The past few weeks I have been pondering how my weekend movie intake differs from someone in any other middle market city in the US. August was a month when eyes were cast towards the big releases, and the Twin Cities was no different. And that is not to say that there weren’t some meaty films to chew on in the past month—District 9 got a debate going, Inglourious Basterds invoked a film-lover’s group hug, and those of us stupid enough to go see Halloween 2 should have had ‘H2’ carved on our foreheads—but the offerings were not the usual filmic fare that makes our modest fly-over-land so unique.

I for one welcome the passing of summer: goodbye State Fair, goodbye sun, goodbye summer vacation (if you were lucky enough to have one) and hello cultural events! This year there is a lot to be excited about in the next couple of months. The variety of programs offered is as diverse as the venues hosting them. I am loving September and October already. Here are the venues and events that have me feeling all warm and fuzzy (follow links for schedules and trailers):

The Trylon microcinema
After a bang-up grand opening with Buster Keaton in July, the 50-seat Trylon officially opens its doors to regular screenings every Friday and Saturday until the end of time. (Of course, if all goes well, other days will be added to that ‘end of time’ schedule.) The months are programmed around a theme with each film screening four times over a weekend. September brings out the deviants for a month long series entitled Crime Spree. Filling four weekends, the Trylon will screen three iconic films from the 70s—The Warriors, The Talking of Pelham One Two Three and Dog Day Afternoon—and one subversively clever film from 2006—Inside Man. Crime Spree is a representative series for the Trylon to start out with, and not because it is run by thugs, but because its namesake hails from the settings of these four films, otherwise known as the Big Apple. The Trylon in South Minneapolis may not have the grandiose entrance of the Trylon in Queens, but I think time will prove that it is just as special. October hosts four Cronenberg films just in time to give you a social commentary to Halloween, and November in Frank Capra month at the Trylon.

The Heights
Littered throughout the regular programming at The Heights is a smattering of repertory screenings that would make just about anyone interested in classic film squeal with glee. Take Up Productions is still working its magic outside of the Trylon and they are bringing five much loved Audrey Hepburn films to the Heights on Mondays starting September 14 and running every Monday through October 12. (Funny Face, originally scheduled for October 5, will not be shown due to a problem with the print, and will be replaced with Love in the Afternoon.) Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s are all new 35mm prints.

The Heights also continues with its Ginger Rogers at RKO with Top Hat on September 24 and Swing Time on October 22. As if that weren’t enough, they will also screen Mildred Pierce on October 1 apparently celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the Star Tribune’s ‘taste’ section, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane on October 29 replete with a Baby Jane and Blanche Hudson costume contest. Scary! As with all the rep screenings at The Heights, show up early to watch the Wurlitzer organ ascend for preshow entertainment.

Walker Art Center
The Walker film program comes off summer vacation and brings the films back inside. First on the list is a short run of Tony Manero, a film I was sure I would just have to wait and see on DVD. The critically acclaimed film from Cannes is a snapshot of 1970s Chile seen through the eyes of Raúl Peralta, a man obsessed with Saturday Night Fever. The film runs four times over three days September 11 through September 13. Also in the premiere category is yet another entry into the very crowded field of carbon footprint conscious documentaries, No Impact Man on September 16. Co-director Laura Gabbert will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A and the film opens at the Lagoon on October 10.

Of course the big news at the Walker is the wrangling of the ever elusive Minnesotans, Joel and Ethan Coen. The Walker’s retrospective and dialogue, “Raising Cain,” is a benchmark for the museum, the directors and Minnesota: it will be the Walker’s 50^th Regis Dialogue, the 25^th anniversary of the Coen’s debut Blood Simple, and coincides with the October 2 opening of their new film A Serious Man, made right here in Minnesota. The retrospective kicks off on September 18 with Blood Simple and winds down 13 films and one month later on October 17. Tucked in the middle of the retrospective is the highly anticipated dialogue with a yet to be announced moderator on September 25. Naysayers step aside, because I will be ready on September 10 at 11am to get my tickets.

Oak Street Cinema
Here’s the surprise entry in the fall lineup. The on-again-off-again programming at the Oak has come to be expected, but Minnesota Film Arts’ announcement of a full slate of films for the next couple months definitely fills some gaps. Most notable is the indie Canadian horror film Pontypool screening at 9:30pm September 24 -26. I’ve been excited to see this film ever since reading a write-up on it about six months ago. Pontypool is the first in a promised weekly horror film series, in which the Oak will showcase a new film each week. Sounds good to me. Other notable additions to the Oak’s calendar: Fifty Dean Men Walking, September 11- 17 and Burma VJ, September 19 -23, which was a film that I missed at the MSPIFF. There are a mixed bag of offerings that are, of course, subject to change, so keep your eye on the calendar.

Revolution Reel at Intermedia Arts
The Cinema Revolution Society cranks up its local film showcase at Intermedia Arts on September 8 with Patrick Coyle’s 2003 Detective Fiction. You could easily make a double feature by swinging by the Lagoon and catching Coyle’s new film Into Temptation and then head over to Intermedia. Revolution Reel continues every Tuesday at 7:30pm through October 6 capping off the series with a poignant local documentary The Adventures of Northside Johnny: A Subprime Mess.

Best of the Rest
Sound Unseen 10: The annual music and film fiesta is nearly upon us. Clear your calendar for September 30 through October 4; details are coming soon. Midnight Movies at the Uptown: The midnight movies are nothing new, but as someone who works at 8am on Sunday, I am thrilled that the Uptown has added Friday to the calendar. Starting on September 11 with a personal favorite, The Devil’s Rejects, all midnight movies will run Friday and Saturday nights. Evangelion 1.0: I know, I know – my geek feathers are showing. But anyone who is interested in anime should not miss this one-week run on the big screen. Evangelion 1.0 is a remake of episodes 1 – 6 of the series. As far as I can tell, it will only be playing at Forest Lake Theater. Saddle up kids! We’re goin’ to Forest Lake!

Of course, fall will also mean the statue hungry films will be coming out to stalk you. Fall prey if you if you want, I know I will, but don’t forget to look in your own backyard for some of the best offerings of the season.

Tags: Cinema Revolution, Oak, Oak Street Cinema, Revol, Sound Unseen, The Heights Theatre, Trylon Microcinema, Uptown Theatre Midnight screenings, Walker Art Center

This post was written by Kathie Smith, Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at 12:35 pm and is filed under Events, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.