ATTACK THE BLOCK: Firehouse “Thrill Rides” Movie Night Series
Pleasanton, Calif. The February installment in the Firehouse Arts Center’s “Thrill Rides” Movie Night Series is a goodie! ATTACK THE BLOCK (2011, rated R, 88 minutes) screens Wednesday, February 24, at 7:30 p.m. This indie sci-fi thriller with a funny-bone follows a crazy mix of tough street kids in South London as they defend their block from an alien invasion, turning a housing project into a sci-fi battleground… Inner City vs. Outer Space.
Come a few minutes early to enjoy some fun trivia about the film. Free popcorn! Soda and snacks are available to purchase at the lobby concessions bay, and can be taken inside the theater. (No outside food or beverages are permitted.)
General admission tickets are $10.00 at the door. Tickets can also be purchased in advance online at www.firehousearts.org, by calling 925-931-4848, and in person at the Box Office, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton.
This Republic of Ireland production premiered in May 2011, and features a super U.K. cast starring John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, among others.
First-time writer/director Joe Cornish was inspired to make this film after being actually mugged in real-life one night (much in the same way the character Sam is, as portrayed in the film). Cornish noticed his five young assailants were as scared as he was, and started researching their lives.
ATTACK THE BLOCK even fetched some nice award season “wins”: New York Film Critics “Best Debut Director” (Joe Cornish), Toronto Film Critics Association “Best First Feature” (Joe Cornish), Black Reel Awards “Best Actor” (John Boyega) and “Outstanding Foreign Film.”
The Black Film Critics Circle notably awarded the film a “Special Mention,” stating that “(ATTACK) is a genre film that defies a number of conventions, not only by having a primarily black cast, but portraying each character with a dignity seldom seen on screen and even more rarely in a Science-Fiction film.”
IMDB (Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com) tags this film as “action, comedy, sci-fi”… take your pick! It’s definitely got something for everybody!
Note: For R-Rated Films, under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian (age 21 or older) and 25 years and under must show ID.
The Firehouse Arts Center is dedicated to inspiring passion through the arts. The center is comprised of the 227-seat Firehouse Theater, the 2000 square foot Harrington Gallery, classrooms and rehearsal space, the grand atrium lobby, and the famous interior glass bridge. With world-class performing and visual arts, exciting interactive programs for all ages, and a state-of-the-art venue which opened in 2010, we combine the sophistication of the culturally rich Bay Area arts landscape with the hospitality and intimacy of our own home town. The Firehouse Arts Center is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue in downtown Pleasanton. Media: Jane Onojafe, jonojafe@cityofpleasantonca.gov, or 925-931-4855
###
