Rod Pocowatchit’s guide to movies and movie events in Wichita returns
“Son of Movie Maniac.”
How does that sound for a sequel to my Movie Maniac column? You know, the column I started writing in 2007 for The Eagle, where I talked about all things movies and championed independent cinema?
I’ve probably seen more movies than I’ve eaten meals in my life, so writing the column was a joy for me.
Over the years, I got some feedback that was good (”no one will be able to replace your wit”) and not-so-good (”you’re an idiot”). But at least I was a local voice for such a movie-going town. And at least I was a gauge. Perhaps if I liked a particular movie, that was a sure sign that you would absolutely hate it.
But I tried to steer people to movies they might not otherwise see. And I tried to point out cool local movie events and screenings, such as the October at the Oldtown Horror Festival and the annual Tallgrass Film Festival.
Well, that all came to an end when I wrote my “final” Movie Maniac column in January when I left The Eagle after 30 years. But if I’ve learned anything from the movies, it’s to not go throwing that “final” word around like it means anything (I’m talking to you, “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” — which had eight more films come after it).
Final? Ya, right! Well in that spirit, I’m here to announce that I’m back — at least, for now.
I’m resurrecting the Movie Maniac column like it was “The Mummy.” And it’s kind of a perfect time, as movie theaters reopen after the quarantine. I mean, who’s NOT tired of watching movies in the confines of their living rooms alone, right? If I have to re-enact that iconic scene from “Reservoir Dogs” by cutting my own ear off again, I’m just gonna lose it. OK, none of that really happened.
There’s also already some cool local events on the horizon, too. The Tallgrass Film Association is presenting “TALLshorts: A Fundraiser” on Sept. 12. It’s a virtual film festival that will present a curated program of short films that patrons can all watch online at the same time, followed by online Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
The films will be paired with food and wine presented by some of Wichita’s best-known chefs. Pairings will be designed and led by Jennifer Ray of the Monarch, Don Wright of Old Mill Tasty Shop, and Joumana Toubia of Two Olives.
Each $70 purchased “ticket” to the event comes with a VIP box featuring wine and the ingredients needed to follow video instructions to make appetizers with guidance from the chefs.
The boxes must be picked up either on Friday, Sept. 11, from noon to 5 p.m. or Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wichita Art Museum, 1400 Museum Blvd., or Two Olives, 2949 N. Rock Road, Suite 120. Or you can pay an additional $25 to have your box hand-delivered to your home.
You can purchase tickets at https://www.goelevent.com/Tallgrass/e/TALLshortsAFundraiser.And see a lineup of the films at https://tallgrassfilm.org/tallshorts-fundraiser-films-announced.
Another cool local event in Wichita will be Scary Movie Mondays at the Starlite Drive-in, hosted by the Wichita Big Screen initiative. Every Monday night starting Sept. 14 through Oct. 19 will feature double and triple features of classic horror films. Admission will be $7 for a single person or $14 a car load.
I’ll post the full lineup in next week’s Movie Maniac column or you can find it online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/wichitabigscreen. A limited number of VIP passes are still available, and include lanyards, posters and more. They cost $120, and can be found on that Wichita Big Screen Facebook page.
In other news, I did venture back into an actual movie theater this week to see “The New Mutants.” While the film, an entry in the “X-Men” franchise about young mutants just discovering their abilities while being held in a secret facility against their will, was less than, ahem, first class, it did feel great to be back in a movie theater.
And Covid-19 protocols were in full effect. I felt perfectly safe, even if I was the only one in the auditorium on a Monday afternoon matinee. Talk about social distancing!
The only down side for me was that I couldn’t put my own butter on my popcorn. But really, if they knew of the alarming amounts of melted butter that I do put on my popcorn, it’s probably a wise cost-saving measure on their part.
I look forward to reporting more movie news. It’s good to be back for the next chapter. Everyone deserves a reboot. Even Jason Voorhees.
Even Freddy Krueger. And yes, even Movie Maniac.
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 5:01 AM.