More Ben Mezrich Movies on the Way

I still haven't seen it, but I will eventually (maybe when it's out on video). 21, the movie version of Ben Mezrich's book "Bringing Down the House" has brought in $100 million dollars so far.

As a result, folks are now looking to turn some of his other books into movies as well.

Emboldened by the box-office success of "21," billionaire Mark Cuban has bought the film rights to two more Ben Mezrich books. The owner of the Dallas Mavericks has optioned the Boston author's "Ugly Americans" and the forthcoming "Q," a novel about America's real but rarely discussed quarantine laws. Slated to produce both projects are Dana Brunetti and Kevin Spacey, the pair behind the big-screen version of Mezrich's bestseller "Bringing Down the House." Mezrich, who's writing the screenplay for "Ugly Americans," told us that Hollywood's heavy breathing is understandable considering that "21" has so far made more than $100 million worldwide. "I'm gonna ride this train as far as it goes," said Mezrich. Or at least to the bank.

Click (here) for the Globe blurb.

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Like Horror Movies? Check Out Frontier(s)

I received an email from an soon-to-be Emerson College student who's currently interning with a company that promotes horror movies. He informed me that there's a new French Horror Film called Frontier(s) that will be playing in limited release from May 9th-15th at Cleveland Circle.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the genre. But I'm sure there are many of you out there that are. So those of you that saw Saw and Hostel and whatever the other popular horror movies are - you should check this one out.

I watched the trailer and it looked pretty scary/gory.

Click (here) to go to the movie's webpage for more info and the trailer.

Based on some Googling, it appears that the movies going to be shown at the National Amusements: Circle Cinemas theater (here).

Oh and a hilarious story of something you should NOT do. A buddy of mine took a girl out to see "The Ring" when it was out in theaters. Both of them were not the scary movie type. So after the movie they were both decently scared. After he dropped her off at her dorm room, he went back to his own room, borrowed his roomate's phone (so she couldn't recognize the caller id) and then called her and said "seven days" when she picked up. She wasn't amused.

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Independent Film Festival Starts Tonight - 4/23

The Independent Film Festival of Boston starts today and is kicking off the week long event with a screening of "Transsiberian" a film staring Sir Ben Kingsley - speaking of which Mr. Kingsley will be in attendance tonight.

Here we are, burning the midnight oil getting ready for our Opening Night screening of TRANSSIBERIAN. We knew that Director Brad Anderson, Writer Will Conroy, and Producers Todd Dagres and Michael Williams would be in attendance, but we have finally gotten confirmation that Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley will be in attendance tonight at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square and we are thrilled.

The screening starts at 7:30pm, but the outside box office window will be opening at 5pm at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

You'll probably need to go super early if you want to get a ticket. Also, considering there are so many movie stars in town filming movies lately, maybe some of them will show up at some point to catch a film.

Click (here) for the IFF Bostonwebsite.

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Zombie Fest: From Dusk Till Dawn - 10/6

This one is going to be highly entertaining. The Somerville Theater in Davis Square is hosting Zombie Fest: From Dusk Til Dawn this upcoming Saturday night. Be forewarned, this is not for the faint of heart.

From 7pm until 7am (that's right 12 straight hours) they will be showing a veritable marathon of zombie movies. Tickets are $30 bucks at the door or $24 in advance. They've got some good movies lined up. Shaun of the Dead, which was hilarious. 28 Weeks Later, which I haven't seen but I'm sure it's good. And then various other zombie movies which may or may not be good.

But here's the best part: beer and wine is available. Soooo.......kick back, relax, have a drink, and watch a zombie movie (or 6 zombie movies for that matter). Bring your friends cause you're going to need someone to poke you when you start nodding off around 4am.

Brains! We Want Brains! What a coincidence, that's MIT's motto too.

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Coolidge Corner Science On Screen

The Coolidge Corner Theatre kicks off a new season of its Science on Screen series today, 9/24 @ 7pm with a presentation of "Everything’s Cool."

The screening will be followed by Q&A with Adam Wolfensohn, co-producer of Everything’s Cool; Ross Gelbspan, veteran journalist and bestselling author of The Heat Is On and Boiling Point; and Beth Daley, environmental reporter for The Boston Globe. Kathleen Frith, Assistant Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, will moderate.

With Science on Screen, the Coolidge shows a feature film or documentary with a basis in science, along with exciting remarks by noted scientists and others in related fields. Click (here) for a link to the official website.

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Films at the Gate - Chinatown

I went to Chinatown for dinner last night (Wing's Kitchen if anyone's curious) and as I was walking there, I noticed that a projector had been set up in the parking lot next to Ginza and folks were sitting in some chairs that had been set up and were watching a movie.

Well turns out, the event is called Films at the Gate and last night was the first of a series of movie screenings that will continue through Sunday night. Each evening features 7pm shorts and 8pm feature films. Click (here) for the official website and details on which movies will be playing.

My movie pick? Tonight's feature "Mystery Movie II" starring Stephen Chow. You probably know him from Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle. And if you want to see a classic Stephen Chow movie, see if you can dig up a copy of "All for the Winner" (1989). It's a parody of Chow-Yun Fat's God of Gamblers and it's hilarious.

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IFC Free Film Fest

I hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend. The weather has been amazing so far and according to the forecast it should hold up for the next couple days. I spent yesterday walking down Newbury Street, it's been a while since I've walked all the way down from Arlington to Mass Ave. Also took a quick walk through the Pru and Copley Mall. And nope, still can't afford anything in Copley.

Enjoy the weekend because after tomorrow, it's back to work/school on Tuesday. But fear not, I've got the perfect after work event for you this week to ease you back into the Fall. The IFC Free Film fest starts Tuesday and continues through Thursday. Click (here) for the official website. Movies will be shown in Copley Square on the lawn at Trinity Church.

Join us for uncut screenings of these three films - the Coen Brothers cult hit, "Raising Arizona"; the family-friendly fairy tale classic "The Princess Bride"; as well as the unconventionally humorous "Napoleon Dynamite". All films will be shown on a 40' x 20' inflatable air screen constructed specifically by IFC for the tour - a state-of-the-art outdoor video system. The films will begin at dusk, following a variety of pre-show activities, including musical entertainment.

Tuesday 9/4 - Raising Arizona
Wednesday 9/5 - The Princess Bride
Thursday 9/6 - Napoleon Dynamite

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Roxbury Film Festival

The Roxbury Film Festival starts this Wednesday, August 1st and runs until August 5th. The festival will be held at multiple venues including: the MFA, Northeastern University, Roxbury Center for the Arts and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Click (here) for a schedule of events each day this week.

The Roxbury Film Festival is the largest festival in New England dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate people of color. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for audiences to view these works and experience stories often overlooked in mainstream media. While New England filmmakers of color are the focus of the festival, we also screen films by filmmakers from various backgrounds and regions.

The festival is co-sponsored by ACT Roxbury Consortium and The Color of Film Collaborative with assistance from The Roxbury Film Festival Planning Committee.

Click (here) to get pricing and also pick up your tickets to the festival.

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Drive In Movies

Drive In Movies were before my time, but I stumbled upon a list of a few in the area, and it's piqued my interest. It could be a fun novelty to check out at some point. For those of you in the same boat as me, and those of you that are older and just want to re-live the good 'ol days, here's a few places to check out while the weather is nice out.

Northfield Drive In (MA & NH Border)
Northfield – Hinsdale Road (Rt. 63)

Wellfleet Drive in (Cape Cod)
Route 6 Eastham-Wellfleet Line

Mansfield Drive In (Connecticut)
228 Stafford Rd, Mansfield Center, CT

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Free Movie - Citizen Kane

The Brattle Theater is having a free screening of Citizen Kane tomorrow morning (6/9). It's part of their new "Elements of Cinema" Series where they will air a different film every month. Citizen Kane is the first in the series. Discussion will follow after the screening.

If you're a morning person (which I am definitely not), head over to Harvard Square for breakfast and then swing by the Brattle Theater for a FREE screening of Citizen Kane at 11am.

The Brattle Theater
40 Brattle Street
Cambridge
617-876-6837

Rosebuddddd.....................

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