Screen scene: Local film news

A BUZZ, A BUZZ: A still from 'Invasion of the Bee Girls,' a film about a powerful cosmic force that turns women into queen bees. Habitat Brewing Co. screens the film on Aug. 31. Photo courtesy of Scream Factory

Habitat Brewing Co. hosts Spoiler Alert! on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 9 p.m. Comparable to Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax Live or The Benson Interruption, the event involves the screening of a cult movie, during which three local comedians will interject colorful commentary, poking fun at its acting, dialogue and plotting. August’s selection is Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973), in which a powerful cosmic force turns women into queen bees who murder men through sexual exhaustion. Admission is $5 and includes popcorn. habitatbrewing.com

Pack Memorial Library celebrates the start of Banned Book Month on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m., with a screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Free. avl.mx/250

Grail Moviehouse’s monthly Silent Sundays series continues Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., with Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921). Film historian Frank Thompson will introduce the film and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Local stride pianist Andrew J. Fletcher will provide a live, improvised score. Tickets are $12 and available online or at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com

Mechanical Eye Microcinema offers a weekly after-school filmmaking class each Tuesday from Sept. 5 through Nov. 28, 3:30-5 p.m. Under the guidance of Charlotte Taylor and Maggie Severtson, students in second to sixth grades will get the opportunity to make movies and animations, exploring a new topic each month. There is a flexible drop-off and pickup of 30 minutes before and/or after each class. Tuition is $65 per month or $175 for the entire semester. Register online. Community members interested in sponsoring a student or parents/guardians with a child or children in need of sponsorship are invited to email mechanicaleyemicrocinema@gmail.com. mechanicaleyecinema.org

• On Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., Carolina Jews for Justice/West and Just Economics present the short film Faces of Poverty at Congregation Beth HaTephila. The work was produced by Just Economics and will followed by a Q&A. Free, but RSVP by emailing CJJWest@CarolinaJewsforJustice.org. bethhatephila.org

• Tickets are on sale for Asheville Pizza & Brewing’s monthlong ’80s film series. Screenings take place each Thursday night in September at 7 p.m. The lineup is composed of Better Off Dead (Sept. 7), Flash Gordon (Sept. 14), The Dark Crystal (Sept. 21) and Beetlejuice (Sept. 28). Tickets are $3 for each film and available online and at the theater’s box office on Merrimon Avenue. ashevillebrewing.com/movies

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About Edwin Arnaudin
Edwin Arnaudin is a staff writer for Mountain Xpress. He also reviews films for ashevillemovies.com and is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) and North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA). Follow me @EdwinArnaudin

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