Monday, June 30, 2014

The English Teacher (2013)

Released in 2013, The English Teacher is a dark comedy about a single English teacher from Kingston, Pennsylvania who helps a former student and budding playwright by presenting his latest play at Kingston High School.  The film stars Julianne Moore, Michael Angarano, Greg Kinnear and Nathan Lane, and it is narrated by Fiona Shaw.

The film includes numerous references to Kingston, as well as Scranton and other areas/places in NEPA.

2:08 
NARRATOR
"She lived in Kingston, Pennsylvania, not too far from where she was born. 

6:25
Teacher Linda Sinclair (Julianne Moore) accidentally pepper sprays her former student Jason Sherwood (Michael Angarano) when he approaches her at an ATM at night.
JASON
"Who uses pepper spray in Kingston?"

6:36
Linda gives Jason a ride home.
LINDA
"Jason Sherwood.  What ate you doing back here in Kingston, Pennsylvania?  I thought you'd be tearing up Broadway by now."

8:36
Sign: "Welcome to Kingston High School.  The Pride of Kingston, PA.  Go Monarchs!"

17:40
Drama teacher Carl Kapinas (Nathan Lane) defends a production of Oklahoma done in masks.
CARL
"It was in the traditional Japanese nose style, for your information.  And Lydia Plutka at the Times Leader called it 'profoundly imaginative,'" 

19:00
LINDA
"You wanna sell the board?  You wanna sell the parents?  Then sell them on Jason Sherwood, a former Kingston High School student who came back to inspire the next generation."
CARL
"We'll double normal ticket sales.  You'll see.  The people of Kingston are hungry for something new." 

24:24
During rehearsals for the play.
CARL
"And now, Mr. Sherwood, may I say on behalf of the entire Kingston High School Theater Department, it is an honor to have you with us."

26:49
Jason is offended by a comment from a student regarding the play.
LINDA
"Oh, come on!  He's a kid.  He's just an insecure kid from Kingston, Pennsylvania and you're a New York playwright."

29:02
CARL
"I did keep at it.  That's how I found my way to Kingston and to all of you."

39:14
DR. TOM SHERWOOD
(Greg Kinnear)
"Listen,  so you know.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he's supposed to be taking LSAT prep tests up in Scranton."

47:28
Linda's bank statement reads charges from Kingston Gas & Electric, Kingston Wardrobe Supply, and Kingston Fabrics and Drapery.

1:11:11
Shot of Kingston High School opening night sign for the play

122:50
DR. TOM SHERWOOD
"If it's not too weird for you or me, Walter Mosley's speaking over at Wilkes next week, and I thought maybe..."

In the end credits,  a special thanks is given to WNEP - Newswatch 16 at 6 PM.

The English Teacher is available to borrow on DVD from the Lackawanna County Library System.  Click here to place a hold

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Dance, Fools, Dance To Be Shown Wednesday, August 13th at Scranton Public Library

The 1931 Joan Crawford classic Dance, Fools, Dance, which centered on the murder of a reporter named Bert Scranton, will be screened at Scranton Public Library as part of its upcoming "Ladies of Pre-Code" film series.  It will be shown Wednesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Community Room (basement of Lackawanna County Children's Library).  The screening is free with your library card.

For more information, please call Bill at (570) 348-3000, x3008 or email Bill by clicking here.

Check out a clip of Dance, Fools, Dance below: