Films to get you in the mood for the total eclipse

Little Shop of Horrors

The Total Solar Eclipse will be Monday (Aug. 21, 2017), darkening the skies from Oregon to South Carolina. And if you aren't lucky enough to be in the path of totality, you can still spot the eclipse in partial form throughout the United States.

But don't wait until Monday to get in the mood. Here's a fun list of movies to watch that include a total eclipse.

1. Little Shop of Horrors. This 1986 musical horror comedy directed by Frank Oz (think Miss Piggy) is a film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical comedy by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (think Disney) based on the low-budget 1960 film of the same name, directed by Roger Corman (think "The Pope of Pop Cinema"). The 1986 film stars Rick Moranis as a nerdy shopkeeper who discovers an unusual plant during a total eclipse and begins raising the plant that ends up feasting on human blood. Other stars include Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Christopher Guest and Bill Murray. Here's the fun scene in which the eclipse appears.

2. Delores Claiborne. This 1995 thriller based on a Stephen King novel stars Kathy Bates as a wife who's abused by husband David Strathairn. The film revolves around her daughter, who reluctantly returns to a New England island to clear Delores (Bates) from the charges of killing her employer. But then there's that time when Delores really did something bad during a solar eclipse. Left: That's Kathy Bates watching her drunk husband attempt to watch the eclipse. If you want to see the part with the eclipse, click here. But be warned, it spoils the film.

3. Ladyhawke. Matthew Broderick stars as Philippe Gaston, known as "The Mouse," who meets Captain Etienne of Navarre who has been separated from his love, Isabeau, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. They have been cursed and Navarre takes the form of a wolf by night and Isabeau a hawk by day so that they can never be together except for a brief moment at dusk and dawn. Only during an eclipse will spell be broken. See the trailer here.

4. Apocalypto. This pre-Columbian film set in the Yucatan and Guatemala around 1511 is directed and produced by Mel Gibson and told entirely through the Yucatec Maya language. The main character is captured and brought to a high Mayan city to be sacrificed but a solar eclipse and the superstitions surrounding it save him. See that scene here.

5. Pitch Black. I have not seen this film but had to include it after hearing the premise on NPR. Here's the description from IMDb: "A commercial transport ship and its crew are marooned on a planet full of bloodthirsty creatures that only come out to feast at night. But then, they learn that a month-long eclipse is about to occur." Leave the lights on for this one. Here's a scene that will give you the creeps.

Want more? The NPR podcast I mentioned deals with hot eclipses that are used in movies to denote plot changes. Hear "In Movies, a Solar Eclipses Means Change is Coming," here.

Cheré Coen is a food and travel writer who loves the weird and unusual, including in films.

Solar Eclipse Part V: Arkansas and Columbia, Missouri

Buffalo River, Arkansas

For the first time in 38 years, the moon will be impertinent enough to block out the sun on Aug. 21, causing a total solar eclipse to occur across the United States. Parts of the South will be in the “path of totality,” or the place where folks will observe a complete eclipse, as opposed to those on the periphery who will only view a partial eclipse. Everyone in Arkansas will be able to view this historic event, but only those close to the path of totality, in the north and northeast sections of Arkansas, will see 95-97 percent of the complete eclipse.

“According to a chart from the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, the eclipse will begin at approximately 11:43 a.m. in the northwest corner of the state and be over by approximately 2:50 p.m. in the southeast, with peak totality occurring between 1:13 and 1:22 p.m.,” wrote travel writer Katherine Stewart with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. “The cities of Piggott and Corning, which lie closest to the path of totality, will see the fullest eclipse, at 97 percent totality; El Dorado and Lake Village will see 83 percent and 85 percent, respectively.”

 

Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs

In Missouri, the eclipse follows a diagonal line across the northwest to the southeast part of the state, so naturally that state is expecting thousands of visitors. One hot spot to consider is Columbia in Central Missouri, which is directly in the path of totality, so those in Columbia on the day of the eclipse will witness more than two minutes and thirty seconds of totality beginning at 1:12 p.m. This viewing is one of the longest spans of totality in the country. 

Places to visit in Arkansas

• Watch parties are planned at Arkansas state parks including Petit Jean, Lake Catherine, Mississippi River and Mount Magazine.
• The Arkansas-Oklahoma Astronomical Society will host a watch party at the Lake Fort Smith State Park marina.
• The Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs will present eclipse-themed educational programming and hands-on activities in the hours before and after the eclipse.
• The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock will host an “eclipnic”— bring a sack lunch, learn about eclipse science, then watch with provided eclipse glasses.

St. Louis Sprockets Stunt Bike Club will
perform at Cosmo Park. Photo by Kevin Dingman

Columbia, Missouri, events

The city of Columbia will host a free music festival, viewing parties, a 5k/10k race, a guided bicycle trail ride and other activities. There will be two separate viewing parties, one at the city's Cosmopolitan (Cosmo) Park, 1615 Business Loop 70, and the second at Gans Creek Recreation Area, 3360 E. Gans Creek Road.  

For continually updated details on the Show Me Totality events, location of events, pricing of rides, runs and other activities, check back often at www.CoMoEclipse.com.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is expecting heavy traffic on the day of the eclipse and suggests travelers plan to leave early for their viewing destination, stay put once they get there and leave late to avoid heavy congestion on the roadways after the eclipse. For more recommendations from MoDOT, visit www.modot.org/eclipse/.

This story was written with the assistance of tourism officials in Arkansas and Columbia, Missouri.

Cheré Coen is a food and travel writer who loves weird and unusual things, and simply cannot wait until the total solar eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Part IV: Nashville

The Aug. 21 total solar eclipse darkening our nation passes directly over the South, scooting past Nashville, Tennessee. Naturally, the Music City is offering a few incentives for eclipse watchers since it's the largest city in the path of totality.

The Westin Nashville near Nashville’s entertainment district and adjacent to the Music City Center, will offer everything from a Solar Eclipse 2017 Room Package to a Solar Eclipse 2017 Watch Party at L27, Nashville’s highest rooftop bar. The package includes a minimum two-night stay at the Westin Nashville starting Sunday, Aug. 20, an in-room breakfast for two off the SuperFoodsRx Menu the morning of the Total Solar Eclipse, and a comp Rhapsody Spa welcome gift. In addition to this accommodation and in-room dining experience, guests will be given access to a complimentary yoga class for two at the L27 Rooftop Bar at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, and will receive two tickets to the Solar Eclipse 2017 Watch Party.

The Westin Nashville’s Solar Eclipse 2017 Watch Party begins at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at L27 Rooftop Bar and is open to guests of the hotel. Eclipse progression begins around 11:58 a.m. and the fun concludes at 2 p.m. Access for the general public is not guaranteed, but will open at 1 p.m. pending available space.

Other eclipse events happening include:
Watching the animals react to the sun's disappearance at the Nashville Zoo
Viewing party at the Nashville Adventure Center Aug. 19-21

Want more suggestions on where to view the total solar eclipse in Tennessee? Click here.

Cheré Coen is a food and travel writer who loves weird and unusual things, and simply cannot wait until the total solar eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Part II: Blount County, Tennessee

This summer, a rare thing happens. Parts of the United States will experience its first total solar eclipse in 26 years, and the path of totality travels right across the South. While everyone in the country should be able to see a partial eclipse, only those in the direct path will witness the total blockage of the sun. The path of totality — don’t you love that expression? — will cross parts of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky and Missouri.

This is a big deal, folks. The last solar eclipse to cross the continental United States was in 1918 and the next solar eclipse will take place on Aug. 12, 2045. And that next one won’t be as good.

Where’s a good place to watch the total eclipse? This is the second of many blog posts showcasing totality hot spots. Today, we’re looking at Blount County, Tennessee, thanks to SmokyMountains.org.

  

Cades Cove, Townsend

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host an informal event at the historic Cable Mill in Cades Cove. Visitors for the Cades Cove viewing will have the added educational benefit of docents provided by the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. The Institute is holding a four-day science program for local, under-served, inner city high school students who have expressed an interest and aptitude for science. This science-themed leadership program trains the students to be solar eclipse docents—sharing their newly gained knowledge. There is no fee to participate. Vehicle access may be closed when parking becomes full or roads become congested.    

       

Cades Cove

Chilhowee Inn, Walland

Chilhowee Inn will offer a three-day eclipse special which includes a three-night stay at the Inn, a picnic lunch the day of the eclipse and ISO CE certified eclipse viewing glasses.

Dancing Bear Lodge, Townsend

Guests of the lodge and members of the community are invited to the Total Solar Eclipse Party, a picnic on the lawn at Dancing Bear Lodge, to witness the eclipse. Lunch will be served “food truck style” on the deck from 1-2 p.m. and the lodge will provide blankets, chairs and eclipse glasses to each guest. The event is free. Dancing Bear Lodge Owner Mark Oldham urges visitors to book reservations by visiting them online or calling 800-369-0111 as accommodations are selling quickly.

Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Townsend

The Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center is hosting a Solar Eclipse Tour to one of the best viewing areas, Cades Cove. Guests will depart from the Center at 9:30 a.m. and the $30 per person fee covers a box lunch and a pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses. The tour is limited to 46 guests and can be booked by calling 865-448-8838.

Solar eclipse path over Tennessee

Harmony Family Center, Maryville

For those who prefer to stay in town, the city of Maryville, Tenn., will also offer solar eclipse viewing events. One such event is the Harmony Family Center’s Great American Eclipse Viewing Party in the Montvale community. The pool and basketball courts will be open with food and beer trucks and experts speaking on the details of the eclipse. Tickets to the Harmony Family Center event are $25 for adults and $10 for children and include viewing glasses. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. and will the event will end at 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Center’s programs.

Look Rock, Walland

One of the best views of the Tennessee mountains is from the observation tower at Look Rock. The concrete tower is high above the trees and mountains with plenty of parking along Foothills Parkway. The trail crosses the road at the end of the parking lot. It’s a short hike up to the observation tower.

Pellissippi State Community College’s “Tailgating in Totality” event, Maryville

Pellissippi State’s Blount County campus is planning a community and college-wide watch party, Tailgating in Totality, from noon to 3 p.m. The free event is touted as “the largest solar eclipse tailgate in the world.”

 

River Rat Tubing’s “Totally Tuber Solar Eclipse Celebration,” Townsend

River Rat Tubing will host an afternoon shindig, the Totally Tuber Solar Eclipse Celebration starting at the time of the eclipse, around 1:30 p.m. Afterwards, attendees will enjoy live music and family activities at River Rat Tubing’s main building at 205 Wears Valley Road. The $25 fee includes tubing, a glow in the dark t-shirt and a unique view of the eclipse.

Visitors to Blount County for the solar eclipse have the added benefit of another must-see event: The inaugural Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival. Taking place two days prior to the eclipse, the festival will feature tethered hot air balloon rides, food, craft vendors and children’s activities. The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Townsend Visitors Center located at 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. For more information on the Hot Air Balloon Festival, visit http://www.gsmballoonfest.com.

For more information to understand and prepare for the solar eclipse, visit the NASA website or https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/.

Coming up next: Capital City/Lake Murray County in South Carolina and Blue Ridge and Helen, Georgia.

Cheré Coen is a food and travel writer who loves weird and unusual things, and simply cannot wait until the total solar eclipse.