Wyo Theatre Hoping to Bring Back Spring Film Series

Independent film lovers rejoice! The Wyo Theatre may be showing a Spring Film Series. As far back as 1988, the Wyo has been running both a Fall and Spring Film series, and even though there was no Fall series, owners Marshall and Karen Smith are hoping to bring the tradition of showing independent and foreign language films back to Laramie.

“We’ve always attempted to do a service for the community and bring these type of films in to Laramie,” said Karen. “Our view of the Wyo has always been that it’s Laramie’s historic theatre and is there for the town’s benefit and thus we have tried to keep running the film series.”

In the past the Wyo has simply broken even when they show a film series, but in recent years they have lost money. The Smiths attribute the change to the fact that more independent films have been receiving greater distribution and are playing to a wider commercial audience, making them unavailable to theatres like the Wyo. DVD delivery services have also made it easier for fans to view films they had a much tougher time getting a hold of in years past.

This means that in order for the Wyo Theatre to be able to show a Spring Film Series, they must pre-sell tickets to ensure they can break even. If a certain amount of tickets are pre-sold by the second week of February, then the series of 13 films will begin on February 19 with a different film shown every Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

Tickets are being presold in packages, both of which include a Wyo Film Society membership card. The $30 package will get you five tickets and the $55 package has 10 tickets. With a membership card, additional series tickets can be purchased for $5, instead of the regular price of $6.50 for a film series movie ticket.

The Laramie Film Society is assisting in the selling of the tickets, which are available at Big Hollow Food Co-op, The Pedal House, the Wyo Theatre or from members of the Laramie Film Society. Here is the film schedule that will be shown if the 2012 Spring Film Series happens along with trailers and synopsis from Robert Roten:

February 19 — Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene — A young woman, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) joins a rural cult, not unlike the Manson Family. She escapes and goes to live with her sister, but the cult members follow her. She has trouble escaping the hold the cult has on her mind. This film has won four awards at international film festivals and other film competitions. It has been nominated for a number of other awards. Rated R, running time 120 minutes.

February 26 — Like Crazy — An American boy and and a British girl fall in love, only to be separated by immigration rules when the girl (Felicity Jones) overstays her student visa and can’t return to the U.S. This film has already won eight awards at international film festivals and other film competitions. Rated PG-13, running time 90 minutes.

March 4 — A Dangerous Method — Famed analyst Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and his mentor Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen), both fall under the spell of a bewitching patient, Sabrina (Kiera Knightley) in this powerful period psychological drama helmed by famed director David Cronenberg. The actors in this film have already won three awards from international film festivals and other competitions and have been nominated for more, including a Golden Globe Award. Rated R, running time 99 minutes.

March 11 — My Week with Marilyn — Marilyn Monroe (played by Michelle Williams of “Blue Valentine”) creates havoc on the 1956 British set of “The Prince and the Showgirl”. She is at odds with her famous and increasingly frustrated director, Sir Lawrence Olivier. She makes a fast friend with an assistant director, Colin Clark, and the two slip away from the set for some escapades. This film has won eight awards from international film festivals and other film competitions. It has also been nominated for other awards, including three Golden Globe Awards. Rated R, running time 99 minutes.

March 18 — Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy — Based on the John le Carré spy novel, this film follows master spy George Smiley (played by Gary Oldman) as he tries to find a double agent hiding in the highest levels of British intelligence during the Cold War. This film has won three international film competition awards and has been nominated for other awards. Rated R, 127 minutes.

March 25 — Carnage — Two sets of parents go to a meeting to resolve a fight by their sons in this comedy drama. As the meeting progresses, the parents behavior becomes increasingly childish. Starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly. Directed by Roman Polanski. This film has won two international film awards and has been nominated for more. Rated R, running time 97 minutes.

April 1 — A Separation — A couple must decide whether to move to another country to make a better life for the family or stay in Iran and care for an aging, mentally impaired parent. In Persian with English subtitles. This film has won 23 international film awards and will likely win more as it has been nominated, and will be nominated for other awards, including a Golden Globe award. Rated PG-13, running time 120 minutes.

April 8 — No film for Easter Sunday, (this also coincides with spring break).

April 15 — The Iron Lady — Late in her life, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (played by award-winning actress Meryl Streep) thinks back on her career and struggles with her own mental stability. Streep has won three international awards for her performance in this film and has been nominated for more awards, including a Golden Globe award. Rated PG-13, running time 105 minutes.

April 22–The Artist — A top silent film star sees his career fade as the era of the talkies begins in Hollywood. At the same time a young actress he is attracted to sees her career skyrocket as she embraces the era of sound in movies. As his star fades, the young starlet does her best to help him stay afloat, but his pride could destroy her plans. This silent, black and white film has won 13 international awards and seems likely to win more as his has been nominated for more awards, including six Golden Globe Award nominations. Rated PG-13, running time, 100 minutes.

April 29 — We Need to Talk About Kevin — A boy grows up to be evil, despite his mother’s best attempts to redeem him in this devastating drama. This film has won seven international film awards and is nominated for many more, including a Golden Globe award nomination and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for star Tilda Swinton, who plays the mother. Rated R, 110 minutes.

May 5 — Albert Nobbs — A woman pretends to be a man in order to get a better-paying job at a hotel in 19th Century Ireland. She tries something even more unconventional to better her situation. This film won four international film awards and is nominated for more awards, including three Golden Globe nominations for stars Glenn Close, Janet McTeer and for Best Original Song. Rated R, running time 113 minutes.