The following features and times are for the RIALTO and COLONY for the week beginning Friday 6/29/07-Thursday 7/5/07. Rialto & Colony will be open for matinees on Wednesday, July 4. ****** ****** ****** Rialto Theatre 1620 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh , NC 27608 (Phone 856-0111)
rialto and colony accept cash only. atms are in walking distance. general admission is $8.00, matinee admission is $6.00. for mission valley and six forks station schedules, please visit: www.therialto.com or call 919-856-0111.
Plot Outline: A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.
review: The heart has reasons that reason knows nothing about, 9 June 2007
I write these for friends and if you love movies you are a friend: I saw a movie last night that was so good that I have spent the last hour looking up information about it on the Internet Movie Data Base and related links. I have included the Fox Searchlight website for the movie at the bottom of this review so you can hear the music. So now I know that is was made in 17 days and at a cost of less than $150K and reflects a Dublin of 10-15 years ago when Dublin was much poorer and more working class.
And, I would be much poorer in life and spirit, and my heart, like most of us, covered in scar tissue from life, would not seem so vulnerable and new, if I had not seen this movie. A simple story of a street musician in Ireland, singing covers during the day for Euros, and his own music at night for cents. A verging on middle aged man, still living with his Da, repairing vacuums in a tiny shop and writing songs to his lost love in his tinier bedroom. Approached by girl, an immigrant, who loves his songs, understands the pain that gave them life, and soon they are in a music shop with the girl playing the piano and together they prove that art isn't produced from big budgets or green lit by ten vice presidents and that seventeen days and a pittance can make me get goose bumps just trying to write a review of what I saw in a dark theater with ten other people in a complex dominated by Shrek, Pirates, and Spiderman.
I knew a woman once who only read novels about unrequited love. What a wonderful phrase: unrequited love. Archaic, unrequited, love, universally known and unknown, and as a friend said about the movie and its songs: no great art came from happiness. But the movie isn't sad, it's pulsing with life and music and incident and the process of how art is made. I have always been a sucker for movies about how art is made: Shakespeare in Love, Hurley Burly, as examples, but in both those, art that was known. In Once, on the streets of Dublin, an Irishman and a Czech girl, remind us of how, to my generation, the guitar was king, a guitar, bass, drums and piano a symphony orchestra, and there was no power like the power of rock and roll. In all generations, love sought, found, lost, and sometimes regained is the stuff that brings us to the theater, to the book, to the movie.
I'm in the midst of reading a book by an Irishman, a detective novel, the hero a reader, and the author uses the book to list books he likes: from one...'the body moves on, the mind stays and circles the events of the past.' This must be true of the writer/director.
You won't forget these people. I can't forget their songs. We should all meet, my movie loving friends, and talk about this movie in a bar in Chicago I know that has great music on the jukebox, cold cold beer, and is dark enough so we would all look good. Neil Young sang: only love can break your heart, Once asks 'how often do you meet the right person', and as fellow movie goers I ask how often can the right movie be made, shown in your local, and break/make you heart at seven of a beautiful summer's eve? It's the best movie of the year. Maybe of the last five years. But, I am not a dispassionate critic, I loved it.
for more info call 919-856-0111 or go to www.therialto.com
The following features and times are for RIALTO , COLONY, MISSION VALLEY and SIX FORKS for the week beginning Friday 6/22/07 and ending Thursday 6/28/07.
Rialto will play ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW at midnight 6/22.
RIALTO ACCEPTS CASH ONLY. ATMS ARE IN WALKING DISTANCE. GENERAL ADMISSION IS $8.00. MATINEE ADMISSION IS $6.00. SUNDAY - THURSDAY EVENING WE OFFER A SENIOR CITIZEN AND STUDENT DISCOUNT TICKET FOR $6.00 - SENIORS MUST BE 60 YEARS AND ABOVE AND STUDENTS MUST PRESENT A VALID COLLEGE I.D.
Feature:Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (PG13) Fri.-Tue.: 1:00-4:30-7:45
Starts Wednesday – June 27, 2007 Feature: LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (PG13) Wed.-Thur.: 1:30-4:15-7:00-9:45
KID SHOW: ANT BULLY (PG) TUE. & WED.: 10:00 A.M.
SPECIAL NOTES: Advance Tickets on sale at the box office or on line at therialto.com (No Additional FEE)
Visa & MasterCard accepted at Six Forks Station Starts -6/27/07 – LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (PG13) Passes OK PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN OCEAN'S 13 SURF'S UP
Screening: DEATH AT A FUNERAL 7:30 on Tuesday, 6/26 – 239 seats
********** ********** ********** Colony Film Series: Look for a retro classic on the third Wednesday of each month: 6/20The Dark Crystal (Plays at 7:00 and 9:30), 7/18 2001: A Space Odyssey, 8/15 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 9/19 Chinatown, 10/17 Donnie Darko, 11/5 V for Vendetta
ALL SPECIAL SHOWINGS ARE FIVE DOLLARS
Art in Colony lobby by Ellen Shepard June 1st- June 30th ellenshepardvop.com
In no particular order, cause I love them all equally, I'll start with a long-time favorite (Note: these will be my own personal favorites, which may or may not be yours and may or may not be found on some slick top ten list in a magazine somewhere; which means they are highly specific and my opinion, and have nothing to do w/ top coffee towns or top recreation cities or top singles or smart people cities. Feel free to agree or disagree, or if you don't know cause you have never been . . . Go.)
Before Madstone, before Galaxy, before the idea of multiplex independent film cinema existed--back when the (still-great) art-deco Rialto was the only art house theater in Raleigh, the owner of the very same Rialto opened the Colony twin screen theater in an older real-type ordinary Raleigh suburban shopping center at Six Forks and Millbrook Rd, just outside the beltline (above North Hills, look for the Food Lion on your right).
The Colony is Raleigh's unsung hero if a place can be a hero. Although from the outside it looks like the sort of theater that would have closed in some other city long ago when the multiplex giants took over, inside the Colony is an oasis. Everything from international and independent, little-known hard to find films, to popular indie sleeper films, shown on two wide screens in large auditoriums, with comfortable theater seating complete with cup holders, and most importantly excellent sound and lighting. In this theater, you will never fume because the film is out of focus, or the lights didn't go off when the film began, making a glare on the screen so you can't see the film, because the projectionist cares enough about film and about you, the viewer, to stay in the booth long enough to make sure everything works properly before running off (which I'm sorry to say is not the case elsewhere).
This kind of reliable care and attention over many years has been and continues to be due to the manager, Denver Hill, a former English major, a long-time fan of good cinema. He has been at the Colony for as long as I can remember, starting out as many do there, with a teenage-type job, then growing into a first-class manager who keeps his place running the way it should: brisk, courteous service, without sacrificing its unique comfy, laid back, "let's just hang out" atmosphere. The Colony has about the most eager to please, friendliest crew I've ever seen in a theater, serving up draft and bottled beer, wine, and other beverages along with the usual movie snacks, and always with smiles and a welcoming attitude. There are plush arm chairs, plants, and an enormous sofa that is so welcoming, people often sink down into its softness and read from the great selection of books (yes, there's a bookcase full of donated books with a sign that invites you to take one if you like, and/or donate one).
Other reasons to arrive early and lounge about: you will want to read the long, growing bulletin board that takes up an entire wall with community messages and happenings, and browse through the magazines and flyers on the counter below the bulletin board. Or view the art exhibited on the remaining walls by area artists. Or come early and ask that friendly crew about what is coming next; get questions answered about film, advice on what to see. They actually know lots and love to chat about movies and community events.
Which brings me to the unsung hero part (aside from just being an awesome place to see movies): what sets the Colony apart from other art house theaters is Denver's and his girlfriend Michelle's dedication to Raleigh's nonprofit groups, helping their causes. For example, tomorrow night -- grab your pen --
Tuesday May 22 at 7 PM ---- MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
The Colony is showing "Kundun"
-- a rarely seen film by the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, that tells the story of the Dalai Lama's exile from Tibet. The score is by Philip Glass, the Oscar-nominated avant-garde composer. Don't miss this opportunity to see an excellent Scorsese film you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Feel good knowing your $5 ticket price goes toward helping out the Kadampa Center, a Tibetan Buddhist community in Raleigh that needs funds for a new space.
Denver Hill has been doing this sort of thing for years, quietly, and never for his own glory, just wanting to help, welcoming community nonprofits who need space to view a film, hear speakers, raise funds; bringing together many of Raleigh's groups around a film that ties into their cause, often packing the house, making the Colony not only a great place to gather and and view a film; but also an important force in the community.
It's not all serious issue stuff!!
Denver loves to bring in favorite fun films, new 35 mm prints of classics, and runs movie events. Last week, we all enjoyed "Easy Rider"
Other fun films coming up:
June 20
The Dark Crystal
July 18
2001 A Space Odyssey
August 15
Temple of Doom
Only 5 Bucks for these great films! You can call for other feature film showings, and prices, plus any other info: 856-0111.
One final tiny treat: if you are a lifetime lover of movies, look down at the carpet. It's so cute.
Comments
Amen - the Colony is my favorite place in town. One of my favorite things is the ability to to hear the occasional bottle of empty beer roll down through the middle of the seat area - and as if it is some act of from above it never seems to smash after it's roll through the plinco arena of seats. If not for the Colony I would not be able to see some of the first run indy films that I wait for. Thank you Jebus...
"Although from the outside it looks like the sort of theater that would have closed in some other city long ago when the multiplex giants took over" ...
Not just a coincidence there, really. This theater location has a history - it was a very popular 99 cent theater when I was in high school, long before Blue Ridge existed.
Dang. Not off to a good start, of all the things to do in Raleigh, we get #1; a movie theater. I understand an independently owned theater is nice, "real" and roots. But there has got to be better things going on in Raleigh than a movie theater...
Not a knock on the effort; just the #1 is weak in my opinion (I know it was not ranked, just hoping for a bigger splash).
Nice article...I agree the Colony is great, as well as their parent theatre, the Rialto. Their owners (locally-owned Ambassador Entertainment) also deserve much credit for Mission Valley Cinema...another older theatre that would certainly be empty today if not for their support! (Not to mention, the only cineplex left inside-the-beltline.) Good work AE!
raleighbob you are right! mission valley is an asset to the whole town, esp. for students. its fun to go there for the typical "college humor" movies just to see it with the crowd. and their draft beer selection is great and cheap!
Something else that rolls well down the concrete floor are peanut m&m's. Not that I have ever spilled an entire bag during a serious film or anything. . .
One thing to note - they only take cash. No debit cards.
Also, only came into the feed reader today - missed the film last night. Don't know if that's a Raleighing thing or a reader thing.
CarnifeX, the big splashy things are fine and certainly get us on the map, but it is the little things that make YOUR city into YOUR city...a city that you love. The things you really miss about your city when you leave. I'm with Rhonda. The Colony is great. And I will add a sub #1 -- Cinema, Inc. Raleigh's oldest running "film society" For you movie lovers who do not know what this is, check this out: http://www.cinema-inc.org/ Once a month, Sunday night movies for anyone who loves good movies. 12 shows, one a month, at the Rialto. A steal for $20 and it is great to see these movies again, or for the first time, on the wide screen. And Rialto has such great popcorn. Thank you Ambassador, for Colony, Rialto and MV.
Sorry this was delayed and some of you missed Kundun. My fault. Probably.
Yes! The sound of the beer bottle rolling down the slanted floor, muffled giggles marking its path--what can you do but laugh as it comes by your seat but you can't see it in the dark, so you can't grab it or anything--so on it goes merrily, and no one ever knows where it eventually comes to rest. Except that hard working staff that cleans up after.
Splash? Nothing on my list has splash, sorry. Splash is noise. Which is the opposite of what I'm after with this list. Splash is the sound that people above the surface hear when something with substance makes a plunge into deep water. The sound of splash dies quickly, while the thing that made that sound continues on through depths so mysterious and strange and delightful you must dive in to know, follow until it reaches the ocean floor where you will find other sunken treasure, along with beer bottles from the Colony and the Rialto.
Warning: if you are looking for splash, don't read the second installment, coming soon. It will put you to sleep. I'm serious. Skip the next one.
I've recently found this great little blog while doing some completely unrelated research and am glad I did. As a die hard movie fan (and ex movie theatre worker and manager over Chapel Hill way for many years), I'm glad to see there are others who share my love for The Colony.
Every comment you make right about the technical aspects being followed is dead on and I suspect will *always* be that way, even though I'm sure the need for a projectionist is all too quickly dying out as film is being savaged for DVD and other (read: cheaper to distribute, show, and milk for every dollar) technologies in the biz. I've seen the future of film presentation and it's scary. But it's the professionalism, attention to patrons, and willingness to show 'the small gems', are what makes a theatre away from simply being entertainment to being a much loved place to visit and meet friends...regardless of what's on screen. Forget all the multiplexes with the copycat boxes; give me genuine devotion to the art every day.
The Colony does it right and the way it should be...and I warmly promote them to anyone and everyone I can. Not sure it's a No 1 (and again, not a knock, just an observation as someone else has stated previously), but definitely in the top 8 for certain.
I scan this site periodically hoping that most of Raleigh's true hidden gems will remain hidden. Please keep all references to Cinema Inc and similar venues to yourself and close family.
Despite Crank's admonition about not to mention it.....I will not that Cinema, Inc. just selected the films for its 2007/2008 season: http://www.cinema-inc.org/07_08_Schedule.htm It is the usual varied list and I am looking forward to them all!
Thank all you folks for your kind words. I am glad our efforts are noticed. We have a great staff and great patrons. Also, please check out our Six Forks location.
Plesae let us know what you like about our theatre and on what we can improve at our Colony, Mission Valley, Rialto, and Six Forks cinemas.
Italian cultural icon and cinematic great Alberto Sordi (1920-2003) was in peak form when he starred as Antonio Badalamenti, a Sicilian who's become a successful FIAT executive and efficiency expert in Milan and goes on a two-week vacation to his hometown of Catanao in Sicily with blonde northern wife and two little blonde daughters. Laughs and thrills happen when they're welcomed back into Antonio's family – and the good graces of Mafia boss Don Vincenzo. It turns out Antonio not only owes the Don a favor for getting him the job up north, but is regarded by the local Cosa Nostra as a piciotto d'onore, a kid who distinguished himself in the ranks (maybe you could loosely translate the phrase "good old boy") and he also happens to be the best marksman the town has ever known. What starts out as a broad comedy and a warm social satire on the Italian south turns more serious and intense as the hero fits right in and his initially standoffish wife starts liking the family and bonding with one female member whose beauty she's able to bring out.Fine writing, direction, and use of locations add up to a seamless film. You're never bored for a minute and most of the time you're hugely entertained, so it makes sense that Mafioso is going to have a revival release in the United States. It's unseen here, not on DVD and would be worth seeing not only for the fun it provides but for the display of Alberto Sordi's range and fluency as an actor. Sordi starred in Fellini's early pair, The White Sheik and I Vitelloni. Andrew Sarris has said Lattuada is "a grossly under-appreciated directorial talent." Il Mafioso shows the writing skills of Marco Ferreri and Rafael Azcona, working with the team known as Age & Scarpelli (Agenore Incrocci and Furio Scarpelli). Their screenplay may be tongue-in-cheek, but it nonetheless provides insight into the Mafia, and the film's picture of Sicilian town life (in wonderfully rich grainy black and white, high style for the time) is vivid and authentic-looking and -feeling. Music by Piero Piccioni, another mainstay of Italian cinema (Il bel Antonio, Salvatore Giuliano, Una vita violenta). Produced by Dino De Laurentis with Antonio Cervi; this can also be seen as a product that reflects the energy and spirit of Italy's postwar "economic miracle" period when so much was exciting culturally in the country – cinema, literature, design.Shown in a handsome new print as part of the 2006 New York Film Festival.
MAFIOSO plays nightly at the COLONY theatre (corner of six forks and millbrooks roads) at 7:00 & 9:30!
review for waitress: Waitress is a film that is nearly impossible not to love. It is such an obvious labor of love for all involved and brings out some of the best work of many of those involved. And unlike many "labor of love" films, this one is actually both highly entertaining and easily accessible. From start to finish, it is a heart moving and amusing film with many quirks and magnificent originality. While it is a romantic comedy, it is not a "Hollywood" romantic comedy in that the film rarely -- if ever -- goes where you expect it to go.The story follows a young waitress (played by Keri Russell – from felicity) who is married to a full-time loser (Jeremy Sisto – from six feet under) with a mean spirit. She finds out she is pregnant which ultimately puts her on a collision course with the new doctor in town (Nathan Fillion – from firefly/serenity) whom she falls into a passionate love affair with. The film follows this waitress as she tries to sort out her own problematic relationship with her husband, understand what her heart is telling her about her affair, all the while dealing with her everyday life with her fellow waitress friends (Adrienne Shelly and Cheryl Hines) and a grumpy old customer (Andy Griffith) who happens to own the restaurant where she works.Every character in this film is memorable for one reason or another, including several minor characters such as the short-order cook of the restaurant, and even a mother and her young, obnoxious son who frequent the restaurant and strike fear into the pregnant protagonist. Andy Griffith in particular grabs the audience's attention and makes his role a true standout.Adrienne Shelly who acted in, wrote and directed the film (as well as co-set designed, co- costume designed and even provided one of the songs for the film) has left one perfect little film here. It is such a tragedy that she did not live to see this film's release as it certainly would have given her the success she so richly deserved. This film can easily be recommended to anybody who has a heart.
WAITRESS plays nightly at 7:00 & 9:20 at the rialto theatre on glenwood avenue -a raleigh cinema tradition since 1942!
don't forget THE DARK CRYSTAL is playing at the colony theatre on wednesday june 20th for just 5 bucks! call them at 919-847-5677 for more details!
Jim Henson's THE DARK CRYSTAL plays at theColony on Wednesday, June 20th, at 7:00 and 9:30pm. This is the 25th anniversary of this cult classic. Admission is only $5.00 to see this film in a rare 35mm print. For more information please call the Colony at 847.5677.
ambassador film schedule for friday june 1st - thursday june 7th
The following features and times are for RIALTO , COLONY, MISSION VALLEY , & SIX FORKS for the week beginning Friday 6/1/07-Thursday 6/7/07... Rialto Theatre 1620 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh , NC 27608 (Phone 856-0111)
Feature: WAITRESS Saturday/Sunday Matinees: 2:00-4:30 Nightly: 7:00-9:20 Rialto will play ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW at midnight 6/1. ****** ***** **** ***** ****** Colony Theatre 5438 Six Forks Road Raleigh , NC 27609 (Phone 856-0111)
Feature: THE VALET Friday/Saturday/Sunday Matinees: 2:15-4:15 Nightly Fri-Thurs: 7:15-9:20
Feature: AWAY FROM HER Friday/Saturday/Sunday Matinees: 4:30 Nightly: 7:00
Feature: WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY Friday/Saturday/Sunday Matinees: 1:30 Nightly: 9:15 ****** ***** **** ***** ****** Mission Valley Cinema 2109-124 Avent Ferry Road Raleigh, N C 27606 (Phone 834-2233)
Feature: KNOCKED UP (R) Fri.-Thur.: 1:30-4:20-7:20-9:55
Feature:Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (PG13)Fri.-Thur.: 12:45-2:00-4:00-5:15-7:30-9:15
Feature: SHREK THE THIRD (PG) Fri.-Thur.:1:00-3:00-5:00-7:15-9:15
Special Notes:Adv. Tks at the Box Office or on line at therialto.com for all Shows (No Additional FEE) Visa & MasterCard accepted at mission valley cinemas. Summer Kid Show Tickets Now On Sale 10 Shows $6.00 – Parents & Chaperones FREEPASSES OK SPIDER-MAN 3 SHREK THE THIRD Starts June 8 – OCEAN'S 13 Auditorium # 1 Completely Refurbished: Including New Screen & Delux Seats ****** ***** **** ***** ****** Six Forks Station Cinema 9500 Forum Drive Raleigh, N C 27615 (Phone 846-3904)
Feature: MR. BROOKS (R) Fri.-Thur.: 1:30-4:15-7:20-9:50
Feature:Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (PG13)Fri.-Sat.: 12:00-1:00-3:30-4:30-7:00-8:00-10:15 Sun.-Thur.: 1:00-3:30-4:30-7:00-8:00-10:15
Feature: SHREK THE THIRD (PG) Fri.-Sat.: 12:30-1:15-2:45-3:30-5:00-5:45-7:15-8:00 9:30-10:15Sun.-Thur.: 1:15-2:45-3:30-5:00-5:45-7:15-8:00-9:3010:15
SPECIAL NOTE: (Friday Ad) SIX FORKS / MISSION VALLEY / COLONYSummer Kid Shows start on June 12 & 13 Guaranteed Seating – 10 Shows $6.00 – Parents/Chaperones FREE(Daily Ads – Top)Six Forks / Mission Valley / ColonyKid Shows start on June 12 & 13 10 shows $6.00 – Parents/Chaperones FREE Starts June 8 – SURF'S UP & OCEAN'S 13Visa & MasterCard accepted at six forks station.
********** ********** **********
Colony Film Series: Look for a retro classic on the third Wednesday of each month: 6/20 The Dark Crystal (Plays at 7:00 and 9:30), 7/18 2001: A Space Odyssey, 8/15 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 9/19 Chinatown, 10/17 Donnie Darko, 11/5 V for Vendetta ALL SPECIAL SHOWINGS ARE FIVE DOLLARS
Art in Colony lobby by Ellen Shepard June 1st- June 30th ellenshepardvop.com
The Colony Theater
Amen - the Colony is my favorite place in town. One of my favorite things is the ability to to hear the occasional bottle of empty beer roll down through the middle of the seat area - and as if it is some act of from above it never seems to smash after it's roll through the plinco arena of seats. If not for the Colony I would not be able to see some of the first run indy films that I wait for. Thank you Jebus...