Jack Kerouac and Jean Shepherd are coming to the Jean Cocteau Cinema this week… sort of.

In honor of the reason, we're showing my second favorite Christmas movie of all time (I love it, but I have to confess, I love the Alastair Sim CHRISTMAS CAROL even more), A CHRISTMAS STORY.

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Jean Shepherd was the great chronicler of what childhood was like for kids of 40s and 50s, and A CHRISTMAS STORY hits all the right notes.  A great film.  Watch out, Ralphie, you'll shoot your eye out!

As for what the grown-ups were doing in the 1950s, we also have BIG SUR, based on Jack Kerouac's writings.

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I haven't seen this one yet, but it looks great.

See you at the movies.

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We had a great time at the Cocteau last night with "Dangerous Talk About Dangerous Women."  A crowded stage, a lively discussion, and a lot of books got signed.  My thanks to Carrie Vaughn, Diana Gabaldon, Diana Rowland, Sam Sykes, Steve Stirling, Megan Lindholm, Gardner Dozois, and Melinda Snograss — for their contributions to the anthology, and their presence at the launch.  And thanks as well to Tom Doherty, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, and our other friends at Tor who made it all happen.

We did tape the panel discussion, for all those who were not there, and hope to be able to upload it onto the internet sometime soon, after editing.  And signed copies of DANGEROUS WOMEN — and many other titles by the participating authors — are available at the theatre, if you want to swing by.  No, sorry, we are not yet able to offer the autographed books by mail order, but we hope to change that soon.  Watch this space for an announcement.

Santa Feans (and those passing through) still have a couple of days to catch our three "Dangerous Women" films — SCARLET STREET, ALIENS, and COFFY.  (We may hold over ALIENS, but the other two will close on Thursday).

The films roll on, however, and come Friday we have two cool new offerings set to debut.

In a feature slot, we will have a brand new SF/ horror flick that's been creating quite a buzz at flim festivals, LAST DAYS ON MARS.

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And for our late show — Friday and Saturday only, at 11 — we have CHRISTMAS WITH THE DEAD, based on a story by JOE R. LANSDALE and introduced by The Man His Own Self.  We're looking forward to welcoming Joe to Santa Fe.

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Zombies for Xmas.  What could be better?

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Just in time for my return from Down Under, a couple of fresh offerings debuted at the Jean Cocteau… one brand new, and one a classic.

Here's a taste of this week's offerings.  First, BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN, a prize winner at the Tribeca and Berlin Film Festivals, and a likely contender in the foreign film category of next year's Oscars.

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We're also showing THE GREAT SANTINI, the terrific 1979 film adaptation of Pat Conroy's 1976 novel, starting Robert Duvall and Bylthe Danner.  One of Duvall's greatest and most memorable performances.

And, of course, THE GREAT SANTINI is only to whet the appetite… on Monday, December 2, we will be having Pat Conroy himself at the Cocteau for an evening of conversation, to discuss his life, his books, and the movies made from them… which list includes not only THE GREAT SANTINI but also THE PRINCE OF TIDES, THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE, and CONRACK.  Pat will also be signing copies of his latest, THE DEATH OF SANTINI, and his other titles.  Admission is free with the purchase of a hardcover book, $5 with the purchase of a paperback.

As with our previous events, seats are going fast, so if you'd like to attend, do call the Cocteau ASAP and reserve a book (and a seat) before they are all gone.

See you at the movies.

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