941 Theater Blog

Check out the write up on Thrillist!

Raspberry Brothers Bad Movie Night
Fri, Aug 14, 9pm (The Karate Kid) & 11:30pm (Footloose) at 941 Theater: 941 N Front St, between Girard & Poplar; Northern Liberties; 215.235.1385

Further live MST3K-age comes from the Raspberry Brothers (pedigree: The Onion & SNL writers, Upright Citizens Brigade), who’ll plop down in the front row at 941 Theater this Friday to provide snarky commentary and inject ad-libbed overdubs into a double-feature screening of 1984’s The Karate Kid & Footloose. Best of all, the whole thing’s BYOB, so go ahead and sweep the keg, Johnny.

$10 per film or $15 for the double feature — check out a sneak peek of the Brothers’ expert lampoonery at YouTube.com

Raspberry Brothers Official Website
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About the 941 Show:
On Friday, August 14th, the 941 Theater presents a very special tribute to the year 1984, featuring NYC’s #1 movie commentary comedy group, the Raspberry Brothers. Like a live take on Mystery Science Theater 3000, this team of top NYC comics sit front row center at the movies, mocking films as they play. The Raspberry Brothers, who perform weekly at Chelsea Cinemas, one of Manhattan’s premiere art-house film theaters, includes a cast of comedy writers and performers who contribute to SNL and the Onion. They have received numerous awards, garnering critic’s picks from the New York Times, Time Out, and the Decider.

1984 was to be an infamous year, due to writer George Orwell, who envisioned a dark time for civilization. He imagined a 1984 populace dominated by an omnipotent and ubiquitous government, one that closely monitored and interfered with people’s lives.

In America, President Ronald Reagan was encouraging such fears with the nuclear arms race, strict anti-obscenity laws, and domestic policies that seemed to invade personal freedoms. So what was the response of our American motion picture artists? Footloose and Karate Kid!

These two films, released in 1984, were a reaction to the oppression that Americans were experiencing. They feature protagonists who fight the powers that be…with their feet. Let the foot set you free! Kick off your Sunday shoes and beat back those bullies with a roundhouse kick…or get those feet dancing and enlighten the narrow-minded members of the town council by throwing a prom!

On August 14th the Raspberry Brothers will be lampooning Karate Kid and Footloose in a double feature sure to enlighten viewers into the social psychology of the year 1984. Karate Kid begins at 9:00 and Footloose at 11:30.

KARATE KID: You’ll recognize the setup: the new kid in town is having trouble fitting in. Does he turn the town upside-down with dancing? No. Does he befriend an outer space alien? No. But he does learn the ancient art of Karate by performing a series of household chores for an aging Asian janitor. This movie birthed the Karate craze that swept the nation in the mid 1980s. It also put Ralph Macchio on the map…and left him there. Put on your robe, tie on that black belt, and come join the Raspberry boys as they journey back to a simpler decade when teenage angst could be mellowed by learning to “Wax On, Wax Off.”

FOOTLOOSE: Jack, get back, ’cause it’s Footloose, the sweet 80’s story about a big-city, thin-tie wearing rebel trapped in a rural Midwestern town, who dances his way into the hearts of the local hicks, and into the pants of the local chicks. See Kevin Bacon compete in a deadly slow game of “chicken” using tractors…see Sarah Jessica Parker talk about diaphrams…see Sean Penn’s little brother breakdance…and see a whole lot of Coca-Cola product placement. So let’s hear it for the boys, Jerm Pollet, Johnny McNulty, and Scott Rogowsky, as they promise to fry a lot of Bacon with this one!

Footloose and the Karate Kid

For one night only, see and hear Björk’s “Voltaic: The Volta Tour Live in Paris” in glorious high definition video and audio in one of North America’s greatest new venues. The 941 Theater’s beautiful new theater, with its state of the art equipment, provides the optimal situation for viewing and hearing this concert film from one of the most innovative artists of our time.

“Voltaic: The Volta tour Live in Paris and Reykjavik” is a remarkable, multi-media document of Björk’s visually dazzling Volta tour. Full of on-your-feet moments, the film features highlights recorded in Paris and Reykjavik, with performances of songs from Volta as well as earlier tracks including Hunter, Joga, Army of Me, and Hyperballad.

Björk’s band on the Volta tour included Mark Bell (LFO) on computers and keyboards and Damian Taylor on keyboards and programming. Drums and percussion were played by Chris Corsano (Sonic Youth, etc.); Jónas Sen played piano, harpsichord, and church organ; and Björk’s all female Icelandic 10-piece brass section rounded out the group. A dynamic, grand live experience, the Volta tour has been acclaimed around the world.

Directed by Russell Thomas. Produced by Andy Derbyshire. Musical and creative direction by Björk. Running time: 71:14

“Björk delivers a performance as visually spectacular as it is musically innovative. Fifteen years into her solo career, Björk remains the least compromising and most fantastical pop superstar talent.”

- The Guardian

“No other songwriter can sound so naïve and so instinctual while building such elaborate structures. And few musicians have managed to sustain her unlikely combination of avant-gardism and pop visibility.”

- Jon Pareles, The New York Times

More info can be found at:
More info at www.cinemapurgatorio.com/ and www.bjork.com

Sunday, May 17th – Philadelphia Friends of Projected Arts presents
Local Film Premieres at the 941 Theater!

- 8:00pm-The MIND- Directed by Isaac Williams-$6

-10:00pm reception/chat with filmmakers
The entire triple-bill is $10. Tix available in advance or at the door.

An esoteric sorcerer, destroyed by vigilantes over a century ago manifests himself from beyond in order to return to life. He calls six contemporary people into the service of his ritualistic need for human blood. Without being fully aware of their actions or motivations, these folks begin collecting the necessary pieces to bring about the return of this dark figure into physical form. Each victim from a different background and lifestyle, the victims act independently of each other, committing murder and deception and ultimately destroying their own lives. Harry MacNeil, happily married and middle-aged, becomes a pseudo-Ted Bundy type, collecting victims for the torso. Terry Havens, a 30-something trailer park vixen seduces to destroy for the skull. Ritchie Daniels, sociopathic loner, becomes a deranged serial as the Mind’s right-hand man. Edward Farley, worthless hipster, seems only capable of failing to resurrect the left arm. Rita Goldtone, upper-middle-aged psychiatrist, tracks down her elderly patients for the support of a leg. Regina Powell, housewife in search of her own life, mixes with sadists and perverts to collect precious blood so that the Mind might have two legs to stand on.
www.myspace.com/themindmovie

*All Filmmakers will be attendance, and they are all Philly premieres! And there’s Free Beer! Support local independent film!

Presented by the Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts (PFPA) and the 941 Theater, this local film series aims to raise awareness for new local films and encourage other filmmakers to make their own. Though venues like the 941 Theater are few and far between these days, places like this still exist for indie filmmakers to present their work, and the PFPA wants to prove it!

Sunday, May 17th – Philadelphia Friends of Projected Arts presents
Local Film Premieres at the 941 Theater!

- 7:30pm-Scrapper-Directed by Jonathan Olshefski-$3

- 10:00pm reception/chat with filmmakers
The entire triple-bill is $10. Tix available in advance or at the door.

‘The Scrapper’ follows the nightly routine of one of Philadelphia’s scrappers. Scrapping is a way of life in many urban areas where a tremendous wealth disparity exists in close proximity. After the sun sets the Scrapper traverses the urban landscape in search of treasure. The film sheds light on a hidden yet pervasive sub culture through a man who desires to be understood and respected for doing the activity that he loves. As the secrets of his shadowy activities become revealed so do the details of his surprising past.

http://thescrapper.org/treasure/

*All Filmmakers will be attendance, and they are all Philly premieres! And there’s Free Beer! Support local independent film!

Presented by the Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts (PFPA) and the 941 Theater, this local film series aims to raise awareness for new local films and encourage other filmmakers to make their own. Though venues like the 941 Theater are few and far between these days, places like this still exist for indie filmmakers to present their work, and the PFPA wants to prove it!

Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts: Initiatives and Goals

The Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts (PFPA) main goal is to advocate film and the display of film. The PFPA, with the assistance of the local film community in Philadelphia, are working to generate more venues and support for the display of film and other projected arts.

To this effect, the PFPA partners have founded the 941 Theater, the only movie theater in the Northern Liberties area and certainly the first independent movie theater to open in Philly in the last 10 years. The 941 Theater will screen first-run independent film that would not otherwise make it to Philadelphia. The grand opening of the 941 Theater coincided with the 2009 Backseat Film Festival in March 2009.

The PFPA is the presenting sponsor of the Backseat Film Festival (BFF), and aims to form partnerships with all types of film fests. By aligning with film fests, the PFPA will show participating filmmakers that there is theatrical support for their work outside of the festival circuit. The PFPA will educate filmmakers on how they can seek theatrical screenings of their movies and create their own.

The benefits of expanding the independent film community in Philadelphia have a multi-tiered effect. The expansion and increased access for display of film will encourage more individuals to make films. The PFPA hopes to get many filmmakers involved and creating as possible.

Essentially, the organization wants to share their wealth of knowledge and help to increase the quality and availability of independent films. The PFPA aims to encourage a wide variety of films and not limit their encouragement and support to one particular genre.

The sharing of the knowledge and community involvement is the name of the game. Collaborative efforts of filmmakers, local business and members of the community will be to everyone’s benefit to increase the productivity and size of not only Philadelphia’s film industry, but hopefully around the world.

Community events are being planned to help generate more awareness and investment for the noble goals of the PFPA and cooperation is key. Continued improvement requires the work of many individuals with a common purpose and pooling of resources.

What YOU can do to support Projected Arts and indie film in general:

* See more independent movies in theaters * Make a donation to the 941 Theater and the PFPA * Make a point to Attend Film Festivals that showcase Independent Movies * Volunteer your time to the PFPA or similar organizations and theaters * Set up indie screenings in venues and outside in public spaces * Request more independent films at your local Theaters

See what you can do to support projected arts today! Find out more at:
www.projectedarts.org

For more info or to get involved contact:
Doug Sakmann – Public Relations
P. 215 235 5603 F. 215 235 9745 Email. doug@projectedarts.org

Saturday, June 6th – Black Devil Doll – Directed by Jonathan Lewis
Philadelphia Premiere – 2 Screenings (7, 9:30pm) ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Director Jonathan Lewis and the Black Devil Doll in attendance!
NC-17 – Tickets $7 – No one under 17 will be admitted!

It’s Chucky from ‘Child’s Play’ meets Dolemite in this over-the-top sleazy horror film directed by genre star Jonathan Lewis!

A young, moist, buxom teen vixen finds herself hurled into an odyssey of forbidden sex and unspeakable violence after an innocent evening dabbling in the occult. What started as a simple child’s game has now become a fight for her life! What is this evil that she has summoned from beyond? And why does it have a ‘fro? What kind of horrific acts will she be subjected to? And what price will her super-hot, half-nude friends have to pay? But more importantly, how much Caucasian blood will have to be shed to stop… the BLACK DEVIL DOLL?!!”

From the sick and twisted mind of Shawn Lewis, former editor and publisher of Blackest Heart Magazine and the creative force behind Rotten Cotton Graphics, comes the sleaziest Blaxploitation Horror film ever envisioned.

Five naive young women fall victim to an evil jive-ass talking ventriloquist doll possessed by the spirit of an executed black militant death row inmate. Who will survive? What will be left of them? Will their virginity be intact?

“BLACK DEVIL DOLL could possibly be the greatest independent exploitation film of all time…For once I’m actually excited about an independent film!”
- DeadPit.Com

“…the crowd’s shouting and laughter was at times deafening, a cult film is born…”
- DreadCentral.Com

Official trailer, stills and more at www.blackdevildoll.com

Film Review:
Dr. Muerte says:
Not much I can say about this one. The makers of this movie obviously set out to make the most offensive and juvenile movie they could. Is it the most offensive and juvenile movie ever made? Not really, I suppose it depends on what you’ve seen though.

In short this movie is tailor made for watching while drinking with your friends and yelling at the screen. If that is something you’re in to, then I suggest you haul ass in the direction of the 941 Theater and check this flick out.

Sat, May 30th – The Best of Animation Block Party!
Philadelphia Premiere of NYC’s Finest Animation Festival!
3 Screenings (7pm, 9:30pm, 12am) – Unrated – Tickets $7

Animation Block Party, NYC’s premiere animation festival will be showcasing some of the very best films in the history of the six year festival on May 30th only at the 941 Theater in Philadelphia. This show will incorporate classic works from the archives with new cartoons that premiered at the ABP festival last summer.

Select filmmakers will be in appearance at all screenings.

The program will include 2005 shorts “Breakfast” from Bob Fox and “Binge and Purge” from Ben Meinhardt, both of which were developed into broadcast series in association with the festival. “Breakfast” the series premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2009 and “Binge and Purge” became “Perfectland” which premiered on MTV in April of 2008. Other keynote films at this exclusive 941 screening will include 2008 “best student film” winner “In the Beginning” from Choom, 2008 “best experimental film” winner “Trepan Hole” from Andy Cahill, Michael Langan’s PSA “Intelligent Life” and “Cooking 420 with Chef Barry” by Chelsea Manifold and starring Martin Abrahams as the legendary master chef.

For more information about Animation Block Party, please go to the official website at www.animationblock.com.

Philadelphia Friends of Projected Arts presents
Local Film Premieres at the 941 Theater!
Sunday, May 17th

6:00pm – 20th Century Boy-Directed by Joe Kramer-$6

- 10:00pm reception/chat with filmmakers
The entire triple-bill is $10. Tix available in advance or at the door.

A young man in modern America, Victor, over-read and over-imaginative, believes himself to be a World War I veteran, injured in France, returning to the country in the Roaring Twenties. He’s discovered wandering the train tracks by a young and impulsive 20-something girl named Jane, who soon befriends him and adopts him into her life. These two friends grow inseparable, and Victor soon becomes the envy of Jane’s jealous and over-protective friend, Dean, and the object of her neurotic and pushy boss Faye’s affection, much to her meek husband Walter’s embarrassment. The film explores the effects this strange character has on those around him, as well as his struggle to reconcile reality with his illusions and the everyday monotony of modern life with his romantic visions of the past.
www.myspace.com/20thcenturyboyfilm

*All Filmmakers will be attendance, and they are all Philly premieres! And there’s Free Beer! Support local independent film!

Presented by the Philadelphia Friends of the Projected Arts (PFPA) and the 941 Theater, this local film series aims to raise awareness for new local films and encourage other filmmakers to make their own. Though venues like the 941 Theater are few and far between these days, places like this still exist for indie filmmakers to present their work, and the PFPA wants to prove it!

Baby On Board
Directed by Brian Herzlinger (My Date With Drew)

Starring: Heather Graham (Austin Powers, Swingers, Bowfinger)
Jerry O’Connell (Jerry Maguire, Joe’s Apartment, Stand by Me)
John Corbett (Sex and the City, My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
Lara Flynn Boyle (Men In Black, Wayne’s World, The Practice)
Katie Finneran (Broadway Tony Award Winner for “Noises Off”)

Rated R – Tickets – $7
Thursday, May 14th – Friday May 22nd – One Week Engagement
5/14 (7pm) – Press Screening
5/16 (7, 9:30pm), 5/18 (7pm), 5/19 (7pm), 5/21 (7pm), 5/22 (7, 9:30pm)

Life for a successful power couple gets thrown for a loop when the wife finds out she’s pregnant.

In the tradition of Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin arrives hilarious romantic comedy BABY ON BOARD; the story of Angela (Heather Graham) an ambitious, image-conscious businesswoman working for over-demanding boss Mary (Lara Flynn Boyle). When Angela becomes unexpectedly pregnant at the peak of her career, her life with her divorce attorney husband, Curtis (Jerry O’Connell), is turned upside-down. BABY ON BOARD begins with an inconvenient pregnancy that leads to a nine-month rollercoaster ride as Angela and Curtis try to cope even as the interference of best friends Danny (John Corbett) and Danny’s wife Sylvia (Katie Finneran) escalate the situation into a battle of the sexes.

The picture is directed by Brian Herzlinger, whose 2004 feature documentary MY DATE WITH DREW garnered critical praise for its “astute and often hilarious” presentation of Herzlinger’s attempt to get a date with childhood-crush Drew Barrymore.

Trailer and more info at http://www.angrymonkeyentertainment.com/

Film Review:
Dr. Muerte says:
The makers of this film obviously felt there wasn’t enough toilet humor in KNOCKED UP and thus decided to correct this oversight by giving the world BABY ON BOARD. The result of this experiment was a success as this film boasts fart jokes that go on for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, vomit spraying people in the face and many other delightful displays of gross-out humor.

In addition to the gross-out jokes this movie is also chock full of cartoonish stereotypes. That’s right in the movie you get “Wacky Gay Assistant”, “Bitchy Wife Who Really Just Wants To Feel Special Again”, “Japanese Businessman With Samurai Sword” and many more.

All in all this is not the Doctor’s cup of tea, but if you enjoy such programs as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Two and a Half Men” and “Fart Patrol”* then you’re sure to find something to like in BABY ON BOARD.

*O.K. “Fart Patrol” isn’t real, but a doctor can dream can’t he?

Thursday, May 14th – Friday May 22nd – One Week Engagement
Baby On Board – Directed by Brian Herzlinger (My Date With Drew)
5/14 (7pm) – Press Screening – Open to public
5/16 (7, 9:30pm), 5/18 (7pm), 5/19 (7pm), 5/21 (7pm), 5/22 (7, 9:30pm)
Rated R – Tickets – $7 – BUY TICKETS NOW!

“BABY ON BOARD,” the new comedy from Director Brian Herzlinger (My Date With Drew) and starring Heather Graham, Jerry O’Connell, John Corbett, and Lara Flynn Boyle. Herzlinger and O’Connell are both Philly native!

“It’s a comedy winner. Absolutely hilarious. ‘Baby On Board’ is a smart, funny and raunchy surprise.”
- Pete Hammond, Hollywood.Com
Life for a successful power couple gets thrown for a loop when the wife finds out she’s pregnant.

In the tradition of Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin arrives hilarious romantic comedy BABY ON BOARD; the story of Angela (Heather Graham) an ambitious, image-conscious businesswoman working for over-demanding boss Mary (Lara Flynn Boyle). When Angela becomes unexpectedly pregnant at the peak of her career, her life with her divorce attorney husband, Curtis (Jerry O’Connell), is turned upside-down. BABY ON BOARD begins with an inconvenient pregnancy that leads to a nine-month rollercoaster ride as Angela and Curtis try to cope even as the interference of best friends Danny (John Corbett) and Danny’s wife Sylvia (Katie Finneran) escalate the situation into a battle of the sexes.

Starring: Heather Graham (Austin Powers, Swingers, Bowfinger)
Jerry O’Connell (Jerry Maguire, Joe’s Apartment, Stand by Me)
John Corbett (Sex and the City, My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
Lara Flynn Boyle (Men In Black, Wayne’s World, The Practice)
Katie Finneran (Broadway Tony Award Winner for “Noises Off”)

The picture is directed by Brian Herzlinger, whose 2004 feature documentary MY DATE WITH DREW garnered critical praise for its “astute and often hilarious” presentation of Herzlinger’s attempt to get a date with childhood-crush Drew Barrymore.

Trailer and more info at www.angrymonkeyentertainment.com/

Friday, May 15th – Gadget/TFD/Man Will Destroy Himself/Javelina/Dirt Worshipper

Pure Death Productions Presents:
Sweden’s grindcore GADGET who’re playing their 2nd show in the US, right before the AUDITORY FESTIVAL! Other support bands are MAN WILL DESTROY HIMSELF (also playing the Auditory Festival), and local bands TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION, JAVELINA, and DIRT WORSHIPPER!! FREE BEER show sponsored by Yards brewing company!!

What more can you ask for on a Friday night…Come on out and support!

21+ to enter – $13

Sunday, May 17th – Philadelphia Friends of Projected Arts presents
Local Film Premieres featuring “20th Century Boy”, “The Scrapper” and “The Mind”

All Filmmakers in attendance! Free Beer! Support local independent film!
BUY TICKETS NOW!

The program runs as follows:
- 6:00pm 20th Century Boy -$6
- 7:30pm Scrapper -$3
- 8:00pm The MIND -$6
- 10:00pm reception/chat with filmmakers
The entire triple-bill is $10 – Tix available in advance or at the door.
Also, did we mention Free Beer?!?

About the movies:
20th Century Boy – Directed by Joe Kramer
A young man in modern America, Victor, over-read and over-imaginative, believes himself to be a World War I veteran, injured in France, returning to the country in the Roaring Twenties. He’s discovered wandering the train tracks by a young and impulsive 20-something girl named Jane, who soon befriends him and adopts him into her life.
www.myspace.com/20thcenturyboyfilm

The Scrapper – Directed by Jonathan Olshefski
‘The Scrapper’ follows the nightly routine of one of Philadelphia’s scrappers. Scrapping is a way of life in many urban areas where a tremendous wealth disparity exists in close proximity. After the sun sets the Scrapper traverses the urban landscape in search of treasure.
http://thescrapper.org/treasure/

The Mind – Directed by Isaac Williams
A force beyond physical form seeks to regain corporeality after being dismembered. Six people are taken over by a supernatural drive to collect fresh blood for purposes unknown to them. Lives are lost and ruined as this madness consumes and destroys.
www.myspace.com/themindmovie

www.projectedarts.org