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.

"Fly Away Home" a big hit with young and old. Next Saturday (August 23): "E.T."

Our friend, Deb, picked Saturday's movie, "Fly Away Home" and it was well-received.  The story of a young girl who finds meaning and a sense of purpose helping an orphaned gaggle of geese grow up and leave home was both touching and engaging.  And the weather was perfect.  Calm winds, hardly a mosquito and temperatures comfortably in the 70's made for a fun and memorable night.

Saturday, August 23, it's "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial"

Mingle: 7:00pm

Movie: 8:15pm

Fireworks: After the show

I haven't seen this movie since it came out TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO (can you believe it?), but I'm told it holds up well.  Hopefully we'll see you there!

So far, this summer's events have leaned toward the educational, artistic and sometimes serious.  Those in attendance have told us they've been some of the best nights in our backyard yet.

Still, we don't want to leave out the kiddies, so we're showing a classic film that's going to look and sound great on our big screen and our more than adequate stereo sound system (just ask our neighbors).  Thanks for being so great, Marcia & Matt. We promise we'll be quiet this winter!

Mark your calendars now for our fun family movie night:

FEATURE: "E.T." (1982)

DATE: August 23

MINGLE: 7pm

MOVIE:  8:15pm

(LEGAL) FIREWORKS: After the show

Don't forget to come early and meet our other friends and neighbors (who are quickly becoming your friends as well).  For many of our regulars, the mingle time is one of the most essential and enjoyable parts of Lawnchair Theater.  Also, free free to linger afterwards.  On warm summer nights, it's nice to just hang out and chat after the show...assuming you don't have kids to get to bed.

Hope to see you soon!

Documentarian Dawn Mikkelson offers a thought-provoking look at the complex reality of renewable energy in "Green Green Water"

Our special guest on August 2, filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson, once described herself to me as a person who "tells sad stories".  No question, the message behind "Green Green Water" is as dark and murky as the ravaged rivers that run through it.  The indigenous Cree of Northern Manitoba have had their way of life, their livelihood and their once beautiful land decimated for "the greater good"--that is, modern civilization's desire to have plentiful, affordable, and readily available electricity.  

Fortunately, Ms. Mikkelson's film didn't leave us completely sullen and bereft.  The conclusion offered hope that the tribes were taking back some of their power by closing the floodgates on further dam development.  And Dawn opened our eyes to another way we can show our support for less destructive and controversial renewable energy: by supporting Xcel Energy's Windsource Program.  Windsource is a encouraging initiative (although poorly publicized) that allows residential customers to buy all of their electricity from clean, renewable wind power. While this electricity is a bit more expensive, Xcel guarantees the power you're buying will be generated by their wind farms (they have 31 wind turbins) in southwestern Minnesota.  To learn more click here.

We were also able to learn more about Dawn's next documentary, which she'll be completing later this month called "The Red Tail".  It's the story of a lifelong Northwest airline mechanic who goes on strike with his union and, after the 444 day walk off comes to an end, learns that not only will none of his fellow mechanics be rehired, but their jobs are being outsourced to China.  In the film, Dawn travels to China with this ex-Northwest mechanic to meet the man who is now doing the mechanic's job.  Heavy stuff and, after watching Dawn's teaser promo, we can't wait to see more!

By the way, if you'd like to support Dawn's effort to finish this documentary, click here.  Fund raising is Dawn's least favorite part about making these films (who can blame her?), so if you appreciate what she's trying to do to help "the little guy", please give her a hand.

Pam and I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported our special events this summer.  While there is no movies scheduled at this point, rest assured we'll be showing several more films this summer and fall, including some all ages shows so you can bring your kiddies.  See you soon!

Sweet Land Writer/Director Ali Selim joins us for an insightful, enjoyable evening. Up Next: Documentary "Green Green Water" Aug. 2.

We were honored on Saturday to be joined by Writer/Director, Ali Selim, and Executive Producer Tom Lieberman for a pre-show discussion of this lovely movie.  Ali, who had just returned from Los Angeles to join us, brought along the film's C0-Producer and, as Ali joked, "the woman I'm presently sleeping with" (aka his wife) to tell us what it took to get this special film made.

As Mr. Lieberman explained, making a movie--any movie--is "a long hard slog".  But thanks to many years of persistence and a simple, but powerful story that Ali was committed to getting made, "Sweet Land" eventually found it's way to 300 theaters nationwide and is now available on DVD. (If you didn't get to join us Saturday, don't hesitate to help the cause of these local filmmakers and pick up your own copy today!)

Ali, who said he would really like "in three films to be making 'Iron Man'" was candid about the desire not to be "pigeon-holed" about the type of film maker he is, admitting also that he can't say with certainty he will make another film.  (Obviously, those in attendance would love to see what he might create next.)  Thank you, Ali & Tom for giving us your time!

COMING NEXT FOR LAWNCHAIR THEATER:

"Green Green Water"  A documentary by Dawn Mikkelson

DATE: August 2, 2008

MINGLE TIME: 7:30pm

MOVIE TIME: 9pm

CONVERSATION WITH DAWN: 10:15pm

Simone Ahuja leads Lawnchair Theater in a fascinating discussion of contemporary India.

After a satisfying meal from Taste of India, a gathering of 30 enrapt guests were informed and entertained by the captivating Ms. Ahuja.  Between segments from her Indique series, she answered questions about Bollywood, India's booming wine industry and the fascinating snakeboat races of southern India's state of Kerala.  Also in attendance were Simone's husband, Hari, and her father, Surendra.  

Coming up next: "Sweet Land" Reunion, July 26

Join Director Ali Selim, Executive Producer, Tom Lieberman and as many cast and crew of this beautiful movie who choose to show up.  So far sending their RSVP's: Patrick Coyle and Barbara Kingsley.

Meet & Mingle: 7pm

Ali Introduces Screening: 9pm

Q & A: 10:30-11pm