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.

"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!