It’s a sunny/cloudy day and I’m on my way downtown. When I glimpse Tower City out the window of the RTA, my heart beats just a little bit faster. Walking through the food court on my way to the movieplex, the atmosphere is simmering with anticipation.
I have some time before my first film, so I check to see how many films are already on standby. The number is 23 and growing—that’s the bad news. The good news is that most standby ticket-holders get in to see their show.
My first movie today was “The Colors of the Mountain,” a beautiful, powerful, and disturbing film about a boy and a soccer ball. Sounds like nothing much, but it’s set in rural Colombia, where paramilitary troops and the guerilla fighters are in a constant state of war. Poor farmers in the village try to stay out of the conflict, but for the guerillas—if you’re not with us, you’re against us. As violence hits one family after another, many leave for an uncertain future. This film will be shown again on Saturday, Mar. 26 at 7:10 and Monday, Mar. 28 at 8:15.
My next film was “Almost Kings,” an exceedingly unpleasant, but well made film about wasted teenage lives. ‘Nuf said. “Also playing Sunday, Mar. 27 at 7:55 and Monday, Mar. 28 at 9:40.
And then there’s “Danny Greene: The Rise and Fall of the Irishman.” This documentary makes an interesting bookend to the feature film—”Kill the Irishman.” When the same filmmaker is involved in both movies, it lends more credibility to the fictionalized version, which is currently playing at the Cedar Lee. The documentary tells more about the aftermath of Greene’s death. A saint to some and a sinner to others—go see it and decide for yourself. Meanwhile, to Clevelanders, he remains a legend. Repeat screenings on Sat. Mar. 26 at 9:45 and Sunday, Mar. 27 at 7:05.
The Film Forum that followed this screening included the author of the book that inspired the film, the director, narrator, prosecutor, and curator of the Mob Museum, which will be opening in Las Vegas early next year. (It’s way past my bedtime, and I’ve forgotten their names.)
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