Apollo 13, starring Tom Hanks, released wide on June 30, 1995 — and theatergoers were biting their nails again last night as commander Tom Hanks muscled the doomed craft safely home exactly 16 years later, when the Montclair International Film Festival screened it as part of its Cinema Montclairisimo outdoor film series on Church Street.

Wow, did Hanks look young in that film, which came out the summer before Toy Story, when he traded his spacesuit for a cowboy hat.

The movie was preceded by live music, and organizers used the opportunity to tout festival memberships, which range from $15 (student) to $60 (family). Church Street was vibrant with life, and in addition to those who brought folding chairs, people watched from seats in front of Tapastry, Tosca and Red Mango.

Meanwhile, over in Bloomfield, runners took to the streets for the Sunset Classic…

A  favorite north Jersey racing event since the early 1980s, the Sunset Classic was presented by Investors Saving Bank, with a sponsorship assist (and free hotdogs) from Brookdale Shoprite. Some 590 runners took off from James and Broad Streets, following a challenging and picturesque five-mile course through Bloomfield and Glen Ridge.  The race finished at Foley Field where hot dogs, ice cream and other summer treats were served. All proceeds will go to the the Bloomfield Educational Foundation.

First place winner was Alex Anolik from Clifton. First female across the line was Catherine Smith of Wayne.  Baristaville male top finishers included Zachary Dietrick, West Orange (6th), Paul Karlanowicz, Bloomfield (8th), Harold Porcher, Montclair (9th), and Ian Penrose, Bloomfield (11th).  Baristaville’s women top finishers  included Alexandra Niles(2nd) and Karen Merz (9th), both of Montclair.  Complete results are published at http://www.compuscore.com/cs2011/june/sunset.htm

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