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by Michael Gannon qboro contributor
Just about everyone loves the holiday season and great classic movies. So the Queens Central Library in Jamaica decided to combine them, with eight free holiday showings in the month of December. The Classic Film Friday shows will include the musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) on Dec. 1; “Fitzwilly” (1967), a romantic comedy, on Dec. 8; the venerated “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) and “White Christmas”(1954) on Dec. 15 and 22, respectively; and “Holiday” (1930) on Dec. 29. Monday Matinee Movies will screen “Enemy of the State” (1998) on Dec. 4 and “This Christmas“ (2007) on Dec. 18. Liz Keogan, a research librarian with the QPL who selected each of the films for December, settled once and for all the debate over whether “Die Hard” (1988) is a Christmas movie, scheduling it for Dec. 11. “People enjoy it, so we show it,” said Koegan who, among her other duties, has been selecting and scheduling movies since she joined the QPL back in 2016. “It’s one of the most fun parts of my job,” she told the Chronicle. All movies begin at 2 p.m. and end between 4 and 4:30 p.m. No Monday Mat-
first musical in which Bing Crosinee offering will be shown on by sings his signature hit. That Dec. 25, as the library will be was 12 years earlier in “Holiday closed for Christmas. Films at Inn.” other branches on other days “Holiday” also stars Astor in are listed at queenslibrary.org. the story of a man who must Some holiday selections are consider how he will fit in with easy, according to Koegan, othhis fiancee’s conservative family. ers less so. The calendar imposIt would be remade in 1938 es some limitations. with Katharine Hepburn and “There’s always a few that Cary Grant. you wish you could get in,” “Enemy of the State” feaKoegan said. “But there’s tures Will Smith unknowingly always next year. This year I stumbling into a government tried to choose movies that I conspiracy and trying to get out think people would enjoy; and I — if he can stay alive. like some of them, too. I have “This Christmas,” with a cast my personal favorites.” that includes Regina King and Perhaps her favorite of all time, not just her favorite holi- Donna Reed, James Stewart and Karolyn Grimes can be seen in Idris Elba, chronicles a family’s day movie, is “It’s a Wonderful “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Dec. 15. PHOTO BY RKO RADIO PICTURES / FILE first full holiday gathering in four years. Life,” which was nominated for And then there is “Die Hard,” where five Academy Awards including Best Picture “Meet Me in St. Louis” stars Judy Garwith James Stewart nominated for Best land, Mary Astor and Margaret O’Brien, Alan Rickman and his band of henchmen Actor as George Bailey, a man who never and takes place amid preparations for the get on vacationing New York City Det. really considers himself or his life to be very 1904 World’s Fair in the city called the Bruce Willis’ really, really naughty list in Los Angeles’ Nakatomi Tower. remarkable until he suddenly has every- Gateway to the West. The Central Library is located at 89-11 thing to lose. “Fitzwilly” features Dick Van Dyke as the “I like the story,” Koegan said. “It’s an butler for an elderly philanthropist. He also Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica. It is wheelchair incredible film. Its well-acted and well-writ- happens to be a crook and a con man, but accessible and can be reached by car, bus or subway. ten. Jimmy Stewart’s performance was his heart is in the right place. Q. Yippee-ki-yay and enjoy the show. unforgettable.” “White Christmas” is not, in fact, the
Page 29 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, November 30, 2023
Queens Library hosts holiday movie magic
Classic sci-fi and some old friends at Wintercon
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from the troubles going on in the world. “I just hope people have a good time,” he said. “With the way things are right now, a lot going on in the world. People have a lot of things to worry about. This is something [at which] you can shut off that part of your mind and have a good time, and you can see these people from these shows and interact with people that are like-minded. Everyone is there to hang out and have a good time.” Visitors also will have ample opportunities for visitors to purchase a wide variety of merchandise. And the celebrity cast members will have a full schedule of photo opportunities for fans. Tickets for those range from $60 for some individual guests to $220 for group pictures with the “Galaxy Quest” cast members. General admission is $30 or $35, depending on the day, or $12 or $15 for kids. Special passes are offered, and there is one way listed online to get in free. Both admission and photo tickets can be purchased at wintercon.com. Resorts World is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. It may be reached by mass transit or today’s land-speeder
It’s simply not Wintercon at Resorts World New York City without the annual cosplay costume competition, above. On the cover: Lord Vader would find your lack of attenPHOTOS COURTESY WINTERCON; COVER PHOTO BY JASON LABOY PHOTOGRAPHY dance disturbing. equivalent. Parking for the latter is free at any of the racino’s outdoor lots. Garage parking is $5, though it is gratis for
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continued from page 27 As always, Patz said, the big cosplay contest will be a big draw. The first-place prize will be $500, second will be $300, and third place will take home $200. Oscar-winning makeup artist Ve Neill will be a judge of the contest, set for Saturday. The children’s contest will be Sunday. Patz hopes attendees can have a good time and use the convention as an escape
