12 Things to Do in Movies, Comedy, Books and More

Michio Kaku will speak at the Free Library Central Branch on Tuesday, February 27. This image is a detail from the cover of his new book, The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth.

Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary @ PhilaMOCA | Wednesday, February 21
Directed by John Campopiano and Justin White, this independent documentary takes you behind the scenes of the Stephen King novel turned surprise movie classic Pet Sematary. Unearthed & Untold includes interviews with King, director Mary Lambert, several members of the cast and crew and a wide cast related characters. Sadly, Fred Gwynne — who uttered some of the 1989 horror film’s most memorable lines — passed away years ago and so only appears in archival footage. Sometimes dead is not better. Scroll down a little for the trailer.

Pinochet Porn @ Lightbox Film Center | Thursday, February 22
This “soap opera-like narrative” tells the story of five kids growing up in Chile under General Augusto Pinochet. Director Ellen Cantor shot the film over five years on Super 8 before she died in 2013. Pinochet Porn was posthumously completed in 2016. There will be a post-film conversation with Lia Gangitano, founder of NYC art space Participant Inc., and Kate Kraczon of the Institute of Contemporary Art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slfiRQ3ahig

Pinochet Porn @ Lightbox Film Center | Thursday, February 22
This “soap opera-like narrative” tells the story of five kids growing up in Chile under General Augusto Pinochet. Director Ellen Cantor shot the film over five years on Super 8 before she died in 2013. Pinochet Porn was posthumously completed in 2016. There will be a post-film conversation with Lia Gangitano, founder of NYC art space Participant Inc., and Kate Kraczon of the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Tour: Octavius Catto & Abolitionists @ The Library Company of Philadelphia | Thursday, February 22
Not to be confused with the Philadelphia Free Library, a branch of which I am writing this post, the Library Company of Philadelphia is “America’s first successful lending library and oldest cultural institution” founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. This tour, led by African American History Specialist Jasmine Smith, ties in with the #GiltyPleasures exhibition.

Desolation @ PhilaMOCA | Thursday, February 22
Former child actor David Moscow (Big, Newsies) makes his directorial debut with this horror film about a woman who finds her own obituary in the newspaper. That never happened in Newsies. Lots of other things in this film never happened in Newsies, judging by the trailer.

Plastic Cup Boyz @ Punchline | Thursday-Saturday, February 22-24
This three-man comedy team — Joey Wells, Will “Spank” Horton and Na’im Lynn — toured with Kevin Hart and has a done several videos for Comedy Central. This cracked me up.

Clock That Mug or Dusted @ FringeArts | Thursday-Saturday, February 22-24
Cherdonna Shinatra stars in this show that “draws on vintage feminist ideals and asks, ‘what is present day queer/drag feminism?’” Shinatra will utilize movement, paint and cake.

Bonnie Siegler and the Sisters of Solidarity @ Philadelphia Ethical Society | Thursday, February 22
AIGA discussion and book signing with influential graphic designer and author Bonnie Siegler, founder of the Eight and a Half design studio. Her newest book is called Signs of Resistance: A Visual History of Protest in America. Sisters of Solidarity Helene Calci, Rose DiSanto, Michele Cooper and Kelly Holohan will participate in a panel discussion.

Exhumed Films Presents: Rock ’n’ Roll Nightmares! @ Lightbox Film Center | Friday, February 23
Horror-film aficionados Exhumed Films present three “rocker shockers.” Terror On Tour (1980) is billed as “metalsploitation.” Trick Or Treat (1986) stars Marc Price (Skippy from Family Ties), and boasts a cameo by Ozzy Osbourne. New Year’s Evil (1980) stars Roz Kelly (aka Pinky Tuscadero from Happy Days) as a punk radio DJ gets a phone call from a murderer.

Secret Cinema: Oscar-Winning Shorts 1932-1968 @ Fleisher Art Memorial | Saturday, February 24
Philly’s finest film archivists Secret Cinema present an evening of dramas, comedies, documentaries and cartoons entitled And the Envelope, Please: Oscar-Winning Short Films 1932-1968. Program includes The Music Box (1932), Glass (1959), The Golden Fish (1959), Why Man Creates (1968) and more.

Demetri Martin @ Keswick Theater | Saturday, February 24
The NYC comedian — and host of the late, lamented Comedy Central show Important Things — is on his Let’s Get Awkward Tour.

Amanda Seales @ Helium | Monday, February 26
Also known as Amanda Diva, L.A. comedian/actress/singer/radio DJ Amanda Seales will perform standup. (She used to sing with Floetry!) I mean, she’s fully capable of breaking into song or doing a monologue or playing a record, but this show is a comedy club so I’m taking a guess here.

Spice World @ Trocadero | Monday, February 26
This musical comedy starring pop stars the Spice Girls was declared “way better than anybody expected” when it was released in 1997. Does it hold up? Does it matter?

Michio Kaku @ Free Library Central Branch | Tuesday, February 27
The rock star theoretical physicist and author — whom I first heard while listening to Art Bell back in the day — will discuss his new book The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth. Sadly the auditorium is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the simulcast. Take it away, Mich…