Landmark Sunshine Cinema Sat. 12.22.7
Last night was the first time I went to this little indie movie house. It was pretty cool. Off Delancey street catty cornered across from a whole foods market – though I wasn’t hungry its signature rows of fresh produce made me want to go in even though I think it was closing.
After the fact, I googled it and found out that it’s an old vaudeville house. It was originally built in 1898 and a few decades later became a shuttered warehouse. In 2001 it was restored to its original theater purpose dedicating its screens to first run independent and foreign films. I found it there’s one in L.A. in Westwood, I didn’t realize but I’m sure I’ve been to it before, will definitely have to make a point to stop and catch a movie there when I go back. I must admit I don’t do too much off the Delancey stop but where I was, was just east of Soho (where I do spend a lot of time) does that make me a downtown girl?
I got to the theater a few minutes before previews started. I ordered my ticket online and then I was able to retrieve it at the concession stand along with a small bag of popcorn. It seemed really small but maybe that’s how this indie theater does it. They had a variety of popcorn salt choices and I opted against the flavored ones but the flavoring (which was listed as organic) spilled all over the top as soon as I began pouring. Was I in a movie, on a bad date? Ha.
Anyway… that sucked. I tried to move the top layer of popcorn around to distribute the extra but you know that really doesn’t work. What happened to the good old days when they use to fill the bag half way and butter and salt it for you and then fill it to the brim and butter and salt it again? I guess that’s what self-service does. However, I also didn’t realize that they have fresh baked pastries I’ll have to check that out the next time I’m there. Yum. I really should have gone and got another bag but I wasn’t shelling out another 4 bucks for it. As the previews rolled I picked around the bag until I ate a measly ¼ of it. It wasn’t worth the salt.
So me and 4 girlfriends sat and watched The Kite Runner and cried. I’ve heard a lot about the book, mostly that is was so sad. And that’s the sum of it. So walking into the movie, not knowing the whole premise besides it being about a friendship between two boys I expected a lot of sadness. And that’s what I watched. And it was eloquently done. I don’t want to give the plot away but you should go see it. It’s moving, emotionally stirring, it will probe your thoughts about how you feel about the war, the country you live in and how it deals with the immoral, it will make you feel resilient to show love to those you love and it will even move you to cry –which isn’t such a bad thing.
After the movie, I just felt like talking about it and we did among our girl-selves. But, I wanted to come here to say that I am happy when I’m able to go and see a picture like this that allows me to see how some people are in the world even though some of it is fictionalized. I enjoyed seeing the transformation of the protagonist and since every movie is ultimately a love story – in my opinion- it was nice to see love conquer all.
cde
interesting! ill have to check that out… maybe you should do a piece on indie theaters in NY and LA (let me know if you need a photo op) hee hee August Rush is definetely a must see movie that I think many will sleep on unfortunately but it is just one of those feel good movies the actors are great and the story is amazing too. So if you havn’t seen it its definetley worth checking out!
chermelle - you have to see persepolis. it’s at the angelika - unbelievable. it made me feel very similarly, it was animated - but done SO well. you walk out feeling inspired and a bit in awe of the imagery.