BlackStar Film Festival Starts Today
Lambadina, directed by Messay Getahun, gets its East Coast premiere on Friday. It’s part of the four-day BlackStar Film Festival.
BlackStar Film Festival @ University City | August 4-7
This fifth annual film fest showcasing movies by and about people of African descent from across the world kicks off today with a series of features and shorts, followed by an opening reception tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. The festival’s theme is “migration,” with more than 60 films being screened over four days, mostly at International House and Drexel University’s Pearlstein Gallery, along with artist talks, panels and workshops. On Saturday night, the Kimmel Center is the site of the BlackStar Awards, hosted by actors (and spouses) Dorian and Simone Missick. Filmmaker Julie Dash — she made Daughters of the Dust, which likely inspired Beyonce’s Lemonade — is being honored at the awards ceremony.
Inside Out @ Dickinson Square Park | Thursday, August 4
Pack a blanket and a picnic and settle in at Dickinson Square Park to watch Oscar-winning animated film Inside Out outside.
Ace in the Hole @ The County Theater | Thursday, August 4
The County Theater in Doylestown is screening Billy Wilder’s 1951 skewering of the press and a public clamoring for sensationalism. Kirk Douglas stars as the cynical journalist anti-hero.
Boston2Philly @ Alma Mater | Thursday, August 4
This new locally shot coming-of-age drama is about a kid from Boston struggling after he loses his family in an accident and moves to Philly, where a professor at Philadelphia University during his freshman year helps him move forward. The screening is hosted by City Councilman David Oh and the Black Film Advisory Committee of Philadelphia.
True Romance @ CineMug | Thursday, August 4
Who else had a giant crush on Christian Slater after watching this 1993 Quentin Tarantino-penned tale of Elvis-obsessed Clarence and prostitute Alabama on the run? Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, James Gandolfini, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Michael Rapaport and Samuel Jackson are all also in the film.
Aladdin @ Pleasant Playground | Friday, August 5
Moonlight Movies in Mt. Airy starts with story time for the kids and a book swap before Aladdin masquerades as Prince Ali to woo Princess Jasmine.
DodgeBall @ The Oval | Friday, August 5
I still think Christine Taylor saying she just threw up in her mouth after real-life husband Ben Stiller asks her out is the funniest part of this intentionally silly Stiller/Vince Vaughn vehicle. Come to The Oval early for a set from the talented musician/performance artist Johnny Showcase.
City of the Dead @ Laurel Hill Cemetery | Saturday, August 6
The rain postponed last weekend’s showing of City of the Dead surrounded by the dead, so you have a second chance to get spooked.
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