Martin Scorcese's THE LAST WALTZ Will be played LOUD when The 2009 GPO Federal Credit Union Stanley Movie Series concludes 9/1
Date Posted: August 20th, 2009
5 BLOCKBUSTERS
5 GENERATIONS
5 FLIX FOR $15
UTICA, NY (August 20, 2009) -Levon Helm, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson all star in the "rockumentary" The Last Waltz about the final performance of THE BAND.
Martin Scorcese directed this production, which covers the last concert of the Band at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom, Thanksgiving of 1976. The Band was on the road for 16 years, and this concert features appearances of guest artists in this concert, along with interviews of Band members and their friends, such as Neil Young, Ron Wood, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Dr. John. There are additional performances done on a sound stage with artists that weren't part of the live show woven into the 117-minute film: a folk/gospel jam session of the song "The Weight" teamed with the Staples Singers (lead by Mavis Staples) and the lovely folk ballad "Evangeline," replete with fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitar from Emmylou Harris. Also Muddy Waters bluesing on "Ain't that a Man," and the finale with all the artists of "I Shall Be Released."
The Last Waltz will be shown 7pm Tuesday September 1 as the final offering of the GPO Federal Credit Union Stanley Summer Movie Series.
"This is the perfect way to end the GPO FCU Summer Classic Movie series," says John Faust, Stanley Theatre Manager. "As the summer winds down, it is a segue into our LIVE ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT season as Levon Helm opens the season on Saturday September 26."
The Last Waltz has been called "The greatest rock concert movie ever made -- and maybe the best rock movie, period," by Michael Wilmington in the Chicago Tribune. James Sanford in the Kalamazoo Gazette noted that "Scorsese actually scripted and storyboarded the film... Remarkably, the performances show no signs of being reined in or rehearsed. In fact, as Scorsese's cameras swirl around the musicians, all we see is joy and high spirits."
Other critics, such as Robert Ebert, were not as impressed with this rockumentary. So we leave it to our viewers to tell us what they thought of this story about the back-up band for Bob Dylan as they closed the door on this phase of their careers.
Admission is $5 or with a stub from a FLiX TiX (5 admissions for $15) now on sale at the Stanley Ticket office, 724-4000. Use FLiX TiX and save money - bring your friends!
There will be a coupon in the August 31 issue of the Observer Dispatch with this special offer: Bring your ticket to the LEVON HELM September 26 concert at the Stanley with this coupon and receive a FREE BEVERAGE of your choice!
In addition to popcorn and snacks, specialty wines and beers will be on sale at this event for adults.
The GPO FCU Stanley Summer Movie series is sponsored by the GPO Federal Credit Union, and the Observer-Dispatch is the media sponsor.
As always, the Stanley features great projection and superb sound, and it will be "played VERY loud".
For information, contact the Stanley at 724 - 4000.
