Bless the little man

Tarika and I went to see movie tonight. We saw "March of the Penguins", a documentary of sorts, narrated by Morgan Freeman. It was cute, educational, and brilliantly filmed in my opinion.

We didn't go to just any cinema to see this film. We went to the Darkside.

No,… I didn’t have to join Vader on this one. My light saber is still green.

The Darkside's name is probably one best explained by its owner, a local entrepreneur, but I’ll give it a shot. Basically, it is right across from an older, closed down theater called the Whiteside. So as a tribute to that historic venue, and no doubt to reel in a few Star Wars geeks (myself included), the Darkside was born.

How exactly the Darkside fits into the movie business is beyond me. Basically, it plays really obscure films that generally aren’t showed at the big Regals, Carmikes, and the like. Once in awhile you will see some crossover, that is, the same movie played at the big cinemas and the Darkside, but the owner of the Darkside previews and handpicks every movie that gets played there.

To be honest, this is the first time I have been to the Darkside. I’ve known about it for over a year now and have been meaning to go, but,….you know. There is even a similar theater in town, the Avalon, owned by the same guy. It was a cozy little place, only four screens. There are funny signs and decorations all around, and a definite, counter culture/liberal college theme going on. I liked it.

I have to applaud the owner/operator of Darkside. He plays what he wants, charges what he wants (it is a fair price), does what he wants, lays on the sarcasm real thick (see the websites), and makes a clean getaway. And the films he is showing are GOOD, I think. None of the spoon-fed drivel that is being slung at you at the big cinemas.

So if you are ever in Corvallis and want to catch a flick,..

Come to the Darkside.

I am your father. We can rule the galaxy together.

http://www.darksidecinema.com/

http://www.avaloncinema.com/index.php