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Chloe Sevigny Charlie Plummer Lean on Pete movie

Actress Chloe Sevigny Talks About Her Career, Her Role in Film, ‘Lean on Pete’ at Avon Theatre Q&A

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Actress and former Darien resident Chloe Sevigny, with her mother in the audience, answered questions from a sold-out crowd Saturday night at Avon Theatre, talking about her career in film and in particular about the movie Lean on Pete, in which she plays a jockey. When someone from the audience complimented her on her horsemanship and seemed to assume that Sevigny had become familiar with horses in Fairfield County, the actress corrected that impression:

“I had zero experience with horses,” before making the movie, she said. “My family tended to drift towards the water and water sports.” Lean on Pete is about a 15-year-old boy with a disruptive family life who gets involved by chance in the lowest rung of the horse racing business. His involvement starts when a down-at-heels horse owner, played by Steve Buscemi, offers him a job working with a racehorse named Lean on Pete.

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Pandas IMAX movie

‘Pandas’ IMAX Movie Opens at Maritime Aquarium

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Take a giant-screen journey to China to watch as a “bear whisperer” from New Hampshire helps a young panda learn to live in the wild in “Pandas,” a new IMAX movie opened Thursday, April 6 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Filled with scenes of the adorable black-and-white baby bears, “Pandas” will play at noon and 2 and 4 p.m. daily in Connecticut’s largest IMAX theater, with a screen that’s six stories high. (Times will shift on June 30.)

— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

 

“Pandas” arrives with excellent pedigree, having been made by the same team that created “Born to Be Wild,” one of the most popular movies ever shown at The Maritime Aquarium. (The Aquarium is the fifth-highest-grossing theater in the world for “Born to Be Wild,” a 2011 release that follows efforts to rescue and reintroduce orphaned baby elephants and orangutans back into the wild.)

This new IMAX film travels to Chengdu Panda Base in China, where scientists breed adult giant pandas in order to introduce the cubs into the wild. Those and other efforts have stabilized the panda population, to the point that the International Union for Conservation of Nature changed its listing for giant pandas in 2016 from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable.”

However, the IUCN also notes:

“The optimism engendered by these positive trends is dampened by evidence indicating that some panda populations are decreasing, particularly those found in the smallest and most degraded habitat patches …”

Threats include climate change, habitat loss, population fragmentization, and human intrusion.

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Lady Bird Poster from Darien Library website

‘Lady Bird’ — Darien Library’s Friday Night Feature

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In the 2017 film Lady Bird, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird’s father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. Set in Sacramento, Ca. in 2002, amid a rapidly shifting American economic landscape, Lady Bird is an affecting look at the relationships that shape us, the beliefs that define us, and the unmatched beauty of a place called home. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet ; Rated R for language, sexual content, brief graphic nudity and teen partying; 93 minutes; Presented with captions for the hearing impaired. Website — IMDb — Rotten Tomatoes — Metacritic — Wikipedia

Two showings — at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Darien Library
Gerry Mulligan album cover

Documentary Thursday Afternoon on Jazz Legend, Darien Resident, the Late Gerry Mulligan

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Darien Library will screen a documentary, “Listen: Gerry Mulligan,” on the Jazz legend who spent the latter part of his life in Darien, dying here in 1996 at the age of 68. The film, which begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room, is a beautiful and interesting documentary,” according to Darien Library’s announcement, which goes on to say:

It is rich with footage of the artist himself; performing, interviewing and teaching, as well as interviews with friends and musicians, and insights into the depth of his musical genius, by Jon Newsom, then “Chief of Music” at The Library of Congress, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis and others. Mulligan’s papers were donated to the Library of Congress, and in 2009 the library placed Mulligan’s saxophone on permanent exhibit, according to the Wikipedia article on the musician.

Darien Library
Ida Lupino publicity shot Wikimedia Commons

Darien Library Series on Four Legendary Film Directors Starts Tuesday, Feb 13

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Come to Darien Library for a four-week series of presentations on the works of legendary film directors Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Ida Lupino and Akira Kurosawa. The lectures take place the next four Tuesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room. — an announcement from Darien Library

The presenter, Max Alvarez is an author, film historian, and speaker on world cinematic culture. A former visiting scholar for The Smithsonian Institution and museum film curator, Max currently teaches film history for John Jay College’s continuing education program, Sundays at JASA, in Manhattan. He is author of The Crime Films of Anthony Mann (University Press of Mississippi) and a major contributor to Thornton Wilder/New Perspectives (Northwestern University Press).

Film
Coco publicity photo movie film 11-29-17

See ‘Coco’ at Darien Playhouse, But Get Tickets at Town Hall (With an Unwrapped Gift)

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Tickets are still available at the Darien Youth Commission office in Town Hall for the newly released Disney-Pixar movie, Coco at Darien Playhouse Wednesday afternoon, the Youth Commission has announced:

Movie-goers simply stop by, pick up desired amount of free tickets and come to the Darien Playhouse on Wednesday, Nov. 29 (theater doors open 3:45 p.m.; showtime is 4:15 p.m.).  In lieu of payment, each ticket-holder is asked to bring a new, unwrapped gift for the Darien Human Services Gift Store (in Town Hall). Gift suggestions (value $15 or more) include:  toys, books, games gift cards (Amazon, CVS, local eateries; Walmart; Kohl’s, etc.). And don’t forget the needs of our teen population. If you are unable to attend this event, please consider donating to this cause anyway.  Reach out to the Darien Human Services Department at 203-656-7328 for additional details.

Film
Paris Can Wait thumbnail publicity photo 11-24-17

Darien Library Friday Night Feature: ‘Paris Can Wait

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In Darien Library’s Friday Night Feature film, Paris Can Wait, Anne (Diane Lane) is at a crossroads in her life. Married to a successful but inattentive movie producer (Alec Baldwin), she unexpectedly finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with her husband’s business associate (Arnaud Viard). What should be a seven-hour drive turns into a carefree two-day adventure replete with diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food and wine, humor, wisdom and romance, reawakening Anne’s senses and giving her a new lust for life. ________

— an announcement from Darien Library

________

(2017) Diane Lane, Alec Baldwin, Arnaud Viard, Elise Tielrooy; Rated PG for thematic elements, smoking and some language; 92 minutes; Presented with captions for the hearing impaired. There are two showings of the film, which is presented free of charge:

From 6:30 p.m. to  8:15 p.m.
From 8:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Official website | IMDb.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Wikipedia

 

Darien Library
Movie poster Norman 08-19-17

WEEKEND REMINDER: Friday Night Movie at Library: ‘Norman’ with Richard Gere

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Darien Library’s Friday Night Feature on Aug. 25 is “Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” (2016) starring Richard Gere. The two showings of the movie play at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

Norman Oppenheimer is a small time operator who befriends a young politician at a low point in his life. Three years later, when the politician becomes an influential world leader, Norman’s life dramatically changes for better and worse. Also in the movie: Lior Ashkenazi, Michael Sheen and Steve Buscemi; Rated R; 118 minutes; Presented with Captions for the hearing impaired.

Darien Library
Thumbnail square from movie poster Kong: Skull Island 07-26-17

‘Kong: Skull Island’ — Friday Night Feature at Darien Library

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The 2017 movie “Kong: Skull Island” will be shown at 6:30 and again at 8:45 p.m. Friday at Darien Library. The movie is free and lasts 1 hour and 58 minutes. A diverse team of scientists, soldiers and adventurers unite to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific, as dangerous as it is beautiful. Cut off from everything they know, the team ventures into the domain of the mighty Kong, igniting the ultimate battle between man and nature. As their mission of discovery becomes one of survival, they must fight to escape a primal Eden in which humanity does not belong.

Film
Promotional photo Dunkirk movie thumbnail 07-02-17

Advance Tickets Soon on Sale for ‘Dunkirk’ Movie on IMAX Screen at Maritime Aquarium

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Tickets go on sale July 5 for “Dunkirk” at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, the only place in Connecticut where Christopher Nolan’s World War II drama will play in the immersive 70mm IMAX film format. “Dunkirk” opens Thursday, July 20. Nolan reportedly shot nearly the entire movie with IMAX cameras, and the fullest way to experience “Dunkirk” is possible only at The Maritime Aquarium. _____________

— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

_____________

The popular South Norwalk attraction has the state’s largest IMAX screen (six stories tall) and still projects with film, which movie buffs – including, apparently, Nolan – know is the brightest, sharpest and clearest format. (A frame of IMAX film has upwards of 18,000 pixels of resolution, compared to 1,920 in a home HDTV.)

“Dunkirk” will play at The Maritime Aquarium at 7 and 9:30 p.m. July 20 to 30.

Film
Amazon Adventure movie publicity photo 06-29-17

Take Your Kids to See the Brazilian Rain Forest: ‘Amazon Adventure’ Starts Saturday at Aquarium’s IMAX

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Plunge deep into the Brazilian rain forest for a giant-screen journey of discovery among glimmering butterflies, surprising insects and a prowling jaguar in the new IMAX movie “Amazon Adventure,” opening July 1 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The compelling story of 19th-century scientific breakthrough will play at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily through Labor Day in Connecticut’s largest IMAX Theater, with a screen that’s six stories high. ____________

— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

____________

“Amazon Adventure” recounts the extraordinary work of naturalist Henry Bates, who the filmmakers call “the most influential scientist you’ve never heard of.”

Beginning in 1848, Bates risked his life for science during an 11-year expedition into the Amazon rain forest, and his findings provided “the beautiful proof” for Charles Darwin’s then-controversial theory of natural selection, the scientific explanation for the development of life on Earth. Filmed in the lush Amazon region, with scenes of sloths, brilliantly colored birds and amazingly camouflaged insects and lizards, “Amazon Adventure” lets audiences join Bates as he searches for clues about how and why species – particularly butterflies – change and adapt over time. “I saw strange creatures that hide in plain sight by looking like something completely different,” Bates (played by Calum Finlay) says in the film.

Arts & Entertainment
Weed Beach Darien Park and Recreation Park & Recreation 03-02-17

Sandcastle Building Contest, Family Concert, Movie at Weed Beach on Wednesday

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There’s a smorgasbord of family events taking place at Weed Beach starting late Wednesday afternoon, June 28, so grab your beach blanket and head down for:

a sandcastle building contest at 4 p.m.,
a family concert by Dre Towney at 6:30 p.m. and,
at dusk (about 8:30 p.m.), the movie The Secret Life of Pets will be shown. You don’t need a beach sticker to get in and admission is $4 per person or $10 per car. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner, but remember: glass containers are not allowed on the beach. Uncle’s By The Shore will be open selling popcorn, soda, and other refreshments. No lifeguards will be on duty, so anyone swimming will be in the water at their own risk.

Film
Image thumbnail from Whiskey Tango Foxtrot movie Fri feature Library 06-23-17

‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’ – Friday Night Feature at Darien Library

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Come watch Darien Library’s “Friday Night Feature” film “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23, in the library’s Community Room

Tina Fey steps into the well-worn shoes of journalist Kim Barker in Paramount Pictures’ adaptation of Barker’s memoir The Taliban Shuffle. This 2016 film features Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Christopher Abbott, Billy Bob Thornton ; Rated R; 111 minutes; Presented with Captions for the hearing impaired. __________

— an announcement from Darien Library

__________

Official Website | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Wikipedia

Editor’s note: This article originally was published June 23. The time stamp was changed to move the link off the home page after the movie was shown.

Darien Library

Darien Library’s Pride Film Fest Continues with Feature ‘The Bird Cage’

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Darien Library’s “Pride Film Fest” will feature “The Bird Cage” at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 19, in the library’s Community Room. In this remake of the classic French farce “La Cage aux Folles,” engaged couple Val Goldman (Dan Futterman) and Barbara Keeley (Calista Flockhart) shakily introduce their future in-laws. Val’s father, Armand (Robin Williams), a gay Miami drag club owner, pretends to be straight and attempts to hide his relationship with Albert (Nathan Lane), his life partner and the club’s flamboyant star attraction, so as to please Barbara’s father, controversial Republican Sen. Kevin Keeley (Gene Hackman). This 1996 film features Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman; Rated PG-13; 117 minutes; Presented with Captions for the hearing impaired. __________

— an announcement from Darien Library

__________

Official Website | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Wikipedia

Darien Library

‘The Last Word’ — Friday Night Feature Film at Darien Library

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Harriet is a retired businesswoman who tries to control everything around her. When she decides to write her own obituary, a young journalist takes up the task of finding out the truth resulting in a life-altering friendship. You can watch this Friday Night Feature at 6:30 or 8:45 p.m., Friday, June 9 in the Community Room. This 2017 film features Shirley MacLaine, Amanda Seyfried, AnnJewel Lee Dixon, Thomas Sadoski, Philip Baker Hall, Gedde Watanabe, Tom Everett Scott; Rated R; 108 minutes; Presented with Captions for the hearing impaired. __________

— an announcement from Darien Library

__________

Official website | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Wikipedia