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Author Archive | Alex Kamody

Sustainability Series: THE LAST OCEAN

Watch Trailer Director: Peter Young

THE COMMON EXPERIENCE PROJECT ON SUSTAINABILITY IS HAPPY TO PRESENT A GREAT LINEUP OFDOCUMENTARY FILMS THIS FALL. The project goal is to create an engaging and educational experience for students, faculty, staff and the regional community. Attendees will acquire a deeper understanding of the current issues and concepts related to sustainability. No matter how much or how little you know about these issues, the films present an accessible avenue to learn about the topics presented.The films explore the intersection of the environmentand sustainability through consumer demands and biodiversity, social justice, forest protections and grass roots innovation, energy production and industry control, species impacts and educational approaches to problem solving and engagement. Each film is pertinent to the challenges facing us, chosen for its beauty and current relevance.Following each showing a panel discussion or talk with the film producer or filmmaker is offered to the audience. This year we are welcoming director Eve Morgenstern (Cheshire Ohio) and Todd Walters producer (International Peace Parks Expeditions) as well as a variety of faculty, students and community members who share in the discussion and exploration of each film.

The Ross Sea, Antarctica is the most pristine stretch of ocean on Earth. A vast, frozen landscape that teems with life – whales, seals and penguins carving out a place on the very edge of existence. Largely untouched by humans, it is one of the last places where the delicate balance of nature prevails. But an international fishing fleet has recently found its way to the Ross Sea. It is targeting Antarctic toothfish, sold as Chilean sea bass in up-market restaurants around the world. The catch is so lucrative it is known as white gold. Unless fishing is stopped the natural balance of the Ross Sea will be lost forever. Scientists, a photographer and a filmmaker form ‘the Last Ocean’ and begin a campaign taking on the commercial fishers and governments in a race to protect Earth’s last untouched ocean from our insatiable appetite for fish.

This event is sponsored by the Athena Cinema, the Environmental Studies program,Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Alden Library, OU College of Arts and Sciences: Sustainability Studies, Food Theme, Ohio Sense of Place, and the Office of Sustainability.

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Running Time: 88 mins. 88 MIN
Not Rated
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Sustainability Series: CHESHIRE, OHIO

Watch Trailer Director: Eve Morgenstern

THE COMMON EXPERIENCE PROJECT ON SUSTAINABILITY IS HAPPY TO PRESENT A GREAT LINEUP OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS THIS FALL. The project goal is to create an engaging and educational experience for students, faculty, staff and the regional community. Attendees will acquire a deeper understanding of the current issues and concepts related to sustainability. No matter how much or how little you know about these issues, the films present an accessible avenue to learn about the topics presented. The films explore the intersection of the environment and sustainability through consumer demands and biodiversity, social justice, forest protections and grass roots innovation, energy production and industry control, species impacts and educational approaches to problem solving and engagement. Each film is pertinent to the challenges facing us, chosen for its beauty and current relevance. Following each showing a panel discussion or talk with the film producer or filmmaker is offered to the audience. This year we are welcoming director Eve Morgenstern (Cheshire Ohio) and Todd Walters producer (International Peace Parks Expeditions) as well as a variety of faculty, students and community members who share in the discussion and exploration of each film.

Examination of the sellout of a community in the shadows of one of the largest coal fire power plants in the nation, 30 minutes from Athens. A gun toting 83-year old woman refuses to sell her house to the power plant next door but the plant has moved ahead their 20 million dollar deal to buy out most of Cheshire and bulldoze all the homes. What happened in this Ohio River town overrun by one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the world? A story of money, power, corporate dominance of American life and the increasingly difficult choices we face surrounding the environment, Cheshire, Ohio makes us think twice about home.

This event is sponsored by the Athena Cinema, the Environmental Studies program,Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Alden Library, OU College of Arts and Sciences: Sustainability Studies, Food Theme, Ohio Sense of Place, and the Office of Sustainability.

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Running Time: 78 min78 MIN
Not Rated
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Sustainability Series: RACING EXTINCTION

Watch Trailer Director: Louie Psihoyos

THE COMMON EXPERIENCE PROJECT ON SUSTAINABILITY IS HAPPY TO PRESENT A GREAT LINEUP OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS THIS FALL. The project goal is to create an engaging and educational experience for students, faculty, staff and the regional community. Attendees will acquire a deeper understanding of the current issues and concepts related to sustainability. No matter how much or how little you know about these issues, the films present an accessible avenue to learn about the topics presented. The films explore the intersection of the environment and sustainability through consumer demands and biodiversity, social justice, forest protections and grass roots innovation, energy production and industry control, species impacts and educational approaches to problem solving and engagement. Each film is pertinent to the challenges facing us, chosen for its beauty and current relevance. Following each showing a panel discussion or talk with the film producer or filmmaker is offered to the audience. This year we are welcoming director Eve Morgenstern (Cheshire Ohio) and Todd Walters producer (International Peace Parks Expeditions) as well as a variety of faculty, students and community members who share in the discussion and exploration of each film.

Oscar®-winning director Louie Psihoyos (THE COVE) assembles a team of artists and activists on an undercover operation to expose the hidden world of endangered species and the race to protect them against mass extinction. Spanning the globe to infiltrate the world’s most dangerous black markets and using high tech tactics to document the link between carbon emissions and species extinction, RACING EXTINCTION reveals stunning, never-before seen images that truly change the way we see the world.

This event is sponsored by the Athena Cinema, the Environmental Studies program,Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Alden Library, OU College of Arts and Sciences: Sustainability Studies, Food Theme, Ohio Sense of Place, and the Office of Sustainability.

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Running Time: 90 min90 MIN
Not Rated
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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MISS SHARON JONES!: One Night Only!

Watch Trailer Director: Barbara Kopple

Just as her career is taking off, iconic soul diva Sharon Jones faces her greatest challenge yet. This triumphant crowd-pleaser captures Sharon Jones during the mostintense and courageous year of her life, as she battles back from a life-threatening illness to get back to where she belongs– center stage.
“One can’t help but feel inspired by both Jones’ spark-plug attitude and the gentle way those around her respond to her needs.”- Peter Bebruge, Variety
“Clearly a dynamo in both her life and work, observing the juxtaposition between pre-cancer Jones (the film is filled with excellent performance footage of her over the years) and the still-mending Sharon is profound; Kopple resists making cheap comparisons between the two, instead opting to let the footage speak for itself.”- Kate Erbland, indieWIRE

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Running Time: 94 min94 MIN
Not Rated

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Déjà View: WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE

Watch Trailer Director: Todd Solondz
Writer(s): Todd Solondz
Cast: Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis

This fall, the Athena presents Déjà View: Cult Classics Series. Shock value may have put these films on the map but their lasting relevance is a testament to a deeper resonance. There is more to these films than sex, violence and potty humor. These films are about, by and for the outsiders. Each in its own way, these films celebrate the freak and delight in the different. And they do so with pride, triumph and joy, and a fair amount of filth and fun.

The second film in the series is Welcome to the Dollhouse. Twelve-year-old Dawn Wiener is ignored by her parents and harassed by her schoolmates. Dawn is awkwardly courted by Brandon, who expresses his affection for her in confusing and inappropriate ways. Dawn ditches Brandon when she falls for the older, popular Steve Rodgers, who has a reputation for being promiscuous.

Welcome to the Dollhouse does not provide a happy ending, but it promises that Dawn will find what she is looking for in the years ahead. She is pure unadulterated pluck. You’ve got to love a kid who saws the heads off of Barbie dolls. Phooey on ‘The Wonder Years.'”- Rita Kempley, Washington Post 

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Running Time: 90 min90 MIN
R Rated

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Déjà View: PULP FICTION

Watch Trailer Director: Quentin Tarantino
Writer(s): Quentin Tarantino
Cast: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Amanda Plummer

This fall the Athena presents Déjà View: Cult Classics Series. Shock value may have put these films on the map but their lasting relevance is a testament to a deeper resonance. There is more to these films than sex, violence and potty humor. These films are about, by and for the outsiders. Each in its own way, these films celebrate the freak and delight in the different. And they do so with pride, triumph and joy, and a fair amount of filth and fun.

The third film in the series is Pulp Fiction. Criminals, nobodies, and gangsters in Los Angeles converge in this iconic dark comedy.

“Like ‘Citizen Kane,’ Pulp Fiction is constructed in such a nonlinear way that you could see it a dozen times and not be able to remember what comes next”- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Running Time: 154 min154 MIN
R Rated

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DéJà View: DONNIE DARKO

Watch Trailer Director: Richard Kelly
Writer(s): Richard Kelly
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Maggie Gyllenhaal

This fall, the Athena presents Déjà View: Cult Classics Film Series. Shock value may have put these films on the map but their lasting relevance is a testament to a deeper resonance. There is more to these films than sex, violence and potty humor. These films are about, by and for the outsiders. Each in its own way, these films celebrate the freak and delight in the different. And they do so with pride, triumph and joy, and a fair amount of filth and fun.

The fourth film in the series is Donnie Darko. After surviving a freak accident, a teenage boy in suburbia has visions of a large bunny rabbit named Frank that tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.

“The movie defies easy packaging, mixing romantic teen comedy with biting satire in a 1980s period piece, into which it then injects significant doses of science-fiction fantasy and horror.”- Jenafer Gillingham, L.A. Weekly

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Running Time: 113 min113 MIN
R Rated

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Déjà View: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

Watch Trailer Director: Tim Burton
Writer(s): Caroline Thompson
Cast: Vincent Price, Johnny Depp, Diane Wiest and Winona Ryder

We’re giving away a $50 gift certificate to a lucky Edward Scissorhands fan at our show! Don’t miss out!

This fall, the Athena presents Déjà View: Cult Classics Film Series. Shock value may have put these films on the map but their lasting relevance is a testament to a deeper resonance. There is more to these films than sex, violence and potty humor. These films are about, by and for the outsiders. Each in its own way, these films celebrate the freak and delight in the different. And they do so with pride, triumph and joy, and a fair amount of filth and fun.

The fifth film in this series is Edward Scissorhands. Left in isolation when his inventor and father passes away, a gentle young man with scissors for hands lives in a castle on a hill. A door-to-door Avon saleswoman finds him and welcomes him into her home in suburbia. Edward’s sweet nature and artistic talents help him make friends but he suffers at the hands of some cruel neighbors who label him an outcast.

“Simple, funny, gorgeous, sad, and sweet, perfect for playing over and over.”- Lawrence O’Tool, Entertainment Weekly

 

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Running Time: 105 min105 MIN
PG-13 Rated
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Déjà View: WAYNE’S WORLD

Watch Trailer Director: Penelope Spheeris
Writer(s): Mike Myers, Terry Turner, Bonnie Turner
Cast: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe

This fall, the Athena presents Déjà View: Cult Classics Film Series. Shock value may have put these films on the map but their lasting relevance is a testament to a deeper resonance. There is more to these films than sex, violence and potty humor. These films are about, by and for the outsiders. Each in its own way, these films celebrate the freak and delight in the different. And they do so with pride, triumph and joy, and a fair amount of filth and fun.

The seventh film in the series is Wayne’s World. When Wayne and Garth’s public access show is picked up by a big name producer, they struggle to maintain their identity and fend off corporate cronies. A spin-off of the widely popular Saturday Night Live sketches, Wayne’s World was hugely impactful on pop culture, from influencing slang to reviving stoner comedy.

“Some of the biggest laughs in the film could not possibly be described, because their humor depends entirely on the fact that the filmmakers were weird enough to go for them in the first place.”- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Running Time: 94 min94 MIN
PG-13 Rated

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ATTACK THE BLOCK

Watch Trailer Director: Joe Cornish
Writer(s): Joe Cornish
Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail

From the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block follows a gang of tough inner-city kids who try to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien creatures, turning a South London apartment complex into an extraterrestrial warzone.

“Attack the Block attacks the alien invasion genre with wit, energy and a cheeky insolence that makes it out of this world.” -Tom Long, Detroit News

Excerpt from event host Brian Cristi:
Post Screening Discussion: OU Student Filmmaker and fellow Chicagoan Cedric Simmons will be present to reflect on the film and issues he faces as an African American. I will also answer questions about my attendance of a Socialism conference in Chicago this summer with OU Student Activists. Currently trying to add other pertinent representatives. Black Lives Matter is a very specific movement. It is right to therefore clarify that this film screening was organized inspired prominently by Black Lives Matter along with other movements of social importance. This event is shaping up to be a gateway event. A primer. A first step into a larger arena. The theme of the screening event will revolve around the exploration of Differences. Black Lives Matter, Inequality in Society, Socialism, The Failure of Educational Systems, The Current Presidential Election all of these topics are connected. There is much to reflect on and nothing brings people together like a fun provocative science-fiction film.

To help Brian put on this event, please visit his GoFundMe page for the show.

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Running Time: 88 min88 MIN
R Rated

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