🎬 Behind the Scenes:

One of the questions I get asked the most—usually right after “When are you getting that movie?”—is how I actually decide what we show at Fort Kent Cinema. So I thought I’d pull the curtain back a little and share what the process looks like. Spoiler alert: it’s part data, part instinct, and part standing in the lobby trying to remember what three different people told me about upcoming films.

🗓️ Step 1: What’s Coming Out?
My starting point is usually the IMDb release calendar, which is a pretty handy tool for seeing what’s hitting theaters each week. I look ahead and mark anything that might line up with an open slot in our schedule. It gives me a rough idea of what’s even possible.

Not everything on that list is available to us. Sometimes a movie’s distribution isn’t wide enough to reach small-town theaters like ours right away, or the licensing costs don’t make sense for a short run. But it’s a good place to start.

🧠 Step 2: Mental Notes from the Lobby
The next part is a little less official—but maybe more important.

When people stop by the ticket counter, or I bump into someone at the grocery store, they’ll often mention a movie they saw a trailer for or read about online. I do my best to remember those titles (admittedly, I should probably write them down), and if enough folks ask about the same one, I try to prioritize it when the timing works out.

Sometimes I can get it right away. Sometimes I can’t. I’m hesitant to book films too late because these days they hit streaming almost immediately—and by then, most people have already watched it from their couch. Still, if there’s strong enough demand, I’ll do my best to bring it in.

🤪 A Personal Pick: The New Naked Gun
That all being said... sometimes I pick a movie just because I want to see it.

I’ve booked the new Naked Gun movie, and it’s honestly for me. Growing up, I adored Leslie Nielsen, Mel Brooks, and anything with that Monty Python-style absurdity. I wanted to be in those movies. I dreamed about joining the Monty Python troupe, not realizing they’d been around long before I was even born.

So yeah, this one’s for younger me.

If you see me laughing louder than anyone else in the theater, now you’ll know why.

🎟️ Striking a Balance
Choosing what to play is always a bit of a dance—between what’s available, what people want, and what we think will bring folks out for a night at the movies. I don’t always get it perfect, but I hope it shows that I care deeply about trying.

Because Fort Kent Cinema isn’t just a screen and some seats—it’s a place for shared stories, memories, and a little joy. And sometimes, it’s a place to revisit the kind of humor that shaped who you are.

See you at the movies,
— Brandon