Paducah's Maiden Alley Cinema is hosting a pair of critically-revered movies over the next two weeks - the Meryl Streep-starring Florence Foster Jenkins and Don't Think Twice, written and directed by comic Mike Birbiglia and produced by This American Life's Ira Glass. John Null caught up with MAC's programming director, John Holt, to discuss the coming attractions.
Streep, presently a 29-time Golden Globe nominee and 19-time Academy Award nominee, stars as the title character in Florence Foster Jenkins. Set in 1940s New York City, it's about the real life socialite and heiress who aspired to become an opera singer, despite limited talent. The film co-stars Hugh Grant as Jenkins' husband and manager and Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) as her accompanying pianist. Florence Foster Jenkins is directed by Stephen Frears, who's also brought us The Grifters, High Fidelity, The Queen and Philomena. It starts Friday, September 23 and plays through Thursday, September 29.
After making his directorial debut a few years ago with Sleepwalk with Me, Birbiglia returns with his sophomore effort, Don't Think Twice. It's about an improv comedy troupe that faces some harsh realities when only a couple of its members achieve success. The troupe includes Birbiglia himself, Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Gillian Jacobs (Community), Kate Micucci (Garfunkel and Oates), Chris Gethard and Tami Sagher. Don't Think Twice starts Friday, September 30 and plays through Tuesday, October 4.
Maiden Alley is also holding a special screening of two animated short films from the creators of Ernest & Celestine on Saturday, September 24 as part of Art House Theater Day. Then as part of the Movies for Me series, Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal will be screened on Saturday, October 1. For showtimes and information about other special events, click here.
