Come to Lawnchair Theater and see "The Savages" Friday, August 27 (and, while you're there, watch a movie by the same name)

Date: Friday, August 27, 2010
Mingle Time: 7:30pm
Movie Time: 8:30pm

Friday looks like a beautiful night, so we're pulling down the screen and firing up the projector for a screening of "The Savages" (2007) starring Philip Seymour Hoffman & Laura Linney. (Rated R for some sexuality and language)

In brief, it's the story of a family dealing with the failing health (and mentality capacity) of an aging parent. On the surface, that may not sound like a real hilarious topic, but it's dealt with using humor and tenderness in a very believable way.

The LA Times called "The Savages" "one of the best movies of the year...told with uncommon humanity, wit and humor. "The Savages" is singularly funny and seriously moving...It confronts life in all its existential bleakness and finds humor, comfort, even joy in small moments."

The New York Times said, "The Savages...left me with a sense of acute pleasure, even joy. It's the pleasure of a true-to-life tale told by a director and actors who've sunk so deep into their movie together you wonder how they ever surfaced."

We hope to see you Friday!
Pam & Gary

Pam's 50th birthday pick: Elvis in "Blue Hawaii" (1961)

Come join us for our 1st movie of our 16th year of Lawnchair Theater while celebrating Pam's 50th birthday.

Just like Pam, this movie is almost 50 years old and still a swingin' good time.

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010

Mingle Time: 7:30pm

Movie Time: 8:30pm

We've shown a lot of different movies over the years, but this is our first old timey musical comedy and it should be a hoot and a half. The weather is predicted to be pretty good as well, although perhaps a bit coolish, so bring a jacket, sweater or blanket as the sun goes down. Also, we're hoping it's still to early for mosquitoes, but we'll have bug spray on hand just in case.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Gary & Pam

Lawnchair Theater hosts Monday Night Football, Oct. 5

It's not a movie, but so far the Vikings season has been a Cinderella Story for former NY Jets quarterback, Brett Favre. That's why Lawnchair Theater will be hosting an Armchair Quarterback Theater event--the live airing of the Vikings vs. the Packers in all it's big screen glory.

Game Time: 7:30pm

Temperature: 50's (so dress warm!)

Bring your own lawnchair and beverages or snacks if you want them.

See you then!

Patrick Coyle presents his new movie "Into Temptation" to a rapt (and packed) house.

On Saturday, July 11, 2009, a record crowd of over 80 film lovers packed our backyard for a sneak preview of writer/director/actor Patrick Coyle's great new film, Into Temptation. The film stars Kristen Chenoweth, Jeremy Sisto, Brian Baumgardner and a host of talented Twin Cities actors. It opens in select theaters this fall and will be available on DVD October 27, 2009. But those lucky few on the Lawnchair Theater list got to see it here first!

Local cast members and crew in attendance included Mr. Coyle, Lola Lesheim, Gene Larche, Peter Thoemke, Dawn Brodey, James Bokkom, John Skelley, Deborah Fiscus, Barbara Shelton and Kathryn Criston.

To see dozens of photos from the event, taken by photographer Andrea Murrill, click here.

If you were there and would like to share your own comments about "Into Temptation" with Patrick and his great cast, please click on the "Comments" button below. We'd love to hear from you!

Special thanks also go to:

Sparky & Tom Eisenstadt and their friends Mark, Robin & Jennifer Strangis--for all the time and effort they put into their exquisite refreshment stand. You made a special night even more so!

Kate Bisek, Pam Wagner, Nancy Cuesta, and Karen Bihrle who brought yummy treats to share (sorry if I missed anyone!)

Tony Doyle for his willingness to man the video camera and help us make the most of a cameraman's lighting challenge.

And Tom Larson, Kate Bisek and Deb Gallagher for helping man my A/V department and then helping tear down all the gear at the end.

We couldn't have been more pleased and proud of this special event and want to thank Patrick for sharing his terrific movie with us. We also encourage those who saw the film to watch for it in Twin Cities theaters this fall and encourage your friends to buy tickets and GO SEE IT!

July 11 Top Secret "Sneak Preview" of new Minnesota-produced film could be Lawnchair Theater's biggest night yet!

Date: Saturday, July 11

Mingle Time: 7:30pm

Movie Time: 9:00pm

Q & A: 10:30pm

FEATURE: TOP SECRET NEW FILM!

Billed as a reunion of the local cast and crew, this Minnesota-made movie is so new, it won't be in theaters until this fall. But for the lucky few on the Lawnchair Theater email list (as well as invited cast, crew and their agents) this will be your opportunity to see it here first on July 11th.

The genius behind this exceptional film--its writer/director and one of the movie's stars-- will be on hand to introduce the film and lead us in a Question & Answer session afterwards.

Who is this masked man or woman? Sorry, we can't tell you until you get there. But we can say this: He's an amazingly gifted individual who's already made history when his last movie (okay, he's a guy) was the first Minnesota film to make it in the Sundance Film Festival a few years back. His newest film, the one we'll be taking a sneak peek at, just earned a distribution deal for DVD, On Demand and theatrical release.

And the cast is terrific. The film's lead actor, a national talent, was just named "Best Actor" in a major film festival for his work in this film. The movie's lead actress, recently had a biography on the New York Times Best Seller list. And one of the other main actors is a regular character on NBC's "The Office". What's more, there are a lot of terrific local actors who round out the cast--many of whom have been invited to join us for their first experience with Lawnchair Theater.

Yes, this is a big time movie. And somehow Lawnchair Theater got lucky enough to host this sneak preview. This is one you won't want to miss!

Final note: For those not familiar with Lawnchair Theater or how it works, please check out this earlier post from May 31, 2008 called "Pam & Gary's Lawnchair Theater: A Primer".

It's almost time for 2009! Do you have any movie requests?

Well, it's April in Minnesota and you know what that means.  It's going to snow this weekend! But just as importantly, it's almost time for another fun season of Pam & Gary's Lawnchair Theater.  

So far, we've got one VERY big surprise lined up--a TOP SECRET screening of a brand new movie created by a brilliant local actor/writer/director.  (More on that later.)  And we're also considering a Minnesota short film festival (sound intriguing?).  Plus, we're "in negotiations" with last year's "Indique" host, Simone Ahuja, to help us pick a good Bollywood classic for India Night, part 2.  And, of course, it would make our year to have St. Paul Pioneer Press critic Chris Hewitt return and lead another discussion group on a movie of his choice.

But right now, we're looking for your feedback.  Got any movies you'd like to see on our big outdoor screen? Or maybe you know a movie star who would like to do a Q & A for one of their films in our back yard.  Let us know by clicking on the word "Comments" directly below this entry. We may not be able to screen every suggestion, but we'd love to hear your ideas.  We're always looking for new and interesting ways to use our unique venue.

Thanks for stopping by Pam & Gary's Lawnchair Theater.  As long as you're here, why not leave a comment?  See you soon!

Movie Critic Chris Hewitt leads the discussion at Lawnchair Theater

Saturday night, Sept. 20, Pam and I were pleased to welcome back Chris Hewitt for his second straight year as our special guest for Lawnchair Theater. Chris introduced the film "Children of Men" and then lead us in a discussion about the movie afterwards.

It was an intense, intriguing, decidedly dark film. But it was also a movie of great texture and depth. Thanks to Chris' insights and some of the revelations of our over two dozen guests, there was plenty to talk about.

Chris tells us he watches an average of seven movies a week for his job, so we feel particularly grateful he was willing to sit through one he's already seen to enhance the viewing experience for us.

There are no scheduled showings for the rest of September, but we hope to try and squeeze in one (or two) more before the weather turns on us.

Thanks to all who have attended this year and to all our special guests who made Lawnchair Theater to memorable this year.