Movies/TV/Streaming

Movies in Columbia Heights + Help Pick Movies for NoMa Summer Screen

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mylar Bono

“Dear PoP,

I noticed that one thing you think the area is lacking is movie theaters. Although we’re not a full-blown theater with popcorn and milk-duds, BloomBars (3222 11th St NW) screens independent films and documentaries every Tuesday evening. Most of the time we are joined by the director (or others involved in the film) either in-person or on Skype, or else with a subject matter expert.

This Tuesday (1/25) we’re screening “Wednesday Afternoons” with a live Skype Q&A with the director after the film.

Next Tuesday (2/1) we’re screening “Capoeira: The Dance of Freedom” with a demonstration & lesson with our capoeira instructor and students before the film.”

Sounds like a great movie option.

And while we’re on the topic of movies – a poll has just been released where you can help pick the schedule for next summer’s NoMa Summer Screen schedule. So many good choices!

The 5pm Post – Irish Film Festival Starts Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

tonight at e street cinema!

paul fraser’s my brothers opens the capital irish film festival 2010.

read ann hornaday’s review in today’s washington post!

fraser’s beautiful, critically-acclaimed film follows three brothers who embark on an epic and hilarious quest in an unreliable bread van to replace their dying father’s lost watch.

time: 8pm
when: thursday, 2nd december 2010
where: e-street cinema, 555 11th street nw, washington dc, 20001
metro: metro center

how:  $10

buy tickets now!

more info: irishfilmdc.org

Free Japanese Film Festival This Friday and Sunday at the Freer

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

On Friday, December 3 at 7 PM, we will show the ever popular comedy Linda Linda Linda. The film follows four girls as they prepare their band for their final school festival.  Accompanied by a great soundtrack, this film is funny, poignant, and will certainly have you longing for your school festival (and a karaoke box).  Click here to visit the film’s official English site.  (Japanese with English subtitles)

On Sunday, December 5 at 2 PM, we will screen The Harimaya Bridge, written and directed by former JET Aaron Woolfolk (Kochi Prefecture).  The Harimaya Bridge is a drama about an American man who must travel to rural Japan to claim some important items belonging to his late son, from whom he was estranged. While there, he learns several secrets his son left behind. Mr. Woolfolk will be in attendance during the screening and will stay to answer questions about his craft and his experiences.   Come see a film the Los Angeles Times calls “a unique, complex, consciousness-raising accomplishment,” and Derek Kester of the San Francisco Examiner labels one of the best films of the year.  Click here to visit the film’s official site.

Admission to both films is FREE and open to the public.  Seating in the Meyer Auditorium at the Freer (directions here) will be available on a first come first served basis. Auditorium doors will open approximately 30 minutes before each show.”

Friday Question of the Day (Fun Edition) – What’s Your Favorite Documentary

By Prince Of Petworth

I think it may have been mentioned in last week’s random reader rant and/or revel but someone recommended a good documentary. I also love documentary films and since I finally got a Netflix account (it only took me 2 years and Blockbuster closing in Adams Morgan…), it’s time I start building the queue.

Back in Oct. ’08 we talk about our favorite ‘regular’ films here.

Ed. Note: And I’ve learned to stop combining my FQotD with different topics so a serious question about the election will be in a different post above.

West End Cinema Opens Tomorrow (Oct. 29th)

By Prince Of Petworth

We first heard about the West End Cinema in August. Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up that they open tomorrow. They are located at 2301 M Street NW. Their Web site says:

We. Love. Movies. We love them. From summer blockbusters to offbeat indie dramas, we want to see them all. But here in Washington, we realize that all those art house, off-the-beaten-path kinds of films can be hard to find. The reason for this is simple: there just aren’t enough art house, off-the-beaten path kinds of theaters to show them. That’s where we come in. We rallied a team of dedicated film buffs around us, found a deserted theater just begging for a makeover, and brought West End Cinema to life. We show independent, foreign, and documentary films, especially ones that we feel offer new intellectual and cultural perspectives to our audience.

The films themselves are obviously the point, here, but as we all know, great amenities can really be the cherry on top of your Sunday night at the cinema… or better yet, the olive in your martini. West End Cinema offers a full bar and a wide range of concessions, from popcorn to baklava to gourmet sandwiches. And yes, yes, we also have candy.

The first film being shown is Howl with James Franco. If anyone checks them out be sure to send me an email and let me know what you thought. The place sounds very very promising.

Transformers Hits DC

By Prince Of Petworth

I happened to be walking near 14th and H St, NW when all of a sudden all these sirens were blasting and a caravan of wild cars starting passing. Of course it was the filming of Transformers 3 but when I came home I learned of the real accident that took place with the ‘bumble bee’ car.

For fans of the show a couple more photos after the jump. (more…)

Transformers 3 Filming Scheduled for October 11-15

By Prince Of Petworth


Here’s a taste of filming from Chicago

From a DDOT Press release:

“The District will be the setting for scenes in the upcoming movie sequel Transformers 3, and residents and travelers are advised there will limited overnight street closures and parking restrictions when the production comes to town next month. An information hotline has been set-up, which will include the most up-to-date information, at (202) 540-8039.”

You can see a list of the street closures and parking restrictions here.

The 5pm Post – Final U Street Movie Series Shown Tues. the 14th

By Prince Of Petworth

“The final summer film is a double-header: Duke Ellington’s Washington and Soul Power, showing Tuesday September 14th (rain date Sept 21).

All films will be shown at the field at Harrison Recreation Center on V Street between 13th and 14th Streets, NW Gates will open at 7 pm. This week DJ Yellow Fever and guests will be spinning from 7-8:30. Free popcorn will be provided to the first 100 attendees beginning at 8 pm. Showtime will be at sundown around 8:15 pm. Full information can be found here.”

West End Cinema Coming to 2301 M St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I tweeted about this on Friday (you can follow me on twitter @PoPville here) because I was so psyched but it deserves proper Monday morning discussion. The description from the alcohol application says:

“NATURE OF OPERATION
Movie Theater with concession stands serving food & beverage service.

HOURS OF OPERATION AND SALE/SERVICE & CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR INSIDE PREMISE
Sunday through Thursday 10 am – 12 am and Friday & Saturday 10 am – 2 am”

So movies and food and beer. Sounds awesome! I wonder if it’ll be like the Arlington Cinema and Draft House? Though after the alcohol license came out the owner sought to reassure his neighbors:

Note that even though the address is 2301 M St, NW the location is actually on the 23rd St, NW side on the lower level. We’ve spent a lot of time pining for a new movie theater, it’s nice to finally share news of a new one. And it’ll serve alcohol!

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