Movie Tunes Takes Over SOPAC: Silents Synced and a Whole Lot of R.E.M.
Friday nights on Radio Garden State mean one thing—Movie Tunes with Timmy Goodtoons—and last week’s edition was packed with surprises and a special live broadcast from the Village at SOPAC Cinemas in South Orange, NJ.
Silents Synced: Classic Cinema Meets Modern Rock
“Sorry to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming…” That’s how Timmy Goodtoons kicked off this special edition of Movie Tunes, broadcasting live from the Village at SOPAC Cinemas. The reason? To promote their innovative Silents Synced series, which pairs classic silent films with modern rock music.
Ever watched a 1924 silent film set to an iconic 90s rock album? That’s exactly what’s happening at SOPAC’s Silents Synced series, where they remix silent films with modern music. For this event, they paired Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. with R.E.M.’s Monster and New Adventures in Hi-Fi.
To set the mood, Timmy filled the airwaves with a two-hour R.E.M. marathon, playing hits like What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?, Crush with Eyeliner, and Strange Currencies—essentially curating a pre-show experience for listeners who couldn’t be at the theater in person.
A Deep Dive with Cinema Lab Co-Founder Vincenzo onorati
In a special interview, Timmy sat down with Vincenzo onorati, co-founder of Cinema Lab, the company behind the revival of The Village at SOPAC. Cinema Lab specializes in saving independent theaters and revamping them into vibrant community spaces.
onorati shared the story of how Cinema Lab started in Montclair, NJ, and expanded to locations in Bradley Beach, NJ, Connecticut, and even Colorado. Their mission? To bring people back to theaters with unique experiences—like the Silents Synced series, Q&A screenings, and film festivals.
Why Independent Theaters Matter
During their conversation, onorati highlighted the importance of preserving small-town cinemas as community hubs. With big chains dominating the industry, local theaters need to innovate. That’s why Cinema Lab focuses on curated events, premium food & drink options, and exclusive screenings that make the movie-going experience special again.
Support Radio Garden State & Local Businesses
As the show wrapped up, Timmy reminded listeners that supporting independent media and local businesses is more important than ever. You can support Radio Garden State by joining their Patreon or picking up merch designed at radiogardenstate.com/shop.
And, of course, if you’re in New Jersey, head to The Village at SOPAC for the Silents Synced series, running all week at 7PM.
What’s Next for Movie Tunes?
Movie Tunes will be back next Friday at 8PM with another killer soundtrack. What will it be? Stay tuned to @movietunesradio on Instagram for the big reveal on Monday!
Until then—keep supporting independent music, independent film, and independent radio. And remember: Turn it up. and keep new jersey loud!
