Longlegs at the Charles

Matthew, Kirsty, Tom and I went to the Charles last night to see Longlegs, Tom's treat. Great movie.

Trailer

I'm A Star Dammit!

I recognize myself, Steve Hebert, Bill Schuler and Loretta. I don't know where the films were shot.

Homemade Movies with Steve Hebert and friends.

John Waters "Indecent Exposure" At The BMA

Tom and I went to the Baltimore Museum of Art to see the John Waters Exhibit "Indecent Exposure". Great stuff. We also saw a video installation by Lizzie Fitch and Ryan Trecartin that was also great. 

John Waters

Fitch/Trecartin

From The BMA's Website

Please note: A portion of this exhibition contains mature content.

The first retrospective of John Waters's visual arts career in his hometown of Baltimore presents more than 160 provocative photographs, sculptures, and video and sound works. The exhibition concludes with a gallery devoted to ephemera, including objects from Waters’s home and studio that inspire him, and three peep-shows featuring footage from his rarely seen underground movies of the 1960s.

Waters’s renegade humor deployed through his works reveals the ways that mass media and celebrity embody cultural attitudes, moral codes, and shared tragedy. Exhibition highlights include a photographic installation in which Waters explores the absurdities of famous films and a suite of photographs and sculpture that propose humor as a way to humanize dark moments in history from the Kennedy assassination to 9/11. Waters also appropriates and manipulates images of less-than sacred, low-brow cultural references—Elizabeth Taylor’s hairstyles, Justin Bieber’s preening poses, his own self-portraits—and pictures of individuals brought into the limelight through his films, including his counterculture muse, Divine. Other themes explored include artist’s childhood and identity, a satirical consideration of the contemporary art world, and the transgressive power of images.

Lizzie Fitch / Ryan Trecartin

From October 7, 2018 — January 6, 2019

Among the most acclaimed artists working today, Lizzie Fitch (American, b. 1981) and Ryan Trecartin (American, b. 1981) have established an expansive collaborative practice that includes video, sculpture, and large-scale installation. Their work embraces and reorders the visual and linguistic clutter of technology and media to create a frenzied meditation on the changing nature of narrative, language, and the human condition.

The two artists met in 2000 at the Rhode Island School of Design and began collaborating in 2001. Their presentation at the BMA features three frenzied films shown within sculptural theaters. These spaces— one resembling a bar; another, a gymnastics or aquatics facility—provide an evocative framework in which to encounter movies that explore the fluidity of identity achievable through contemporary technology, as well as the non-linear structures of 21st century communication.

The influential collaborators’ work has been presented at such prestigious exhibitions and institutions as the 12th Biennale de Lyon; the 55th Venice Biennale; The Stoscheck Collection; Kunsthaus Zürich; and Bonniers Konsthall; Rubell Family Collection/Contemporary Arts Foundation, Miami; and Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, PA.

Bengies Drive-In Memorial Day All Night Show 2015

Matthew and I went to the Bengies Drive-In tonight for the Memorial Day All Night Show. We didn't pay the 10 buck to bring outside food in, which was a mistake. I need my thermos of coffee to make it through a marathon like that. And of course, the best movies were the last two (Mad Max and Ex-Machina). I really can't say I saw either one of those, I kept drifting in and out. Fast and Furious 8 was so bad it made Paul Blart Mall Cop II look great.

Paul Blart Mall Cop II

Fast and Furious 8

Mad Max Fury Road

Ex-Machina

1st Night at the Bengies in 2014

Matthew and I went to the Bengies Drive-In tonight. It was Sunday night so it was a double feature instead of the usual triple feature. We saw "Godzilla 2014" and "300: Rise of an Empire". They were both good. I'm glad we went, I didn't make it to a single show in 2013. Also, it was cold, really cold. We were all wrapped up in comforters trying to keep warm. Click on the photos to see the trailers.

1st Night at the Bengies 2012

Matthew and I went to the Bengies on the day before the 4th of July (a Tuesday). We saw "Men In Black 3" and "The Amazing Spiderman". They were both good but I thought "Men In Black 3" was better, really funny. Before the show, "D" talked about the lawsuit he recently won against the Royal Farms store across the street. If the verdict stands, he's going to build a wall to block out the light.

1st Night At The Bengies

Went to our first show at the Bengies this weekend. Natalie, Matthew, Tara and I went. The movies were all good (the new "Pirates" was the weakest). Hard to believe Natalie went,  she never wants to go, but she wanted to see "Thor" for some reason.

Bengies eMail

Dear GREAT Patrons of the Bengies Drive-In Theatre,

We are NOW OPEN on FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY rain or not!   


FOR the  weekend of  MAY 20, 21 & 22: 
A TriPPPle FEATURE Treat  for Friday and Saturday, A DouBBle Feature SUNDAY! 

The box office will OPEN on Friday & Saturday at 7pm,  BUT a little later on Sunday at 7:15pm,  with the show starting all 3 nights at sunset, which will occur THIS weekend at about 8:15pm.

NOTICE: we will not allow one person in a vehicle to occupy space on busy nights.  If you are joining others here at the Bengies, please "hook up" outside the theatre and use one vehicle.  We cannot turn away families because we ran out of space due to folks thinking that the Bengies is a parking lot!  You MAY park at our good neighbor's lot that is the yellow or orange-ish brick building next to the drive-in theater's entrance, (Austen's) if you park correctly, and then you may walk down the roadway to purchase a ticket and join your party.    IF YOU ARE A REGULAR CUSTOMER that normally comes alone, PLEASE email us through the website at least a day prior to your visit and tell us who you are, the year, make, color and model of your vehicle and we may be able to email you an exception.   See the other notes on this in the "BE READY TO ATTEND" link below, and watch for a special email notice on this next week.

On the BIGGEST theatre screen in the USA, our MAIN attraction is the newest installment of the continuing saga of the "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN...ON STRANGER TIDES" rated PG13.  This time, Jack Sparrow (shouldn't there be a captain in there somewhere...?) holds the key to the Fountain of Youth!  Ken and I saw this at the trade screening (Sean had too much to do,... go figure...) and we came away with the same feeling.  It was fast, fun and we did not feel the 131minute running time at at all!  However we both agreed that was absolutely no reason for this to be in 3D.  "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN...ON STRANGER TIDES" will show Friday and Saturday in the second position at 10pm, but much earlier on Sunday after our twilight opening which starts at 8:15pm.

Our co-feature is HELD OVER by OVERWHELMING DEMAND, the new action adventure from MARVEL COMICS  "THOR" is rated PG13 in [ << W I D E -- S C R E E N>> ]  "THOR," Marvel Comics' God of Thunder is cast down to Earth among humans where he must learn what it takes to be a true hero. Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, AND Anthony Hopkins are among a few of the all star cast.  "THOR" will show AFTER "Pirates..." all 3 nights, which means it will begin after the box office closes (due to the running time of "Pirates." . So on Friday and Saturday you MUST be in by midnight when the box office closes, and the box office closes on Sunday at 10:30pm.   You must be in by box office closing time in order to see this feature.  NO ONE is admitted to the Bengies Drive-In Theater AFTER the box office is closed!

A special feature to make it a TriPPPle Feature Treat on Friday & Saturday ONLY, first up just after our 8:15pm Opening Sequence,  we are delighted to present, from Walt Disney Pictures, the fun documentary all about "AFRICAN CATS," rated G, narrated by the awesome voice of Samuel L. Jackson.  With a short running time, this adventure is a true story and hits high acclaim from all critics and viewer alike.Showing first on Friday and Saturday ONLY just after our opening sequence that begins at 8:15pm.

You can help us keep things running smoothly, REMEMBER:
the >CLOSER< it gets to sunset, the L - O - N - G - E - R the line will Become! ARRIVE EARLY!!!... 


We CANNOT allow traffic to build on Maryland State Route 150.
We CANNOT allow traffic to build on Maryland State Route 150 
We WILL NOT allow traffic to build on Maryland State Route 150. 


Friday & Saturday,  May 20 & 21  -TriPPPle FEATURE   
"AFRICAN CATS"  G, begins after our opening sequence at 8:15pm
"Pirates of the Caribbean: ON STRANGER TIDES" PG13, at 10pm
"THOR" PG13 PG13, AFTER MIDNITE**


**REDUCED ADMISSION is not available this weekend,  
You MUST be in before the box office closes at 12:15am,   
NO ONE is admitted after the box office is closed.
Box Office CLOSES At 12:15am on Fri. & Sat.
NO ONE is admitted after the box office is closed.

Bengies Facebook Night

We finally made it to the Bengies for the first time this season. I was starting to wonder if we were going to make it this year. That would have been the first time in maybe decades that we didn't go at least once. And it was free to boot.

It was Facebook Night at the Bengies. You had to print out an invitation through Facebook to get in. The movies were "E.T." and "North by Northwest". I've seen both of them many times but it was still fun. Tommy, Matthew and I went. It was really cold. A free box of popcorn or a funnel cake was included with the invitation. I had funnel cake. They also had prize drawings and we won a prize package that included a carload pass, a tee shirt, a bumper sticker, and a key chain flashlight.

First Trip To The Bengies in 2009 - Memorial Day Dusk To Dawn Show

Matthew and I went to the Bengies for the first time this year for the annual Memorial day all-night show. We both made it through until the sun came up and D. played the national anthem to end the show. We evening stayed awake through "Obsessed".

The Line-Up:

Coraline - Really good and the best movie of the night. In the vein of "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Corpse Bride" but better. And weirder. 4 Timmyheads.


Star Trek - Not your father's Star Trek my ass. A steaming pile of lameness. The only cutting edge thing about it was Eric Bana as the Bad Ass and his summary execution (not shown) of the captain of the Kelvin. Matthew liked it though.


Obsessed - Another winner from Beyonce (remember "Goldmember"). Only lots, and lots of T&A could have saved this one.


Knowing - Pretty good but kind of weak towards the end. Reading up about this one is what convinced me to go to the all-night show. Real Sci-Fi, not "Gossip Girl" in space.

Tradition! Dusk 'til Dawn ALL NITE Show

Original email message from the Bengies Drive-In

Dear GREAT Patrons of the Bengies Drive-In Theatre,

We are NOW OPEN on FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY!  

DUSK   'til   DAWN    

THIS weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and our 53rd* ANNUAL all night shows in the drive-in tradition! 
We WILL be open all 3 nights BUT the Dusk to Dawn shows will ONLY play on Saturday and Sunday.

(53rd*Ken noted, this is actually the 53rd, BECAUSE the Bengies did not open until JUNE of 1956, so there was no Memorial day show. The Labor Day weekend D to D will be the 54th in this 53rd Anniversary Year of the Bengies.) 

3 of the 4 titles ARE in W I D E  S C R E E N, showing  EDGE TO EDGE on the biggest theatre screen in the *USA!*  Saturday and Sunday is the traditional...

DUSK   'til   DAWN  

"STAR TREK" rated PG13, is HOLDING, because it is way too much fun, but mostly because we have seen an increase in interest both from fans who wish to see it again, BUT AMAZINGLY, from the folks who were never Star Trek Fans.  It is important to note here, that you do not have to be a fan or even ever had an interest in "Star Trek" to enjoy this fine feature.

Showing all 3 nights with the VERY fast paced "STAR TREK" is the top rated thriller, "OBSESSED" rated PG13. An unhinged stalker  threatens to destroy a happy family and career.

We will begin the ALL NIGHT program (Saturday into Sunday, and Sunday into Memorial Day Monday) with the HIGHLY ACCLAIMED, one-of-a-kind animated feature "CORALINE" rated PG.

The program will also include a sci-fi thriller, "KNOWING" rated PG13.  Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times, says: "...among the best science-fiction films I've seen..."

CONNECT with us:

Twitter    Facebook   Myspace    RSS web browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari

For feature synopsis and more visit:

 http://www.bengies.com 

 http://www.giantoutdoorscreen.com

 http://www.allamericandrivein.com

 http://www.driveinnights.com

Or just click on the BENGIES banner below 

---

Bengies Drive-In Theatre

3417 Eastern Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21220 Since 1956
Feature & Show Time Information: *NEW* 410 391-1956 OR the Good 'ol Original: 410 687-5627
Box Office OPENS THIS Fri. At 7pm, Sat. & Sun. At 6:45pm.
The Show CURRENTLY Starts ALL 3 NIGHTS At Sunset, Now Occurring At 8:30pm

Michael Bay Signs $50M Deal To Fuck Up 'ThunderCats'

LOS ANGELES—In the largest deal ever made to shit out a movie, Warner Bros. and director Michael Bay announced a landmark $50 million agreement this week to monumentally fuck up ThunderCats.

"I couldn't be more excited to completely fuck this up," said Bay, who plans to begin production on destroying the live-action adaptation next month. "ThunderCats has a great story, endearing characters, action, adventure, space-travel, and fantasy. It will be an honor to run it into the ground."

"I'll use every directorial tool I have to suck the very life and charm out of this beloved cartoon," added Bay, claiming that the film could turn out to be the most colossal piece of shit he's ever worked on. "I won't rest until I get every last scene exactly wrong."

According to executives, Warner Bros. settled on Bay after a 12-month search of Hollywood's most reviled directors, including Joel Schumacher, Roland Emmerich, and Brett Ratner. In the end, the studio decided only Bay could be relied upon to deliver a 220-minute cinematic clusterfuck with enough tedious performances, overblown cinematography, and CGI explosions to make even the most casual fan want to scratch their eyes out.

"No filmmaker working today has Bay's ability to somehow direct his actors to be both emotionless and melodramatic at once," Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer said. "And I personally can't wait to see how he needlessly overcomplicates the plot."

Bay reportedly only agreed to fuck up ThunderCats after several specific conditions were written into his contract. According to the terms of the deal, Bay must be allowed to eliminate the character Panthro entirely to focus on the asinine relationship between Snarf and Snarfer, and include nearly 22 minutes of frenetic, impossible-to-follow action sequences that he hopes will annoy the living Christ out of audiences.

"We're just getting started on the storyboards, but I've already got a lot of really contrived ideas about zooming in way too close and shooting everything at nauseating angles," said Bay, who claimed viewers won't be able to tell if the climactic final battle is between two blurry elbows or a half dozen leopard-print pillows. "I promise you'll walk out of the theater feeling like you just flushed $12 down the toilet."

"You will all fucking hate me," he continued.

Hollywood insiders agreed that Bay—who has reportedly been closely involved in each of the 45 progressively worse rewrites of the script—was a natural choice to take a steaming dump on the popular ThunderCats property.

"Michael Bay has this innate sense of how to ruin a great story," Variety reporter Todd Brick said. "His ability to create astonishing plot holes, pepper dialogue with groan-inducing clichés, and abandon storylines halfway through is unparalleled. He was born to destroy this movie."

Though he admitted there was still "a lot of fucking up to do" before the script attains his trademark shit-slicked sheen, Bay has recruited hack writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci to punch-up the screenplay with hollow characters and by-the-numbers jokes about kitty litter boxes and hair balls.

But all the time and effort, Bay claimed, is worth it to ensure that he fucks ThunderCats up as badly as he knows he can.

"Ever since I failed to ruin Scarlett Johansson's career with The Island, I've been looking for a challenge like this," Bay said. "Who knows? With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and ThunderCats coming out in the same year, I may finally reach my goal of making all of America hate cinema forever." 

Watchmen At The Senator

Went to see "Watchmen" at the Senator tonight. It was great. I was kind of not looking forward to going because of how long it was - almost three hours, but I really didn't notice. Matt & Tom and John & Jeremy went and they all liked it too. If I had known about the Senator's future, I would have spent some time looking around the place. As it is, this was probably the last movie I'll see there during it's time as a working, commercial movie theater.

Link to Patty Boh's Watchmen Photostream

At The Movies with Tim and Matthew

Watched two movies on the new TV last night - "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and "Wanted".

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was OK. I missed the original actress who played Brendan Frasier's wife and there wasn't enough of the emperor himself, especially when he wasn't covered in stone. The Yetis were pretty cool. Not Oscar material but still a fun time waster.

Wanted - now that was a good one. I wanted to see this after I found out it was directed by the same Russian guy who made "Nightwatch" and "Daywatch". I saw "Daywatch" and that movie was just nuts. Wanted is based on a comic book. Lots of action.

Click on the movie pix to go to the official movie websites.


The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Wanted

Soprano's - Every Curse From Every Episode

the sopranos, uncensored. from victor solomon on Vimeo.

DVDs From Christmas, New Year's Day Sale

Diary of the Dead

I got the new George Romero movie "Diary of the Dead" for Christmas. It was good, not his best, but I liked it better than "Land of the Dead", which is just too slick. This one had great scene at the end. If he had went for "Unrated", instead of "R", and had more jaw-dropping scenes like that, it would have been a much better Dead movie.

Dr.Katz, Season 1

On New Year's Day, Record and Tape Traders had their Buy One/Get One Free sale on used CDs and DVDs. I bought this DVD, "The Fog" (the original - not that crappy remake), The Ultimate Definitive Final Extraordinarily Deluxe Edition of Monty Python & The Holy Grail and five CDs, all for 40 bucks. Not bad. Dr. Katz is great, like a sitcom wrapped around a stand-up comedy routine. This collection is a little skimpy. It's only six episodes with some special features I haven't watched yet. Ray Ramano and Dom Irrera are really funny in it.

Matthew and Tommy really went crazy at the sale. They each spent around a hundred dollars of their Christmas money. I was good and put a lot of stuff back.

The Hulk Smash

Got a couple of movies out this week I was really looking forward to seeing - The Incredible Hulk and Hellboy II.

The Incredible Hulk - borderline stinker. I thought the other Hulk movie, even with it's weak ending, was much better. When I see a super hero movie, what I'm really interested in is their personal relationships, especially the romantic ones. Give me a break.


Hellboy II - a good one. Not as good as the first one, but still fun. I liked the gas guy.

The Timmyhead Rating System

A Stinker

Borderline Stinker

Pretty Good

Good

Most Excellent

Movie Night - The November Chronicles

We hit the library for some movies Monday.

The Invasion was OK, Matthew liked it. As usual, the ending was weak, sappy even. If you want to see a great version of this story, check out "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" from 1978 or the original from the greatest year ever - 1956! Nobody ever mentions the 3rd of the 4 versions of this same story - Body Snatchers from 1993. That version is set on an Army base and stars Jennifer Tilly. That's all I remember about it.



The Strangers - Now this is a good one. Matthew, Tommy and I really liked it a lot. It's pretty gruesome but more terror than torture. The sound really adds to the creepiness. It has a good ending too, a rarity these days.