The Morristown Movie & Dining (and More) Meetup Group!

AMC Rockaway is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Breakfast Club on Sunday Sept 7 at 6pm. (Do I feel old 😊) I plan on going. Who wants to join me??? Tickets for this special showing are now on sale!

After the movie whoever wants to can join me at the Townsquare Diner to reminisce and discuss!

For those not familiar with this John Hughes classic:
The Breakfast Club
1985 ‧ Comedy/Drama ‧ 1h 37m
Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal. The disparate group includes rebel John, princess Claire, outcast Allison, brainy Brian and Andrew, the jock. Each has a chance to tell his or her story, making the others see them a little differently -- and when the day ends, they question whether school will ever be the same.

If you are new to the group – welcome! Please be aware of the following:
OUR NO SHOW POLICY:
• If you RSVP and your plans then change, we ask that you notify us and change your RSVP as soon as possible - definitely before the start of the event. It's unfair for the group to wait around after the film for people who do not show up. And it fouls up reservations made at the restaurants we visit. NO SHOWS WILL NOW BE WARNED ONCE AND REMOVED FROM THE GROUP AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. We keep a list of no-shows - please change your RSVP prior to the start of the event so you don't end up on it! Thank you for your consideration.
WAIVER, RELEASE, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
• This is a show-up at your own risk event. This meetup group does not take any responsibility for any health risks that might happen during this event. When you RSVP you are accepting these terms upon yourself and your guests (if any). I hereby waive, release, and discharge the Meetup Group and its officers, leaders, volunteers, employees, organizers, sponsors, members, and participants from any claims for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from my participation in any of this group’s events. My RSVP and/or participation in this event is my signature on this waiver

Hi all,

I’m stepping outside my usual comfort zone and looking to host… a horror film but written by Stephen King so I make the exception. The long walk looks intense, but very interesting.

Here is the plot synopsis:

In a dystopian America, 100 teenage boys are forced to compete in a walking contest. The contest involves maintaining a speed of four miles per hour, with warnings for slowing down. Three warnings lead to immediate execution. The last boy standing wins a substantial prize and a wish.

We will see the 3:30 PM session at AMC Morristown and then we will head over to seasons 52 for dinner and discussion.

If you are just joining for the discussion, please note that in the comments.

If you are new to the group – welcome! Please be aware of the following:
OUR NO SHOW POLICY:
• If you RSVP and your plans then change, we ask that you notify us and change your RSVP as soon as possible - definitely before the start of the event. It's unfair for the group to wait around after the film for people who do not show up. And it fouls up reservations made at the restaurants we visit. NO SHOWS WILL NOW BE WARNED ONCE AND REMOVED FROM THE GROUP AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. We keep a list of no-shows - please change your RSVP prior to the start of the event so you don't end up on it! Thank you for your consideration.
WAIVER, RELEASE, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
• This is a show-up at your own risk event. This meetup group does not take any responsibility for any health risks that might happen during this event. When you RSVP you are accepting these terms upon yourself and your guests (if any). I hereby waive, release, and discharge the Meetup Group and its officers, leaders, volunteers, employees, organizers, sponsors, members, and participants from any claims for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from my participation in any of this group’s events. My RSVP and/or participation in this event is my signature on this waiver

Please join me to watch the last Downton Abbey movie and to commemorate and commiserate afterwards over Afternoon Tea at a nearby tea house! I plan for us to watch in Rockaway and they have a 12 noon show which would allow for Afternoon Tea afterwards.

I am super excited to announce that we will be having a grand tea event to celebrate the grand finale of this grand franchise - in grand fashion!
We will be having High Tea (Afternoon Tea) at a true Victorian Mansion - circa 1908. The Whistling Swan Inn in Stanhope is 20 minutes from the theater and they know how to do tea right! (https://www.whistlingswaninn.com)

I'm considering this abundant High Tea to be like a late lunch - we need a minimum of 10 people and I have capped the attendees at 14 because we can have a private Downton Themed party in the dining room and all of us can be at the same table that way. It will cost $45 + tax & tip so approx. $52 pp.
Here's a sample menu - all items are homemade: (dietary needs can be accomodated):
A sample menu would include sandwiches such as:
Classic Coronation Chicken
Herbed Cream Cheese and Cucumber
Egg Salad
Quiche Lorraine
Tea Cup of seasonal soup
Sweets:
Seasonal Macarons
Orange Apricot Tea Bread
Gingerbread
Mini Chocolate/Vanilla Cupcakes
Chocolate covered strawberries
Scones:(choice of 2) - served with homemade Devonshire cream, lemon curd and strawberry preserves.
Cream Scones (classic)
Lemon Poppyseed
Cranberry Orange
Cranberry White Chocolate
Cinnamon Raisin

Oh yeah - about the movie...if you're a fan, you know the deal. If you're not, the Downton Movies do a great job of bringing newbies up to speed so no need to have watched the series or seen the prior two films.

However the synopsis for this one is as follows:
"In the summer of 1930, the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble."
Runtime: 2hr 3min

Sounds juicy! And interestingly, I see Dan Stevens listed in the cast. How is that possible? Does Matthew come back from the dead? Quite the mystery. All will be revealed on movie day! Note to our discussion only folks: No spoilers please:)

If you are new to the group – welcome! Please be aware of the following:

OUR NO SHOW POLICY:
• If you RSVP and your plans then change, we ask that you notify us and change your RSVP as soon as possible - definitely before the start of the event. It's unfair for the group to wait around after the film for people who do not show up. And it fouls up reservations made at the restaurants we visit. NO SHOWS WILL NOW BE WARNED ONCE AND REMOVED FROM THE GROUP AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. We keep a list of no-shows - please change your RSVP prior to the start of the event so you don't end up on it! Thank you for your consideration.
WAIVER, RELEASE, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
• This is a show-up at your own risk event. This meetup group does not take any responsibility for any health risks that might happen during this event. When you RSVP you are accepting these terms upon yourself and your guests (if any). I hereby waive, release, and discharge the Meetup Group and its officers, leaders, volunteers, employees, organizers, sponsors, members, and participants from any claims for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from my participation in any of this group’s events. My RSVP and/or participation in this event is my signature on this waiver

AMC East Hanover 16, 3:30 showing

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is an upcoming American romantic fantasy film directed by Kogonada and written by Seth Reiss. It stars Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, Kevin Kline, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The story about a pair of strangers and the unimaginable journey that ties them together.

US release Sept 19, 2025

After the film we will meet just outside the auditorium and then head over to...(TBD)..for discussion!