Busy month. Also, if you’re a subscriber, you can hear me talk about my review of The Martian on The World and Everything In It podcast.
The Martian review
World Magazine, Oct. 17
Resilience is the theme of The Martian, a movie about an astronaut stranded on Mars. Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is left behind by his crew, who think him dead, completely alone and in a hostile environment with very limited resources. Watney simply takes stock of his situation and determines, “I’m not going to die here.”
Go Now: Black Eye Capitol Hill
5280.com, Oct. 9
Coffee shop by day, bar by night: Black Eye Coffee, which on Monday opened a new location in Capitol Hill, is the superhero of mixed-use cafes. This little shop manages to do both coffee and cocktails right.
Inside the Sie FilmCenter’s Official Grand Opening
5280.com, Oct. 9
Denver’s home for independent film is officially open for business. The Sie FilmCenter, the permanent location for the nonprofit Denver Film Society, celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday as the finishing touches on its recent redesign were completed. Anna and John J. Sie, who made a donation to allow for the interior and exterior renovations, cut the yellow ribbon at the event. Actress Marisa Tomei attended the ceremony, and Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia dedicated the FilmCenter on behalf of Gov. John Hickenlooper, calling it a “cultural anchor” for the Colfax corridor.
Why The New ‘Feminist’ Rom-Com Is a Lie
Christianity Today Movies, Oct. 28
If you wanted to see a romantic comedy this year, you were in luck—especially if you wanted to see the old formula flipped on its head. A new wave of “feminist” romantic comedies attempted to empower women within the traditional meet-cute to happily-ever-after relationship story arc.
Trendspotting: Lavender
5280.com, Oct. 29
Lavender, an herb from the mint family, is perhaps best known for its floral notes that permeate soaps and perfumes. But look around town and you’ll see that the flowering plant has also been making its way onto menus.
The World as One ‘Room’ (movie review)
Breakpoint, Oct. 30
“Room” is a story about finding light in darkness and redemption in the depths of depravity. Although it’s not for everybody—the hell depicted in this story will be hard for many to watch—it is hard not to root for a movie with such an optimistic and moral narrative arc, especially one done this well.