The CBs decided to check out an independent theatre that opened about a year ago in Concord, NH,
Red River Theatre, on Sunday. It's a great small theatre (with a parking garage attached that's free on the weekends) right off of South Main Street. They have two small theatres and a screening room that seats about 50. We started with a viewing of
A Man Named Pearl in the screening room. It was a great documentary about Pearl Fryar, a 68-year old former share cropper's son from small town Bishopville, South Carolina who has turned his lawn into an unbelievable topiary extravaganza. He works tirelessly to create and maintain abstract works of art out of previously discarded bushes from the town nursery and the existing trees on his property. Without any formal training in the art of topiary, it's absolutely amazing what he has created. He is also a completely charming man, and you will fall in love with him (and his wife) by the end of the film. It's also a great snapshot of a small town that is trying to revitalize itself in an economy that has mechanized their major industry of growing cotton. Go see it if you can.
We scooted across to one of the other theatres to see The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley. Based on a true story, the movie traces the late-18th-century life of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, one of those gilded-cage aristocrats who appears to have been groomed to be a pampered wife and produce heirs. It's a big costume film with amazing costumes, toweing wigs, big production scenes, and lots of "bodice-ripping" drama. Kierra Knightley is actually very good in the lead role, and she subtly captures her character's growth from a rather shallow, albeit incredibly beautiful, young lady to a tough as nails public figure who sacrifices more than anyone should ever be expected to as a result of her marriage to the Duke of Devonshire. Played by Ralph Fienes, the Duke is a cold, calculating man who is relentless in his quest for a male heir. Quite a contrast from the small documentary,
A Man Named Pearl, (the only connection was lavish topiary gardens), but worth seeing.
The CBs decided to check out an independent theatre that opened about a year ago in Concord, NH, Red River Theatre, on Sunday. It's a great small theatre (with a parking garage attached that's free on the weekends) right off of South Main Street. They have two small theatres and a screening room that seats about 50. We started with a viewing of A Man Named Pearl in the screening room. It was a great documentary about Pearl Fryar, a 68-year old former share cropper's son from small town Bishopville, South Carolina who has turned his lawn into an unbelievable topiary extravaganza. He works tirelessly to create and maintain abstract works of art out of previously discarded bushes from the town nursery and the existing trees on his property. Without any formal training in the art of topiary, it's absolutely amazing what he has created. He is also a completely charming man, and you will fall in love with him (and his wife) by the end of the film. It's also a great snapshot of a small town that is trying to revitalize itself in an economy that has mechanized their major industry of growing cotton. Go see it if you can.
We scooted across to one of the other theatres to see The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley. Based on a true story, the movie traces the late-18th-century life of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, one of those gilded-cage aristocrats who appears to have been groomed to be a pampered wife and produce heirs. It's a big costume film with amazing costumes, toweing wigs, big production scenes, and lots of "bodice-ripping" drama. Kierra Knightley is actually very good in the lead role, and she subtly captures her character's growth from a rather shallow, albeit incredibly beautiful, young lady to a tough as nails public figure who sacrifices more than anyone should ever be expected to as a result of her marriage to the Duke of Devonshire. Played by Ralph Fienes, the Duke is a cold, calculating man who is relentless in his quest for a male heir. Quite a contrast from the small documentary, A Man Named Pearl, (the only connection was lavish topiary gardens), but worth seeing.
