The Augusta Free Press

Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
Just because “The Dark Knight” is breaking all kinds of box-office records does not necessarily mean that it’s the greatest thing to come along since plastic vomit. And the fact that it’s worshipped by virtually all the critics doesn’t mean that you and I, dear reader, have to [...]

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The Top Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Thelma Newman remembers the anticipation of a late 1980s documentary produced by WVPT on the history of Staunton. Her father-in-law had been among those interviewed for the film, for one thing.
The hopes of Newman and others in the Staunton African-American community that the film would do their contributions to [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
Movie critics took to “Wall-E” like kids take to chocolate cake for breakfast, so dare I pour a little sand in the machinery? I dare.
Sure, it’s cute. And Pixar has pushed all the right adorable-little-robot buttons to make sure the Awwwww Factor draws in an adult audience as [...]

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Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
A documentary on the history of Montgomery Hall Park in Staunton and its role in race relations in the Jim Crow era will debut on July 12.
“Staunton’s Other Park” will premiere at the Montgomery Hall Park Lawn Party on the 12th at 3 p.m. The screening is free and open to [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
Now that the summer blockbusters have begun falling about our ears (some with surprising accuracy), let us quickly retreat to our bomb shelter and plan our forthcoming Cineplex excursions with care.
In other words: Now that Indy Jones has landed, is there anything left to see besides more summer [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
On Friday the 13th I should have known it as soon as I saw those fateful words on the screen: “Written, Produced and Directed by M. Night Shyamilan.” But oh, no. Like a vulture circling a dead wallaby, I licked my lips, chuckled my evil chuckle, reached for [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
There is one deep, dark secret that no film critic will ever reveal. Even mentioning that it exists could get me thrown out of the Movie Snob’s Union. But due to my honesty, loyalty, and belief in the American Way, I’m gonna spill the beans: I slept through [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
Well, what did you expect? Something brand new or different from the Indiana Jones franchise that we all grew up with? No such turn of events, my friends, and what we have in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls” is, happily, a stroll through an [...]

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Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Dr. Celeste Rhodes, long-time director of Mary Baldwin College’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, passed away on Monday, May 26th, at her home in Murrysville, Pa.
She was survived by her husband, Augusta Free Press columnist Carl Larsen, her three sons, David, Adam and Jason, her brother, Samuel, and her sister, Naomi, and [...]

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Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
You know how it ends. But you want to see it anyway.
“Casablanca” will be on the big screen at Court Square Theater in Downtown Harrisonburg on Tuesday, June 3.

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Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
A free showing of “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” is being sponsored by Valley Market in Staunton next week.
The screening is set for Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dixie Theater in Downtown Staunton.
“The Power of Community” tells the story of how Cuba made the [...]

Filed under: Economy, Movies | Tagged: dixie theater, staunton performing art center, the power of community: how cuba survived peak oil, valley market | 1 Comment »

Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
“Write a movie review about Mother’s Day,” growled my editor.
“But Mother’s Day will be over by the time it’s published on Monday!” I exclaimed logically.
My editor growled, spat out his nasty old cigar, and bit the head off a live chicken. I got the idea. So I stuck [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
I met Joseph Greco, writer/director of the 2006 film “Canvas,” at a regional conference of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He showed clips of this remarkable movie and spoke about his own growing up with a mother suffering from schizophrenia.
The film is one of the best I’ve [...]

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Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Court Square Theater is kicking off its Golden Matinees series on May 6 with a showing of the classic “Singin’ in the Rain.”
The screening will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Downtown Harrisonburg theater.
Tickets are available at the door the day of the movie.
For more information, go [...]

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
As a big fan of TV’s whacky “30 Rock,” I expected great things from Tina Fey in her leading lady debut, “Baby Mama,” now playing at the Staunton Mall Cinemas. I wasn’t disappointed.
What last year’s over-ballyhooed “Knocked Up” could have been, “Baby Mama” is. And although not written [...]

Filed under: Movies | Tagged: baby mama, carl larsen, carly at the movies, tina fey | 1 Comment »

Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
What a relief! Imagine a movie where people talk about their problems rather than just shooting each others’ brains out! If such a premise sounds kinda new and appealing to you, don’t miss “Smart People,” coming soon to the Visualite in Downtown Staunton.

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Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
Just last week, that big Golden Gate up yonder creaked open, and Charlton Heston was admitted to Movie Star Heaven.
Naturally, he received a standing ovation from the ghosts of William S. Hart, Douglas Fairbanks, Randolph Scott, John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Kirk Douglas (who is not yet dead [...]

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Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Valley Market is presenting a free showing of the movie “King Corn” at the Dixie Theater on Earth Day, April 22, at 7:30 p.m.
“King Corn” is the story of two college friends following their acre of corn into the food system, and the questions that they have about the food they [...]

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Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Listen to today’s “Augusta Free Press Show” to learn more about the making of the movie “The Good Parts” with author and coproducer Matthew Warner. Show Length: 16:50.

He’s taking a shower one morning when he realizes something odd.
Three hours have just passed, and he can’t remember what has happened.
Slowly, Rob comes [...]

Filed under: Movies | Tagged: " matthew warner, "the good parts, allen richards, b-independent | 1 Comment »

Carly at the Movies column by Carl Larsen
Do you miss those wonderful old screwball comedies from the 1930s? Well, now’s your chance to carpe diem - seize the day - and return to those jolly times of yesteryear. You’re in for a real treat watching “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” currently playing at the [...]

Filed under: Movies | Tagged: miss pettigrew, frances mcdormand, amy adams, mark strong | 1 Comment »