Free Frankenstein Movies + Refreshments in Downtown!

The Film Chronicles

This October, The Friends' Film Chronicles presents Monsters, Marriage, Machines and Men, a film exploration of the life, work and influence of James Whale, the director of Frankenstein.

Hosted in the new Pohlad Hall at the Central Library, each Film Chronicles screening will feature an introduction and an optional post-film talk with film buff and series curator Luke Erickson. Admission is free with open seating to the public. Free movie refreshments will be provided by Whole Foods Market.

SHOWTIMES:

October 16; 7:00 PM
Frankenstein © Universal Pictures, Director James Whale, 1931
Arguably the most memorable monster in movie history about a mute, misunderstood brute, who has the brain of a madman.

October 23; 7:00 PM
Bride of Frankenstein © Universal Pictures, Director James Whale, 1935
This remarkable sequel explores the darker possibilities of science: "To a new world of gods and monsters!"

October 30; 7:00 PM
Young Frankenstein © 20th Century Fox, Director Mel Brooks, 1974
The scariest comedy of all time! Dr. Frankenstein's grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad's castle and repeats the experiments.

November 6; 7:00 PM
Gods and Monsters © Lions Gate Films, Director Bill Condon, 1998
A keen glimpse of Hollywood's past, a loving tribute to James Whale, and a richly moving, delicately balanced drama about loneliness, memory, and the passions that keep us alive.

THE EXTRAS: Click here to learn about the related exhibit in Cargill Hall, Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature, a Mary Shelley performance at the library.

Who Needs an Outdoor Garden, Anyway!

It is supposed to snow this week.

Halloween hasn't even passed yet!

That said, the leaves are turning color, I've turned on the heat in the house, and I'm more eager than ever to work from home as much as possible (me and the cold, we've got a long-standing grudge match that came to a head last winter). Now, some of you know that I sometimes procrastinate and schedule long-term personal projects in ways that are not exactly ideal.

To make a short story shorter, I've got three tomato plants, an ever-larger spider plant (thanks, susanofstohelit!), and a palmetto (or whatever those small palm tree-like houseplants are called) on the pantry countertop next to the window, and there's another three tomato plants lurking in the library. Two of the plants have walnut-sized green tomatoes on them.

Well, if nothing else, I like the unique green scent of tomato plants. And the cats get to pretend that they are wild jungle cats and lie in wait for each other beneath the greenery.

Unexpected Sloppy Joes

Phil is a brave man. Not only does he play with toxic, explosive, and intoxicating chemicals all day, he comes home to...well...me. He tolerates (claims to want, even) my constant presence, helps keep me sane (an extra job in and of itself), has sex with me on a regular basis (some have found the idea scary), and even eats my cooking (Taste this! I say).

( Abra's Unexpected Sloppy Joes )