"True Grit": Out on DVD, so it's out in our backyard, Saturday, June 11

Celebrating St. Louis Park natives Joel & Ethan Coen's latest effort, we present "True Grit".

MINGLE TIME: 8pm
MOVIE TIME: 9pm-ish

It's going to be a bit of a cool night, so don't forget a jacket, sweatshirt or blankie. Pam and I have heard good things about this movie and look forward to sharing it with you.

Finally! Our 17th season begins with the 2006 documentary, "Afghan Star"!

A cold and rainy spring have set back the launch of our 2011 season, but finally beautiful weather has arrived and our movie series can begin again for its 17th year!

We held a vote for our opening film and the documentary "Afghan Star" won. It's the story of the "American Idol"-style singing competition that is trying to bring this country into the 21st Century--but not without some resistance from more traditional members of the society. As the website, afghanstardocumentary.com, says: "After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Afghan Pop Idol is taking the nation by storm. But this is more than just a TV show. In Afghanistan, you risk your life to sing."

As you'll see in the trailer, a lot of the country is excited about this singing competition. But many of the more traditional Afghans--largely men, it would appear--still think women should stay covered up and out of sight. And if they do sing, they should be killed.

From what I've read, this is a gripping, yet uplifting documentary. At this time, Rotten Tomatoes has given it a 100% rating. So far, no one has written a less than positive review of it. It has 57 "thumbs up" reviews and 0 negatives. Read more here.

Lawnchair Theater returns on Pam's birthday (May 20) with "The Kids Are All Right"

It's been a long time coming, but finally it looks like it's going to be warm enough and (hopefully) dry enough for the first Lawnchair Theater of 2011. And on top of that, May 20th is Pam's birthday! Whoo hoo!

MINGLE TIME: 7pm
MOVIE TIME: 8:30pm
FEATURE: The Kids Are All Right
( Rated R – See Full Rating for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use)

Starring Annette Benning and Julianne Moore, "The Kids" was one of the top-rated comedies of 2011, according to Rotten Tomatoes. It's the story of two moms whose teenage kids decide to seek out and find their biological father. According to Rotten Tomatoes, "The movie combines comedic surprise with poignant emotional truth in a funny, vibrant, and richly drawn portrait of a modern family." You can see some of the reviews and watch the trailer here.

So join us for some laughs, wish Pam a Happy Birthday and enjoy a fun evening of outdoor cinema on the first showing of our 17th season! We hope to see you Friday night!

Lawnchair Theater presents Disney Pixar's "Up" this Saturday, Sept. 25

MOVIE: "UP" (Rated PG, 1 hr, 36 min)
MINGLE TIME: 6:45pm

MOVIE TIME: 7:30pm

Pack up the kiddies and gramma, it's time for a family film that everyone will enjoy. "UP" is a triumph of storytelling. Minutes into the movie, I had tears running down my face. (But how can this be? It's a cartoon?)

"UP" is one of the highest rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes with a 98% rating. I won't gush on about it, because you've probably already seen it. You may even own the DVD. BUT...have you seen it outdoors on a 12' x 9' screen in surround sound on a September night in Minnesota?

As many of you know, one of the authors of this gem is Pete Docter, a young man from Bloomington, MN. His parents, Rita and Dave, still live there. (I actually invited them to join us for an outdoor showing of their son's masterpiece! Wouldn't that be awesome if they could join us?)

Anyhoo, we don't know how many more Saturdays we're going to be able to enjoy a movie outdoors, but this Saturday looks like a good one (daytime highs near 68!). So grab yourself a warm sweater and a thermos of hot cocoa and join us for a lovely movie. We hope to see you soon! Pam & Gary

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!