There are few things all Americans agree on nowadays, but hopefully we can all agree on pancakes. Fresh homemade pancakes were served during the screening of The Breakfast Club at Story Screen Cinema this Thursday, September 19th. How could anyone say no?
(There was an optional side of bacon, and as a 95% vegetarian, I passed).
I had a busy and stressful week. As soon as I walked into the theater and sat in a soft reclining chair with cup-holders, with a plate of pancakes in front of me, all was right with the world. The room darkened and I sat peacefully. I was as content as I have ever been at any expensive spa or retreat. I felt relaxed and my heart beat slightly slower.
Yes, I’ve seen The Breakfast Club before, and I could probably stream it right now. However, in the dark theater, with your phone turned off, you are uninterrupted. There are no messages, no notifications, no alerts. There is nothing besides you, the screen, and pancakes. It is bliss.
The days are getting darker earlier, but this year, I do not mind. I cannot wait for the evenings to go to the movies again and reconnect with this seemingly lost art form.
Last week, I saw the movie Close To You (still playing). It is an emotional story of a young trans person returning home to their middle-class Canadian family. After the film, one of the lead actresses, and Columbia County resident, Hillary Baack, was available for a Q&A session.
I remember almost forty years ago, travelling into New York City to see similar coming out stories. These films are now available in small towns. People are able to connect, in a room filled with like-minded individuals, and not have to travel to a “big city.” There were people I knew from Hudson, and some folks from out of town.
Story Screen Cinema did outreach to local LGBTQ+ and trans organizations throughout the Hudson Valley to make sure that people knew about the screening of Close to You. They offered discount tickets and turned away no one.
At Story Screen Cinema, it’s the owners Mike and Diana greeting you, filling your popcorn bucket, and making you pancakes.
They make an effort. They care. We’re lucky to have them nearby.
Check out their website for the latest films playing. There’s an Addams Family movie with pumpkin carving. There are first-run features and retro movies. They have a line-up of October Halloween horror films, check it out here.
