<<< July & August 2008 >>>

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Double Feature: Sneak Preview! THE STONE ANGEL, 2008, 115 min. Dir. Kari Skogland. Hagar's (Burstyn) heart has always ruled her head, and her choices have put her at odds with family and friends. With her life nearly behind her, she tries to reconcile herself to her turbulent past. Through her reflections we come to know a rebellious young bride, her love for her two sons, the freedoms she claimed and the joys she denied herself.

ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, 1974, Warner Bros., 112 min. Dir. Martin Scorsese. Ellen Burstyn won an Oscar for her performance as a widow and mother starting a new life in the American Southwest. This early Scorsese gem is a richly detailed character study in which Burstyn gets terrific support from Kris Kristofferson, Diane Ladd, Harvey Keitel and Jodie Foster.

August

Sneak Preview! PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, 2008, Sony Pictures, 111 min. The team from SUPERBAD (including co-producer Judd Apatow) reunites for this action-comedy directed by David Gordon Green. Lazy stoner Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) has only one reason to visit his equally lazy dealer Saul Silver (James Franco): to purchase weed, specifically, a rare new strain called Pineapple Express. But when Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop (Rosie Perez) and the city's most dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole), he panics and dumps his roach of Pineapple Express at the scene. Dale now has another reason to visit Saul: to find out if the weed is so rare that it can be traced back to him. And it is. As Dale and Saul run for their lives, they quickly discover they're not suffering from weed-fueled paranoia; incredibly, the bad guys really are hot on their trail and trying to figure out the fastest way to kill them both. Discussion following with David Gordon Green.

view trailer | official website

Special Ticket Prices: $15 General Admission; Student/Senior $12; Members $10. Only Members can purchase tickets to this event until AFTER July 23rd when they will go on sale to the general public on www.fandango.com  Prior to July 23rd, Members should use the Cinematheque member ticket line to order or fax. For membership information click here.

Thursday, July 31 – 7:30 PM

Cyd Charisse & Vincente Minnelli Double Feature!

THE BAND WAGON, 1953, Warner Bros., 112 min. Dir. Vincente Minnelli. A brilliant backstage musical starring Fred Astaire as a washed-up dancer who joins forces with megalomaniac producer Jack Buchanan (a true delight) and gal-pal Nanette Fabray. Arguably the most modern and inventive of the great MGM musicals – climaxing in the simply mind-blowing "Girl Chase" ballet between Astaire and vamp Cyd Charisse - ! More on this film.

BRIGADOON, 1954, Warner Bros., 108 min. Director Vincente Minnelli recreates pastoral Scotland on a soundstage in a glorious display of color, music, and movement. Gene Kelly and Van Johnson discover a magical village in this adaptation of Lerner and Loewe's Broadway hit, with Cyd Charisse lending romantic interest and charm. View Trailer.

SPARTACUS, 1960, Universal, 184 min. Stanley Kubrick’s awesome epic is one of the most visually stunning films ever produced. Kirk Douglas stars as the gladiator who leads his fellow slaves in a revolt against Rome, while co-stars Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin and Nina Foch get swept into the firestorm. Brilliantly scripted by writer Dalton Trumbo, whose hiring by producer Douglas helped shatter the blacklist, with Oscar-winning photography by Russell Metty. View Trailer.

Wednesday, August 13 – 7:30 PM

Sneak Preview! VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, 2008, The Weinstein Company, 97 min. Director Woody Allen’s funny and wise meditation on love, set in Barcelona. Two best friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), who have completely different attitudes towards love, find themselves attracted to the same man, handsome painter Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). As the summer draws to a close, Vicky and Cristina learn some hard lessons. With Penelope Cruz as the ex-wife. FREE Admission. First come, first served. Tickets not available on fandango.com. Just come to the box office on the day of the event. View Trailer.

Thursday, August 14 - 7:30 PM
Sneak Preview! HENRY POOLE IS HERE, 2008, Overture Films, 100 min. A modern-day fable from director Mark Pellington. The funny and uplifting story of disillusioned Henry Poole (Luke Wilson), who attempts to hide from life only to discover he cannot escape the forces of hope when his neighbor starts leading pilgrimages to his door. With Radha Mitchell, Adriana Barraza, Morgan Lily. Discussion following with director Mark Pellington and other guests to be confirmed. View Trailer.

Thursday, August 21 – 7:30 PM

Director’s Cut! THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, 1971, Sony Repertory, 118 min. Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms and Cybill Shepherd star as a trio of sexually confused teens trapped in a dying, dust-blown town. Flawlessly directed by Peter Bogdanovich and photographed by Robert Surtees, with a letter-perfect supporting cast led by Ben Johnson (Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner), Cloris Leachman (Best Actress Oscar winner) and Ellen Burstyn. Film Critic Kevin Thomas will introduce the screening. View Trailer.

Sunday, August 24 - 5:30 PM

Tribute to Art Director Gene Allen: Legendary art director Gene Allen was one of director George Cukor’s favorite collaborators. Allen won the Oscar for Best Art Direction for Cukor’s MY FAIR LADY and was also nominated for A STAR IS BORN and LES GIRLS, both Cukor pictures.

HELLER IN PINK TIGHTS, 1960, Paramount, 100 min. Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn head a flamboyant theatrical troupe that travels across the West in 1880, trying desperately to entertain audiences while also evading the bill collectors. Director George Cukor creates an entirely new look for the western, with a colorful, ornate visual design, in this sharp satire. 15 min. presentation prior to the feature of Gene Allen’s work, plus discussion following with Gene Allen. View trailer.