THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

APRIL 9 & 12

A blockbuster from director Cecil B. DeMille, who practically invented the Biblical epic. Charlton Heston stars as Moses, the Egyptian prince who becomes a holy man, Yul Brynner plays Rameses, the Pharaoh who tries to destroy him, and Anne Baxter is the princess Nefretiri, who is loved by them both. Over 60 years after it was filmed, the parting of the Red Sea is still an awesome spectacle on the big screen.  ("Behold his mighty hand!”)

1956

Rated G

THE NEVER ENDING STORY

THE NEVER ENDING STORY

APRIL 2 & 5

The beloved movie version of the popular children’s book about an 11-year-old boy who loves books. He becomes engrossed in a story about a young warrior, Atreyu, who must save a magical world from a storm known as “the Nothing.” Along the way Atreyu encounters a curmudgeonly turtle, the “Ancient One,”   (“We don't even care whether or not we care...”) and a kindly flying “luckdragon.” (“Never give up and good luck will find you.”) 

1984

Rated PG

LABYRINTH

LABYRINTH

MARCH 26 & 29

Muppets creator Jim Henson directed this musical fantasy about a teenage girl (Jennifer Connelly) who must enter the mythical world of the Labyrinth to rescue her kidnapped baby brother. Henson’s puppets are amazing, but it was the casting of David Bowie, who also contributed 5 original songs, that made this an iconic 80’s film. A highlight is “Magic Dance,” performed by Bowie and a gaggle of goblin puppets.  (“You remind me of a babe…”)

1986

Rated PG

Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein

MARCH 19 & 22

Gene Wilder is Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (“That’s FRONKensteen!”), struggling with the legacy of his infamous mad-scientist grandfather in this classic satire from Mel Brooks.  With a stellar supporting cast that includes Marty Feldman as Igor (“It’s pronounced Eye-gor”), Madeline Kahn, Peter Boyle, Terri Garr, and Cloris Leachman as the late baron’s mysterious housekeeper Frau Blucher.  ("Yes, yes, say it…he vas my boyfriend!”)

1974
Rated PG

Rear Window

Rear Window

MARCH 5 & 8

One of the best from director Alfred Hitchcock, the “master of suspense.” James Stewart, confined to his New York City apartment with a broken leg, finds that “people watching” from his window helps to pass the time.  Things heat up when he and his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) begin to suspect one of his neighbors of murder. Thelma Ritter plays Stewart’s wise-cracking, straight-talking nurse. (“Nobody ever invented a polite word for a killing yet.”)

1954

The Godfather

The Godfather

FEBRUARY 19 & 22

Director Francis Ford Coppola turned Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel about a fictional crime family into a movie classic.  Winner of 3 Oscars® including Best Picture, this movie revived the career of Marlon Brando, who won Best Actor as Don Vito Corleone.  Al Pacino was nominated for his star-making performance as his son Michael.  Contains some of the most famous quotes in movie history. ("I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”)

1972

The Godfather

The Godfather

FEBRUARY 19 & 22

Director Francis Ford Coppola turned Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel about a fictional crime family into a movie classic.  Winner of 3 Oscars® including Best Picture, this movie revived the career of Marlon Brando, who won Best Actor as Don Vito Corleone.  Al Pacino was nominated for his star-making performance as his son Michael.  Contains some of the most famous quotes in movie history. ("I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”)


1936
Rated R

It Happened One Night

It Happened One Night

FEBRUARY 12 & 15

The first—and for over 40 years the only—movie to win Oscars® in all 5 of the top categories: Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay.  Frank Capra directed this endearing romantic comedy about a wealthy socialite (Claudette Colbert) and a street-wise newspaperman (Clark Gable) who become unlikely travel companions.  The hitchhiking scene, where Colbert schools Gable, is a classic. ("I’ll stop a car, and I won’t use my thumb!”)

1936

The King & I

The King & I

FEBRUARY 5 & 8

The movie version of one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most popular musicals, based on the real-life experiences of a 19th century Englishwoman who taught the children of the King of Siam.  Nominated in 9 categories, including Picture and Actress (Deborah Kerr), and winner of 5 awards.  Yul Brynner was named Best Actor for his iconic performance as the king, a part he had originated on Broadway.  ("Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!”)

1956

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane

JANUARY 22 & 25

Named by the American Film Institute as the greatest American film ever made, this drama depicts a larger-than-life newspaper publisher who is both loved and hated, and never less than fascinating.  First-time director Orson Welles, who also stars as Kane, employed filming techniques that were ground breaking for the time. The movie’s 9 nominations included 3 for Welles, who, with Herman J. Mankiewicz, won for Original Screenplay. (“Rosebud.”)

1941

Aliens

Aliens

JANUARY 15 & 18

Written and directed by James Cameron, this sequel to the 1979 sci-fi thriller Alien is considered by many to be that rarity: a sequel that is even better than the original.  Special effects wizard Stan Winston won an Oscar® for Best Visual Effects, which included the creation of the Alien “Queen,” one of the scariest movie creatures ever.  Among the film’s 7 nominations was a Best Actress nod for Sigourney Weaver.  ("So who’s laying these eggs?”)

1986
Rated R

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's

JANUARY 8 & 11

Audrey Hepburn stars as Holly Golightly, an eccentric young woman living in New York City who is befriended by her neighbor (George Peppard).  Blake Edwards directed this romantic comedy/drama loosely based on Truman Capote’s book.  Nominated in 5 categories including Best Actress (Hepburn), with wins for Score (Henry Mancini) and Best Original Song, Moon River, by Mancini and Johnny Mercer. ("Moon River, wider than a mile…")

1961

It's A Wonderful Life

It's A Wonderful Life

DECEMBER 18, 21 & 24

SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY MATINEE & EVENING PLUS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE SHOWING

Frank Capra’s classic has become a cherished Christmas tradition for countless American families. Building & loan owner George Bailey (James Stewart) is all that stands between the good people of Bedford Falls and the wicked miser Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore).  When misfortune strikes on Christmas Eve, George comes to realize, with the help of an angel named Clarence, (Henry Travers) that he truly has a “wonderful life.”  ("No man is a failure who has friends.”)

(1946)
 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

DECEMBER 11 & 14

The third in the popular vacation series finds Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) determined to a have a “good old fashioned family Christmas.’’ But Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and a house full of wacky relatives don’t make it easy. Chase and Quaid are joined by fellow Saturday Night Live alumni Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brian Doyle-Murray.  Beverly D’Angelo is Clark’s always supportive wife, Ellen.  (“We checked every bulb, didn’t we?”)

1989
Rated PG-13

White Christmas

White Christmas

DECEMBER 4 & 7

Bing Crosby’s recording of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas was already the #1 record of all time when this film was made.  Crosby and Danny Kaye star as World War II vets and Broadway performers who stage a show at a Vermont inn run by their former commanding general (Dean Jagger). Edith Head designed the colorful costumes worn by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen as the Haynes Sisters.  (“Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister…”)

1954

THE POLAR EXPRESS

THE POLAR EXPRESS

NOVEMBER 27 & 30

On Christmas Eve a boy boards a mysterious train filled with children, bound for the North Pole. Based on the popular children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, and with a score by Alan Silvestri that features original songs plus classic holiday recordings from the 1940’s. The “performance capture” animation used by director Robert Zemeckis made it possible for Tom Hanks to play six roles, including Santa.  ("The true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.”)

Rated G
2004

CASABLANCA

CASABLANCA

NOVEMBER 13 & 16

This classic love story set during World War II has 6 lines on the AFI list of “Top 100 Movie Quotes,” more than any other film.  Ingrid Bergman gives the most famous song cue in movies (“Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’”), and Claude Rains describes his unique brand of law enforcement (“Round up the usual suspects”).  Humphrey Bogart is the film’s reluctant hero, a cynical café owner who is more of a romantic than he lets on. (“Here’s looking at you, kid.”)

1943

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

NOVEMBER 6 & 9             

One of the most quotable comedies ever made.  Our hero Westley (Cary Elwes) is intent on rescuing the lovely Buttercup (Robin Wright) from an unhappy fate as the bride of Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).  Mandy Patinkin co-stars.  (“My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed my father.  Prepare to die.")  Not a big hit when it first played in theatres (“Inconceivable!”), this film has become a cult classic.  (“Have fun storming the castle!”)

Rated PG
1987

Halloween

Halloween

OCTOBER 30 & NOVEMBER 2

“The Night HE Came Home!” 

“HE” is Michael Myers, who returns to his home town 15 years after committing a grisly murder…just in time for Halloween.  This horror classic, starring Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut, is one of the most successful independent movies of all time.  Presented with an onscreen interview and retrospective with director John Carpenter, who also composed the film’s eerie music. (“You can’t kill the boogeyman.”)

1978
Rated R

Psycho

Psycho

OCTOBER 23 & 26

From director Alfred Hitchcock, the "Master of Suspense," this psychological thriller continues to inspire film makers.  Janet Leigh plays a woman on the lam who checks into the mysterious Bates Motel.  The property appears to be deserted except for the proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and his mother.  Psycho gave audiences a whole new perspective on taking showers, and became Hitchcock's biggest hit.  ("A boy's best friend is his mother.")

1960