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Film, TV and Streaming

A new concept in movie-going

Animas City Theatre brings New York Film Critic National Series to Durango

Going to the movies usually involves a pretty basic formula: a bucket of popcorn, some previews and the main event.

But this summer at the Animas City Theatre, movie-goers can get more than just a feature presentation with their ticket. The ACT is bringing the New York Film Critic National Series to Durango. The series allows arthouse theaters across the country to screen independent films before their national release and pairs the screenings with live, simulcasted interviews with filmmakers, producers or stars. With behind-the-scenes facts, movie tidbits and an interactive format, it takes a night at the movies to a new level.

“We’re really excited to be a part of it,” said ACT owner Michele Redding. She and her husband purchased the Animas City Theatre in the spring of 2013, renovating the cinema before reopening last August under its new name. “Doing a series like this is exactly what we want to do with the theater,” she said.

The series will kick off at 7 p.m. Wednesday with “And So It Goes,” a new comedy featuring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton. At the end of the film, there will be a live broadcast of a question-and-answer with director Rob Reiner, hosted by longtime Rolling Stone movie critic Peter Travers.

“And So It Goes” is a comedy about an obnoxious Realtor (Michael Douglas) who wants nothing more than to sell one last house and retire in peace – until his estranged son drops off a granddaughter he never knew he had, upturning his life.

Reiner is known for such classics as “The Princess Bride,” “Stand By Me” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

Jane Julian, who programs independent movies for the ACT, stumbled across the series when she took a friend out to the movies in May in Fort Collins. A small theater was screening the Jon Favreau film “Chef” as part of the series, and, she said, it was a fascinating program filled with insights, back stories and an intimate interview with Favreau. The audience even had the chance to participate directly – by submitting questions via social media.

“It was kind of like being at a film festival,” Julian said. “It was just wonderful ... I thought, ‘I’ve gotta find out how to do this in Durango.’”

At the end of the night, she found the theater manager and inquired about the program. He directed her to a website, and the next day, she called New York. After a couple conferences with Redding and series organizers, the Animas City Theatre became one of only 50 arthouse theaters in the country to be part of the series.

Julian said the ACT is a perfect venue for the series because it’s an intimate and comfortable theater where movie-goers can get a beer or glass of wine. Plus, she said, she thinks there is a desire here for independent cinema.

“I hope that we get a good following,” she said.

The national series is an expanded version of the New York Film Critic Series, which has been bringing filmmakers and stars into small New York and Los Angeles theaters for many years for sneak-peek screenings and live interviews. The series was able to broaden its reach thanks to HD simulcast technology and launched its national program this winter with a mission to create conversations, build community and support the theater going experience. Along with “Chef,” the series has featured films such as “Locke” and “Breathe In.”

The series’ next installation will be “Child of God” on July 29, and then it will feature roughly one film per month.

The events are moderated by Travers and include additional coverage by Alison Bailes of More Magazine, WOR Radio and “The Charlie Rose Show.”

kklingsporn@durangoherald.com

If you go

The New York Film Critic National Series will kick off at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive, with a screening of “And So It Goes,” followed by a live broadcast of a question-and-answer with filmmaker Rob Reiner. Tickets are $12. For more information, visit www.animascitytheatre.com.



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