Grand Illusion Cinema

Sleepy Eyes of Death - Data Grave video

A few months ago, local photographer Patrick Wright asked us if we’d lend the cinema for a scene in a music video he was shooting. Within our capabilities this is something we will do most of the time, especially when the video is for one of our favorite bands, Sleepy Eyes of Death. So we let them in, he shot some magical scenes in the booth and cinema, and they went off gallivanting around town to finish it. The GI and a silhouetted yours truly are in it for about the first 40 seconds and from there it spirals into a nightmare of brainwash and baptism. I can’t get Vimeo video to embed here, so here’s the link to the video.

Yet another two films to blow your mind this weekend.

First up is a fresh-faced debut feature film (alliteration!) from writers/directors Ben Chace and Sam Fleischner boasting an interesting blend of reggae and New York indie music. The film features music and appearances from bands such as MGMT and Yeasayer, both of whom recently played awesome sets at this year’s Capitol Hill Block Party. Also appearing in the film as Sean Bones’ girlfriend is multiple Grammy winner Norah Jones.

Bones + Jones

While watching the trailer I got a bit of a young Cillian Murphy vibe from lead man Sean Bones. The film has a great look to it, filled with vibrant clean colors and lively Jamaican scenery. Come for this film, but stay for the late night.

Late night is the great night when we’re showing a classic 80s gem like “Amazon Women on the Moon.” Really a collection of sketches featuring reoccurring characters, this send up of TV clichés will have you laughing out loud. My personal favorites include David Alan Grier as the hilarious singing “black man without soul,” a funeral wake turned roast with real life roasting greats (look for Rip Taylor and his confetti), and Ed Begley Jr. as “the Son of the Invisible Man.”

‘Twill be a good weekend at the Grand Illusion. Showtimes for “Wah Do Dem” are at 7 and 9 pm Friday – Thursday and “Amazon Women on the Moon” at 11 pm Friday + Saturday.

We’re rocking a “doc block” at the Grand Illusion right now.

Currently showing is Jessica Oreck’s “Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo.” For those of you still pumped after watching the TV miniseries “Life,” this gorgeous documentary throws more insects at you than you can shake a stick at. Though you wouldn’t want to shake a stick at them, because that would anger the beetle queen.

The beetle queen when she's not conquering

The film goes further than merely observing the natural world, but reflects on Japanese philosophy and cultural obsessions, the namesake beetles in particular. The narration may feel a bit unncessary at times, but the colorful imagery and rich soundtrack (natural and musical) make this documentary well above par.

Starting Friday, August 6 is a more traditional style documentary, Leslie Zemeckis’ “Behind the Burly Q.” This film delves into the rich history of America’s burlesque shows, centering mainly on the biggest stars of the first half of the 20th century. This film is not the vibrant stimulation that is “Beetle Queen,” rather it takes a storied collection of tales of the golden age of American burlesque, told by many of the stars themselves, and sheds light on this nearly forgotten cousin of vaudeville. Don’t expect to see any examples of modern burlesque, but maybe the film will inspire you to visit some of the great burlesque acts around Seattle.

If you’re like me and felt mainstream summer movies already peaked with Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece “Inception,” come feed your newly blown mind with these tasty morsels nightly at 7:00 and 9:00 for both weeks.

your faithful new GI blogger—dan (Friday night concessionaire)