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Michael Moore trivia

Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore is aiming his populist cameras and humorous/controversial/in-your-face style at the American health care system in his new movie, "Sicko." He has previously aimed his documentary/commentaries at guns and violence in America ("Bowling for Columbine") and the Bush administration ("Fahrenheit 9/11").

Moore's first big film was about how General Motors affected Moore's hometown of Flint, Michigan. The filmmaker found his quarry, the head of GM, was pretty elusive. What was the name of this 1989 film?

If you know the answer, send it in the subject line of an email to trivia@eagletheater.net. If you are the 16th correct entry, you win a free pass. One entry per email address! If you want us to open the inside of the email, put a "*" by your answer to clue us in.

Good luck.

...And now let us have a moment of silence for our projectors

This has been a week to remember--or forget. Projector and equipment issues have descended like Egyptian locusts. Theater One was the first to go, followed by Theater Five, turning the Eagle into a three-plex for part of last weekend.

In the middle of all that, a dimmer switch gave way, darkening much of the hallway for a few days.

After troubleshooting and having parts shipped, we got Theater Five back up and then finally Theater One returned to service late Wednesday. As I write this, Tom stuck his head in the door and said we had a bulb going out in another projector. The Chinese not only ship us lousy toothpaste, but defective bulbs as well. We will ship the remaining supply back on a slow boat and rely on German technology. Ja?

Arggh.

But doh! The Simpsons Movie is coming Friday. We'll see how the adult (sort of) cartoon makes the transition to the big screen. We aren't expecting Spiderman crowds, but we hope to see a bunch of you out this weekend.

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We have a double treat of two critically acclaimed movies that are going to play here for a limited run. The Michael Moore film, Sicko, will be making its appearance in Crawford County. It has gotten outstanding reviews, even from those who don't like Moore. It is less strident and more humorous, and Moore turns his guns on our health care financing system in the United States.

If you want a warm chick flick, then we recommend Waitress. These two movies will be sharing an auditorium, so check showtimes.

Both films are Eagle Choice selections. These critically-acclaimed, hand picked films are aimed at wide audiences, but their subject matter usually limits them a bit at the box office. This is a chance to see some great films that would not otherwise be shown in Crawford County.

If you want to join our Eagle Choice Film Club for the next time, send us an email with your mailing address and name of each club member to eaglechoice@eagletheater.net. We will send you a FREE member card that will allow you to get into these films at matinee prices for the next 12 months AND earn some free food and movie stuff.

John Travolta trivia

Congratulations to Mary Guyer for being the 17th correct entry in last week's trivia contest. She knew that "Runaway Jury" was the right answer.

Want to win a free pass this week? Be the 11th correct entrant. Send it to trivia@eagletheater.net and put your answer in the subject line. One entry per email address.

Go for it:

John Travolta stars this week in the film version of "Hairspray." You first knew this versatile actor as Vinnie Barbarino, one of the Sweathogs in Gabe Kaplan's 70's sitcom vehicle, "Welcome Back, Kotter." He caught the "Saturday Night Fever" a few years later and has been with us on the big screen ever since. Our question this week concerns a 1998 film where Travolta played Gov. Jack Stanton, a thinly disguished version of the Bubba who dominated the political scene from 1992 through 2000. Emma Thompson had quite a hillary to climb in her role as Gov. Stanton's wife.

What was this movie?

Comedy tonight! (Or starting Friday, anyway...)

Comedy alert! Comedy Alert!

You have your choice of new comedies this week. One is critically acclaimed and very funny, and the other one is critically hated and very funny. Choose sides!

Hairspray is getting a lot of good press. It's based on a hit Broadway musical, has a first rate director, and the talented John Travolta is in a leading role.

The other film is I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, an Adam Sandler comedy that uses every gay stereotype to make us laugh and then lectures us on tolerance (hey, I'm just repeating one critic's fine whine...). In the Adam Sandler world, that could be pretty funny, and the critics who liked it, liked it a lot.

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Eagle Theater Corp is adding another theater. Next week, we break ground in Clinton, Illinois for a new five-plex. It has been a year in development, and it won't be long before we are turning sod. Look for upcoming changes to our website, including a new blog where you can follow the construction progress of the newest little Eaglet, which will cost $1.9 million to hatch next spring.

Cusack trivia

Evanston native John Cusack has made a career playing unconventional heroes, which he continues in 1408, which also stars Samuel L. Jackson. Ready to test your knowledge of Mr. Cusack?

To win, be the 17th correct entry by sending us an email at trivia@eagletheater.net with your answer IN THE SUBJECT LINE. Lisa Blake won last week, knowing that Lord Voldemort was the Harry Potter villain. This week your question is a bit harder.

One entry per email address, and put a "*" by your answer if you want us to open the email for further communication hidden inside!

In 2003, John Cusack and Rachel Weisz starred in an adaptation of a John Grisham novel. Cusack was on the inside and Weisz was on the outside, as they attempted to manipulate a trial. The movie did a disappointing run at the box office, taking in about $49 million despite the added star power of Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman. What was the movie?

Potter partying

We had a big party here Tuesday night. More than 200 people showed up to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This was based on the longest novel of the Potter series, and the screenwriter did a great job of adaptation. British actress Imelda Staunton did a great job as the creepy, repressed, Dolores Umbridge, the new Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.

Tiffany of Wal-Mart (no last name on her name tag) gave the movie a big thumbs up when the male child and I were in to buy a spare mouse for the laptop.

We hope the film is settling in for a long stay this summer.

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John Cusack stars in 1408, a suspenseful thriller that has gotten outstanding reviews. If you want to be scared BUT you can do without the gore of modern horror movies, than this one is for you. It opens Friday at the Eagle. The reviews have been outstanding.

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

Mary Guyer won last week's trivia contest by being the 17th correct entry to know that The Sixth Sense was the Bruce Willis movie we were looking for.

If you are not too much of a Muggle, you can win this week's trivia question. All you need is just an elementary smattering of wizard knowledge from the world of Harry Potter. Be the 23rd correct entry by sending the answer in the subject line addressed to trivia@eagletheater.net.

One entry per email address. If you want us to read the body of the email, put a "*" by your answer to alert us to your nugget of wisdom inside.

Ready?

Actor Ralph Fiennes reprises his role as the evil villain in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While the wizards in Harry Potter's world are superstitious about saying the villain's name, we are not so skittish. What is the name of this evil wizard? Bonus: Give his title and win a free popcorn as well.

Midnight Harry Potter show coming Tuesday night

A review about Transformers close to my heart:

There is so much action packed into every second of "Transformers" that by the time it's over, you may be tempted to go outside and give the box office another 10 bucks.

--Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

We've never been tipped for a good movie, but there is always a first time. Best news for you is that you don't have to shell out 10 bucks like they do in New Yawk. Top freight is $6.75, and you can even cut that down by going to a matinee or by GOING TO ICKES CHEVROLET-CADILLAC and getting your $2 off coupon. Now there's a deal!

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With Independence Day falling midweek, studios altered their normal Friday release schedule to take advantage of the holiday crowds (more than 600 people were at the Eagle on Wednesday, which sure beats a normal Wednesday of 60 or 70...).

In addition to Transformers, the other mid-week opening was the Robin Williams movie, License to Wed. It's a pretty broad (i.e. silly) comedy, and watching Williams should be worth the price of admission.

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opens on Wednesday, but we are planning a 12:05 a.m. Wednesday showing (that's Tuesday night, folks!). I would suggest getting tickets for that one ahead of time. We don't usually sell out at midnight, but I have a feeling this one might be different.

This is the fifth Potter, and the series is growing older and darker, just like the books. The film is getting near univeral praise, and I expect that when the box office is tallied for the year, this will be in the top three.

Potter will replace Evan Almighty on the big screen, so you have until Tuesday to catch the Steve Carell film. Box office for that film is up to around $60 million, and it is going to have to rely on DVD and foreign showings to make back its enormous budget for special effects. It's a good family film.

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One of the best family films of the season is Ratatouille. It's a Disney-Pixar film, so the animation is great, and the story is winning and funny. Our family saw it, and it is difficult to please people from 13 to 49, but Ratatouille managed to do it.

My 13-year-old too me to see Live Free or Die Hard, and my 80's sensibility connected to his love of action. Bruce Willis does an outstanding job in this film, and there is enough action going to keep you awake at even the late show. (I saw the film at the end of a 40 mile bike ride day, so it was tough.)

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Our free kids series on Wednesday is turning out to be a BYOB day. Yes, people are starting to bring their own Boosters (child seats), as we can't keep enough on hand to serve the 250-plus population of young 'uns who show up for the event.

Eragon is coming up next Wednesday. We asked day cares to come on Tuesday when we show the movie for the SUMMER SUCCESS program. That has created some extra room in the auditoriums on Wednesday. We had room for another 70 this week, so if you have been put off by sell-out crowds, be aware that we probably have more room for you.

By the way, we have no problems with bringing your own booster seats. Just leave the outside pop and candy at home!