Press Releases

Event: Between Iraq & a Hard Place, film screening
Dates & Times: Monday, January 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Event Location: Algonquin Arts Theatre
Ticket Prices: $8
Algonquin Arts Box Office: 732-528-9211 www.algonquinarts.org

The award-winning film Between Iraq and a Hard Place will be screened at Algonquin Arts Theatre on January 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm, as part of the Reel History Film Series in collaboration with The Garden State Film Festival and Manasquan High School. In attendance that evening will be Rex J. Pratt, the Director & Producer of the film direct from California.

Mark Wondrack, a native Wall resident and a former Marine who served in Kuwait during the first Gulf War, will be the guest speaker following the film. Mark Wondrack served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve between 1985 and 1991. He was assigned to the 6th Motor Transport Battalion located in Red Bank, New Jersey. In 1990, Mark was deployed with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he served with Mobile Combat Service Support Detachment 2/6, 6th Marine Regiment.

Additionally, Mark served a two year period of active duty with the United States Marine Corps' 1st Recruiting District, located in Iselin, New Jersey, as a Recruiter's Aid. Mark was awarded the United States Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the State of New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal for his service in Southwest Asia. Mark is a graduate of Wall High School, Brookdale Community College, and Seton Hall University. He is a twenty-two year veteran of the New Jersey State Police, and is currently assigned to the Division's Office of Professional Standards. Mark is the husband of Amy Wondrack, and the proud father of two children, Lindsay and Daniel.

This documentary film is not about war, but about those who fight and the heroes who return home. After watching this film, people will learn about true brotherhood, courage, commitment, kindness amid chaos and what honor means to US Marines. The trailer can be viewed at http://www.betweeniraq.com/trailer.html. Winner of the Best Documentary in the 2006 SoCal Indie Film Festival, Between Iraq and a Hard Place follows a platoon of Marines during their two tours in Iraq. A mother of a United States Marine said that this is "a film that every American needs to see."

Tickets to the screening are $8 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 732-528-9211. This film is not yet rated and has a running time of sixty-five minutes. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Algonquin Arts Theatre is located at 173 Main Street in downtown Manasquan, NJ.

Algonquin Arts Theatre was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for the residents of New Jersey's central region. Algonquin Arts Theatre is handicap accessible. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. Please notify us in advance of your needs by contacting the box office. Programming of Algonquin Arts Theatre is made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, PNC, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Target, The Community Foundation of Monmouth County, The Paul F. Zito, MD Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman's Club of Brielle, Janice Blanton, Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and local businesses. This season is sponsored in remembrance of Marialana and her love for children and the arts.