Friday Night at the Movies

Continuing with our “A Look at Genres” theme, the 1958 musical film South Pacific is our December offering. Accompanied by an outstanding Rogers and Hammerstein score, this timeless movie takes us back to World War II in the Pacific Islands, where Navy Ensign Nellie Forbush, RN, is romanced by the ex-patriot French planter Emile deBecque amid the tensions of the war with Japan, which approaches ever nearer to their island paradise. Billed as a musical, the theme also encompasses many elements of comedy and drama, from the hijinks of the Navy Seabees and their leader Luther Billis to the dangerous spy mission carried out by deBecque and the ill-fated Marine Lieutenant Joe Cable. Those of us of a “certain age” know well the members of the cast: Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, Ray Walston, John Kerr.

So call the church office to sign up for “Some Enchanted Evening” and “Happy Talk” with discussion leaders Stan and Maria Clements!

Popcorn, soft drinks, dessert, and coffee provided; suggested donation $2.

Slow Dance Film Festival

Welcome to Friday Night at the Movies 2011-2012, or The Slowdance Film Festival! We begin this year's series with a delightful comedy, City Island, starring Andy Garcia and Juliana Margulies. Meet the Rizzo family in this touching, funny, and smart tale about the secrets of the past catching up with the lies of the present, and acceptance of the fact that no one is perfect, least of all your loved ones.

The discussion will be led by Sue Thornquist. Sign up in the office for Friday, October 21, 7:30pm, at the Safford Home Theatre. Soft drinks, popcorn, dessert and coffee will be served; a $2 donation is suggested.

The Reverend Peg Schultz will present our final movie of the season, Lars and the Real Girl, a 2007 Academy-award nominated comedy about Lars Lindstrom, a loveable introvert whose emotional baggage has kept him from fully embracing life. Lars invites Bianca, a friend he met on the Internet, to visit him. When he introduces his friend to his brother Gus and his wife Karen, they are stunned to discover that Bianca is, in fact, a life-sized doll. What follows, as friends and family go along with Lars’ delusion, is an emotional journey for all concerned. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Paul Schneider, Emily Mortimer, and Patricia Clarkson. Sign up in the church office now. A $2 donation is suggested to cover cost of popcorn, soft drinks, coffee, and dessert.

Presenter the Reverend John Gillham writes: DON’T SEE THIS MOVIE....if you don’t want to be moved to tears by Ennio Morricone’s hauntingly beautiful Golden Globe Award music...if you don’t want to be awed by Academy Award cinematography of the South American jungle setting, and the courageous struggle of native villagers and a few priests against rapacious slave traders and the corrupted Church authorities who
sent the priests.

The Mission: winner of the 1986 Cannes Film Festival Best Picture Award and seven Academy Award nominations – including Best Picture. With Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons. A $2 donation is suggested to cover the goodies.