NOLA Could Use A Tugg

I used to operate a group called the SLU Film Critic's Association. Our function was to screen a variety of films on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University for the benefit of all students. Sometimes, when a previously scheduled room was unavailable, we would improvise and just take another. We kind of liked doing those renegade events, but if showing our own choice of flick in a real theatre - without paying a rental fee - had been an option...

If only Tugg had been around in the groups' prime. Through this service, anybody who registers with the site can choose a movie from its collection, pick a local theatre they want to see it at, promote the event, and, if enough people agree to show up, it happens! Giving this kind of control to the audience is not only a great way of bringing classics and independents to the big screen, but an excellent way to get people back into the cinema!

If you scroll through this blog, you'll find a post where I recommend that MoviePass be given a chance in New Orleans. Well, of course, I suggest the same for Tugg. I recently had a facebook conversation with the operator of Chalmette Movies, where I asked if his theatre was participating with the service. He was unaware of it at the time, but hopefully he'll find it just as cool as I do. His theatre has great programming month to month; it makes sense to add another incentive for the audience. In the area, you have scores of film students and cast/crew members who are just itching to curate.

Why shouldn't a theatre partner with Tugg? I don't think there is an appropriate answer to that, as it only helps that theatres bottom line to promote an audience created event. If an exhibitor promotes Tugg, this increases the likelihood of a ticket buyer to create an event. If that same exhibitor promotes that event, more people will find out about it and reserve tickets. If that event happens, that exhibitor will have GUARANTEED customers coming in, probably wanting to buy some snacks as well. More moviegoers for you, more screenings for moviegoers to attend, more attendance for a movie - everybody wins.

And the city could see it's first Tugg screening next week. A local moviegoer is trying to setup a showing of Sergio Leone's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" at Canal Place. So far, 11 people have signed up - 39 more are needed to make this happen. We have just under 5 days...

<Update: With just a little over an hour before the deadline, the event reached the required number of audience members! 10 seats are still available...>

<Update 2: The event has now SOLD OUT! Fret not; go and register on Tugg, and start your own screening.>

Tugg only has 14 pages worth of movies to choose from, but, the more people show up to local events, the more other movies will become available, which will lead to more events. Maybe my old group should setup a revival event at The Prytania. I know there's an audience out there. 

The Joy Is Back! Let's Book A Movie...

Since posting my previous entry on The Joy, the theatre has re-opened and played host to musical acts and stage productions. It's great to know that the venue is up and running again, but one thing concerns me; no movie screenings have been scheduled.

With its' history as one of THE premiere movie palaces on Canal St., it surprises me that a screening hasn't at least been booked. It can't be a lack of interest from the local film community, can it? Whatever the reason, I have a few ideas for possible movie events at the revamped Joy: 

Movie Pitchers Revival

I never had the opportunity to visit when it was in operation, but from the stories I've listened to and read, Movie Pitchers was a house with character. From Mike Miley Online:

"Yes, Movie Pitchers was a complete dump, but it was a film lover’s dump. For $5, you could see all the foreign and arty indie films that didn’t play anywhere else in town other than the overpriced Canal Place in the French Quarter … and you could drink while you were there. Magnolia, The Big Lebowski, Deconstructing Harry,Hands on a Hardbody - I saw them all at least twice at Movie Pitchers. Plus, they showed Disco Dolls in Hot Skin, which, if you don’t know, is a 3-D porno starring John Holmes (remember what I said about the couches?). It was disappointing, but it has one of the most messed-up flashback structures ever put on film. How could a film lover not live at a place like this?"

Unfortunately, the theatre was demolished in the early 00's.

So, what am I proposing? Let Movie Pitchers take over The Joy for a night! Call it a revival of sorts; the original owners/fans, programming a series of films they used to show. Original ticket prices, original drink brands/prices (The Joy has a bar), maybe even decorate the screening room with original furniture (a longshot), all for one night of nostalgia. Currently, there is a Facebook group, set up by dedicated fans, calling for their return - they might have some ideas...

Film Festivals

The New Orleans Film Society presents, every fall, the New Orleans Film Festival, and books screenings at theatres across the city. Maybe this year, The Joy can play host to the opening/closing night events? 

Taking place soon after is the NOLA Horror Film Fest. To screen on Canal St. would bring plenty of attention to this young fest.

And, of course, there is this:

Our Worst Film Festival (which also played at Movie Pitchers) was revived a few years ago, and has since existed as gatherings held throughout the year. Why not give it a bigger venue? Maybe it could become a regular thing; showing bad movies once a month. People show up to Prytania's midnight movies, why not come to The Joy for notoriously bad/incredibly obscure films? And maybe this could merge with B Fest; 24 hours of bad movie programming. Consider that ticket bought.

Hollywood South Premieres 

New Orleans has seen many major film productions, but very few film premieres. Let's fix that. I call on all producers and distributors to world premiere your NOLA shot films IN NOLA. You did a red carpet type event for Sandra Bullock at The Prytania, you can do the same for Sylvester Stallone at The Joy.

However it happens, I'm sure a movie will eventually screen at The Joy. When it does, I'll be there. Unless it stars Dane Cook.

The Joy Is Coming Back! Please Show Movies...

Almost 9 years after having to board up its' doors, The Joy Theatre will finally re-open! I for one never had the pleasure of catching a screening at The Joy, but after driving past its' sign several times, and having viewed the documentary "No More Joy", I've yearned for that experience. Conflicting news articles, however, suggest that the theatre may become a multi-entertainment venue, specializing mostly in live performances. Of course, wanting to see a movie at The Joy(at least once), I would like to offer a scenario or two, in an effort to advocate on the side of film exhibition.

If it is restored as a full fledged movie theatre:

My favorite scenario, this would be an incredible addition to the New Orleans area movie theatres. As I listed in my MoviePass entry, there are only a handful of theatres within the city itself(I listed 9, but most were in metro areas), and only one on Canal St., which not only was home to booku theatres, but also hosted the first permanent movie house in the country. 

If fully restored, The Joy could become a place where old and new meet - Imagine buying a ticket from your smart phone minutes before showtime(I would recommend arriving earlier), then being greeted by an actual usher in a lobby as carefully decorated and structured as a Cathedral. You go to the concession stand, and order a bucket of popcorn and a medium daiquiri(yes, alcohol), before heading upstairs to the balcony. You take your seat, and enjoy a digital projection of "Fast Five 2" in a fantastic palatial setting - This would become my favorite place, by far.

If it becomes a multi-entertainment venue:

Probably the more likely scenario, this would open  New Orleans to being able to host even more live acts than it does now. However, movies can still have a seat at this table - "Rocky Horror Picture Show", anyone? Maybe a gala movie premiere for the latest Hollywood South blockbuster? Or perhaps a charity screening? - Multi-entertainment CAN include movies, too.

No matter what becomes of The Joy, it will finally be tearing down its' boards, and opening up for audiences once more. I just hope that audience includes a moviegoer or two.