L. KENT WOLGAMOTT / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 6:00 pm
The Star Ship 9 is bringing a couple of cult pictures back to the big screen for a good cause this week.
“Donnie Darko,” which didn’t play Lincoln during its 2001 run, and “Napoleon Dynamite” will join seven more standard second-run features at the Star Ship beginning this afternoon as the theater starts a food drive to benefit The Food Bank of Lincoln.
Those who bring a non-perishable food item or personal item will receive a 2-for-1 admission coupon for a future visit to the Star Ship — not a bad deal. And you can catch a couple of off-beat, entertaining pictures while you’re at it.
“Donnie Darko” stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a suburban teenager who winds up on a time-travel adventure. “Napoleon Dynamite,” which has developed a huge following, is the story of the ultimate high school geek, perfectly played by Jon Heder.
Appropriately enough, the Star Ship is having midnight movies tonight. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. All nine shows will start at midnight.
On screen
Four new pictures open in Lincoln this weekend, including “Glory Road,” the true story of Coach Don Haskins and the 1966 Texas Western basketball team. But it’s also week two for a pair of pictures that did even better in Lincoln than they did nationally this weekend.
“Brokeback Mountain,” the tragic gay western romance starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, led the nation in per-screen average last weekened, taking in more than $11,000 in each of the theaters where it is playing. “Hostel,” Eli Roth’s grisly horror movie about a pair of Americans trapped and tortured in Slovakia, was the nation’s box office leader last weekend. They’re both at the Douglas Grand Theatre.
Clubland
There are a of couple club shows worth noting this week, both of which are set for Wednesday night.
Lil’ Brian and the Zydeco Travelers, one of the best bands on the roots music circuit, will play the Zoo Bar’s early 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday show. At 27, Lil’ Brian Taylor and his band have earned the respect of their elders, as evidenced by the fact that Stanley “Buckwheat Zydeco” Dural produced “Funky Nation,” the Travelers’ most recent record. That ought to be bona fide enough to get out your dancin’ shoes. Cover charge is $8.
Over at Knickerbockers, Wednesday is a country double bill that shouldn’t be missed. The visiting band is Jason Boland and the Stragglers, the red dirt country outfit from Oklahoma that knows how to kick up a very good time. The home band is Forty Twenty, one of the best bands in Lincoln. This one will cost you $12, and it’ll be worth every penny.
Fearless football forecast
Saturday, Washington travels to Seattle to face the Seahawks and MVP Shaun Alexander. The Seahawks haven’t gotten much attention or respect this season, but they’re the best team in the NFC. Look for this one to be over pretty quickly. Seattle 24, Washington 7.
In Saturday’s AFC game, New England heads for Denver. The Patriots appear to be rounding into form, and they know how to win in the post season. Denver, however, has been a far better team throughout the year. The smart money is on the home team. But I’m a Raider fan and hate the Broncos. New England 24, Denver 21.
Sunday, Pittsburgh goes to Indianapolis in the second AFC matchup. The Steelers have been so close and yet so very far away from returning to the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerin James and the Colts defense will make sure that continues. Indianapolis 31, Pittsburgh 17.
Carolina, who thumped the New York Giants last Sunday, is in Chicago to meet the Bears. Given the two defenses, this game could end up 3-0. But I’m looking for something more like 14-10 Bears.
Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.