By Margaret Evans, Editor


Last week, when Pat Conroy stood up to present an award to Andie MacDowell at the 9^th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival, he said, “As the first thing you’re seeing after watching a video montage of Andie MacDowell’s career, I have never felt uglier in my life.”

The audience howled – it was classic Conroy – but something he said later struck a serious note with me. Speaking of movie stars, he said (and I paraphrase), “The ancient Greeks were not the only ones who needed gods and goddesses. People have always needed them, since the beginning of human history, and we still do.”

By Margaret Evans, Editor

So, there’s a discussion thread on my Facebook page that, as of this moment, has been alive and kicking for seven days. The subject? Clint Eastwood’s controversial, Oscar-nominated film American Sniper. The pro-Sniper folks are hanging tough, while the anti-Sniper contingent is also holding its own. I bowed out of the conversation days ago, and frankly, I’m starting to wish the others would “take it outside.” But what’s a gracious hostess to do? I started it. I invited them in, so it seems impolite to kick them out. Still, seven days?

By Margaret Evans, Editor

The Beaufort International Film Festival is fast approaching – along with the Oscars – so it’s time, once again, for my annual reflection on movies. Yeehaw! This allows for – nay, necessitates – my annual Winter Movie Binge. I just love hunkering down in a dark theater this time of year . . . and I really love saying, “I’m seeing two movies back-to-back today. It’s a work thing.”