Saturday Night At The Movies - Texas Style

I have been wanting to go see Tommy Lee Jones in No Country For Old Men for several weeks. So this past Saturday I checked the listings, and only one theater in Dallas was still showing it. My wife said she would take over parenting for a few hours, so off to the movies I went.

Now, I had several reasons for wanting to see this movie: Tommy Lee Jones is a favorite actor of mine, and No Country For Old Men was shot primarily in West Texas (in and around Marfa). For you movie history buffs, this is just a few miles from where Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean starred in Giant back in the late 1950s. In fact, some of the background scenery is the same in both movies.

Also, Tommy Lee Jones plays the Sheriff of Sanderson, Texas - my hometown. I arrived at the theater just a few minutes before showtime, and right as I was about to purchase my ticket, a gentleman and his wife came up to me and asked me if where I was standing was the waiting line for tickets. I said, "yes, and why don't y'all go next." After I let them cut in front of me in line, it suddenly dawned on me that I had just let head coach Wade Phillips of the Dallas Cowboys have my place in line!

Well, the movie was fantastic. Afterwards, I got to visit with Coach Phillips and his wife and tell them a little bit about my connections with the movie. I also had to mention that back in my college days out in San Angelo, the most exciting part of the summer was when Coach Phillips' father Bum Phillips had the Oilers' training camp on the Angelo State campus. I specifically remember Earl Campbell riding around on his motorcycle - equipped with a cassette player and loud speakers - blaring out Country and Western tunes.

I guess I'll have to make sure to visit that theater again. Maybe next time I'll run into Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson!

Downline, The Movie

I just got this update from the folks at Downline, The Movie. If you are in New Hampshire be sure and make it to the screening:

Hey Everyone,

"The Downline" was chosen to screen at the New Hampshire Film Festival on October 12 and 13th, 2007 in Portsmouth, NH. So, if you are in New England that weekend, come check us out. If you know anyone in the greater Boston area, please forward this e-mail to them. We want to pack the house. The venue is a beautifully restored theater called The Music Hall...an experience not to be missed.

The 2pm showing at the Music Hall on Saturday will be our main event. Come meet a few of the filmmakers...Eric Martinis (Director/Producer), Stan Pavuk (Producer), Andy Kintzi (Editor), Chad Gracey and Patrick Dahlheimer (Music Supervisors)

We'll do a Q & A session right afterwards... and that evening...Andy Kintzi will be spinning records at a local haunt in Portsmouth.

Please click on the link below for more information about NHFF and our two screenings.



New Hampshire Film Festival 2007 Presents : Downline, The

Believe The Movie - Screening Tonight In Plano

We have heard good and bad about the MLM satire "Believe The Movie." Here is your chance to decide for yourself. If you live in the Dallas area, just print yourself up some free passes and head up to Plano tonight. The Angelika is right off the Dallas Parkway at Legacy in The Shops at Legacy.

Here is a preview from the site:

The makers of “Believe” cordially invite you and a guest to a special advance screening of the award-winning comedy about multi-level marketing. See the movie Amway doesn’t want to talk about -- the movie that made one multi-level marketer with over 20,000 people in his downline lament, “If this thing gets out we’re all screwed.” Meet the writer and director of “Believe” after the screening for a special Q&A session. Learn more about “Believe” online at: BelieveTheMovie

Download A Free Pass

Angelika Plano Homepage

(No MLMers were harmed during the making of this movie).

Great Western

My friend and veteran actor Billy Joe Martinez just sent a message about this
great Movie, featuring a lot of Texas Talent. The director will even be at the Theater in Plano today.


Matthew Marconi’s film TRUCE will be shown at the Angelika in
Plano from Fri September 8 through Wed September 13.

Gary Cogill will be reviewing this film on Good Morning Texas (WFAA
Channel 8) on Fri September 8 and also on Daybreak (WFAA Channel 8)
on Sat September 9 at 8:20 am. His review will also be posted on
www.WFAA.com.

TRUCE stars Western artist and veteran actor Buck Taylor (Harry
Dodds) as an aging rancher who struggles to hold onto his ranch and
raise the granddaughter that he hardly knows following the death of
his estranged daughter, Susan, played by Scarlett McAlister
(Wildfire, The Missing). Susan is a victim of a drunk driver in an
automobile accident following an emotional confrontation with her
father. In the hospital, Harry accepts Susan’s deathbed request
that he take her teenage daughter to his ranch and raise her.

In a memorable cameo appearance, Oscar-winner George Kennedy (Cool
Hand Luke) plays Susan’s doctor who is unable to save her life,
leaving Dodds to care for his granddaughter Jenny (played by Samantha
Droke in her film debut). Harry's friends and business associates
stand by Harry through the trials and tribulations in ranching life.
Barry Tubb as A.D. is a true, devoted friend in helping Harry through
his struggles. Brad Johnson as Duane Edwards gives a nice touch in a
surprise end. Harry’s friend Melody Price, played by Angela
Lange, helps to illustrate the ongoing conflicts in Harry’s
life and how he tries to combine gentleness with strength in coping
with his problems. The film also re-unites Buck Taylor with Scarlett
McAlister, who co-starred in the independent film, Screen Door Jesus.

Filmed in Northern California on Fuji 35mm, Truce is an excellent
example of how creative photography, combined with skillful editing
and an outstanding score (written by Robert Gulya and masterfully
performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra,) can result in a
product that is beautiful to the eyes, ears and heart.

Truce revives cinematic art’s ability to depict real-life
heroes and the nobleness of man. The film speaks to our basic human
desire for community and home, and our need for self-acceptance,
self-reliance and hope.

TRUCE TRAILER - Anthem Pictures