DOUBLE FEATURE
Broadway Theatre hosts Michigan director’s event
The Broadway Theatre will be hosting a doublefeature event that will showcase films from a Michigan director.
At 8 p.m. on March 25, Addison Binek’s films “Psycho Ape!” and “Magnum Opus” will be shown at the theatre with a Q & A session in between the films.
Binek is from Royal Oak and attended school at the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan.
“I’ve loved movies my whole life and wanted to make movies,” Binek said. “My dad bought me different cameras for my birthdays.”
In addition to his films, Binek also has different shows on his Youtube channel where he’ll review and riff on different films, usually B-movies or films that fall into horror-comedy genre or the ‘so bad it’s good’ film genre. This includes his ‘Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon’ series and the ‘Tromasterpiece Theatre’ series.
“I feel I’m well versed in what makes a B-movie tick,” Binek said. “I’ve watched hundreds of them.”
Binek’s film ‘Psycho Ape!’ pays homage to B-movie horror films. The movie was shot for $7,500 on Minidv and follows a killer gorilla that escapes from the Detroit Zoo and goes on killing spree, usually with bananas. The style is made with respect to classic cheesy films made by Ed Wood, Troma Entertainment, and Mel Brooks-style spoof movies.
“It’s supposed to be stupid, fun because it’s killer gorilla cutting people with bananas,” Binek said. “You can witness the gorilla costume falling apart or missing pieces during the film.”
Binek’s other film, ‘Magnum Opus,’ has been described as “Boyhood meets Jackass.” It’s an experimental film that features footage of Binek and his childhood friends performing a compilation of stunts, pranks, and skits from 2002-2017. The film was shot on VHS, Hi-8, Minidv, and Digital HD and has been edited together in chronological order.
“‘Magnum Opus’ has never had a theatrical premier, though it has played in a bar in Ann Arbor, so this will be it’s first time playing in a theatre,” Binek said. “It’s a time capsule of teens in the mid-2000s and could be nostalgic to those who did stuff like this but didn’t record it.”
During this event, Binek will also be selling merchandise for his films.
“The fanbase for my work is growing and it’s been a whole new thing to show two meaningful pieces of
art in front of strangers,” Binek said.
Later this year, Binek will be attending the Cinema Wasteland Convention in Ohio which invites independent film makes
and horror celebrities to come together.
Tickets for the Broadway Theatre double-feature event are $8 and $10 at the door. The movies are not rated but parental discretion is advised.
For more information visit friendsofthebroadway.org or the Broadway Theatre Facebook page.