I suggest checking out an interesting feature offered at Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Theatre (290 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-734-2500) in conjunction with the Museum of Science and New Scientist magazine, namely the monthly Science on Screen series. Designed to make good use of the abundant scientific talent in the area, thanks to Boston’s uncommon number of top academic institutions, the film series offers movies with a science theme, introduced by real scientists who know their stuff.

On April 21, viewers will have a chance to enjoy the classic Alfred Hitchcock suspense yarn Vertigo, as well as a revealing discussion beforehand with Harvard Medical School professor and practicing psychiatrist Catherine Kimble, MD. Dr. Kimble will talk about vertigo and anxiety and what both entail for sufferers, such as the main character of the film, a former San Francisco police detective and acrophobe (someone with an abnormal fear of heights) portrayed by James Stewart.

Tomorrow’s screening and discussion of Vertigo take place from 7pm to 9:30pm. Tickets purchased online or at the door cost $9.75 each for the general public, with a discount to $7.75 for students, seniors, and members of the Museum of Science. Members of Coolidge Corner Theatre are admitted free of charge.

Need help deciding whether Vertigo is your cup of tea? If so, just take a look at the original trailer for the 1958 double Oscar nominee following the jump.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The festival has enjoyed such success in the past that this year’s roster has been expanded to encompass 96 films that will be featured at over 150 screenings. The focus is on filmmakers whose work — be it long-form movies, documentaries, or short films — presents themes “that are life changing, thought provoking and expose aspects of life in new and revealing manners.”

And, if you think all the festival is about is going to a theater, sitting and watching, and then going home, then think again. In addition to the actual showings, organizers have planned panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and parties, as well. Special guests currently include a number of individuals who work in different areas of entertainment and film, such as Brad Neely, Chris Eigeman, Famke Janssen, Guy Maddin, Harlan Ellison, Harmony Korine, Harry & The Potters, Jay McCarroll, and Mary Stuart Masterson.

The weeklong Independent Film Festival of Boston, also called IFFBoston, runs from Wednesday, April 23, until Tuesday, April 29. There are several options for participating, ranging from purchasing individual tickets for specific films (shown at Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and Somerville Theatre in Somerville) to buying one of several passes that allow admission to numerous events. Visit the Ticket Website for more information, as well as the websites for the Film Lineup, Music Lineup, Panel Schedule, and surprisingly full Party Schedule.

Continue after the jump to see the trailer for one of the film selections at IFFBoston that I’m personally looking forward to a great deal, director Grant Gee’s comprehensive documentary Joy Division, which is about the influential English band of the same name and its tragic lead singer Ian Curtis.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

At 6pm EST, the Central branch will screen the critically acclaimed 1996 South African drama Tsotsi in Rabb Lecture Hall (700 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston, 617-536-5400). The selection is offered in conjunction with the library’s Choosing to Participate: Facing History and Ourselves exhibit on display through May 18, 2008.

I still remember the first time I saw the movie, which won the 2006 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, because the story was so intense and left such a strong, lasting impression. Its plot is based on South African author Athol Fugard’s novel of the same name, a gripping tale of what life is like for some young men whose existence is confined to the far-reaching slums and violent gangs of Johannesburg, South Africa.

For those who appreciate movies that offer a window into other societies through gripping storytelling, Tsotsi is virtually a guaranteed pleaser. A built-in advantage of the Boston Public Library’s free screening is that if you don’t like the movie, all you lose is a little time.

I’ve been to a few free film screenings at the library’s Copley Square location, and I advise attendees to arrive early for the best chance of getting preferred seats. Although it’s impossible to predict, these events often draw a number of people, especially when highly entertaining and informative movies like Tsotsi are featured. [More Information]

The two-and-a-half-minute trailer for Tsotsi follows after the jump.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The popular actor has a lot going on these days besides his hit NBC series The Office, most notably entertainment-wise the upcoming feature film Leatherheads. It premieres in theaters nationwide next Friday, April 4.

Despite the odd title, the 1920s-era romantic comedy has a top-notch cast that includes Academy Award winners George Clooney and Renée Zellweger. Talk about a local boy making good! Krasinski is keeping some mighty fine company these days on both the small and big screens.

Since the actor is from around these parts, I’ve included clips of his most recent late-night talk show appearance after the jump. He comes across like a person who deserves every bit of the success he’s now enjoying, which should make fans even prouder of his considerable accomplishments.

Incidentally, Krasinski is also on the cover of the April 2008 edition of Boston Magazine, on newsstands now, if you just can’t get enough of him. Cute photo!

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The ten-year-old annual event began as an informal affair in 1999, but has since matured and expanded into a full-fledged, more conventionally arranged series of screenings. And, unlike the fare you’ll find at whatever national chain happens to service your community, many of the scheduled works at BUFF will be hosted by the writers, directors, and stars who bring the films to life. If you’ve ever been to a hosted screening before or even watched the extras on a DVD, you probably agree there’s nothing like discovering details about a movie straight from the horse’s mouth.

This Saturday and Sunday, BUFF films and shorts in a variety of genres, ranging from musicals to horror to comedy, will be shown at two venues in Cambridge near Harvard University: Brattle Theatre (40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617-867-6837) and AMC Loews Harvard Square (10 Church Street, Cambridge, 617-864-4581).

Highlights include Saturday’s presentation of the German film-noir crime drama The Road to Nod from writer/director M.A. Littler (AMC Loews Harvard Square, 9:45pm, 100 minutes, Germany, 2007) and Sunday’s Closing Night screening of host and director Tony Krantz’s Otis (Brattle Theatre, 8:30pm, 90 minutes, USA, 2008), a dark serial-killer horror-comedy that premiered at SXSW earlier this month. Otis stars Bostin Christopher in the title role, along with familiar actors like Daniel Stern (Home Alone), Kevin Pollak (Casino), Quincy-born Illeana Douglas (Stir of Echoes), and Cambridge-born Jere Burns (TV’s Help Me Help You).

Tickets to individual movies cost $8 each for the general public and $6 for students and seniors. Moreover, trailers for the two intriguing movies mentioned previously, The Road to Nod and Otis, follow the jump. [More Information]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Cast member Amy Ryan is up for an Oscar statuette in the supporting actress category, and the movie has already garnered numerous wins and nominations from many other organizations, including Affleck’s victory for Best New Filmmaker at the 2007 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards.

Based on Dorchester native Dennis Lehane’s (Mystic River) crime novel of the same name, Gone Baby Gone stars Affleck’s younger brother Casey Affleck as Boston-based private investigator Patrick Kenzie. When Kenzie is hired by the aunt of a missing child to help interface with locals who won’t cooperate with police, deadly secrets are exposed and tragedy inevitably follows.

The rest of the stellar cast includes Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Michelle Monaghan, and John Ashton. Although not nominated for his work in his brother’s movie, Casey Affleck did receive a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod this time around for his performance in the also highly praised Brad Pitt feature The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Since I haven’t had the chance to watch Gone Baby Gone yet (although I did just spoil the plot for myself by researching it for this post), I can’t offer any personal judgments right now. I do know the reviews and word of mouth are exceptionally strong for the film, however. So, if you haven’t already seen it and are looking for a flick to catch this weekend in the comfort of your own home, I’m going to go out on a limb and recommend Gone Baby Gone.

Check out the movie’s official website for a trailer, six preview clips, and tons of additional information.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Saturday | January 26

A Conversation with Playwright Douglas Carter Beane

First up on Saturday is “A Conversation with Playwright Douglas Carter Beane.” A Tony Award nominee in 2007 for the Broadway comedy The Little Dog Laughed, Douglas Carter Beane also wrote, among many other things, the screenplay for the 1995 feature film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo.

Beane will discuss his ample work—and presumably take questions from attendees—in the same location where SpeakEasy Stage Company is currently staging The Little Dog Laughed through February 16. The afternoon engagement requires advance registration and will start at 12:30pm at the Boston Center for the Arts’ Calderwood Pavilion (527 Tremont Street, Boston).

Sunday | January 27

Making Movies in Massachusetts

Both events scheduled for Sunday will be hosted at the Institute of Contemporary Art (100 Northern Avenue, Boston). The first, “Making Movies in Massachusetts” from 1:30pm–3pm, will explore the reasons underlying Massachusetts’ present and future popularity as a location for filming movies. Nick Paleologos, the executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office, and producer-director Sam Weisman will lead the registration-required discussion.

A Look at Avenue Q

A half-hour later, at 3:30pm, the 90-minute discussion “A Look at Avenue Q” will begin. It also requires advance registration to gain an inside perspective on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical-comedy Avenue Q, which is about one cash-strapped college graduate’s attempts to acquire fame in the Big Apple. Producer Jeffrey Seller and puppet conceiver and designer (yes, the production uses puppets à la Sesame Street) Rick Lyon share their experiences while leading the talk.

Post from: The Boston Traveler