About us
We are a laid-back and engaging group of MD/VA/DC Cinema Fans! During the group film events at AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center located in Silver Spring, MD we engage in friendly discussions about cinema and trends in the film industry. We're seeking both cinema enthusiasts and people involved in the film-making industry.
The AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center staff and management are absolutely great! Our members visit your beautiful building and are always greeted by smart, friendly, caring, and knowledgeable people.
Please note we are always looking to add to our membership base and support the incredible AFI cinema experience. We love films and will support you 100%!
See you soon at the next AFI Cinema Group event!
AFI Silver Theater tickets for the film can be purchased via the AFI ticketing website or in person at the AFI Box Office.
Upcoming events
15
The Girl Can't Help It (1956) (film starts at 4:30; meet between 4:05-4:20)
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, USABOUT THE FILM
Musical comedy, which I haven't seen. (But the Beatles saw it!) AFI's description (https://silver.afi.com/movies/detail/0100005596/) begins "A landmark showcase of first-wave rock 'n' roll talent - and simultaneously an incendiary send-up of the showbiz machinery behind pop culture- THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT stands as one of writer/director/producer Frank Tashlin's greatest accomplishments." My interest in the film is in seeing the early rock performers who are in it, including Little Richard, Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Julie London, Abbey Lincoln, The Platters, etc. (The storyline and plot may in fact be secondary; the film apparently consists of a story that was mashed together with all the songs, because the concept of a rock concert film was still years away at the time.) Wikipedia says "The film's influence on rock music is significant", and also "The [film] has been called the 'most potent' celebration of rock music ever captured on film."OTHER NOTES
There are 19 songs in the film and they are all apparently shown in full, so half or so of the film should just be the music.
A Beatles website says that the recording of "Birthday" was scheduled around a TV showing of this film: "The Beatles had scheduled an earlier start for their 18 September 1968 session, in order to watch the classic rock 'n' roll film 'The Girl Can't Help It'. It was showing that night for the first time on British TV, on BBC Two between 9.05 and 10.40 p.m."
If the Beatles wanted to see it that badly I think you should see it too! Also note this article "The Beatles Probably Wouldn't Exist Without This Movie": https://collider.com/beatles-movie-the-girl-cant-help-it/. So we must see the film to have the opportunity to show our gratitude for the very existence of the Beatles.
I should note that the film is a product of its time- the mid-1950s- for example, humor based on the buxom build of Jayne Mansfield (in her first starring role). (In other words, don't be surprised to find some 1950s-style attitudes about women.)
This event is cross posted with the "50s 60s and 70s of the Red Line and beyond" group
MEETING UP
The film starts at 4:30. I will be in the lobby outside the theater on the 15th between 4:05-4:20. Not planning on having any special signage or other identifying symbols, but I intend on looking as much like my picture here on Meetup as I possibly can. I would like to go in the theater at 4:20 to get seats, although if you arrive between 4:20-4:30 you can certainly look for me/us in the theater.
AFTER THE FILM
It's an hour and 20 minutes, which means that it should be ending close to 6:00, which would be a fine time to get something to eat or drink nearby afterwards, if others are interested, and chat about the film, or other films, or the Beatles, or other suitable related topics. If others are interested we can figure out at the time where to go. There is no dearth of places to go in Silver Spring.
QUESTIONS?
I have limited experience hosting Meetups with this group (and even limited experience attending in-person Meetups with this group), but if you have any questions you are welcome to message me individually. I shall endeavor to respond expeditiously to any inquiries.
7 attendees
High Anxiety (film starts at 5:30; meet between 5:05-5:20)
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, USABOUT THE FILM
Mel Brooks film (that means it's comedy) from 1977. AFI's description (https://silver.afi.com/movies/detail/0100005622/) begins "Newly arrived at the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous, Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke (Mel Brooks) discovers some suspicious goings-on between his colleagues Dr. Montague (Harvey Korman) and Nurse Diesel (Cloris Leachman)."
I have not seen this film yet. I had thought that it was one of Brooks' earlier films, but I see now that it was made after both Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Obviously I was mistaken. Clearly I must see the film to rectify any other misconceptions I may have about it.
MEETING UP
The film starts at 5:30. I will be in the lobby outside the theater on the 16th between 5:05-5:20. Not planning on having any special signage or other identifying symbols, but just look for the person who resembles my picture here on Meetup. I would like to go in the theater at 5:20 to get seats, although if you arrive between 5:20-5:30 you can certainly look for me/us in the theater.
AFTER THE FILM
It's an hour and a half so it should be ending around 7:00, which would be a good time to get something to eat or drink nearby afterwards, if others are interested, and chat about the film, or other films, or whatever other misconceptions I may be laboring under (there may be many), or any other suitable related topics. If others are interested we can figure out at the time where to go.
QUESTIONS?
I have limited experience hosting Meetups with this group (and even limited experience attending in-person Meetups with this group), but if you have any questions you are welcome to message me individually. I shall endeavor to respond to any inquiries with alacrity.
2 attendees
Movie Night: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, USHas anyone else had this film on their radar for months now? I'll be at the 6:50 screening on Saturday 8/22. Fans of queer horror come on out and support AFI Silver 👭🔪 recommend buying a ticket in advance as I believe it's playing on one of their smaller screens and seats could sell out.
I'll be hanging out inside ~30 mins before the show for people who want to meet up beforehand. The theatre has a decent selection of drinks and there's a small seating area near concessions. Also open to grabbing a bite somewhere after the show if people are interested.
Link to purchase tickets on AFI site
Summary:
Visionary director Jane Schoenbrun (I SAW THE TV GLOW) presents a new kind of horror film. Bursting with imagination and surreal wit, their latest genre-bending wonder affirms there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure. After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the CAMP MIASMA slasher franchise is due for resurrection, and one young director (Hannah Einbinder) is more than up to the task. But when she visits the original movie’s star, a now-reclusive actress (Gillian Anderson), the two women fall into a blood-soaked world of desire, fear and delirium — under threat from the spear-wielding Little Death. Winner of the Queer Palm, this transformative Cannes favorite leads its protagonists to true fulfillment, encouraging us to ask how we can reach our own. The first step? Facing your fantasy. DIR/SCR Jane Schoenbrun; PROD Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner. U.S., 2026, color, 112 min. RATED R1 attendee
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