This week at Harbor Theater

Sun, 09/10/2023 - 8:30am

Story Location:
185 Townsend Aveneue
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
United States

    “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” - (PG13; 1 hour, 32 minutes) -  The original My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) followed the journey of Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos (Nia Vardalos), a shy woman surrounded by boisterous personalities. Freshly turned 30, she works for her Greek immigrant parents in the family's restaurant, has always done so, and has little hope of achieving any of her other dreams. For the first time in her family's history, she also begins dating a kind, non-Greek man named Ian (played by John Corbett). Her big personal leaps lead to a whole new, happier her, true love, and of course, the titular big fat Greek wedding. In the second “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” movie, Gus and matriarch Maria get remarried (their original certificate was never signed), Ian and Toula renew their vows, and their daughter Paris goes to prom and then college. This movie starts after Gus’s death, and the family's observance of his final wish: for everyone to return to the village where he grew up and meet the cousins and friends he left behind.

    “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” is uproarious with much of the same family comedy and joy that made the first and second movies stand out. The films have always had beautiful and ahead-of-their-time messages for audiences about cultural acceptance, heritage, and tradition, as well as women's rights. In the third film, the Portokalos family takes a trip to Greece for a reunion with their extended Greek family—the final wish of patriarch Gus, who has passed away. (The real-life actor who played Gus, Michael Constantine, passed in 2021.) While Toula and Ian search for Gus's childhood friends, love blossoms between Aristotle and Paris (which is an unwelcome development to Paris, who had ghosted Aristotle before the trip), and Aunt Voula continues to be the most hilarious family member. Plays at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14;  Friday, Sept. 15;  Saturday, Sept. 16; Monday, Sept. 18; Tuesday, Sept. 19, Wednesday, Sept. 20; Thursday, Sept. 21; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17.

    “Like Vardalos and Corbett, who play their roles with vibrant charm, the film, directed by Joel Zwick, is heartfelt and hilarious in ways you can't fake.” — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    Free members only event: “Hangdog” -  (NR; 93 minutes) -  Anxiety-ridden Walt embarks on a desperate quest through Portland, Maine to retrieve his stolen dog, Tony, before his girlfriend, the more strait-laced Wendy, returns from a crucial business trip, or risk losing them both. This film was an Opening Night Feature at the 2023 Maine International Film Festival, where it was enthusiastically received. His debut film will be introduced by Director Matt Cascella and writer Jen Cordery with a Q&A following the movie. The one show only event begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 with a reception for the filmmakers and light refreshments. For information on becoming a member, visit www.boothbaycinema.org/membership.

    “Walt’s search is a journey as idiosyncratic and detoured as Portland itself and Walt himself, whose forlorn face more befits the “hangdog” name than the dog’s ever could. Director Matt Cascella and writer Jen Cordery have made a film that’s charming, original, and sweet in its own deliberately shaggy way. Hangdog is a real Maine-made discovery.” — Ken Eisen, Maine International Film Festival

    “Jules” - (PG13; 1 hour, 27 minutes) - Jules follows Milton (Ben Kingsley) who lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard. Before long, Milton develops a close relationship with the extra-terrestrial he calls “Jules.” Things become complicated when two neighbors (Harriet Sansom Harris and Jane Curtin) discover Jules and the government quickly closes in. What follows is a funny, wildly inventive ride as the three neighbors find meaning and connection later in life — thanks to this unlikely stranger. Opening Friday, September 22, 7 p.m.

    Harbor Theater is open 7 days a week: nightly at 7 p.m. with a matinee only on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for members and children under 18. ADA-mandated Audio Descriptive (AD) and Closed Caption (CC) devices are available for the visually and hearing-impaired. Inquire at the concession stand.