Kenny's Korner

Each Thursday for the past decade, I have put out a commentary on the week's films, Vine happenings and fun information in the form of Kenny's Korner.  This has been in our weekly email newsletter.  Please sign up for this newsletter to get my commentary, and the best information about the Vine.  Below is this week's Kenny Korner - enjoy!

 

Hello all,

Well, September is usually a slow period for movie theaters, in fact historically it’s the slowest month of the year!  But that was not the case last weekend, as we had HUGE turnouts for Hamilton!  Wow, did you all really support the Vine last weekend!  Thank you!!

This weekend may be even bigger, as we have a massive new film opening in DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, and we have the 60th Anniversary screenings of THE SOUND OF MUSIC!

As mentioned last week in the newsletter, we stopped having the ability to play The Sound of Music in 2019, as it has been off-service since then.  Movies like Sound of Music, Young Frankenstein, Star Wars and many, many others are sadly not available for me to play as classics any longer.  So, when I saw six months ago that Fathom Events teamed up with Disney to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, I immediately jumped on the chance to play it!  We are SO very excited to be offering SEVEN screenings of this wonderful classic musical, from Saturday, September 13th to Wednesday, September 17th.  Now, this is a Fathom event, which means they make me charge a few dollars more per ticket, but I think it is well worth it!

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Synopsis:  Experience the breathtaking theatrical presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's® iconic musical film The Sound of Music.  Meticulously restored and remastered in 4K for its 60th anniversary, the beloved classic is more brilliant than ever with pristine picture and sound.  In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).  Her warmth, charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father.  But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family.  One of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable treasures like “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “Do-Re-Mi.”  This Fathom’s Big Screen Classics release includes exclusive insights from Leonard Maltin.

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE opens at the Vine Cinema today!  At an extraordinary 90% on RottenTomoatoes, I am even more certain that you will love this final sendoff for the Downton Abbey series.  The showtimes are all different this week because of Sound of Music, so check the times carefully for the day you want to go!  We are very excited to be giving Downton Abbey the “Superstar treatment” as it is playing on both screens on the official opening day, Friday the 12th!

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE synopsis:  The cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter.

Join us for a wonderful and insightful documentary on Thursday, Sept. 18th - The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival.  We are honored to have the filmmakers of this wonderful film at the Vine that night to do a Q & A after the film!

Critics reviews:  “Narrated by Anjelica Huston, this documentary is essential viewing for anyone who cares about art.”  Frank J. Avella - The Contending

“…this is a valuable and insightful document of the rise to prominence of painter Tamara de Lempicka, one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, and one of the key figures in the Art Deco movement…”  Eddie Harrison = film-authority.com

Synopsis:  "The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival" is a visually stunning and sweeping feature documentary that traces the life and survival of the renowned painter through her powerful paintings – from her rise to international stardom in 1920s Paris, to her move to the United States in 1940, fleeing the rise of fascism, and her revival in the current art market.  Tamara de Lempicka was the preeminent Art Deco painter, known for her high-gloss sensual nudes and portraits of high society during the Jazz Age.  She was marginalized and gained notoriety for her romantic liaisons with her models and her indulgent, decadent lifestyle, but she was so much more. The film follows this remarkable émigrée as she reinvents herself multiple times, looking behind the veneer of the publicity she generated for herself and examining the bisexual Jewish artist who embodied talent, resilience, passion, and the relentless pursuit of artistic freedom.  Told through her never-before-seen 8mm home movies and groundbreaking newly-discovered birth and baptism certificates, our film reveals her true name, heritage, and identity for the first time and will change art history.

Finally, we have MAMMA MIA SING-ALONG tickets on sale!  Last year this screening sold out, and had to turn people away at the door.  Do not let this happen to you this year – get those tickets early!  Mamma Mia, along with Grease are the two most popular and most fun sing-along screenings every year.  Whether you are dancing in the aisles when “Dancing Queen” plays, or gently humming along to “Mamma Mia” the Vine is the perfect place to watch a sing-along with all of your friends.  Mamma Mia Sing-Along plays Thursday, September 25th at 7pm.

We hope that you will continue to spread the word that the Vine Cinema & Alehouse is the valley’s only movie theatre showing independent films and classics, while serving beer, wine and food.

 

Kenny