In the past couple of years some of those “shun” (-tion) words seem to have become more noticeable in life.

Recognition – Obsession – Expression – Fascination – Desperation – Deterioration – Exploration – Adaptation – Occupation – Revelation.

This is the third in this series of “shun” words – reflective words associated with the realization that “death happens.”

I went to see Another Harvest Moon on the day it opened at the Penn Cinema recently.

I went because a review of the movie appeared in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era that morning. I went, too, because I believe, as Susan Reimer’s friend did, that I will “hop into the sailboat” too when that time comes. Actually, I’ve considered a few other fitting valiant warrior scenes including the Viking funeral, Thursday morning trash, etc.

Viking funeral

My doc’s been prep-ed; spoken with family; have arrangements in place for “the end” stuff. But … what’ll happen when that realization really comes. I’m hoping the warrior spirit will hang tough. The fact remains though, the final scene for the last act will come. For me and for everyone! And that’s why I went to see Another Harvest Moon. It’d be tough to call this a “feel good” movie, though it is true to the review in Variety and the one below from the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era.

The eventualities of life exist for each of us as they do in the movie. What if the cancer comes back? What if dementia sets in? What if we have a stroke? What if a fall immobilizes us? What will we do?

by Brian L. Long

REVIEW: by JANE HOLAHAN, Staff Writer, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era, December 2, 2011

Star power shines in ‘Another Harvest Moon’ Film with local ties opens at Penn Cinema, Midtown

With its all-star cast, featuring Ernest Borgnine, Doris Roberts, Cybill Shepherd, Piper Laurie, Anne Meara, Richard Schiff, Amber Benson and Cameron Monaghan, you’d think “Another Harvest Moon,” which opens today at the Penn Cinema and the Midtown in Harrisburg, is a big studio film.

But it’s a small, independent movie with plenty of local ties.

The film was produced by Aurora Films & Music, which has its offices in downtown Lancaster.

And its director, Greg Swartz, attended Millersville University and lived in Lancaster for a number of years while working as a staff writer for the Lancaster New Era.

“I’m excited about the film coming to the area, it’s been a long time coming,” says Swartz, who now lives in Los Angeles. “My 1-year-old niece has a small part in it and this will be her first chance to see it. She’s gotten a lot of mileage in school for it.”

The film was shot mainly at the Harrisburg State Hospital in the early summer of 2008. It’s been shown at a number of film festivals and has won six awards.

That includes the audience choice award and best original score for composers Ricardo Garcia and William V. Malpede at the 2009 Rhode Island International Film Festival, where the world premiere was held.

“The stars have been tireless in helping promote the film, especially Ernie and Doris Roberts, ” says Swartz.

No matter that he is 94 and she is 81.

Swartz says they both believe strongly in the film, which explores aging and the end of life, issues Hollywood rarely tackles.

“Another Harvest Moon,” adapted from a play by Jeremy T. Black, is the story of Frank (Borgnine), a once-vital man who suffered a series of strokes and is now confined to a nursing home.

Every morning, he and his friends — played by Roberts, Meara and Laurie — play cards.

They are a self-sufficient group who bicker, make wry jokes and complain, but fiercely support each other.

Frank is beginning to forget things, including his beloved late wife, and is convinced another stroke is coming. He begins contemplating suicide, though says nothing to his friends.

But they begin to worry when Frank asks his son (Schiff) to bring a box of his old World War II memorabilia, including a pistol, to the nursing home.

The friends and Frank’s family clash over what to do as Frank realizes life is becoming more and more of a burden.

While it delves into many dark issues, the film has a lot of humor in it.

Joe Leydon, writing in Variety, called the performances vivid.

“…Swartz does a fine job negotiating the interplay among the venerable pros in his ensemble cast, allowing Roberts, Laurie, Meara and especially Borgnine, arguably the hardest-working nonagenarian in show biz today, to all offer impressively full-bodied and affectation-free portrayals of well drawn characters,” Leydon wrote.

Keith Cohen, “The Movie Guy,” wrote “The best lines of dialogue are recited by the quartet of senior citizens, who give the strongest and most believable performances. They all exhibit a sense of humor that attempts to offer a respite from the end-of-life scenario.

“Baby boomers with aging parents will be able to identify with the characters and find the highly personal situations to be realistically accurate. The movie deserves kudos for showing respect for the quality of life and dying with dignity.”

“We see this as a generational film,” says producer Dr. John Slovak, a co-founder of Aurora and a cardiologist. “You’ve got a grandson (Monaghan) reconciling to his grandfather’s mortality.”

And Frank’s kids (Schiff and Shepherd), have to deal with their father’s dignity being taken away. And his friends must deal with Frank’s decisions as well.

“We are all affected by these things,” says Slovak. “It really is a human story.”

The film has opened gradually in a number of different cities.

Despite the all-star cast, being an independent film makes distribution tough. Few independent films make it to theaters.

“We have a commitment to a week at Penn and Midtown. Whether it will be held over depends on the box office,” he says, noting that Regal is looking at possibly picking it up.

“We certainly do have star power,” Slovak says.

And how.

Borgnine is an icon and an Oscar winner for “Marty.” This was his 199th movie.

Schiff and Roberts are multiple Emmy winners, Laurie has been nominated for three Oscars, Benson was in the cult hit “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Cameron Monaghan’s star is on the rise with his performance in “Shameless” on Showtime.