Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Slow Food First Coast Hosts “Meal and a Movie Night” – Jacksonville

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Slow Food First Coast is hosting a “Meal and a Movie Night” on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center at 6 PM.  The event will coincide with both Earth Day festivities and the celebration of Women’s History Month.  The meal will feature an all-vegetarian buffet of fresh, local produce catered by Johnny’s Kitchen of Hastings, followed by a pre-release limited screening of “A Sense of Wonder,” a documentary style film about Rachel Carson’s pioneering work as the founder of the contemporary environmental movement.  Cost for the event is $20 and tickets may be purchased by calling (904) 692-1800 weekday mornings.  Seating is limited.  The film is only being shown in a small number of communities across the country.

“What better way to celebrate both Earth Day and the contribution of women to our society than to eat a delicious, local, vegetarian meal where the produce was pulled from the ground that very morning and follow it up with a fascinating film about Rachel Carson?” remarked Slow Food First Coast leader Richard Villadóniga.  “This event is a celebration not only of how far we have come as a society, but where we are headed.  Rachel Carson was ahead of the curve, but today, right here in St. Johns County, people are doing tremendous things to protect our natural resources and the future is bright.”

According to the film’s website, “A Sense of Wonder” is “an intimate and poignant reflection of Carson’s life as she emerges as America’s most successful advocate for the natural world” as she battled cancer in her final year of life.   The film was shot in HD by Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler at Carson’s cottage on the coast of Maine.  For more information regarding this remarkable film, visit http://www.asenseofwonderfilm.com/.

Slow Food First Coast is a non-profit organization that promotes local food production, the preservation of our community’s culinary and cultural heritage, and public education and discourse on a system of food production and consumption that supports equity, sustainability, and quality.  Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.  For more information visit www.slowfoodusa.org.

Kaleidoscope Film, Food and Fine Art Festival in Beaufort, SC

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The Beaufort Kaleidoscope Film Festival is now in its third year, is scheduled for March 5-8, 2009.

Film screenings will be Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, at Lady’s Island Cinema in Beaufort.  Animation will be shown at ArtWorks in Beaufort.  Winners in all categories will be announced at the Awards Evening March 7. An All Film pass for $20 is available for admission to the two full days of showings.

Beaufort Film Site Tours
Local film expert Ginnie Kozak will guide Film Site tours of downtown movie sites in Beaufort where famous films like “The Big Chill” and “Prince of Tides” have been shot among others.

Tour hours include:
Saturday, March 7 – 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sunday March 8 – 11:30 a.m.

All tours originate at the front of the Beaufort Performing Arts Center ( 801 Carteret Street ) and will take approximately 45 minutes. Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased in advance here or by calling 843-525-8500.

Guild of the Beaufort Galleries
Featuring 12 downtown galleries, Enjoy the original work of more than 500 artists, all within walking distance of historic Beaufort.

Hours open include:
Thursday, March 5 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, March 6 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday March 8 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A special Open House presentation of ARTwalk is scheduled on Saturday, March 7 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event features special openings and exhibits, artists’ talks, street performers, and more. This is free of charge.

Animation Screening and Workshop with Larry Lauria
Larry Lauria brings his expertise to one of the most delightful area of the film industry – animation. Lauria has had a career in animation and direction spanning more than 24 years and includes features, commercial television, industrial and interactive projects. Lauria has garnered over 40 national and international awards.

The workshop will take place at ARTworks ( 2117 Boundary Street ). Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling 843-379-2787

Tickets are available online www.BeaufortKaleidoscope.com.

Oscar Party in Jacksonville

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Jacksonville Film Events, the presenters of the Jacksonville International Film Festival is proud to announce it’s 3rd annual Oscar Viewing Party taking place February 22nd 2009 at the newly renovated FIVE POINTS Theatre – 1028 Park Street in Jacksonville Florida. Doors open at 7:00pm. The telecast begins at 8:00pm. Celebrate with us the most important night of the film industry as we watch the Oscars on a giant movie screen!

Walk down the red carpet as the search lights hit the sky and you are greeted by giant Oscar statues. Enjoy complimentary popcorn and soft drinks courtesy of The Five Points Theatre, special cocktails by Bacardi products, beer from Bold City Brewery and great food! Live entertainment by Dance Works with a very special Bollywood performance choreographed by by Rujuta Vaidya (choreographer of the two Slum Dog Millionaire dance performances at the actual Oscars)

Join us and our sponsors, Jacksonville.com / The Florida Times-Union, The Five Points Theatre, Bacardi Products, Brands and Events, Havana-Jax Café, PRI, Toe Photo, Bold City Brewery, and Dance Works.

Advance tickets are available for $25.00 on line at filmfestival.jacksonville.com or by telephone at 904.633.9399. Tickets at the door on the day of the event are $35.00. Five special VIP tables of ten are also available for $35.00 per person or $350.00 a table. Each table will be decorated based on the five nominated films; Milk, Slum Dog Millionaire, Frost/Nixon, The Reader and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. (Proceeds will support the Jacksonville International Film Festival).

Prizes will be given for the Most Glamorous Couple, Best Bollywoodcostume, Most Fabulously Dressed Gay and Lesbian Couples, Sexiest Seniors and Best Celebrity Look- Alike. Win DVD’s of Oscar nominated and winning films from the past and the present.

Jewish Film Festival – Savannah, Georgia

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The 2009 Joan and Murray Gefen Memorial Savannah Jewish Film Festival will be held from February 25-March 8, 2009.

Bye Bye Braverman
February 25, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm
Co-sponsored with The Psychotronic Film Society

When idealistic author Leslie Braverman, 41, dies suddenly from a heart attack, his four best friends decide to attend his funeral together. The centerpiece of this almost forgotten classic comedy is a discussion about philosophical observations of death relative to the merits of a classic comic book.

Comedy, 1968, 94 minutes. Starring George Segal, Jack Warden. English.

Toots
February 26, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 1:30 pm; March 6, 10:00 am

Toots Shor was a well known saloonkeeper in New York from 1940 to 1959, and his midtown Manhattan bar was the place to be seen. His granddaughter, documentary filmmaker Kristi Jacobson, takes us on tour of her famous grandfather’s world.

Documentary, Unrated, 2007, 85 minutes. English.

The Case for Israel: Democracy’s Outpost
February 26, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm; March 6, 12:00 pm

A point-by-point defense of the Jewish State, led by Dr. Alan Dershowitz. Utilizing archival footage and compelling interviews with top experts, the film presents a stirring rebuttal to growing criticism from the media and academic and international communities. Nearly thirty commentators lend their points of view, including: former Israeli Prime Ministers Barak, Netanyahu and Peres.

Documentary, Unrated, 2008, 77 minutes. English.

Praying with Lior
Festival Grand Opening, February 28, 2009, Trustees Theatre, 8:30 pm.

A touching documentary about a special boy with Down syndrome during the months leading up to his much-awaited Bar Mitzvah.

Winner of the National Media Award of the National Down Syndrome Congress and Audience Awards for Best Documentary at the Seattle, Vancouver, San Diego & Washington Jewish Film Festivals.

Documentary, 2007, 87 minutes. English.

Encounter Point
March 1, 2009. Trustees Theatre, 3:00 pm.

This award-winning documentary depicts different families that have been affected on all sides by the violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Director Ronit Avni will give a Q&A afterwards.

Documentary, 2006, 89 minutes. Arabic, Hebrew, English subtitles.

Song of David
March 2, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm; March 6, 2:00 pm

A sixteen year old soul-searching yeshiva student is studying to become a rabbi. Alienated by social boundaries, he reaches out to the broader world. He becomes obsessed with hip-hop music, wherein he discovers artistic freedom and honest self expression. He then must choose between diverging worlds.

Documentary short, 2007, 20 min. English.

Yippee
March 2, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance 8:00 pm; March 6, 2:30 pm.

Famous American Jewish film director Paul Mazursky follows an annual Chassidic pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, for his first documentary. Mazursky, a proclaimed secular Jew, wants to understand why so many people feel connected to Uman and returns with this humorous examination of a “journey to Jewish joy.”

Documentary, 2006, 74 minutes. English.

Powder and the Glory
March 3, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 2:00 pm

Join us for tea and the story of two of the first highly successful women entrepreneurs in America, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. One hundred years ago these women immigrated to the United States and created what is today the $150 billion global health and beauty industry.

Documentary, 2007, 96 minutes. English.

First Basket
March 3, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm; March 5, 1:30 pm

David Vyorst explores the impact that basketball had on modern Jewish history, as well as the profound influence that unsung Jewish pioneers had on the evolution of the sport. Bob Weinhauer, former head coach of the University of Pennsylvania and assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves will introduce the March 3rd screening.

Documentary, 2008, 86 minutes. English

Advice and Dissent
March 4, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 2:00 pm.

A frustrated businessman, Jeffery Goldman (John Pankow) tries to end his hopeless marriage to his wife, Ellen (Rebecca Pidgeon) by asking his local Rabbi (Eli Wallach) to place a curse on her.

Comedy, 2002, 21 minutes. English.

The Schwartz Dynasty
March 4, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 2:30 pm

The tale of two women, joined together by their common struggle to determine their own destiny, in a small town torn apart by religious extremism, petty power struggles, and bigotry

Comedy, 2005, 99 min. Hebrew with English subtitles.

Surfwise
March 4, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm

Co-sponsored with The Psychotronic Film Society

Surfer and doctor, Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz decided in the 1950s to leave success behind, heading for a life on the beach, taking with him his wife and nine children (he wanted to “repopulate the world with Jews”). The New York Times calls Surfwise a “wonderfully engaging look at love and family and the relentless pursuit of happiness, personal meaning and perfect waves.”

Documentary, 2007, 93 minutes, English. Rated R for sexual content and language.

Black over White
March 5, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm

Director Tomer Heymann followed the famous Israeli music group, The Idan Raichel Project, on their 2006 concert tour to Ethiopia. Enjoy the exotic scenery and groove to the different and exciting world music that will have you dancing in your seats as the most popular Israeli group travels through uncharted territory.

Documentary, 2007, 54 minutes. English subtitles; Hebrew and Amharic dialogue. Some strong language and adult content.

888-Go-Kosher
March 7, 2009 at the Westin Hotel, 7:30 pm

Who knew there was such a thing as a rapid-response kitchen koshering service? This short documentary follows a day in the life of Rabbi Sholtiel Lebovic as he helps NYC clients go kosher from scratch as he arrives at the scene with his energetic team.

Documentary, 2007, 11 minutes. English.

Circumcise Me
March 7, 2009 at the Westin Hotel, 7:30 pm

“Is it hot in here, or am I the only one dressed for Poland in the 17th century?” Yisrael Campbell (Born Chris Campbell) converted to Judaism not once, but three times – Reform, Conservative and Orthodox – each one requiring a circumcision. Ouch!

Docu-comedy, 2008, 48 minutes. English.

Making Trouble: Three Generations of Funny Jewish Women
March 7, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 8:00 pm.

Directed by Rachel Talbot and produced by Jewish Women’s Archive, this is a tribute to Molly Picon, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Joan Rivers, Wendy Wasserstein and Gilda Radner.

Documentary, 2007, 85 minutes. English.

Sixty Six
March 8, 2009, Victory Theatre, 4:00 pm.

It is the summer of 1966, and England is about to be consumed by World Cup Fever. For 12 year-old Bernie though, the biggest day of his life is looming: his Bar Mitzvah — the day he becomes a man. The Cup Final is scheduled to take place on the same day

Comedy, 2006, 93 minutes. English, PG-13 due to some suggestive language and some mild adult content. Starring Helena Bonham Carter..

One Day You’ll Understand
March 8, 2009, Jewish Educational Alliance, 7:30 pm

Veteran French actress Jeanne Moreau stars in this dignified French film helmed by rising Israeli director Amos Gitai. As the trial of Gestapo head Klaus Barbie plays out in 1987, businessman Victor Bastien (Hippolyte Girardot) finds himself distracted from his work and increasingly obsessed with piecing together his family’s history.

Drama, 2008, 90 minutes. French with English subtitles.

For more information, please go to www.savj.org, or contact Programming Associate Benjamin Kweskin (ben@savj.org or 355.8111).
Savannah Jewish Film Festival

The Dark Knight Returns to World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® THEATER

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Limited Showings of “The Dark Knight” at the IMAX Theater at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine.

The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater is one of the selected theatres for the upcoming re-release of its 2008 the summer blockbuster, “The Dark Knight,”. A special engagement of the film will begin Friday, Jan. 23 and tickets will be available to the public on www.wgv.com and in the theater box office beginning Friday, Jan. 9.

Heath Ledger as the Joker
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film’s huge commercial and critical success has spurred talk of possible Oscar nominations for its director, producers and cast – most specifically, for the late Heath Ledger and his edgy performance as the Joker. Additionally, to date, “The Dark Knight” has grossed approximately $512 million domestically and $440 million internationally, including more than $55 million in IMAX.

Fil;

“The Dark Knight” features six sequences filmed with IMAX cameras (including the opening six minutes), which marks the first time ever that a major feature film has been even partially shot using IMAX cameras – a revolutionary integration of 35 mm and IMAX film formats.

Running approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, “The Dark Knight” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace.

Advance tickets available Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at www.wgv.com Film runs Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009

World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater
World Golf Village
I-95, Exit 323, St. Augustine, Fla.

904-940-4123 or www.wgv.com

The 2D World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater offers unique movies and entertainment enhanced by state-of-the-art, specially-designed cinematic technology. Located at World Golf Village, the 300-seat IMAX Theater is the largest IMAX screen in Northeast Florida, housing an 80-foot-wide by six-story-high screen to show a variety of entertaining and educational movies throughout the year.  For tickets, film descriptions and show times, call 904-940-IMAX or visit www.wgv.com.