Mickey Matson movie premiere in Grand Rapids

 

We had the privilege of being VIP guests of director Harold Cronk and Executive Producer Edgar Struble last Thursday during the premiere of the motion picture “Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy.” The red carpet event was held at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids. The movie was almost exclusively filmed in Mason and Manistee counties.

I remember sitting at Redolencia Coffee Shop in Ludington last spring when Cronk approached me and pitched his idea for the film. As an artist, he starts his ideas by drawing them out. He talked about the adventure of Mickey Matson and his friend Sully as they find clues that help them find pieces of a machine that will make silver out of anything. As with all great film, the movie has a nemesis, played by Dr. Rick Plummer, director of West Shore Community College’s cultural and performing arts. Rick is among other local actors who do an amazing job in the film.

The stars of the film are 15-year-old Derek Brandon from Middleville, Michigan and 14-year-old Francesca DeRosa of California. Judging from their outstanding acting in this film, these two kids have great futures ahead of them. The “big” names in the film were Christopher Lloyd and Ernie Hudson. Christopher Lloyd is best known as “Doc” from the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Ernie Hudson, a Benton Harbor native, is best known in his role in the “Ghostbusters” films.

I spent time on the filming locations in both Manistee and Ludington and also photographed the cast and crew when they visited Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids last week. This is a first class operation which reflects the values of western Michigan. It is a family friendly movie with great cinematography, a good story and top notch acting.

For more photos, check out Alway Photography’s Facebook page. To read more about the movie, check out www.MasonCountyPress.com and www.MickeyMatson.com.

The movie is now playing at all Celebration Cinema sites in Grand Rapids. Please check it out!

– rob

 

Remembering Ireland, days 2 and 3

A year ago right now Becky and I were in Ireland. We have had many great trips together but this one was just magical. I’ve written many times about how amazing the Emerald Isle is, some may even think its almost an obsession. It is a place that we plan on visiting again and again.

We flew from Chicago to Dublin, leaving on May 4 and arriving the morning of May 5. Ireland is five hours ahead of Michigan and six hours ahead of Chicago.

Our first day was spent in a sleepy haze, but we managed to make the two hour drive from Dublin to Galway, spending a good part of the rest of the day sleeping and adjusting to the time change.

May 6: We drove from Galway to Clifden, along the coast of Galway Bay.  That afternoon we found Clifden Castle and created the above image.

May 7: A year ago today we drove from Clifden to Achill Island, stopping along the way at Kylemore Abbey (below).