RiverRun Recap

So we've taken it a little slow this week after the whirlwind that was RiverRun. We could not have had a better inaugural festival experience. We saw some familiar faces and welcomed some new ones (who we hope will come back for some of our regular films). No equipment malfunctions (I'm knocking on wood as I write this). Our concession sales were spectacular (especially coffee, which did you know we serve? and that it is organic?) All in all, RiverRun blew our expectations away and we cannot wait until April 2011. So as we always do after a festival, here is our recap in list form:

Longest time spent in line: like ten minutes at most...shortest wait ever. And as a sponsor, sometimes we even got to sit in the reserved seats. Yeah, we felt special.

Buckets of popcorn consumed: I don't think we can count the number at a/perture. Have to admit we loved being the only venue that had a popcorn kettle.

Coolest Q&A: with director Michael Nash of Climate Refugees. This documentary about the human effects of global climate change blew me away. Everyone on the planet should see this film. WOW!

Michael Nash Q&A @ a/perture

Biggest Surprise Hits: Suck the vampire rock comedy was a true crowd pleaser and even cooler was that director and star Rob Stefaniuk appeared at many of the screenings. He was super nice and let me take a picture of him at a/perture for our collection. Best Worst Movie, a documentary about the worst movie ever made, Troll 2, was a hilarious surprise as well. Even if you haven't seen Troll 2, which I haven't, you will still love this film. It would be so cool to bring this to a/perture someday.

Suck director/actor Rob Stefaniuk and actress Barbara Mamabolo

Best compliment: From founder of RiverRun Gene D'Onofrio who was really impressed with a/perture. He was super nice. Maybe he liked it enough to bring his son Vincent back one day.

Best celebrity sighting: Does Jigar count?

Best photo-op: Again, does Jigar count?

He did get all gussied up...

Films I hope to bring back to a/perture: Mao's Last Dancer, The Good Heart and I Am Love are on the top of the list.

Documentary category: RiverRun really out did themselves with the quality of documentary films this year. I hope some of you were able to see The Topp Twins, His & Hers and Last Train Home. I didn't get a chance to catch them, but I also heard great things about Basquiat and Only When I Dance. I really hope that the great attendance for the documentaries at RiverRun means that more folks will come to see them throughout the year at a/perture...hey like the one we are opening this Friday....The Art of the Steal.

I have to admit I am in a little bit of festival withdrawal, but also really excited to get back into the swing of things this weekend. We have not one, but two 2010 Oscar nominated films opening on Friday, A Prophet and The Secret of Kells, along with the aforementioned must see The Art of the Steal. And even more exciting, weather permitting, we will have our new outdoor area open for your pre and post-show enjoyment....

Get Lost....

We're in the home stretch of RiverRun, which is a little disappointing because we've had so much fun being a part of the festival this year. Kudos once again to everyone who has made this year a success once again. We hope our regular patrons have been able to make it out for a few shows, and maybe we've gained a few new fans during the stretch.

We're back to our regular schedule starting April 30th, with A Prophet, The Art of the Steal, and The Secret of Kells. I've already professed my love for A Prophet, but Jake (our son) is really excited about Kells. Maybe it will replace the regular evening showings of Special Agent OSO at our house (one can only hope - really, really hope). The Art of the Steal is a gripping documentary about the struggle for control of the Barnes collection, more interesting than the story of where OJ's suit that he wore to his "acquittal" that was rejected by the Smithsonian and ended up at the Newseum (best smooshing of words I've seen in awhile).

You've seen on our calendar what's coming up after that, but what hasn't been disclosed yet is probably more exciting to some of you than any movie we could get. We're firing up the satellite once again, and on May 23rd, at 8pm the doors will open for the series finale of Lost. That's right, both screens are going to give you all the answers you've been waiting over five years for. What is the island? What the heck is the smoke monster? Why does everyone love Jacob so much? How is Oceanic Air still in business??? Oh, that last one was just me? Fine.

We're working on coming up with some giveaways and contests to go along with the showing, to make the experience a little richer. There's a special prize that will be raffled away, but you're only eligible if you buy some concessions (sneaky, I know, but we still have to pay that satellite bill, among others). Lawren, Genevieve, and other staff members thought a costume/look-a-like contest would be cool. I kept thinking "Do we really want people to stop showering for a month, only to mimic that I've been stuck on an island for 30 something years look?" Not to mention how offended I was when Lawren immediately said I could be Sayid, because we're both brown. I can't be Jack, or Echo?? Tsk tsk Lawren. Ok maybe I added the brown part on my own, but you were all thinking it!

So any ideas from you guys to make watching Lost on the big screen more fun? We'd love to hear them.

Grape Season

Ah, spring is in the air...birds are singing, RiverRun is showing great movies, I think I've survived another quarter end at the day job, and we're cleaning off our outdoor furniture. Yep, we're growing our cozy lobby by going outside. Now, those of you who like to pick out your favorite seat can do so while sitting instead of standing around cursing us for having no furniture, and those who like to keep the discussion going after the film can get another refreshment while enjoying the warmer weather in downtown Winston.

And it really feels like the city is coming alive with the new season. The Dash are on a winning streak, other downtown businesses already have their seating expanded, and the past First Friday Gallery Hop saw enough spillover down here to our end of the street that we were able to sell some concessions to people not even watching movies. One of the other big attractions we're looking forward to in May is the Salute! NC Wine Celebration May 22nd. In honor of the festival, we've booked a documentary about winemaking, starring an unsuspecting Arizona wine pioneer in Maynard James Keenan, better known for leading rock outfits Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. He brings along winemaker Eric Glomski, bandmate Milla Jovovich, comedians, Tim & Eric, Patton Oswalt, and Bob Odenkirk among many others to tell his story, which is interesting to say the least. Trailer is below and we'll be selling tickets for our three screenings (see website under special events for details or visit their facebook page) beginning May 1.

The May calender is shaping up as we speak, so look for a full rundown here in the next few days about our offerings!

RRIFF 2010 is underway

No less than 45minutes ago a/perture kicked off it's first film of the 2010 RiverRun International Film Festival with the documentary film Osadne. There is such an awesome buzz surrounding this year's festival. And it is definitely going to be the best one yet. We are thrilled to be a venue. Over the course of the festival we will screen over 25 different films and have over 60 screenings. Wow that's a lot when you do the math!

We enjoyed the premiere night festivities last night. The Extra Man was fun. Kevin Kline usually always is. And the party at the Millennium Center was a treat. Jigar was excited because guests got to take home one of sponsor Stella Artois' signature glasses (you know the one with the gold trim from the commercials). Actually, wait, my dad was more excited, he pocketed four to Jigar's one.

Anyway, it should be a fun ten more days. We've added a new spring wine to the menu to help kick off the festivities. It's got a cool name too...Beregevin Lane Fruit Bomb.

If you haven't already, you should visit RiverRun's official blog. Their latest post lets you in on which special guests/filmmakers will be in town to help promote their films.

Come see some RiverRun films and help support this great festival and all that it brings to Winston-Salem!

around the world

So over spring break some of our staff and family members did some traveling. They took their a/perture t-shirts with them and here are some of the photos...maybe one day we'll be a global phenomenon. We'd love to see some of the places a/perture goes on summer vacation, so send us your photos and we'll post them!

Happy Trails!

@ the final four

a roman holiday

at mgm grand...

in greece

Email your photos to info at aperturecinema.com.

It's my turn...

Lawren chose to go to bat for Zac Efron. I'm hanging my hat on Zach Galifianakis. But after my Moron Movies recommendation, I've only been giving a one-day chance. So after you've recovered from good movie overload at RiverRun, save the date for our special one night only screening of The Visioneers on April 28th. More details are forthcoming, we just wanted the world to know. Go tell everyone you know. Here's the trailer for your enjoyment. But what do you need that for? It's the guy from The Hangover!!!!!!!!! Even though I've been a fan since 2002, no big deal.

He's so dreamy...

So I've been pretty skeptical about something since we started this whole escapade into the movie theater business. What has Lawren been hiding from me? Tons of hours spent on the computer. Leaving the room for phone calls. And then, this week, my suspicions were confirmed. How could I be so naive??? Lawren opened a/perture so she could show a Zac Efron movie. Me and Orson Welles is starting up this weekend, in an abbreviated run along with The Girl on the Train as we prepare for RiverRun (insert school girl scream usually reserved for Mr. Efron here). But then I stopped judging and actually checked out the movie. That's when I realized one of my heroes Richard Linklater produced and directed the film. So that's why Lawren picked this one up. How can I not be excited when we're showing a work by the man who taught me the true meaning behind The Smurfs and made it ok for Matthew McConaughey to objectify high school girls. Wait, that latter one's not ok, but still a classic movie line (it did make it on the application for AFI's Top 100 movie quotes). Anyway, before Chris Hansen shows up at my house, I feel I should share The Smurfs bit from Slacker, Richard's tour de force which Wikipedia says "is often taken as a starting point for the independent film movement of the 1990s. Language could be deemed not kid friendly.



That Scooby stuff really makes you think, too, doesn't it? Further research does show that Me and Orson Welles should be pretty solid - here's the rotten tomato page for more info, and the trailer. Remember, you only have five days to catch it - don't cry to me if you miss it!

Glee-liciousness!!!

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. 24. The Pacific. Even Wrestlemania. All events that I suggested for our new big screen at a/perture. But what are we premiering with? The spring return of Glee. No doubt, this is going to be a fun show. Maybe we'll even encourage singing along, but we see who really wears the pants in the programming. At least she picked the best new comedy on TV. April 13th, 9 pm, our doors will be open to all to come watch the show for FREE! Acapella songs in surround sound! Jane Lynch larger than life in your face! Our awesome concession area open for your enjoyment! Sounds like a win to me, but space is limited, so we'll let people in on a first-come basis.

Jake really wanted us to show Yo Gabba Gabba as the first show, but Muno has been too busy brainwashing Lawren into buying a new car and riding bulls in Vegas. He found some time to say hey to your author, though.


Thank goodness we're showing North Face and Terribly Happy to bring up the testosterone levels a little next week.

festival readiness

I thought Spring was here until I woke up this morning. I guess Phil really was right this year. We still have to wait a few more days. According to the weather forecast, by April 1 we should be able to retire our jackets until next Fall. Along with warm weather, flowers, pollen, weeding (ugh)....April also means the 12th annual RiverRun International Film Festival. An 11 day celebration of film right here in Winston-Salem. We've mentioned this before, I know, but we are so excited to be a venue for the fest this year. Obviously, since we have just opened, we've never done anything like this before and so we have no idea what to expect as far as logistics and operations are concerned. We do however, know what to expect as far as the film program is concerned. This year's lineup includes more than 120 films from 33 countries. RiverRun brings to town films that you may never have the opportunity to see again, yes, I mean even on Netflix.

So to help get everyone in the mood, a/perture is going to be screening four great films over the next few weeks. What do these films have in common? They are all small indy films, they are not "Made in the USA," and they are films that have all enjoyed great festival exposure around the world. These are some really great films that a/perture wants to be able to continue to bring to town...so come see some of them so that we CAN!

1.) Fish Tank (now playing until April 1)...there were several films about young girls coming of age that were released in 2009. Precious and An Education (one of our favs) may come to mind. Fish Tank falls in this category, but is in a league of its own. This little British indy is tough and dirty and the language may be offensive to some ears, but it is realistic and brilliant. It won the 2010 BAFTA award (which is Oscar's British cousin). The acting by newcomer Katie Jarvis will blow you away. If you need another opinion check out the review of this film in the LA Times...

2.) Terribly Happy (April 2-8)...is a Danish film, how many of those have you seen? In one line - it is a thriller about a Copenhagen cop who moves to a small town after suffering a nervous breakdown. If you like the Coen Brothers films this should be right up your alley. Other critics have seen a similarity to the classic Western genre. Check out the trailer.....

3.) North Face (April 2-8)... is a German film and about just what its title suggests...mountain climbing. Based on a true story about a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936, as Nazi propaganda urges the nation's Alpinists to conquer the unclimbed north face of the Swiss massif - the Eiger. It just sounds daunting and really dangerous...the Eiger...

4.) The Girl on the Train (April 9 - 13)... is a French film and c0-stars the legendary Catherine Deneuve (don't you just love how her name rolls off your tongue?). The film is centered on a young woman who claims she was the target of an anti-Semitic attack and the subsequent media sensation it creates. This film is inspired by a much-discussed real event that took place in Paris a few years ago....

Our next blog will feature info on a special event we are hosting at a/ptr on April 13...stay tuned.

Das weisse Band

I can't get Das weisse Band (said in a German accent) out of my head for some reason. I think maybe it is the whole "v" sound for the "w" that is so fun to imitate. We opened Das weisse Band, for you anglophiles, The White Ribbon, on Friday and have had a solid weekend so far. Our q&a and book signing with Peter Brunette on Friday evening was fantastic. The event drew a sold-out crowd with over 2/3 sticking around afterwards to gab about the film (which according to Peter is a great stat).

And trust me there is so much to discuss with this film. I really have to thank Peter for a great evening and hopefully we can twist his arm to come back for another q&a in the future. Peter has also written a book on Michael Haneke, so if you do come see The White Ribbon and want to learn more about this intriguing director you should pick up a copy. a/perture bought one and we are still gushing over the sweet comment Peter signed in ours, "To the necessary a/perture cinema with gratitude."

In other news, we are getting ready to play venue for RiverRun in just a few short weeks. For those of you who want to see what sorts of films this year's fest is bringing to town, we invite you to come to a/perture on either Thursday, March 25 or Monday, March 29 @5:45pm for a sneak peek. RiverRun has put together a great clip reel that highlights this year's festival films. Trust me, after you see it, you will be very very excited. Check out this recent news clip if you still need convincing. BTW - this is an absolutely FREE admission event.

Yesterday's weather was such a tease...but I really do think Spring is almost here. Stay tuned for more announcements.