This just in from the state of the art broadcast studios at Racing Union’s Ministry of Culture and Entertainment:
Broadcasting in life-like clarity to the latest and most technologically-advanced high definition televisions throughout the Racing Union (including those made from re-purposed produce containers by loyal workers in our tropical industrial cooperatives), film critic Comrade Peanut brings us news of three cycling movies playing in the occupied Washington, DC area over the next few weeks. All members of the Racing Union Cinema Appreciation Society (RUCAS, not to be confused with RUCCAS, the Racing Union Commuter Climactic Alert System) are strongly encouraged to attend these films.
It is not too often that cycling movies are exhibited publicly, and it is especially rare that three cycling-related movies are showing within the next few weeks, so Comrade Peanut cannot emphasize enough that it is of the utmost importance that we citizens show our support.
The first of the three movies is “24 Solo,” which was best described on the D-20 list by Artemis Racing’s Evelyn Egizi: “This movie is absolutely incredible! Even if you don't mountain bike, this movie appeals to anyone who appreciates bike racing or an inspirational story. The documentary follows Chris Eatough, 6-time World Champion of 24-hour solo mountain bike racing in his attempt for a 7th World title. If you heard the news stories after the race last year - the finish was more than dramatic...” For more information about the film, you can visit its website at: http://24-solo.com
The film was made by Arlington-based documentarian Jason Berry, who also made the award-winning documentary “Off Road to Athens” (about mountain bike racers trying to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens).
Although one showing of “24 Solo” has already happened, there is another screening on Friday, April 27th at 9:30pm at the Arlington Cinema n’ Drafthouse. The movie is expected to sell out, but you can reserve tickets through: http://www.grippedstore.com/index.php?cPath=2_6
Also, there’s “The Flying Scotsman” (http://www.mgm.com/sites/theflyingscotsman/), opening in theatres on Friday, May 4th.
“The Flying Scotsman” tells the story of Graeme Obree (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeme_Obree), who broke the world hour record in 1993 on an unconventional self-designed bike made from scrap metal and washing machine parts. His record was broken shortly afterwards, motivating Obree to make another successful attempt to regain the record.
The part of Graeme Obree is played by Jonny Lee Miller (best known for his role as Sick Boy in the family classic “Trainspotting”), and the film will be screened locally at the E Street Cinema in Downtown Washington. It’s a limited engagement (possibly for just one week), so Peanut recommends being careful so as not to miss out on this movie.
Last but not least, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (http://waba.org), a local free weekly newspaper, and a new bike shop (http://bikerackdc.com) will show the 1979 classic “Breaking Away” (http://imdb.com/title/tt0078902/) as a bike-in movie under the stars (that’s outside) on Saturday, May 12th at 8:00pm at Marie Reed Field in Adams Morgan. There will even be complimentary valet parking for bikes at the adjacent tennis courts. For more information, go here: http://washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=1318
Here is a review of “Breaking Away” from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb): “Breaking Away is a picture that is better than the sum of its parts. Oh, its parts are wonderful. The writing is sharp, observant, and funny (It won an Oscar!), the acting is superb (how Paul Dooley was nixed a nomination never mind the award I'll never know), and it is a well shot film. But its charms go even deeper. It is the story of four young men in their late teens, who are staring adulthood in the face after a year of leisure in the "small town" of Bloomington, Indiana, and how they deal with watching successful college kids pass them by. It is also about a young man in search of an identity (including that of an Italian bicycle racer), and of a family that is loving and supportive, almost in spite of itself. All these add up to a richly enjoyable, deeply moving family picture that gives us many moments to treasure (a large number include Paul Dooley as the frustrated and confused, but eventually loving father). Like other sports movies (the lead character races bicycles), it has a contest at the end, and like many much poorer ones, it ends with triumph. But we cheer not only for these immensely likeable "cutters," but for ourselves, for being treated to this bittersweet, touching, and wonderful movie.”
On behalf of the Racing Union Cinema Appreciation Society, Comrade Peanut thanks you for your support and hopes that you will join her at the movies.
---posted by josh