Theme for May 26, 2012

Tobacco Wars

This week's films take a satirical look at the tobacco industry.

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8:03 pm

Cold Turkey (1971)

Dick Van Dyke stars as a small-town minister who rallies the town to meet a challenge set up by a tobacco company's PR department. If the town quits smoking, it will win $25 million dollars - money the company has no intention of paying. So while the townsfolk struggle to kick the addictive habit, the tobacco company tries to interfere with their efforts at every turn. Also starring Pippa Scott and Tom Poston, the hilarious film was directed by Norman Lear.

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9:45 pm

Smoke Screens: The Interviews
The Interviews explores the war on tobacco and smoking in movies with the movies Cold Turkey (1971) and Thank You For Smoking (2005). Featuring discussions with actors J.K. Simmons, Pippa Scott, David Koechner, producer Bud Yorkin and tobacco lawyer Max Krangle.
10:10 pm

Thank You For Smoking (2005)
Nick Naylor is a tobacco lobbyist whose job is to make cigarettes more appealing to the American public and he does it all while trying to set a good example for his son. But his seemingly good life is turned upside down when a reporter betrays his trust and a vigilante group kidnaps him. The all-star cast includes Aaron Eckhart, Mario Bello and William H. Macy. The political satire marks the directorial debut for Jason Reitman, who also adapted the script from the Christopher Buckley novel.
11:45 pm

Smoke Screens: The Interviews (Repeat)
The Interviews takes a look at the war on tobacco and smoking in movies with the films Cold Turkey (1971) and Thank You For Smoking (2005).
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Eagle vs. Shark (2007)

Shy, awkward Lily pines for Jarrod, the clueless computer geek that works nearby. After Lily wins Jarrod over with her video gaming prowess and snazzy shark costume, the couple decides to travel to his hometown where he plans to confront his childhood enemy. The quirky, funny, offbeat film is the feature debut of Taika Cohen. Starring Loren Horsley and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords fame.

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My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

The film takes place in south London during the Thatcher days in the 80s. Omar (Gordon Warnecke), a young homosexual Pakistani begins to run the neglected laundrette of his rich uncle. He hires his friend/lover Johnny (Daniel Day Lewis) and together they help class up the joint. But their motivations couldn't be further apart - Johnny, whose friends include "white power" fascists, feels the laundromat is one thing he can be proud of, whereas Omar sees it as the start of a wealthy life. Directed by Stephen Frears, the film successful captures the marginalized cultures in 80s London as well as exploring themes as sexuality, class and race. Nominated for one Oscar.

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