Week of June 27 to July 3

What's On At The Tropic
by Phil Mann

There's a little summer experiment starting at the Tropic this week. It'll be showing a selection of “Hollywood” films to go along with the independent, documentary and foreign fare that usually graces its screens. This week it's SEX AND THE CITY, the great new feature film adaptation of the hit HBO series. Unless you've been a full-time spelunker for the past month, you'll know that this movie brings together all the elements that beguiled television audiences for six years: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Catrall and Kristin Davis as Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte; Chris Noth as Big, Dave Eigenberg as Steve, and Evan Handler as Harry; and even the gay counterpoints, Willie Garson as Stanford and Mario Cantone as Anthony, plus Jennifer Hudson for some newly-found racial seasoning. Writer-director Michael Patrick King is in charge to keep everything true to the classic,.

The film has been a worldwide hit, already grossing over $300 million since its opening on May 30, and it remains in the box office top ten as it draws back old viewers for repeat fixes and new viewers through word-of-mouth. There are some reviewers who don't get it, dare I say men, but for those who had their DVR's staked onto Sundays at nine, the movie is a brilliant extension of the basic girl-power theme. They're all older now... into their forties and even 5-0, but the female bonding still carries them through the trials and tribulations of relationships.

Hey, if the Tropic can show endless adaptations of Jane Austen, why can't they give a little equal time to Candace Bushnell?

That's not the only new development. As a summer project, the Tropic is going to stage a talent show, TROPIC'S GOT TALENT. It's open to all Tropic Cinema/KWFS members and volunteers. There will be an open audition on Sunday, June 29 from noon to 4:00pm. Bring your talent down to the theater... singing, dancing, skit performance, comedy, whatever. Non-members can join on the spot for only $35, so don't let that get in your way. Oh, and mark your calendars for the show on Sunday, July 20. For more info, email Ed@keywestfilm.org.

Back to the movies. The George Digital theater is showing the new film from Harmony Korine, the bad-boy filmmaker behind Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy. Korine is definitely an acquired taste. The reactions to Gummo, which in some ways presaged Jackass in its extreme antics, ran from “worst film of the year” (Janet Maslin in the NY Times) to “this movie is destined to live forever” (Werner Herzog). The new film MISTER LONELY is from a kinder, gentler Korine, who has bounced back from some life-bottoming experiences. Two of his houses burned down, and he reportedly worked on a film project involving goading strangers to beat him up. (That landed him in the hospital.) But MISTER LONELY is a sweet film about a Michael Jackson impersonator who winds up in an impersonators' commune, along with Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin, among others. Maybe too sweet, but see for yourself.

More info at TropicCinema.com. Send your comments to pmann99@gmail.com