Swedish film could have done well in U.S.


By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor


This week, an epic Swedish


film is featured in the DVD review column


Arn the Knight Templar Based on a highly popular


trilogy of historic novels from Sweden, “Arn The Knight Templar” is a film that, once again, could have found a theatrical audience in this country if some distributor had given it a chance.


This is now a recurring theme for me: seeing a foreign film or a low-budget domestic movie that should have had a theatrical release. The simple fact is that studios and theater owners are so obsessed with making and booking “sure things” – films that would appear to have a built-in audience – that movies such as this one never have a chance. It didn’t use to be that way,


but it is now. Why I think “Arn” would


have developed a theatrical audience is that it has elements that are quite appealing. The story takes place in the time of the Crusades, when a young man raised in a Swedish monastery falls in love with Cecilia, a young woman who is destined to be married as part of a political alliance between warring factions. Arn and Cecilia are


discovered – Cecilia is pregnant – and the church, controlled by the ruling faction, places Cecilia in a convent and expels Arn from Sweden for 20 years. Trained in the monastery by a


former Knight Templar, he joins the medieval order and fights in the Crusade, where he assumes near legendary status. The film details not just his struggle there, but his return to Sweden and his reunion with Cecilia. Danish director Peter Flinth does an admirable job keeping the various story elements rolling at a solid pace and focusing on the main characters in the midst of some epic settings.


The result, for me, was a very


satisfying movie experience that presented both a period piece with


SPRINGFIELD – The uNi Coffeehouse Concert Series presents Priscilla Herdman accompanied by Max Cohen on guitar on Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Society Meetinghouse, 245 Porter Lake Drive. For information or reservations for the concert, call 562-3990 or visit the coffehouse’s Web site, uNiCoffeehouse.org. Tickets are $15 at the door


performing nationally and internationally,


In more than 30 years of Priscilla


Herdman has established herself as an insightful song-finder and a singer of uncommon range, depth and clarity. Stephen Holden of The New York Times described her as “one of the clearest and most compelling voices of contemporary folk music.” Known for her exceptional


voice and admired for her ability to find outstanding songs by contemporary writers, she has a gift for choosing timeless material that touches the heart of both the personal and the political.


Audiences come to hear her sing and to sing with her. They are embraced by her warm and powerful performance. She has recently released


her 13th CD, “Into The Stars,” a collection of star and night-sky themed songs. Her previous albums include the highly


567-1212


TAKE OUT ORDERS


Open Sun.-Th. 11:30AM-11PM • Fri. & Sat. 11:30AM-1:30AM 827 Williams Street, Longmeadow


Chinese Restaurant • Cocktail Lounge Serving the finest Chinese, Szechuan, Polynesian, and American Food


See our full menu @ www.hukelaulongmeadow.com


• Serves 8 to 10 • Keeps food hot 1-1/2 hours • 20 pcs. BBQ Chicken Wings • 20 pcs. BBQ Ribs • 20 pcs. Gold Fingers • 10 Teri-Yaki, 10 Egg Roll


HOME OR OFFICE FLAMING STERNO PARTY TRAY


80 pcs. $


Try the famous Hu Ke Lau SCORPION BOWL for 2…$


DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS starting at…$


4.05


72.00 1000


Private Rooms for Parties up to 70


SUSHI WEEKENDS! FRI., SAT., SUN. • Dine In or Take Out


SERVING 7 DAYS A WEEK! THE WAIT IS OVER!


We’ve added a new pizza oven to serve you faster!


Super Monday


a love story and an adventure. The two lead actors, Joakim


Nätterqvist and Sofia Henlin, are quite good with their performances as Arn and Cecilia and effectively convey the passing of 20 year and the changes in their character. Milind Soman also shines as the Arab leader Saladin. With romance and adventure set in a compelling historical setting, “Arn” has a lot to offer audiences. Haters of subtitles should be aware the film is in several languages, including English but is primarily sub-titled. The DVD includes the standard making of features.


*** A reader recently called me


about the availability of some of these films featured in this


column. I make an effort to try to alternate between moves I think would be available through the network of Redbox machine and the few video stores we have left and through on-line services such as Netflix.


The problem today, with the decline of video stores that would stock thousands of titles and provides customers with dozens of new releases each week, is that it’s now almost incumbent for movie fans to join Netflix to find the films the folks at Redbox don’t include in their selection.


Although I’m a member of


Netflix myself and have rented through Redbox, I’m hoping video stores will make a comeback, as they provided a service neither of the other, newer businesses does not.


Herdman to play Springfield Oct.16


voice ...” Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe remarked “At the center of her charms is that voice ... her voice is miraculously pure and effortlessly beautiful, a voice that immediately draws people in and wins them over.” The Washington Post has called attention to her "uncanny knack for turning up brilliantly written folk tunes and performing them in a definitive style."


The uNi Coffeehouse Priscilla Herdman


acclaimed releases “The Road Home” and “Forever & Always,” three award winning family collections; “Stardreamer,” “Daydreamer” and “Moon- dreamer” and three trio albums with friends Anne Hills and Cindy Mangsen. Herdman lives in New


York’s Hudson River Valley region, but recently joined forces with Massachusetts guitarist Max Cohen, whose exquisite finger-style playing is a perfect compliment to her elegant and powerful vocals.


Rolling Stone remarked on her “Excellent taste in material and an elegant, pitch-perfect


For news & advertising call 413-525-6661


Concerts feature: • lovely wooded location bordering on Longmeadow and the Forest Park woodlands; • easy access from anywhere via Interstate Route 91. Parking lot, plus space along road for later arrivals;


• acoustic music (not electric, not excessively loud), some very old songs and tunes, some very new; • experienced performers from across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain; • coffeehouse style atmosphere, relaxed, informal, low stage, candlelight, but no alcohol, no smoke; • lively concert hall sound in an intimate setting; performers often mingle with audience during breaks; • refreshments available – home baked goodies, hot spiced cider, coffee, teas, and just popped popcorn.


Bring Your Flashlight & Your Trick or Treat Bag!!!


Forest Park Zoological Society


www.forestparkzoo.org


MEDIUM 2-TOPPING PIZZA 10 PC. WINGS & DOUGHGIRL


Pizza • Grinders • Wings Special Gourmet Pizzas Salads • Pasta by the Bucket We Use Local Produce!


$20 Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 4-10 • Fri. 4-11 • Sat. 11-10 • Sun. 12-9 SPOOKYSafari October 21st ,22nd & 23rd


DRESS in your FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME and TRICK or TREAT while you explore the ZOO at night and learn about nocturnal animals.


+Tax Monday only


548 Main St., Hampden, MA (Across from the Post Office)


413-566-1201 413-566-1216


• 4-7pm


NEW big bar, dining room & private/corporate room! SAME location, amazing food, impeccable staff & family owners since 1998!


Located at the “X” 497 Belmont Ave. Spfld, MA • 413.739.7100 Lunch: Tuesday–Friday 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner: Tuesday–Saturday 5:00pm-10:00pm


www.typicalsicilian.com October 11-17, 2010 Page 29


Mia


Bella’s


Pizzeria


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20