The Academy Awards that recognized films released in 1977 proved to be a landmark year for science fiction films. For the first time two science fiction films received several nominations each and the two films: ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ received nominations for Best Director. The two films competed in the same category in several cases. One case was Best Film Editing–‘Star Wars won; another, Best Sound–'Star Wars’ won; Best Visual Effects–‘Star Wars’ won; Best Music (Score)–John Williams won for ‘Star Wars’ over his score for ‘Close Encounters…’ In the competitive categories: ‘Close Encounters…’ won only one–Best Cinematography. In addition, ‘Star Wars’ was presented a Special Achievement Award for an unspecified reason; ‘Close Encounters…’ was granted a Special Achievement Award for Sound Effects Editing. It is especially impressive that these films received so many nominations since previously only three science fiction or horror films had been nominated for Best Picture. I asked AI to comment on which film ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Close Encounter of the Third Kind’ was better. AI did not make a choice but said to consider these points: 1) Cultural Impact; 2)
Storytelling; 3) Visual Effects; 4) Character Development; 5) Franchise Potential; and 4) Themes. Lastly, I find it extremely interesting of the personal attachment that people have with ‘Star Wars’ characters, since these guys are not American or even from anywhere else on Earth, but live in a galaxy far…far…away!
I used to walk past the Stanley Theatre often on my lunch break when the agency that I was assigned to as a field rep was located about a block away. Now, of course, I wished that I had taken photos of the Stanley, which at that time was church.
I attended a lecture at the Newark (New Jersey) Main Library branch, in which Spike Lee promoted his first feature film, “She Gotta Have It.” Also along as a guest was the cinemaphotographer (and future director), Ernest Dickerson.
There seems to be somewhat of a overbooking of locations fairly close to each other. Easton, Northland, and Gahanna were in proximity; Georgesville Sq., Westland, and Westpointe Plaza were close; and Consumer Sq., Eastland Centre, and Pickerington were fairly close.
Way back in the mid-seventies, the real Larry Flynt was the guest speaker one night at a sociology class that I was enrolled in at The Ohio State University.
All of these theaters were fairly close to each other. I could easily walk to each theater from where I live. In fact, the Parsons and Livingston theaters were located in the South High school district boundaries.
I made several visits to AMMI, traveling from New Jersey to Manhattan and then to Queens. Most memorably, one visit included seeing the rarely seen in recent years, “Porgy and Bess” hosted by Donald Bogle.
“Rush Hour” opened on September 18, 1998 at the Dublin Village 18 and closed on November 24, 1998. Source: Columbus Dispatch, Sept. 18, 1998.
Suzzanne Douglas, R.I.P. (1957 - 2021)
:The Night Before Christmas" had a 9 weeks and 1 day run at the Northland 8, opening on October 22, 1993 and ending on December 24, 1993.
“House Party 2” had a 7 weeks and 2 days run at the Continent, opening on October 23, 1991 and ending on December 12, 1991.
“The Color of Money” ran for 9 weeks and 6 days at the Eastland Mall Cinema.
“Return of the Jedi” had a 25 weeks and 2 day run at the Eastland Mall. The film opened on May 25, 1983 and ended on November 17, 1983.
The Academy Awards that recognized films released in 1977 proved to be a landmark year for science fiction films. For the first time two science fiction films received several nominations each and the two films: ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ received nominations for Best Director. The two films competed in the same category in several cases. One case was Best Film Editing–‘Star Wars won; another, Best Sound–'Star Wars’ won; Best Visual Effects–‘Star Wars’ won; Best Music (Score)–John Williams won for ‘Star Wars’ over his score for ‘Close Encounters…’ In the competitive categories: ‘Close Encounters…’ won only one–Best Cinematography. In addition, ‘Star Wars’ was presented a Special Achievement Award for an unspecified reason; ‘Close Encounters…’ was granted a Special Achievement Award for Sound Effects Editing. It is especially impressive that these films received so many nominations since previously only three science fiction or horror films had been nominated for Best Picture. I asked AI to comment on which film ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Close Encounter of the Third Kind’ was better. AI did not make a choice but said to consider these points: 1) Cultural Impact; 2) Storytelling; 3) Visual Effects; 4) Character Development; 5) Franchise Potential; and 4) Themes. Lastly, I find it extremely interesting of the personal attachment that people have with ‘Star Wars’ characters, since these guys are not American or even from anywhere else on Earth, but live in a galaxy far…far…away!
I used to walk past the Stanley Theatre often on my lunch break when the agency that I was assigned to as a field rep was located about a block away. Now, of course, I wished that I had taken photos of the Stanley, which at that time was church.
I just saw the last part of ‘Pale Rider’ over the weekend on GRIT or OUTLAW free television channel.
The film ran for three weeks.
Bong Joon-Ho directed ‘Snowpiercer,’ a science fiction flick. Source: Columbus Dispatch, July 12, 2014
The York Plaza closed in 1991 or 1992.
I attended a lecture at the Newark (New Jersey) Main Library branch, in which Spike Lee promoted his first feature film, “She Gotta Have It.” Also along as a guest was the cinemaphotographer (and future director), Ernest Dickerson.
1965 show
I saw the highlighted films.
Gene Hackman, R.I.P. (1930 - 2025)
Diane Keaton, R.I.P. (1946 - 2025)
There seems to be somewhat of a overbooking of locations fairly close to each other. Easton, Northland, and Gahanna were in proximity; Georgesville Sq., Westland, and Westpointe Plaza were close; and Consumer Sq., Eastland Centre, and Pickerington were fairly close.
I attended a free summer concert featuring Joan Jett in the late nineties or early 2000s in Mountainside, New Jersey.
Way back in the mid-seventies, the real Larry Flynt was the guest speaker one night at a sociology class that I was enrolled in at The Ohio State University.
Glenn Ford–Number One Box Office Star (1958)/Rock Hudson–Number Five Box Office Star (1958)
All of these theaters were fairly close to each other. I could easily walk to each theater from where I live. In fact, the Parsons and Livingston theaters were located in the South High school district boundaries.
I made several visits to AMMI, traveling from New Jersey to Manhattan and then to Queens. Most memorably, one visit included seeing the rarely seen in recent years, “Porgy and Bess” hosted by Donald Bogle.
Still swinging in the eighties, I attended a Lionel Hampton Orchestra concert at New Brunswick, New Jersey. Source: Columbus Dispatch, August 15, 1944
December 14, 1995