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‘Back to the Future II’ returns to theaters nationwide Oct. 19 and 21

by Heidi Sutton - October 17, 2024

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For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com or click here.

Movie Review: ‘Super/Man’ — a loving tribute to Christopher Reeve

by Jeffrey Sanzel - October 17, 2024

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'Super:Man' — Christopher Reeve played the cinematic hero Superman in four films. Photo courtesy of © Warner Bros./ DC Studios

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

Born in 1952, Christopher Reeve graduated from Cornell before studying acting at the Juilliard School, appearing in a range of stage productions. His cinematic work encompassed nearly two dozen films, including Somewhere in Time (1980), Deathtrap (1982), and The Remains of the Day (1993). But he will be forever remembered as the legendary Man of Steel in Superman (1978) and its sequels Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).

In 1985, after learning to ride for the television version of Anna Karenina, Reeve became an avid equestrian. On May 27, 1995, his horse made a refusal (a failure to jump a fence which stops forward movement). Reeve fell and shattered his first and second vertebrae, resulting in a cervical spinal injury that resulted in paralysis from the neck down.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a well-crafted, riveting documentary chronicling Reeve’s life, emphasizing his career as the cinematic superhero, his accident, and its aftermath. Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (who co-wrote the script with Otto Burnham) created a loving, dimensional tribute to a beloved personality in a sensitive but unflinching account.

In the film’s first ten minutes, Reeve is established as Superman and superstar and quickly shifts to the accident: “In an instant, everything changed.” Over one hundred and four well-paced minutes, the filmmakers interview his children from his relationship with British modeling executive Gae Exton—Matthew Reeve and Alexandra Reeve Givens—and his son from his marriage to actor-singer Dana Morosini—Will Reeve. Exton, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Daniels, and John Kerry are interviewed, sharing their working and personal relationships with Reeve.

The film touches on Reeve’s difficult childhood with unsupportive parents who divorced when he was three and remarried. In archival footage, Reeve discusses his father’s perpetual disappointment in his choices. Reeve saw theatre as providing a “neutral place that felt like home.” Theatre offered security with a beginning, middle, and end. The filmmakers emphasize his friendship with Juilliard classmate Robin Williams as well as his early days as a stage actor. While appearing in an off-Broadway play, Reeve flew to London for a Superman audition at Pinewood Studios. (Fellow castmate William Hurt discouraged him from selling out.) Immediately cast, the milestone changed the entire course of his career.

The film alternates between tracing the Superman films with his life post-accident, smartly weaving and contrasting the two worlds. His personal life is respectfully but thoroughly explored, focusing on his time with Exton and the birth of their two children. Realizing that they were incompatible, they separated but shared custody. Over the next several years, Reeve led a more Hollywood lifestyle until meeting Morosini. After a short courtship, Reeve realized he was ready to settle down, and they married in 1992. Their idyllic life was devastated just three years later.

The days immediately following the accident segue into the years of challenges and soul-searching. He states, “I ruined my life and everyone else’s.” The highly active Reeve pondered his shift from intensely “no fail” and “never quit” to a more reflective worldview. His sense of isolation, his weeks on the ventilator, and his fear of not just death but if I live, “Now what?” are part of the many interviews documented with Reeve. His shift in his approach to parenting is intimate and insightful.

Super/Man draws on hundreds of hours of footage of Reeve’s struggles. (One odd note is the use of clips from the 1998 remake of Rear Window; they seem strangely integrated as they are not indicated as fictional.) Reeve became an outspoken activist, raising awareness for others in similar situations. He and Morosini founded The Christopher Reeve Foundation (later The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation), whose mission is “dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.” Reeve became a high-profile advocate, beginning with his first public appearance at the 68th Annual Academy Awards.

Central is the committed family bond—all three children, Exton, and, especially, Morosini—supported Reeve, who required twenty-four-hour care. (At the time, the cost was $400,000 a year.) Reeve’s gradual return to film, directing In the Gloaming and occasional acting appearances are traced until his sudden death on October 10, 2004 of heart failure at the age of 52. The coda is Morosini’s cancer diagnosis and passing two years later.

The film is raw, compelling, and heartbreaking. Reeve lost much but embraced a difficult future: he made his path about giving visibility to those in similar straits. Ultimately, Super/Man is an honest and eye-opening look at the person who once said, “I am not a hero. I never have been, and I never will be.” On the contrary, Reeve was a hero in the real sense of the word—a person who has “the strength to persevere in the face of overwhelming obstacles.” Super/Man celebrates this truth.

The documentary is now playing in local theaters.

Port Jefferson Documentary Series to screen ‘Checkpoint Zoo’ on Oct. 17

by Heidi Sutton - October 12, 2024

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The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Checkpoint Zoo at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

In the early days of the Ukraine-Russian war, the Feldman Ecopark, a beloved animal refuge in Ukraine’s second largest city, found itself caught in the crossfire. With the invading Russian army on one side and the Ukrainian front line on the other, thousands of animals were left trapped with little food and water. Against all odds, a courageous team of zookeepers and volunteers risked their lives to embark on a seemingly impossible mission: bringing these innocent creatures to safety.

Followed by a panel discussion with the director, Joshua Zeman on Zoom, moderated by Juliette Passer, J.D., Lecturer, Political Science Dept., Stony Brook University.

Film Info: https://ghostrobot.com/work/checkpoint-zoo

Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students at the door or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

Oh my! Cinema Arts Centre presents a special evening with George Takei

by Press Release - October 10, 2024

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unnamed-4 — Meet George Takei at the Cinema Arts Centre on Oct. 15.

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will present A Special Evening with George Takei on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. The event will include a screening of the acclaimed documentary, To Be Takei, an interview with Q&A moderated by Jud Newborn, and gala book signing reception with live music by Mike Soloway.

The world-renowned actor, author and activist has appeared in more than forty feature films and hundreds of television series, most famously as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the Starship Enterprise in the original Star Trek and in six blockbuster Star Trek feature films. But like Star Trek’s iconic introductory voice-over, Takei‘s story goes where few have gone before.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event

Tickets are $75 per person, $60 members and includes

a copy of George Takei’s new NY Times bestselling children’s book, My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org or click here.

SPECIAL NOTE: George Takei is honored to be appearing at the Cinema Arts Centre and is not receiving any fee or honorarium. All profits go to support Cinema Arts Centre.

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George Takei is a civil rights activist, social media superstar, Grammy-nominated recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering actor whose career has spanned six decades. He has used his success as a platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. His advocacy is personal: during World War II, George spent his childhood unjustly imprisoned in US incarceration camps along with more than 125,000 other Japanese Americans. This experience inspired the musical Allegiance, in which George made his Broadway debut in 2018, and again in London, where it was staged anew in 2023.

Over the years he has appeared in TV series ranging from The Twilight Zone, The Big Bang Theory and Will & Grace to Psych and Ridley Scott’s The Terror in 2019 – in addition to his legendary work on Star Trek. His rich baritone has provided narration for the Ken Burns / PBS series The National Parks, while his voiceover work has ranged from The Simpsons to the animated feature, Mulan.

Winner of numerous awards and conferred with Honorary Doctorates by universities around the globe, George Takeinow serves as Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Japanese American National Museum’s board of trustees. George served on the board of the Japan–United States Friendship Commission and, in 2004, was given the Gold Rays with Rosette of the Order of the Rising Sun by the emperor of Japan for his contribution to US-Japan relations.

Film Screening:

To Be Takei. From outer space to Capitol Hill, from the silver screen to YouTube, the legendary George Takei has blazed his own trail while conquering new frontiers with a beaming trademark grin. Oh, my! To Be Takei is a look at the many roles played by this eclectic actor and activist. His wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting. Those testifying to Takei’s charisma include Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Senator Daniel Inouye, Dan Savage, Howard Stern, and George and Brad Takei themselves. The film offers unprecedented access to the daily life of George and his husband/business partner Brad and chronicles George‘s fascinating personal journey from Japanese American internment camps to his iconic and groundbreaking role as Sulu on Star Trek, and his rise as a pop culture icon. (USA, 2014, 94 mins. | Dir. Jennifer Kroot)

George Takei’s new book:

My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, is the moving, beautifully illustrated true story for children ages 6 to 9 about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II – from George Takei, the iconic Star Trek actor, activist, author, world-renowned social influencer and tireless educator. Published lovingly in hardcover – and a pleasure for adults as well – Takei’s heartfelt account will make an important and enlightening gift for the children in your lives. Takeilooks back at his own memories to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. Featuring powerful, meticulously researched watercolor paintings by Michelle Lee, this is a story of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.

Three Village students selected for All-American High School Film Festival

by Press Release - September 18, 2024

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0-8 — From left, senior Sophia Anderson, AP art teacher Stefanie DiLorenzo, video production teacher Chris Esser and senior Jeremiah Moody. Not pictured: Hannah Kravets and Rafael Bennett. Photo courtesy of the Three Village Central School District

Two Ward Melville seniors and two recent graduates were recently selected to have their work displayed in the prestigious All-American High School Film Festival.

Congratulations to seniors Sophia Anderson and Jeremiah Moody, and to Ward Melville High School alumni Rafael Bennett and Hannah Kravets.

The AAHSFF is the premier destination for talented high school filmmakers and media arts enthusiasts from around the world. The four students were chosen as Official Selections, which are films that will be screened at the festival from Oct. 18-20. Each year, thousands of films are submitted by student filmmakers from around the globe and the best are selected by a panel of judges as Official Selections. All Official Selections are eligible to be nominated for an award which will be announced on Oct. 20. The festival takes place each year in New York City.

The most anticipated movies of the fall

by Jeffrey Sanzel - September 15, 2024

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'Wicked' — ‘Wicked’ heads to the big screen on November 22. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

By Tim Haggerty and Jeffrey Sanzel

Looking for entertainment? Distraction? Introspection? This fall’s crop of new films offers a wide range of possibilities, from documentaries and biopics to comedy, horror and sequels.

WOLFS (September 20) Two professional “fixers (Brad Pitt and George Clooney) discover they are hired for the same job. While seemingly a throwback to an early time, the star power makes this a top choice for an evening of good old-fashioned escape. Rated R

A DIFFERENT MAN (September 20) Sebastian Stan plays Edward, an actor with neurofibromatosis who is cured of his facial disfigurement by an experimental surgery. But the change turns out to be a mixed blessing. Adam Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis, gives one of the year’s most compelling performances. Rated R

LEE (September 27) This biopic includes an all-star cast, led by Kate Winslet as Lee Miller, the model-turned-photographer, whose photos of World War II—especially the Nazi concentration camps—changed the way the world viewed war. In addition to Winslet, the cast includes Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgard, and Marion Cotillard. Rated R

MEGALOPOLIS (September 27) After decades of development, Francis Ford Coppola offers an epic tale of a crumbling fictional empire that reflects the contemporary United States. A visionary (Adam Driver) dreams of a utopian society in this massive undertaking that includes Giancarlo Esposito and Shia LeBeouf in drag. Rated R

WILL & HARPER (September 27) Will Ferrell first met Harper Steele when the two joined “Saturday Night Live,” and they remained close friends and collaborators for nearly three decades. When Harper came out as a trans woman in 2022, they embarked on a road trip —creating a film that reflects how the country views the LGBTQ+ community. Rated R

JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX (October 4) The much anticipated/dreaded sequel shows Joaquin Phoenix in his unique take on the infamous villain, joined by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, the Joker’s partner in crime. And, apparently, it is a musical. Rated R

THE OUTRUN (October 4) The great Saoirse Ronan portrays writer Amy Liptrot in this adaptation of the latter’s memoir of addiction and redemption from London to the Scottish Isles. Rated R

PIECE BY PIECE (October 11) Filmmaker Morgan Neville presents a documentary on the life of musician Pharrell Williams, the creator of “Happy” and “Get Lucky.” The twist? Neville tells Williams’ story via LEGOs. Rated PG

SATURDAY NIGHT (October 11) The Saturday Night Live origin story focuses on creating the extraordinary show’s first episode. As producer Lorne Michaels, Gabrielle LaBelle heads a company that includes Willem Dafoe, Dylan O’Brien, Cooper Hoffman, Finn Wolfhard, Lamorne Morris, J.K. Simmons, and Nicholas Braun. Rated R

RUMOURS (October 18) World leaders get lost in a hallucinogenic forest the night before the annual G7 summit. The bizarre premise shifts into a survivalist turn. Cate Blanchett, Alicia Vikander, Denis Ménochet, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Charles Dance appear in Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin’s startling outing. Rated R

SMILE 2 (October 18) The Halloween season would be incomplete without a horror sequel—in this case, the 2022 hit about an entity that feeds on trauma and causes people to grin maniacally. It is a good bet that this will not be a one-off follow-up but, instead, the launch of a new franchise. Rated R

THE NICKEL BOYS (October 25) Documentarian RaMell Ross wrote and directed this adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel chronicling a 1960s reform school, suggested by the Dozier School, the brutal and infamous real-life institution. Rated PG-13

HERE (November 1) Forrest Gump veterans Tom Hanks and Robin Wright reunite with director Robert Zemeckis in this high-concept story that focuses on one patch of ground over thousands of years—from ancient civilization to modern-day suburbs. Rated PG-13

GLADIAT0R 2 (November 22) Ridley Scott’s sword-and-sandal sequel to his 2000 Oscar-winner presents Paul Mescal as the adult Lucius Verus (nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus). He is joined by Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and I, Claudius star Sir Derek Jacobi. Rated R

THE PIANO LESSON (November 22) Denzel Washington’s commitment to presenting August Wilson’s Century Cycle plays continues with the playwright’s 1987 drama about a feud over a piano representing a family’s history. If it is half as good as “Fences,” this promises to be one of the best fall films. Rated R

WICKED (November 22) The first part of the adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical comes to the big screen, with Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the woman who will become the Wicked Witch of the West. Ariana Grande joins her as her frenemy, G(a)linda, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. Rated PG-13

MOANA 2 (November 27) Disney’s 2016 animated hit gets a follow-up in “further adventures of,” featuring original voices Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Rated PG

MUFASA: THE LION KING (December 6) A prequel to “The Lion King,” director Barry Jenkins tells the tale of Simba’s late father Mufasa and how he became king of the jungle. Rated PG-13

NOSFERATU (December 25) Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) helms the second remake of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 film, the first cinematic telling of Dracula. Bill Skarsgard dons the vampiric cloak of Count Orlock with Lily-Rose Depp, the object of his desire. Rated R

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Harvest Times supplement on Sept. 12.

Actor Eric Roberts to hold book signing at the Cinema Arts Centre

by Julianne Mosher - September 12, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Academy Award nominated actor Eric Roberts’ first memoir is being released this month and he is kicking off his book tour on Long Island.

Part of the famous Roberts family (including his sister Julia and daughter Emma), the 68-year-old actor is publishing his first memoir, Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far next week. To celebrate, he has chosen the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington as his first stop on the tour.

“This is the first appearance that he’s making as the book is being released so we’re really honored and delighted he would choose us,” said Jud Newborn, Emmy Award-winning producer of special programs at the Centre. “It’s wonderful to be appreciated.”

On Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. the evening will start with a screening of the 1985 film Runaway Train followed by a discussion with the actor, audience Q&A, gala book signing and reception featuring food and live jazz music by New York Times-acclaimed guitarist Mike Soloway.

The film, which stars Roberts, Jon Voight, and Rebecca DeMornay, tells the story of two convicts who escape a prison in snowy Alaska, battling the desolate landscape until they board an empty train — only to discover that the engineer has had a heart attack as the train accelerates out of control.

Roberts was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film and it is rarely screened in a live setting, Newborn said.

“Eric Roberts is actually one of the most prolific actors in the world,” he added. “I was dumbfounded when I read that he was in more than 700 films.”

Roberts grew up in Georgia, spending most of his teens away from his mother and sisters and instead stayed with his controlling father, a grifter jealous of his early success. At age 17, he moved to New York to pursue acting, where he worked and partied with future legends like Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis and Robin Williams.

His big break came when he was cast in “King of the Gypsies,” becoming one of the hottest stars of the era. While his younger sister, Julia, has held a career based on her “squeaky clean, girl next door” persona, Roberts has had a life and career filled with ups and downs including arrests, drug addiction and a near-death car accident.

Newborn, who will be moderating the discussion, said that people are drawn to these events because the Centre brings in guests who can speak to the concerns and interests of people — and have been since it was opened in 1973.

“It’s going to be a lovely evening and another special Cinema Arts Centre event which we’re famous for,” he said. “We bring in such astounding artists, it’s really mind boggling.”

Roberts’ memoir is said to show a candid look inside his life discussing the ups and downs of his career, his stormy relationship with Julia and how he confronted his demons with the help of his wife, Eliza. Written with New York Times bestselling author Sam Kashner, this memoir plans to have people talking.

“I think our guests are going to be surprised,” Newborn said. “I’ve always found Eric Roberts to be compelling and unconventional in a way that is so intriguing … He has appeared in every kind of medium you can imagine; film, TV, music videos, voice over work and he’s a character actor.”

Tickets for the event are $52 for the public and $42 for members. It includes the film screening, a copy of the memoir that will be signed by Roberts in person, and the reception. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org or click here.

Other celebrity guests scheduled for appearances at the Cinema Arts Centre this fall include director Barry Sonnenfeld on Oct. 8, actor George Takei on Oct. 15; Moon Unit Zappa (daughter of Frank Zappa) on Oct. 27; and actor Tim Matheson on Nov. 12. For further information, call 631-423-7610.

Movie Review: ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel is plain nostalgia

by Jeffrey Sanzel - September 12, 2024

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beetlejuicebeetlejuicepic1.jpg;w=960 — Wynona Ryder and Michael Keaton reprise their roles in the 'Beetlejuice' sequel. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

The concept of objectivity in a review is nearly, if not completely, impossible. Yet reviewers often avoid using “I” in their analyses. In this case, I am breaking the rule for context: I did not see Beetlejuice (1988) until last week. I knew that viewing the original was necessary, but also felt it only fair to be forthcoming of my lack of nostalgia in connection to a film that many hold with fond memories. So, I judged a film made over thirty years ago to evaluate its sequel. End of “I.”

Michael Keaton reprise his role in the ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Beetlejuice (1988) garnered mostly positive reviews upon its release, receiving multiple nominations and a handful of awards. Tim Burton, whose previous film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, had become a cult favorite, directed a script by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren.

Over the years, it has been labeled a “comedy classic.” Viewing it three and a half decades later, the film seems quaint and a bit creaky, not so much offbeat but slightly pressed zaniness, and almost reminiscent of The Canterville Ghost. Some design elements foreshadow Tim Burton’s later and more mature, refined visions.

Michael Keaton, as the titular demon “bio-exorcist,” Betelgeuse, appeared in a mere seventeen minutes. Beetlejuice possesses a sweetness and charm if a bit light on substance. Over the years, multiple sequel attempts (Beetlejuice in Love, Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian) were shelved for various reasons.

Tim Burton returns to the director’s chair, this time with a screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reprise their original roles. The now grown-up Goth daughter, Lydia (Ryder), returns to Winter River after the unexpected death of her father, Charles Deetz.

Lydia, now host of the talk show Ghost House, struggles with her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). In the attic of the Deetz home, Astrid discovers the town model and accidentally opens the portal to the afterlife.

The film contains enough plot threads for half a dozen movies, but none are fully realized. At the center is the conflict between Lydia and Astrid over Lydia’s failed marriage to Astrid’s father, Richard (Santiago Cabrera), who died in South America after the divorce. Lydia struggles with her engagement to her television producer, Rory (Justin Theroux).

Betelgeuse is hunted by his ex-wife, the soul-sucking witch, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who poisoned him before he murdered her with an axe. Another branch is Jeremy (Arthur Conti), Astrid’s love interest, who is not quite what he seems. Add to these the ghost detective, Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), a second-rate action star with a new career post-life.

While this promises a rich spectrum of opportunities, the results are thin and underdeveloped. The movie oddly manages to be chaotically frenetic yet simultaneously turgid. The hundred-and-four minutes seem at least an hour longer.

There are funny spots and clever moments—an ode to the “Day-O” of the first movie, a joke involving Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” a Soul Train bit (that stays too long in the station), and even a smart Newhart reference.

The Betelgeuse-Delores history plays perfectly as a subtitled Italian Art film by way of Mario Bava. But these moments get lost among jokes belabored to the point of losing any humor.

One senses that the script meetings were mutual admiration societies in which the writers and director greeted every idea with joy and no bit left behind.

Tonally, the film is all over the place. Winter River feels less like the idyllic Mayberry of the original and more like Halloween’s dread-steeped Haddonfield. The delightful Catherine O’Hara plays a milder version of her genius Schitt’s Creek creation, Moira Rose (including a sly parody of The Crows Have Eyes 2). Ryder seems uncomfortable in the role, not sure where the teen Lydia left off and the adult began. Keaton delivers an identical performance—logically, as the character is not about growth. But most of his jokes are either gross or … well, gross.

With Sylvia Sidney’s and Glen Shadix’s passing, the film lost two of the original’s most interesting characters—Juno and Otho Fenlock. The Maitland’s—Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis—are also absent—dismissed in a single line about a loophole that freed them. While they killed off patriarch Charles Deetz (the disgraced Jeffrey Jones), his image and presence remain—first as a Claymation character, then as an image on his grave, and finally as a headless talking corpse.

The film’s major bright spot is Ortega. With shades of her Wednesday Addams, she manages to avoid sulky teenager and creates the character’s angst and frustration without losing the warmth. She is completely sincere and wholly watchable, elevating the performances around her.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is clearly a much-anticipated movie. Much like Barbie, many audience members wore t-shirts celebrating the “event-ness,” with Keaton’s image or catchphrases from the film or even shirts mimicking Betelgeuse’s stripes. Unlike Barbie, in the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice contributes little to its own—or any cinematic—history.

Rated PG-13, the film is now playing in local theaters.

Long Island Youth Film Festival heads to the Cinema Arts Centre

by Press Release - September 11, 2024

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Inaugural Festival to Showcase Talented Young Filmmakers

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington has announced that it will host the inaugural Long Island Youth Film Festival (LIYFF) from Sept. 20 to 22. This weekend-long event will celebrate the creativity and vision of Long Island’s most promising young filmmakers, with screenings of outstanding documentaries and narrative films, as well as exclusive receptions and educational panels.

Friday, September 20 – The festival kicks off with an inspiring lineup of documentary shorts, highlighting powerful stories crafted by young filmmakers from across the island. Following the screenings, attendees are invited to a Festival Opening Night Reception, offering an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and mingle with other cinema enthusiasts.

Saturday, September 21 – The narrative shorts take center stage, showcasing a diverse collection of stories brought to life by the talented youth of Long Island. The day will culminate in an Awards Ceremony, where the best films will be recognized, followed by a celebratory reception.

Sunday, September 22 – The festival concludes with a day dedicated to feature films outside of competition. In addition to these captivating screenings, attendees can participate in educational panels led by industry professionals and community leaders, designed to provide insights into the filmmaking process and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.

Organized by the Cinema Arts Centre’s Youth Advisory Board, the LIYFF aims to foster a community of young creatives by providing a platform for filmmakers aged 25 and under to showcase their work and connect with peers and industry professionals.

“After the overwhelming feedback the Youth Advisory Board has received in response to smaller film competitions we’ve hosted, it became clear that young filmmakers in our community are in desperate need of a program like the Long Island Youth Film Festival,” said Charlotte Brennan, Festival Coordinator. “The success we’ve found through these events is a testament to the drive, passion, and creativity of LI’s filmmakers. We’re so proud and excited to provide them with a larger platform to showcase their talent and connect with each other.”

The festival received an impressive number of submissions from young filmmakers all across Long Island, ensuring that this event will be a captivating showcase of local talent and a major highlight in the island’s cultural calendar.

“We were blown away by the submissions we received. The amount of talent in our Long Island community of young filmmakers is incredible,” said Ted Cavooris, the Festival Director. “We’re so excited to have the opportunity to screen the wonderful films that are being made by a new generation of creators.”

The Cinema Arts Centre is committed to supporting young filmmakers and film lovers by hosting a variety of youth-oriented programming. Thanks to the efforts of the Youth Advisory Board, initiatives like the LIYFF provide valuable opportunities for young creatives to share their work and connect with the broader film community.

CAC Co-Director Dylan Skolnick said, “The Cinema Arts Centre is so excited to present original films by young, local filmmakers. We’re thrilled to host the Long Island Youth Film Festival, not only to serve up-and-coming artists on Long Island, but also to make these films a part of the continuing conversation with our whole community.”

Festival Day Passes are $60, $50 members and students.

Individual Day Tickets are $25, $20 members and students.

You can purchase tickets or find more information about this and other events on the Cinema Arts Centre website: www.cinemaartscentre.org

The Long Island Youth Film Festival (LIYFF) provides an opportunity for young filmmakers from Long Island, NY to share their work through public screenings and promotion through a weekend-long film festival! Submit your films to have a chance to be featured at Long Island’s premier arthouse cinema and be awarded a variety of prizes for your filmmaking achievements! An initiative of the Cinema Arts Centre’s Youth Advisory Board, the LIYFF aims to showcase local filmmakers ages 25 and under from the greater Long Island area and foster a community of young creatives. LIYFF is currently seeking film submissions from youth (ages 25 and under) residing in or creating films on Long Island, New York (Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings Counties) in the following categories: Documentary Short, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, and Narrative Feature. For more information, please visit filmfreeway.com/liyouthfilmfestival

About Cinema Arts Centre:

The Cinema Arts Centre (CAC) is Long Island’s premiere, year-round, independent and international film showcase and its leading 501(c)3 not-for-profit community cinema. Located on Long Island’s North Shore, just an hour from Manhattan, the CAC is unique in scope and programming, with three state-of-the-art theaters, including a main theater holding nearly 300 seats. Founded by Vic Skolnick, Charlotte Sky and Dylan Skolnick in 1973, the CAC has over 10,000 members and serves approximately 150,000 individuals each year. For more information, please visit https://cinemaartscentre.org

‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’ heads to the big screen

by Heidi Sutton - September 4, 2024

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Tickets are on sale now for Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s acclaimed documentary Super/Man: The Christoper Reeve Story. Via a collaboration between DC Studios and Fathom Events, the film, which DC Studios, HBO Documentary Films and CNN Films acquired out of the Sundance Film Festival this year, the film will debut in select cinemas across the United States on Saturday, Sept. 21. There will be an encore presentation on Sept. 25, Reeve’s birthday.

‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’

The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today. Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four Superman films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care — all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family before his death of heart failure in 2004 at the age of 52.

From the directors of McQueen, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, this film includes never-before-seen intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, as well as the first extended interviews ever filmed with Reeve’s three children about their father, and interviews with the A-list Hollywood actors who were Reeve’s colleagues and friends. The film is a moving and vivid cinematic telling of Reeve’s remarkable story.

Locally, the film will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17 in Stony Brook, Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville, and AMC Huntington Square 12 in East Northport. To order tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.

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