Traverse City Film Festival: The Film Fest's got plenty of daytime showings, but what would summer be if you didn't forget the clock once or twice? Stay up extra late for these midnight movies, showing at the State and Old Town Playhouse throughout the week. Some highlights of this year's lineup? How about the irresistably horrifying The Shining and the hilarious, albiet blush-worthy, Unhung Hero.
Unhung Hero
2011|USA|PG-13|104 min.
Wednesday, 12 Midnight, State Theatre and Saturday, 9pm, Old Town Playhouse
It seems as though it can’t get much worse than a rejected proposal on a Jumbotron. But for Patrick Moote, it somehow does. Upon finding the reason for his girlfriend’s rejection (his “size”) he goes on a worldwide hunt to see just how important his personal shortcoming is.
Cockneys vs. Zombies
2012|U.K.|Not Rated|88 min.
Thursday, 12 Midnight, State Theatre
Welcome to the land of the walking dead- East London. Follow the non-stop action between the tough Eastenders and a throng of zombies. It’s as much hilarious as it is terrifying.
The Shining
1980|UK, USA|R|142 min.
Friday, 12 Midnight, State Theatre
Starring Jack Nicholson, this 1980 classic is the movie to stay up late for (you won’t be sleeping after anyway). Head to Film Fest featured documentary, “Room 237” beforehand and you will see those ghost-laden scenes in a whole new light.
Journey to the West
2011|USA|PG-13|104 min.
Saturday, 12 Midnight, State Theatre
Kung Fu, some rom-com, endless action, and a few demon-fighting nursery rhymes. Yep, Journey to the West’s got it all. The Chinese box office hit comes to the State Theatre’s screen on Saturday at midnight during the Film Fest.
The History of Future Folk
2012|USA|NR|86 min.
Saturday, 12 Midnight, Old Town Playhouse
Two aliens’ encounter with “music” on Earth causes them to abandon their original mission, to terminate the human race. However, shortly after finding their calling as a bluegrass playing duo entitled Future Folk, they find themselves up against their own kind trying to prevent an alien overthrow.
Shorts for Midnight
92 min.
82 Calum MacDiarmid | UK | 2012 | 6 min.
The Captain Nash Edgerton, Spencer Susser | Australia, USA | 2013 | 6 min.
Dance Till You Drop Juan Cardarelli, Eric M. Levy | USA | 2012 | 3 min.
Fool's Day Cody Blue Snider | USA | 2013 | 19 min.
Oh Sheep! Gottfried Mentor | Germany | 2012 | 7 min.
Pandas (Pandy) Matus Vizar | Czech Republic , Slovakia | 2013 | 12 min.
Root Caleb Johnson | USA | 2012 | 12 min.
The Root of the Problem Ryan Spindell | USA | 2013 | 14 min.
Yardbird Michael Spiccia | Australia | 2012 | 13 min.
If you’re like me, with a span-less attention span around midnight, the shorts, playing Friday at the Old Town Playhouse may just be your calling. Run-time of the Shorts for Midnight may hover around an hour and a half, but every 3-19 minutes another witty, thought-provoking film is sure to spark your interest.
Friday, 12 Midnight, Old Town Playhouse