is a modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship, class, ambition, failure, and redemption.

Greta Gerwig is delightful as Frances. Incredibly well received by critics, it is one of the summer's undeniable pleasures. 'Late-blooming 20-somethings have never been so perfectly captured -- and Gerwig has never been more appealing -- than in this funny, tender, life-affirming movie' (Newsday). This movie is different but rings true at the same time. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Free Angela

Writer/director Shola Lynch's new film centers on the struggle of educator and activist Angela Davis, an outspoken UCLA professor whose affiliation with the Communist Party and the Black Panthers landed her on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list while challenging our perceptions of political freedom in America. From her early years as a student in the U.S. and abroad to her highly publicized arrest and trial following the brazen hostage-taking and murder of Marin County judge Harold Haley in California, Lynch's film leaves no stone unturned as it explores every remarkable detail of Davis' life, and allows her to tell her own stories through a series of intimate interviews.

Let's face it, if the synopsis did nothing for you and you are not in any way excited to see it, there is very little I can do to tempt you to see it. Apart from saying it is 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and if your girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/best friend is a history geek, they will probably love it and give you bonus points for taking them to see it. So do you want to be a shitty friend/partner to a history geek or a good one? When they are on their death bed they will either curse your name or praise you to their next-of-kin. So make the right choice now.

- Adam

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Schedule June 21-27, 2013

Hi all,

We are kicking it up a notch with two highly rated movies this week. Both of our new movies have Rotten Tomatoes ratings above 96%. So unless the vast majority of critics in the US have taken leave of their senses (unlikely) or have been bought off (more likely) it is a pretty safe bet that you are going to enjoy this week's movies. If you hate either of them, the Parkway will issue a full refund. But you have to pass a polygraph to prove your hatred.

Mud

Stories We Tell

Disclaimer: this is a documentary made by a Canadian (the most inoffensive people on the face of the earth). Must be boring, right? That would be a big, fat no. In this inspired, genre-twisting new film, writer/director Sarah Polley discovers that the truth depends on who's telling it. Polley is both filmmaker and detective as she investigates the secrets kept by a family of storytellers.

It is a marvel in narrative structure and story-telling. It is a brilliant, thought-provoking documentary. Because it happens so rarely, I will highlight the New Yorker's positive review: Sarah Polley's documentary is a startling mixture of private memoir, public inquiry, and conjuring trick (Anthony Lane). Don't miss it. You will be talking about it long after it is finished.

Apparently my wife does not appreciate it when I make up lies about her to write reviews. When writing last week's '42' review I mentioned she would have no idea who I was talking about when I mentioned the movie '42'. It turns out she knew exactly who I was talking about (in fairness she is a U.S. history teacher and probably knew the social history as opposed to the baseball). I just wasn't listening to her. I usually ask someone a question and lose interest in the answer before they start speaking. But to me, the name 'Jackie Robinson' rang a bell but a very small one. I might have been able to say he was a baseball player but would not have been able to name the decade if required by Trivial Pursuit.

"42" tells the story of two men-the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey-whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball. Solid and heartfelt, '42' is less the story of Jackie Robinson than the story of how those around him reacted to the man who broke the color barrier for Major League baseball.Thoroughly entertaining.

The Source Family

Plot stolen from Rotten Tomatoes: It's 1971 and communes and new religions are on the rise. The Source Family are an "Aquarian tribe," a secretive but outlandish group of 140 beautiful young people who stroll Los Angeles in colorful robes, devotees of "Father Yod," a controversial restaurateur-turned-spiritual leader with fourteen wives and his own psychedelic rock band. The Family lives in a mansion and operates a popular restaurant on the Sunset Strip, serving vegetarian cuisine to musicians and movie stars, pioneering a national trend. But their radical lifestyle instigates the authorities.

Sounds fascinating. It sounds like this will appeal to a certain type of documentary watcher. My father-in-law springs to mind. The documentary know-it-all type who seeks out documentaries that very few people will ever see, just so he can pull it out as a random support point for an argument/debate that may happen at some point in the near future. If you see an overweight older man who shows signs of recent weight loss (but is probably drinking a beer) at a screening, say hello for me.

-Adam

Week of Friday, June 21, 2013 through Thursday, June 27, 2013

Stories We Tell (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Fri: 5:00 PM

Sat: 6:45 PM

Sun: 3:30 PM

Mon: 4:30 PM

Wed: 7:00 PM

Thu: 9:00 PM

The Source Family (NR) Digital Presentation

Sat: 9:30 PM

Tue - Thu: 9:30 PM

Mud (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Fri: 7:30 PM

Sat: 7:40 PM

Sun: 6:30, 9:30

Tue: 9:15 PM

Wed: 6:30, 9:15

Thu: 6:45 PM

42 (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Sat: 5:00 PM

Sun: 12:30 PM

Burn: One Year on the Frontlines of the Battle to Save Detroit (NR) Digital Presentation

Fri: 7:00 PM

Donnie Darko (R) Digital Presentation

Fri & Sat: 10:30 PM

The Fifth Element (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Sun: 9:00 PM

Death Race 2000 (NR) Digital Presentation

Sun: 6:00 PM

Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp (R) Digital Presentation

Tue: 7:00 PM

Love Free or Die (NR) Digital Presentation

Sat: 2:00 PM

Stud Life (NR) Digital Presentation

Sun: 3:00 PM

Willow (NR) Digital Presentation

Fri: 4:00, 9:30

Sat: 12:30 PM

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Schedule June 14-20, 2013

Hi All,

We have some excellent holdovers and a wonderful addition this week. I could gently push you into seeing one of these on Friday but the truth is, you should probably go and see 'Man of Steel'. I have watched the trailers about 245 times. My 3 year-old son has watched the first trailer about 65 times and still gets excited when Superman first lifts off. But you should make it a movie weekend and go and see one of the Parkway movies on Saturday. Or avoid the terrible crowds on Friday and see 'Man of Steel' during a quiet matinee on Sunday morning and come to the Parkway on Friday night. We have better beer and appetizers.

Yes. The title is pretty terrible. When this first came out I would suggest it to my wife and each time it was followed up by 'what's that about again?' Some might say that is not a common problem and any person with an ounce of baseball knowledge could instantly tell you the reference to 'Jackie Robinson'. I am not looking for 'The Jackie Robinson Story' as a title but it would have helped. Actually for me it would have needed to be 'The Jackie Robinson Story- This Movie is about Baseball and Race Relations in the 1940's'.

It is no easy feat to be a movie that inspires and entertains but this movie pulls it off. "42" tells the story of two men-the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey-whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball. It is a powerful, compelling story and not to be missed. Moving forward, I will include a special mention if the New Yorker likes it because it happens so rarely.

The Place Beyond the Pines

'Blue Valentine' put Derek Cianfrance on the map as a director to watch out for. It was emotional and gripping and his follow up has similar traits but on a much bigger canvas. If you have not seen 'Blue Valentine' and are skeptical about this one, it stars Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes. So even if you are bored senseless throughout this movie (would be almost impossible) you can still just sit back and admire (or despise) their good looks and acting ability.

The movie powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke's (Ryan Gosling) fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child. The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery (Bradley Cooper), and the two men become locked on a tense collision course, which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following. The atmosphere, gritty visuals and interesting characters make this film utterly compelling.

From Up on Poppy Hill

Hayao Miyazaki is a genius animator and storyteller with amazing movies such as 'Spirited Away' and 'Howl's Moving Castle'. Unfortunately his son directed 'From Up on Poppy Hill' so this movie could have been awful. But it's not. Gorō Miyazaki must have been paying attention on his father's film sets because this is a beautifully made film. It retains the humor and delight that are part of the studio's trademark.

The setting is Yokohama in 1963, and the filmmakers lovingly bring to life the bustling seaside town, with its misty harbor, sun-drenched gardens, shops and markets, and some of the most mouthwatering Japanese home-cooking set to film. The story centers on an innocent romance beginning to bud between Umi and Shun, two high school kids caught up in the changing times.

Adam

SF Doc Fest in Oakland—The New Parkway Theater is thrilled to host SF Doc Fest 2013. It kicked off last night and we've got lots of phenomenal titles all day today and tomorrow.

Moulin Rouge with Barely Legal—Barely Legal brings us Moulin Rouge tonight at 10:30, with a burlesque twist. Always a good time!

Party at the Parkway—Join us for our first-ever “Party at the Parkway” tomorrow night at 9PM as we show Charade. It's a party for people you don't know but you get to come sing and have cake, all for your $6 admission charge. And they're inviting you to have dinner with them on the mezzanine beforehand. Cool, huh? Here's more about them: “We are a group of artists called the San Francisco Correspondence Co-Op and we meet once a month to make mail art, plan for shows, exchange artist stamps, and hatch plans to save the post office. We also like to have parties and need a venue for our 2nd birthday (we launched in May of 2011). We have had tables at a few events (SF Zine Fest and Bizarre Bazaar) where we hosted drives to send fun postcards to the president in order to save the USPS, as well as an event called the perennial postcard project (a collage project done by the public at those events and cut up into postcards later), which we could happily do again. For more about our group, see this blog post by our head postmistress. We are big fans of the New Parkway and think it would be a fabulous way to celebrate our big day. We hope you do too.”

US vs. Honduras Soccer Game—The US men’s national team plays the last of its three June qualifiers on Tuesday night vs. Honduras, and we'll be watching it on the silver screen. Come see if the US can put up four wins in a row for the first time in ages. We'll also be showing some Confederations Cup games, still to be announced.

Mix and Match Mondays and Trivia Tuesdays—Check out trivia and all of our café activities. They're free and open to the public. And we've got cool prizes and door prizes for those who attend.

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

Moses

42 (PG-13)

Fri & Sat: 8:00 PM

Sun: 12:15 PM

Mon: 9:15 PM

Tue: 9:30 PM

Wed: 6:30, 9:30

Thu: 9:30 PM

The Place Beyond the Pines (R)

Sat: 5:00 PM

Sun & Mon: 9:30 PM

Tue & Wed: 9:15 PM

From Up On Poppy Hill (Kokurikozaka kara) (PG)

Fri: 6:00 PM

Sat: 2:45 PM

Sun: 12:30 PM

Mon: 4:30 PM

Wed: 7:00 PM

Burn: One Year on the Frontlines of the Battle to Save Detroit (NR)

Thu: 7:00 PM

Crossing the Line (NR)

Mon: 7:00 PM

Mr. Right (2006) (NR)

Sun: 3:00 PM

Moulin Rouge! (PG-13)

Sat: 10:30 PM

Bottle Rocket (R)

Thu: 9:15 PM

Cabaret (PG)

Thu: 6:30 PM

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Incredibly Strange Creatures (NR/USA)

Fri: 10:45 PM

The Brain That Wouldn't Die (NR)

Sun: 6:00 PM

Charade (G)

Sun: 9:00 PM

Honey I Shrunk the Kids (PG)

Fri: 4:00 PM

Sat: 12:30 PM

The Rep (NR)

Tue: 7:00 PM

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Schedule June 7-13, 2013

Hi all,

This week we may just have the perfect movie mix for anyone who loves quality movies. You can be hardcore and go to a quadruple bill (maybe bring a sleeping bag) and watch a brilliant film from nearly every genre. Start the day with some great Japanese animation. Take a quick lunch break (at the Parkway) before relishing Robert Redford's directorial return (actually he directed a movie 2 years ago but no-one saw it). Maybe go to a window and get a breath of fresh air before enjoying a ridiculously good time with 'The Sapphires'. Finish the night off with nail biting tension and drama with Ryan Gosling's latest thriller with a fine dinner. Or just go to one movie. Whatever floats your boat.

The Place Beyond the Pines

'Blue Valentine' put Derek Cianfrance on the map as a director to watch out for. It was emotional and gripping and his follow up has similar traits but on a much bigger canvas. If you have not seen 'Blue Valentine' and are skeptical about this one, it stars Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes. So even if you are bored senseless throughout this movie (would be almost impossible) you can still just back and admire (or despise) their good looks and acting ability.

The movie powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke's (Ryan Gosling) fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child. The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery (Bradley Cooper), and the two men become locked on a tense collision course which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following. The atmosphere, gritty visuals and interesting characters make this film utterly compelling.

The Company You Keep

Robert Redford is 73 years old. He needs to stop dying his hair. I am not buying that his hair has never gone grey. And you shouldn't either. Regardless, it does not seem to have had an impact on his movie output. This is his fourth decade of making movies (directing) and you know with each movie there is a quality bar he refuses to go under.

In his latest movie, a wanted man and former member of the revolutionary militant group the Weather Underground goes on the run after a journalist (Shia LaBeouf) outs him in this political thriller based on Neil Gordon's acclaimed novel. Redford highlights the moral issues that can arise when idealism gives way to reality; he also has some keen insights into the way today's sensationalist media operates.

From Up on Poppy Hill

The Sapphires

Third week for this glorious, fun movie. Inspired by a true story, it follows four young Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. They are discovered by Dave (O'Dowd), a good-humored talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music.

The mood is uplifting, the music is a delight. This mashup of music and melodrama manages to entertain without demanding too much of its audience with Chris O'Dowd in wonderful form.

- Adam

Schedule week of Friday, June 07, 2013 through Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Source Family (NR) Digital Presentation

Tue: 7:00 PM

The Place Beyond the Pines (R) Digital Presentation

Fri: 7:00 PM

Sat: 7:15 PM

Sun: 6:30 PM

Mon: 6:45 PM

Tue - Thu: 9:15 PM

The Company You Keep (R) Digital Presentation

Fri: 4:15 PM

Sat: 8:15 PM

Sun: 3:30 PM

Wed: 8:45 PM

Thu: 6:30 PM

Blancanieves (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Sun - Tue: 9:30 PM

From Up On Poppy Hill (Kokurikozaka kara) (PG) Digital Presentation

Fri: 8:30 PM

Sat: 2:00, 6:00

Sun: 1:00, 8:30

Mon: 4:30 PM

Wed: 6:30 PM

The Sapphires (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Sat: 4:30 PM

Sun: 12:30 PM

Ghostbusters (PG) Digital Presentation

Fri: 4:00 PM

Sat: 12:30 PM

Beginners (R) Digital Presentation

Sat: 3:00 PM

Purple Rain (R) Digital Presentation

Sun: 3:00 PM

Queen of Outer Space (1958) (NR) Digital Presentation

Sun: 6:00 PM

The R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet Sing-Along (NR) Digital Presentation

Sat: 10:30 PM

Monday, June 3, 2013

June 2013 Special Events

Dear New Parkway Lover:

We’ve got a ton of cool stuff as we open the summer season. And more is on the way so please be sure to check the events calendar often! Certainly not a complete list, but here are some of the highlights, in mostly chronological order:

Mix and Match Mondays—Starting tomorrow, June 3^rd, and running every Monday, we're all about meeting people and building community. We start at 7:30 with some mingling over popcorn and then jump into our version of 'speed-meeting'. This is not a singles event (though singles are welcome). This is not a networking event (though networkers are welcome). This is just a good, old-fashioned square dance, only without the country music and the dancing. A cool way to meet new people around a theme for the night. Best part is that it's free and there are fun bennies if you match with someone you meet.

Fist Up Film Festival—the 4^th Annual Fist Up Film Festival presents The African Cypher on Tuesday night.

Trivia Tuesday—Team Trivia has taken off at the New Parkway and you’ll want to join the fun in the café. Free beer and movie tickets as prizes. No experience, special knowledge or teammates needed. Check out info about trivia and all of our café activities.

El Grande Lebowski—It’s big and you love it! Get your bowling gear together and come on out on Thursday night for The Dude. And check out the list of all of our Parkway Classics.

First Friday—We’ll have our doors open with good food, drink, and live music starting at 6 on Friday. Come for the fun and stay for a movie. See our tentative line-up for June.

Feelmore Friday--Feelmore Friday, our night of erotica brought to you by Feelmore 510, is back this Friday with Drive. Drive is at once a madcap homage to sci-fi B movies of the 1950s, a vehicle for presenting hardcore sex in novel ways, and a strong statement about repression in the age of sexual liberation.

Ghostbusters—Who you gonna call to join you this Friday and Saturday for this New Parkway Family Classic? And, don’t miss any of June’s classics, which are geared towards audiences 4-18 years old (depending on the title, of course).

Doggie-Style at the New Parkway—We’re very excited to test out our first movie with dogs at the New Parkway. We're testing out a Saturday afternoon movie slot where you can bring your well-behaved dog to the theater. We'll open up the hall a bit earlier than normal, allow time for some doggie meet-and-greets, and then show a wonderful movie, Beginners, that has a delightful dog in it, but is not a dog movie (or a dog of a movie). We need to have at least 40 advance ticket purchases to hold the event, since there is a lot of logistics in getting the theater ready and cleaning it properly afterwards. But I think that it will be a lot of fun and, if it's successful, maybe it can be a regular thing.

Trapped in the Closet—Join R Kelly and the Spinning Platters for a repeat of our totally sold-out April showing. It’s wacky, it’s weird, it’s fun. It’s R Kelly in the closet, and it’s Saturday night at the New Parkway.

Purple Rain Sing-Along—Come belt it out with Prince in the always popular Purple Rain. And check out all of the wonderful Spectrum Queer Cinema events that take place on Sunday afternoons.

Doc Nights—We’ve got documentaries showing every Tuesday night, many of which are selling out. In June, we’re showing The African Cypher, The Source Family, The Rep, and Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp. Check here for the full line-up.

US World Cup Qualifying Matches—The US men’s national team plays three big games this month as they try to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. First game is in Jamaica on Friday and sadly not on Comcast, and then we’ve got home games against Panama on June 11^th (free on the mezzanine) and June 18^th vs. Honduras on the big screen.

Oakland Poetry Slam—The New Parkway Theater is the new home to the Oakland Poetry Slam. It happens every other Thursday and you’re invited to come out to watch or to perform. June’s dates are the 13^th and 27^th with the fun starting at 9:30PM.

SF Doc Fest comes to Oakland—The New Parkway Theater is thrilled to host SF Doc Fest 2013 in Oakland from June 14^th-16^th. Lots of phenomenal titles that you won’t want to miss.

Mystery Science Theater—You’ve been asking for it and now it’s here. Come watch futuristic scientists riff on bad movies. We’ll start it up on June 14^th with THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED-UP ZOMBIES. Come on out for mystery science and a mystery meal.

CineBrunch Arrives at the New Parkway—One Saturday morning each month, guests are invited to enjoy a delicious light brunch, lovingly prepared by our kitchen, and presented with a movie. This month we’re showing The Pink Panther. Come enjoy a classic film with a wonderful meal.

Barely Legal x 2—Barely Legal brings us two shows in June. First is Moulin Rouge on the 15^th followed by Hairspray on the 29^th.

Father’s Day Special—We’re doing an Oakland A’s double feature for Father’s Day with a screening of Money Ball followed by a real live game as the A’s take on the Mariners at 1:05PM. Movie + Food + a Ballgame = Don’t miss it!

Party at the Parkway—Join us for our presentation of Charade on Sunday, June 16^th (starting between 9 and 10pm) as we host the first-ever “Party at the Parkway”. Party at the Parkway is a patron planned event where we celebrate one of our patrons (or a group of patrons), replete with a cake and singing, and we open it up to the public. So even if you don’t know anything about the group, consider coming out to celebrate. Here’s more about the party: “We are a group of artists called the San Francisco Correspondence Co-Op and we meet once a month to make mail art, plan for shows, exchange artist stamps, and hatch plans to save the post office. We also like to have parties and need a venue for our 2nd birthday (we launched in May of 2011). We have had tables at a few events (SF Zine Fest and Bizarre Bazaar) where we hosted drives to send fun postcards to the president in order to save the USPS, as well as an event called the perennial postcard project (a collage project done by the public at those events and cut up into postcards later), which we could happily do again. For more about our group, see this blog post by our head postmistress. We are big fans of the New Parkway and think it would be a fabulous way to celebrate our big day. We hope you do too.”

We’ll also be having a Party at the Parkway on the 23^rd but don’t have all of the details yet. Please check back for more info about this night, and you can also propose your own Party at the Parkway here!

Thrillville every Sunday—Come on out with a funny hat or come to see the folks in their funny hats—as well as all the quirkily great movies—every Sunday at around 6PM. See the full line-up for the month and come on out.

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

Moses

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Schedule May 31-June 6, 2013

Hi all,

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day! I never feel bad honoring veterans by drinking copious amounts of alcohol and eating my weight in chips and guacemole. I find President's Day challenging given the dubious histories of some of our Presidents but I struggle through so it is not a complete write-off. We are almost in June which means we are fully in the summer movie season. Sit back and enjoy the mix of new and old movies.

Upstream Color

Shane Carruth is well known in indie-film circles (such things do exist- it is the unknown 10th circle of hell) for his incredible debut film 'Primer'. Made for $7,000 (the same as Tom Cruise's barber on Oblivion), it did not over-simplify for the sake of its audience. One reviewer said that "anybody who claims he fully understands what's going on in 'Primer' after seeing it just once is either a savant or a liar. 'Upstream Color' is his long awaited second feature. And it is just as challenging, weird and brilliant as 'Primer'.

Carruth never talks down to his audience. He presents you with complex, baffling plots and dares you to keep up. The plot synopsis is relatively simple. A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. It could be under the following genres: sci-fi, thriller, adventure, drama. One thing is a guarantee- you won't see anything like 'Upstream Color' in movie theaters again for a long time. Probably not until he makes his third movie.

The Sapphires

Chris O' Dowd is kind of a flabby, overnight sensation. Since popping up in 'Bridesmaids' as a loveable Irish cop, he has put in an appearance in nearly every movie and TV show I have been watching. Despite a very dodgy American accent in 'Girls', he is always worth watching and can be frequently hilarious. Disclaimer: I am Irish and it is Irish law that we promote and celebrate the success of Irish actors even if they are in bad movies- I was touting the pros of 'Alexander' for a long time purely based on a man crush on Colin Farrell.

But this is one movie where you don't need to overlook major flaws to thoroughly enjoy. Inspired by a true story, the film follows four talented Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. It is tough to compare it to other movies. The Commitments probably comes close. In that there is soul music. And it's a real crowd-pleaser. And you would have to have no heart or feelings to really embrace it as one of the most enjoyable movies of the year. 93% on Rotten Tomatoes confirms these people exist (7% of people are miserable). Not to be missed.

Oblivion

Nothing says the start of the summer movie season like a Tom Cruise action flick. But 'Oblivion' is quite different to the typical sci-fi action movie. It is large scale and original, and despite its familiar story, Oblivion dreams up some great ideas. A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself. The director, Joseph Kosinski, (Tron Legacy) knows how to make a beautiful looking movie and stage some excellent set pieces.

There is a happy medium between going to a movie and shutting your brain off completely (any movie based on a Hasbro game or toy) and having your mind bended into a pretzel with focus and attention required. This movie is it. You need your brain to be switched on in order to enjoy this for what it is. Patients in long-term comas have similar reactions to Transformers that live audiences have. This requires more. In addition, Tom Cruise is not being paid a percentage of this film's profits. So if you dislike him as a person, you can enjoy the movie knowing you are not buying a gallon of gas for his G5 private jet.

Blancanieves

After every movie hit, there are usually a few movies that gratefully grab coat-tails and catch a piggy-back to success. After Gladiator we had 'Troy', 'Alexander' and '300'. Most of these movies are pale imitations of the original that inspired it. After watching the crazy success of 'The Artist' in 2011 I was just waiting for an onslaught of silent movies claiming to be the next 'Artist'. But 'Blancanieves' IS the next Artist.

Based on 'Snow White', but set in southern Spain in the 1920s, Blancanieves is a tribute to silent films.Once upon a time there was a little girl who had never known her mother. She learned the art of her father, a famous bullfighter, but was hated by her evil stepmother. One day she ran away with a troupe of dwarves, and became a legend. Clear enough? Widely adored by all critics, 'Blancanieves' is a little classic to be treasured.

- Adam

SHOWTIMES:

Oblivion (PG-13)

Fri & Sat: 7:30 PM

Sun: 6:15 PM

Mon: 9:15 PM

Tue & Wed: 6:30 PM

Upstream Color (NR)

Fri: 9:15 PM

Sat: 2:40, 5:00

Sun: 8:30 PM

Mon: 4:30, 9:45

Tue: 9:45 PM

Wed: 9:30 PM

Thu: 7:00 PM

Free Angela and All Political Prisoners (NR)

Sun: 3:00 PM

Blancanieves (PG-13)

Fri: 5:00 PM

Sat: 4:00, 9:15

Sun: 9:15 PM

Mon: 7:00 PM

Tue: 9:30 PM

Wed: 9:45 PM

The Sapphires (PG-13)

Fri: 6:30 PM

Sat: 1:30, 6:30

Sun: 3:30 PM

Mon: 6:30 PM

Wed: 7:00 PM

Thu: 6:30 PM

Family Classics: Shrek (PG)

Fri: 4:00 PM

Sat: 12:30 PM

Parkway Classics: The Big Lebowski (R)

Thu: 9:30 PM

Escape From New York (R)

Fri & Sat: 10:30 PM

The African Cypher (NR)

Tue: 7:00 PM

American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny (NR)

Thu: 9:00 PM

Thrillville: Johnny Legend presents The Sadist (NR) Digital Presentation

Sun: 6:00 PM

Friday, May 24, 2013

Schedule May 24-30, 2013

Hi all,

Apologies if you went to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang last Friday. Those sounds you heard were my kids noisily eating handful upon handful of delicious popcorn, slurping milk with reckless abandon and attempting to sit on as many chairs and couches as humanely possible. Taking a 3 year old and 18 month old to a live action Disney classic was a bit of a gamble. It paid off for me in that I sipped an IPA, ate popcorn (in the same noisy manner as my kids) and generally got to enjoy a childhood favorite. But I really only brought them so they could experience the same blood-curdling fear I felt watching the Child-catcher. And they forced me to leave just as we were getting to that part. Oh well. There should be plenty of time for that in years to come. See below for this week's movies.

The Sapphires

Oblivion

Oz- The Great and Powerful

Another week to experience the glorious Wizard of Oz. For clarity purposes, I should explain this is not the actual Wizard of Oz. Rather, James Franco is the glorious Wizard of Oz. 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 'Casblanca' 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.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

A young Pakistani man is chasing corporate success on Wall Street. He finds himself embroiled in a conflict between his American Dream, a hostage crisis, and the enduring call of his family's homeland. Ambitious and thought-provoking, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is elevated by an excellent performance from Riz Ahmed. William Wheeler has forged a richly complex, achingly satisfying screenplay from Mohsin Hamid's hugely popular, Booker Prize shortlisted novel and Mira Nair has turned it into a significant and powerful film with something to say (Urban Cinefile).

Featuring strong support from Kiefer Sutherland and Kate Hudson (in her best role in years- however this is a spectacularly easy feat given her filmography) this is gripping stuff and well worth a watch.

- Adam

Week of Friday, May 24, 2013 through Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Reluctant Fundamentalist (R) Digital Presentation

Fri & Sat: 7:30 PM

Sun: 4:15 PM

Tue: 9:45 PM

Wed: 9:00 PM

Oblivion (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Fri: 9:00 PM

Sat: 4:40, 8:30

Sun: 10:30 PM

Tue: 8:30 PM

Wed & Thu: 9:30 PM

The Sapphires (PG-13) Digital Presentation

Fri: 6:30 PM

Sat: 2:10, 6:00

Sun: 1:30 PM

Mon: 4:30 PM

Wed: 7:00 PM

Thu: 6:30 PM

Oz The Great and Powerful (PG) Digital Presentation

Fri: 4:30 PM

Sat: 3:00 PM

King Kong (1933) (NR) Digital Presentation

Sun: 6:00 PM

The Institute (NR) Digital Presentation

Tue: 7:00 PM

The Land Before Time (G) Digital Presentation

Fri: 4:00 PM

Sat: 12:30 PM

Monster From Bikini Beach (NR) Digital Presentation

Fri: 10:30 PM

Pink Flamingos (NC-17) Digital Presentation

Thu: 9:00 PM

The Three Amigos (PG) Digital Presentation

Sat: 10:30 PM

Friday, May 17, 2013

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.

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