FRI 8/12
Wilby Island fits all the stereotypes of the quintessential small town: a haughty distrust of outsiders, a need to sweep the dirt under the carpet, and a dyslexic sign-painter named Duck MacDonald. OK, so that guy's a little odd. But the rest of what goes on in the film Wilby Wonderful is all about the dark side of small-town small-mindedness -- and lots of sex, drugs, and adultery.
Taking place within a single day, Wilby Wonderful (named for MacDonald's attempt at writing "Wonderful Wilby" -- d'oh!) follows a handful of Wilby residents as they try to carry on with normal living, all the while knowing there's a scandal brewing that'll soon expose some less-than-normal behavior going on. There's a philandering cop and his overly ambitious wife; a suicidal man who can't seem to finish the job; and a wooded area called Wilby Watch, where something strange and apparently shameful is going on (sorry, no spoiler for you). While the film mostly tiptoes around the alleged scandal, you can probably figure it out. But we won't tell you. Wilby Wonderful opens Friday at Cinema Paradiso (503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale). The screenings run through August 17. Tickets cost $5 to $8. Call 954-525-FILM, or visit www.cinemaparadiso.org. -- Jason Budjinski
Dante's Inferno
Clerks is back
FRI 8/12
If Fox's Outrageous Behavior Caught on Tape proved anything (besides the fact that your coworkers could be peeing in your coffee), it's that surveillance cameras have more tales to tell than a million paparazzi. Kevin Smith had a similar vision in his 1994 movie Clerks. Shot in black and white, the film takes us into the wacky world of convenience store clerk Dante Hicks and his buddy Randal, a clerk at the neighboring video store who comes by to irritate Dante's customers. Sure, the film has a plot and all (Dante's girlfriend wants him to quit clerking and go to college), and Clerks famously debuted Jay and Silent Bob, the unlikely pair of perpetually loitering stoners seen in later Smith films like Dogma. "Snoochie-boochies!" Clerks is shown Friday and Saturday at Fountains 8 Cinemas (801 S. University Dr., Plantation). Screenings take place at 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5.25. Call 954-472-6246. -- Jason Budjinski
When School's Out
Art's in
FRI 8/12
Not all grade-school kids view summertime as a chance to sit on the couch and play video games; some actually do creative stuff. And nowhere is such productivity more evident than at the Armory Art Center (1703 S. Lake Ave., West Palm Beach), which holds its "Third Annual Summer Youth Program Exhibition and Creative Celebration," proving that kids view art as more than just drawing skulls and writing graffiti in public restrooms. The program, for ages 6 to 18, features all manner of 2-D and 3-D artwork, from painting and photography to glass fusion. A reception is held Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.; the exhibit runs through September 9. Call 561-832-1776, or visit www.armoryart.org. -- Jason Budjinski
Dude, You Got a Deltiologist!
SAT 8/13
Postcard collectors are serious about their hobby, so much so that they've got their own classification -- deltiologists. Twice a year, the deltiologists in the Tropical Postcard Club hold a giant show and sale at the Pompano Beach Civic Center (1801 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach), featuring more than 20 statewide dealers. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 305-666-0219. -- Jason Budjinski