Movie night at the Sedona Public Library

As published in the Red Rock News

Good day, Red Rock News readers! There is one part of my job that I truly relish—curating the films we’ll show, especially for Monday Movie Nights and the new Teen/Tween Movie Night. As the youngest self-proclaimed assistant store manager in video rental history, back in Jersey City, I wish my younger self could see me now and all the fun I have choosing films for the Library. 

​Here's a list of what’s coming in May, but first, a weird fact about movie licensing: The Library cannot list the movie titles in publicity like this. So, I'll provide a description, and then the onus is on you to guess the title! You can, of course, visit the events calendar on our website, where we are allowed to list titles. Or just give me a call . . . I love to talk film with our patrons! 

On first and third Mondays we show first-run films that have played recently at local commercial theaters. We begin promptly at 6 p.m. since these films often run for two and a half hours. 

On May 5, if you can separate his recent actions from his body of work as an actor, join us for musician-turned-leading-man Will Smith in his Oscar-winning role as the determined father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. This will make for interesting viewing considering recent events! 

On second Mondays we show films that I consider “classic.” Whether it’s the 1994 classic crime-drama adaptation of one of Stephen King’s short stories like Shawshank Redemption from the author’s 1982 collection of short stories Different Seasons or the 1988 action classic that launched Bruce Willis to movie stardom, Die Hard, based on the 1979 Roderick Thorp novel, Nothing Lasts Forever, I promise to choose exciting classics. 

A cinematic fun fact: before Willis took that role, it was offered to old Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. As he was in his later years and recently retired, he denied the opportunity. Imagine if he had gone for it! 

So, since we’re using our imaginations, join us on May 9 for 1985 science fiction comedy classic starring Michael J. Fox that asks the question: “If you met your parents when they were teens, would you befriend them?” 

On May 16, for our third Monday first-run film, we welcome cinephiles to see actress Jessica Chastain’s Oscar-winning portrayal of television personality and televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. Look at those eyes! 

Every fourth Monday, we show a documentary film. Whether an Oscar-nominated film, or a gem that I found while searching our movie license database, the fourth Monday documentary will be interesting. 

For May 23, our documentary film will look behind the scenes at the making of that memorable 1996 horror flick with a cast of bank robbers and vampires by none other than Robert Rodriguez. Sound captivating? It will be! 

As you can see, our Monday Movie Nights are packed full of interesting. And thus we ask: Why show movies only on Mondays? We won’t! 

The month of May might bring flowers after April showers – well in other parts of the country, this is Arizona after all – it also brings extra movies at Sedona Public Library! Read on. 

Join us on Tuesday, May 3 as we celebrate National Paranormal Day. According to dictionary.com, National Paranormal Day, is an unofficial holiday meant to celebrate and encourage paranormal phenomenon from ghosts, ESP, and UFOs to the Lochness Monster and Big Foot! Fittingly enough, the origins of National Paranormal Day are a mystery. 

Join us, nonetheless, for a paranormal double-feature. At 3 p.m., view a 2003 feature-length film on UFOs produced by American filmmaker James Fox. At 6 p.m. we’ll show a 1993 movie biopic based on the abduction of local Arizona logger, Travis Walton. 

May the 4th be with you! Join us Wednesday, May 4 for a film that investigates what happened before the princess from the planet Alderaan stole the plans for, as Obi-Wan Kenobi famously said, “That’s no moon, it’s a space station!” 

On Saturday, May 14, the Library will feature our first Teen/Tween Movie Night. We’ll host teens from Sedona, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde libraries for an evening of pizza, popcorn, and their favorite multi-versal, friendly neighborhood web-slinger! We’re not talking about the internet! 

Oh, and sorry, but we won’t have a movie on Monday, May 30 as we’ll be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. 

So, do you think you know the titles of May movies? Send me your guesses and the first person to get them all right gets a free movie poster!

 We’ll have complimentary popcorn, and refreshments for purchase at each showing. See you at the movies!  
 More information is available on our Facebook and Instagram pages, on the events calendar at sedonalibrary.org, or give me a call to talk about all the new and upcoming programs and events at the Library, (928) 282-7714, x8122. 

Monday Movie Nights are free and open to the public, but your donations are always appreciated. Audience contributions help cover the costs of the program, the movie licensing, and will enable us to show a larger selection of films. We’re always looking for movie sponsors, so give me a call if you’re interested. Thank you for your support of this and other programs at Sedona Public Library. 

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  
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​Sedona Public Library  
Column for April 29 2022  
Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator