Diverse slate of upcoming BFS attractions span the genres
Pack your blankets, flashlights and low-back chairs for the 10th Annual ‘Story Under the Stars’ on Friday, August 16th. Bozeman Film Society hosts the anticipated annual event atop the the lush greenspace outside the Story Mansion, located on the corner of Willson and College. Featuring family favorite Night at the Museum this year, the popular FREE event kicks off at 7pm with kids activities, food trucks, ice cream and popcorn. Prizes for the best Night at the Museum-inspired costumes at 8pm! The screening begins at dusk, between 8:45–9pm.
When good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is hired as night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, he soon discovers that an ancient curse brings all the exhibits to life after the sun sets. Suddenly, Larry finds himself face-to-face with a frisky T. Rex skeleton, tiny armies of Romans and cowboys and a mischievous monkey who taunts him to the breaking point. But with the help of President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Larry may just figure out a way to control the chaos and become a hero in his son’s eyes. Boasting jaw-dropping special effects and laugh-out-loud moments, Night at the Museum is your ticket to nonstop fun! Rated PG, the film runs 108 minutes.
Pets on leashes, please. The evening is co-sponsored by Friends of the Story Mansion and the City of Bozeman Parks & Recreation Department.
Following on Tuesday, August 20th, BFS returns to Downtown Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre with uplifting British dramedy Hampstead. The screening will begin at 7:30pm.
Though Emily (Diane Keaton) and Donald (Brendan Gleeson) live in the same idyllic London neighborhood of Hampstead, the worlds they inhabit could not be more different. She is an American widow occupying a posh apartment she can no longer afford and filling her time with charity work as she struggles to figure out the next step. He is a gruff Irish loner who lives off the land in a makeshift cabin and wants nothing more than to be left in peace. When his home is threatened by greedy real estate developers, Emily believes she has found her new cause – but gets more than she bargained for when unexpected romance blossoms.
Based on an inspiring true story, Hampstead is a buoyant, sparklingly witty tale of two underdogs who took on the system and showed a nation that heart is where the home is. Rated PG-13, the film runs 103 minutes.
“A pleasant rattle of a film that makes fine use of its likable leads – Keaton’s oddly regal klutziness matches well against Gleeson’s gruff moral rectitude – and an appealing setting.” – New York Times Critic’s Pick
Looking to next month, the Bozeman premiere of documentary feature Rewind is set for Wednesday, September 4th at The Ellen. A panel follows the 7:30pm screening featuring the filmmakers including director Sasha Joseph Neulinger, whose early life also serves as inspiration for the film.
In Rewind, a stunning documentary years in the making, Neulinger shares his vivid childhood memories of a family plagued by a vicious cycle of childhood abuse. Produced and shot by a team of Montana-based filmmakers, this powerful and intimate family portrait features an incredible home movie collection that not only provides a stark contrast to the family today, but also offers rare glimpses into visual clues about family dynamics and the actual offenders. As riveting as any moral thriller, this unflinching documentary braids the vast visual archive into Neulinger’s contemporary investigation to seek justice through the criminal court system – and healing for himself and his family.
Neulinger is the head of production at Step 1 Films. Upon finishing film school at Montana State University at age 23, he discovered the raw materials that would propel him to tell the story of his life. Neulinger’s directorial debut, Rewind premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, receiving a Special Jury Mention and critical praise. Brian Tallerico, film critic for RogerEbert.com calls the film “…a deeply personal, revealing, and unforgettable piece of filmmaking.” Not rated, Rewind contains mature, sensitive, and disturbing material not suitable for children. The film runs 86 minutes.
Reserved seats for Hampstead and Rewind are $9.75 for adults or $9.25 for seniors and students. Advance tickets are available at www.theellentheatre.org (plus service fees). The Ellen lobby opens one hour before the screening for refreshments.
Bozeman Film Society seeks out and presents independent films which engage, entertain, and foster an understanding of the world community around us. Visit www.bozemanfilmsociety.org for film previews and further information – and “Keep ‘Em Flickering!” •