Sidewalk Film Center hosting Alabama Spotlight Weekend
The Alabama Spotlight will feature films that were shot in Alabama and films that were made by local filmmakers.
Here's a list of movies that will be included:
'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977)
'Big Fish' (2003)
'Hale County This Morning, This Evening' (2018)
'Don't Die' (2023)
Each showing of this film will be followed by a Q&A.
Showtimes and tickets for each show can be found here.
Alabama actor who shared screen with Val Kilmer in 'Tombstone' calls late actor one of the best of his generation
On April 5 and 6, Sidewalk will also host the Alabama Shorts Showcase. This limited-time event will feature the works of both local and student filmmakers. A list of the featured short films, including their directors, can be found here. The Alabama Shorts Showcase is free to attend, but reservations are encouraged.
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Gizmodo
a day ago
- Gizmodo
Celebrating 40 Years of the Weirdest, Nerdiest Week in Movie History
'Don't cannibalize the audience' is an unwritten mantra in Hollywood. If a movie that is coming out has a similar subject matter or serves a similar viewership as one you are releasing, you try and put some distance between them so as not to ruin your chances of success. If two movies come out that are too similar, it's likely to split the audience and hurt both of them. That seems like a no-brainer point of view. And yet, 40 years ago this week, three movies were released in a seven-day span that are so similar, it's almost unfathomable. But it happened. Those movies are Weird Science, starring Anthony Michael Hall; Real Genius, starring Val Kilmer; and My Science Project, starring Fisher Stevens. They were released on August 2, August 7, and August 9, 1985, respectively. Which I was completely unaware of until I was looking for films to cover for milestone anniversaries and the dates jumped out at me. How the heck did not two, but three movies about nerdy people using science to do off-the-wall things all get released in the same week? That question, unfortunately, I don't have the answer to. What I do have is history to look back on and try and dig into it. When you think of nerdy 1980s movies, the first one most of us think of is Revenge of the Nerds. Released in July 1984, the film grossed over $40 million worldwide and was largely considered a hit. We can only assume what happened next, but the fact these three movies all came out just about a year after Nerds sure seems like Hollywood was thinking, 'We need more movies with nerds as heroes.' A year later, these came out. The first one out of the gate was Weird Science on August 2. Weird Science is the story of two outcasts (Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith) who hack a computer to make a virtual woman (Kelly LeBrock) with whom they can do whatever they want. This one is notable for a few reasons. It was written and directed by the legendary John Hughes, starred one of Hughes' Brat Pack members in Anthony Michael Hall, introduced the world to the model LeBrock (in one of the most widely objectifying roles of all time), and features supporting roles by the likes of Bill Paxton and Robert Downey Jr. Of the three films, it was by far the biggest hit, grossing almost $40 million worldwide despite mixed reviews (Rotten Tomatoes has it at 60%, which is literally the line between rotten and fresh). But with the biggest stars of the bunch, and Hughes at the helm, that makes sense. A few days later, on August 7, Real Genius was released. It follows a young prodigy (Gabriel Jarret) who creates an incredible laser and is recruited by a college professor (William Atherton) to explore it further. But, we learn, the professor is actually working for the Department of Defense making weapons, so the student and his friends rebel. Most people remember two things about Real Genius. One, it stars a young Val Kilmer in an unforgettable comedic role as an eccentric college student, Chris. Two, that it ends with a house filled with popcorn while the song 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' by Tears for Fears plays. However, despite generally positive reviews (77% on Rotten Tomatoes), it was mostly a financial disappointment, grossing less than $13 million. It did, however, find life on video and TV, where it became something of a cult classic. That's in large part due to the work of director Martha Coolidge, who previously made Valley Girl. Two days after that, and one week after the release of Weird Science, came My Science Project. This is one most people don't remember, and maybe for good reason. It's the least directly geeky of the three, as it follows a gearhead (John Stockwell) who steals something to pass off as his science project, which turns out to be an alien device that can let him travel through space and time. It's very dumb, was hammered critically (11% on Rotten Tomatoes) and grossed just over $4 million. I had an odd fascination with the film growing up, which I wrote about here if you care to read. But, in this story, it was the third film of three, by far the worst, and took the beating it probably deserved. Oh, it's also very crucial to remember that a little film called Back to the Future had opened in theaters about a month before any of these. It's less about 'nerds' per se but certainly centers on science, is infinitely better, and surely cannibalized some of this audience too. So why am I writing about this? Well, because, as someone who was five years old when these films came out, by the time I was able to watch and digest movies a few years later, these were all TV mainstays. I watched Weird Science, Real Genius, and My Science Project all the time on VHS and TV. And while they all felt like they scratched a similar itch, I never in a million years would've guessed they were all released in the same week as each other. It just felt like too wild of a coincidence to not explore a bit. The most important thing to note here, though, is that releasing movies in 1985 was incredibly different than it is today or even was a decade or two later. In 1985 there were fewer choices, fewer screens, and more time for movies to get discovered. So, there probably weren't many theaters, if any, that had all three of these movies playing at the same time. In fact, most people probably wouldn't have known about all three of them, as clearly more marketing dollars went into some over the others. More than anything, these films are a realization of a copycat nature in Hollywood that still happens today, just at a time when it was less obvious or discussed outside of the movie business. People just wanted to see movies. And people liked it if those movies were smart, funny, and starred people they related to. In 1985, we related to progress, we related to science, and we related to innovation. People who liked those things were starting to become cool again, and these movies, while maybe not directly impacting that, certainly were part of the narrative. Do you have any memories of these films? Let us know below. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The TV Shows And Movies That Spurred Their Sexual Awakening, And I Can't Help But Giggle
We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the TV show, movie, or other piece of media they consider responsible for their sexual awakening. Some of the results really made me giggle. Here's what folks revealed: 1."The Hex Girls. Dusk, the angsty drummer, just did something for me." —monikap6 2."Val Kilmer as Madmartigan in Willow. The hair, the declaration of love to Sorsha, holding Princess Elora Danan…Top shelf Daikini, that one." —luxahoy 3."Leah Remini on The King of Queens. She's still gorgeous, but in those early seasons, she was my first celebrity crush, and I realized what I wanted my wife to look like even when I was just a child. Now, that's still my type." —edgysealion411 4."David Bowie in Labyrinth. I'm sure I really don't have to say much more than that." —padawanryan 5."The Bangles' video for 'Walk Like an Egyptian' was the first time I remember getting the tingle feeling. Susanna Hoffs' eyes and Debbi Peterson dancing with the tambourine. It still gets me!" —theplunger10 6."Alan Rickman in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. And Alan Rickman in anything else. But that was the start." —pastelbutterfly37 7."Possibly a bit weird, but Lola Bunny in Space Jam has to be up there. The eyes, the voice, the athleticism were —Anonymous 8."Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro. Especially when they spar in the stable and he slices off her clothes!" —Anonymous 9."Vanilla Ice, when he first came on the scene." —pepperopigeon 10."I must have been about 10 when I watched The Thorn Birds. I tried to watch it anytime it came on, just so I could watch Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward slow burn until they finally had sex. That was the only thing I cared about through the whole movie!" —ssstege11573 11."Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Both the horse and Little Creek. But I think mostly Spirit and Rain's 'romance' really did it for me." —Anonymous 12."The Rocky Horror Picture Show exposed me to bisexuality AND introduced me to Tim Curry. Perfection!" —Anonymous 13."Walking past Le Senza in the mall (I'm Canadian) had me wanting to kiss girls, so I was then pretty confused when Don Juan DeMarco came out and got me wanting to kiss boys. Turns out, I'm bi!" —Anonymous 14."The Phantom of the Opera film." —Anonymous 15."I saw the movie Hellraiser at a slumber party when I was around 13, and DID NOT expect the wild sexual energy that this movie has. In retrospect, it's a pretty well-known fact that Hellraiser explores a lot of pain/pleasure dynamics, but at the time, I was just really confused about why this random horror movie was making me feel so many THINGS. Also, I had an immediate hard crush on both Pinhead AND Kirsty, so there's the added bonus of realizing I was bi." —mcrivellokhan 16."Jasmine and Aladdin kissing on the magic carpet." —Anonymous 17."I was watching Hackers with Angelina Jolie. She was so tough, cool, and sexy. I didn't even notice the guys in that movie. My fiancé commented on her beauty and then tried to pressure me into a threesome with another woman. I said I'd rather break up with him and just date a girl like Angelina. I still think about her in that film in ways I never think of my ex. That's when I knew I was not only bisexual, but also not into assholes." —Anonymous 18."Jacob Black from New Moon. To this day, I'm still Team Jacob. Those abs, man, SWOON!" —Anonymous 19."Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic." —Anonymous 20."It was an early TV show called T.H.E. Cat. The leading man was a handsome cat burglar and wore lots of black turtlenecks and black leather gloves and was always tying up bad guys. I wanted him to tie me up because it made me feel funny. I found out later that the leading man was Robert Loggia, who was the 'dancing boss' in Big." —Anonymous 21."Seeing Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully in The X-Files being a badass medical doctor and even more badass FBI agent when women in male fields weren't nearly as common. She was sassy, smart, and a bad bitch! She is also still one of the hottest women alive. Scully forever!" —Anonymous 22."Watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3, with Eliza Dushku as Faith. I already knew I was straight and attracted to women, but seeing Faith kick ass in leather pants cemented the type of woman I'm interested in. And I am now married to one." —Anonymous 23."Jim from Treasure Planet. At the start of the movie, when he's flying on the hoverboard, something about the ponytail and ear piercing had me obsessed for years." —Anonymous 24."Elvira: Mistress of the Dark." —Anonymous 25."'Cecilia' by Simon & Garfunkel has a line, 'Making love in the afternoon with Cecelia up in my bedroom.' As a 12-year-old, I was shocked to learn that people had sex during the day. Everything I had been told up until then said it was a nighttime affair." —Anonymous 26."Star Trek: Voyager. Jeri Ryan joined the cast just before my 12th birthday. That was the first time I felt the stirrings of sexual attraction. No nudity, no sex scenes. Just a beautiful woman in a suggestively tight body suit. That was the first twinge." —Anonymous "Sting semi-naked in Dune. Lean but a little muscular guys are still my type!" —Anonymous What do you think is responsible for your sexual awakening? Was it a suggestive movie scene? A swoon-worthy TV character? Tell us in the comments or share anonymously using this form.
Buzz Feed
16-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
Top Millennial Movies Streaming Now On Hulu
With so many movies available to stream on Hulu, decision fatigue can start to creep in. It doesn't have to, though. In fact, if you're a millennial, I'm going to give you a hand. Looking to be transported back to the days of eating Dunkaroos and Capri-Suns? If yes, well then I have just the recs for you. 26 of them, even: Fight Club (1999) Two men form an underground fight club with other men fed up with their everyday many themes can you cram into a bar of soap? Fight Club has become a classic for its commentary on masculinity, rebellion, and consumerism. Just remember the first rule of fight it on Hulu. Easy A (2010) An innocent high school girl looks to capitalize on the rumor and lie about losing her the success of Superbad, the world got a taste of Emma Stone in a leading role, and she never looked back. Easy A is witty, funny, and arguably the last teen comedy with millennial humor that hit it it on Hulu. Garden State (2004) A struggling actor returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral, but finds romantic comedy drama, starring Zach Braff and Natalie Portman, was a hidden gem in 2004. Braff also directed the film and based a lot of the story on real-life it on Hulu. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) A nerdy high schooler faces several challenges at home and at You'll either love or hate this teen comedy starring Jon Heder. It is, if nothing else, extremely quotable. "You gonna eat your tots?"Watch it on Hulu. Donnie Darko (2001) A troubled teen sleepwalks away from a bizarre psychological thriller always gets tremendous praise, and the cast is an impressive who's who of names: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, and Dr. Robby himself, Noah it on Hulu. Big Fish (2003) A dying father shares his life stories that his son believes are nothing more than tall a 10-year-old boy, I didn't appreciate the "whimsy" of Big Fish, but it is an excellent Tim Burton-directed movie. Another loaded cast, including Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter (of course), Marion Cotillard, Steve Buscemi, and Danny DeVito. Don't believe? Dive in and see for it on Hulu. Holes (2003) A boy sent to a juvenile detention camp learns the cruel warden is having the boys dig for buried on the 1998 novel by Louis Sachar, this movie was a must-see for any millennial growing up. Plenty of comedy and drama are buried away in the Texas it on Hulu. Big Momma's House (2000) An undercover FBI agent poses as a Martin Lawrence's best film (jk, it's Bad Boys). The film screams absurd, outdated 2000s comedy from start to finish, and if that's your favorite type of movie, you will not be disappointed with the outrageousness of this it on Hulu. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) Earth stares down a new Ice Age when catastrophic natural disasters level the the "peak" natural disaster film of the 2000s. Another Gyllenhaal flick and plenty of "city destruction" tropes that will leave you breathless and your popcorn bucket it on Hulu. Borat (2006) Kazakh TV personality Borat documents his misadventures in the greatest country in the world: the U S and nice! Sacha Baron Cohen struck gold with this satire, skewering the backward traditions and thought patterns of Americans. Quotable and a mirror of ourselves, Borat was truly King of the it on Hulu. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2010) A gym of average Joes looks to save itself from closure by entering a national dodgeball makes me bleed my own blood. Nobody! This raunchy comedy is my favorite performance by Ben Stiller. Plenty of quotable and stupid moments crammed into a film about the silliest P.E. game ever it on Hulu. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) Two best friends vacation to a cabin in the woods, where they are mistaken for terrifying, backwoods hilarious and will tickle your millennial sense of humor. Tyler Labine is very lovable, and Alan Tudyk is as good as ever. "wE GOtch'YeR FrIEnd!"Watch it on Hulu. The Girl Next Door (2004) A high school teen falls in love with a porn star who moves next door to says 2000s quite like Emile Hirsch. It's a romantic comedy that has as much heart as it does raunch. Growing up, Elisha Cuthbert made me realize I liked women with dimpled it on Hulu. I Love You, Man (2009) An engaged man seeks "the one" in the form of bromance after realizing he has no male friends.A hilarious comedy starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, and Rashida Jones. I feel like Rudd would want me to share the best scene in the movie with it on Hulu. Bride Wars (2009) Two brides-to-be go nuclear on each other when they learn their weddings are set for the same Hathaway and Kate Hudson are hilariously awful to everyone within punching distance, and it makes for a hilarious comedy. It's Anne Hathaway. How could you say no?Watch it on Hulu. i, Robot (2004) A robot-hating cop becomes convinced that a robot killed a robotics scientist.I think people were experiencing Will Smith fatigue at the time, but his performance and Alan Tudyk's are brilliant. The story is a classic, and the adaptation remains a fun, adrenaline-filled experience mixed with some crime-solving it on Hulu. Armageddon (1998) An asteroid that threatens to destroy the planet can only be stopped by a team of drillers.A classic dumb, big space movie. It's has a movie soundtrack where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure-ahhhh! Don't wanna close my eyes! I don't wanna to fall asleep! 'Cause I'd miss you, baby! And I don't wanna miss a thing! Okay. I'm it on Hulu. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) A clashing family travels cross-country to get their young daughter to a beauty comedy drama is unforgettable. Abigail Breslin was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and Alan Arkin won for Best Supporting Actor. There are plenty of big-hearted performances from the likes of Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, and Paul it on Hulu. Dude, Where's My Car? (2000) Two stoner friends can't remember the previous night as they search for their missing car and get caught in an intergalactic dispute.I watched this movie for the first time this year and gave my thoughts. It's the perfect movie for stoners, not for it on Hulu. (500) Days of Summer (2009) Two coworkers, Tom and Summer, experience the ups and downs of a romance between each Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel have great chemistry together in this emotional romance that brings plenty of joy and it on Hulu. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) The greatest 19th-century literary heroes band together to take on an unexpected movie is a 2000s disaster of a superhero movie, and it's always a must-watch for me. The concept is a blast (based on the comic books), and although it didn't blow people away, I say it's still worth watching for any it on Hulu. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) Scientists travel to Antarctica to explore a hidden pyramid, but they become tangled in an ancient battle between two alien fun. This was The Avengers for alien monster lovers. There's plenty of action, but the practicality of the designs really stands out to me and holds up well compared to many CGI-fest monster it on Hulu. A Walk to Remember (2002) A man recalls his senior year and the girl of his dreams, who made him believe in his own year 2002 was all about this on-screen relationship between Shane West and Mandy Moore. The story will stick with you, and although it may not be as timeless as other romance stories in the 2000s, millennials will still remember this it on Hulu. 27 Dresses (2008) A bridesmaid falls in love with the wedding journalist covering the were the superhero movies of the 2000s, and this was one of many that captured the hearts of audiences. I left out an essential element of the plot, and I say go experience the drama for it on Hulu. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) After the destruction of Earth, a man traverses the dangers of the galaxy.I recall that many people who read the book were disappointed with this at the time, but the film itself has become somewhat of a hidden gem in sci-fi circles, much like Galaxy Quest. It has a fun cast, Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, and Martin Freeman, that will leave you it on Hulu. Watchmen (2009) After a retired superhero is killed, members of the former heroic group seek answers that lead to a deadly of the greatest graphic novels of all time, the adaptation actually capitalizes on the story. It delivers a visually striking film that feels like it popped right off the pages. Watch it on Hulu. What's your favorite "millennial" movie that was simply one of those "you just had to be there" flicks? Comment below! Watch all these films and more on Hulu!
