Lots of classic screenings for the next two weeks. If I omit any or have suggestions, please leave a comment!
The Texas Theater
231 West Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75208. For all showtimes, events, and tickets, visit https://thetexastheatre.com/calendar/
For a Few Dollars More (1965) – I recently watched Guiseppe Tornatore’s documentary on the life and art of legendary composer Ennio Morricone, and the opportunity to see his score bristle with Sergio Leone’s laconic western images is a cinema lover’s dream. This classic screens as part of the “Samurai Spaghetti Season”.
Screens on Wednesday August 7th
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) – Duly loved after coming and going during the busy 1999 film season, Gil Junger’s teen drama pairs Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in star-making roles. Presented by box office girl
Screens on Friday August 9th
The Virgin Suicides (1999) – My God 1999 was a year! I’ve said it before, but those who spent every weekend at the movies during that year already knew the vigor and creativity that flowed off the screen. Sofia Coppola’s dreamy but sinister-edged The Virgin Suicides is proof #450 that year! This will be a treat on the big screen with Air’s lush soundtrack and the 70’s vibe of just being in a time and place that Coppola borrows from her father and the rest of the New Hollywood gang.
Screens on Saturday August 10th
Altered States (1980) – Either you’re on Ken Russell’s wavelength or not. This one is wild.
Screens on Sunday August 11th
The NeverEnding Story (1984) – Presented by the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, this imaginative 80’s classic still holds a place in the hearts of so many people.
Screens on Sunday August 11th
Popeye (1980) – A divisive film, but as a kid who saw this in the early 80’s. I looooved it. Iconoclastic adult filmmaker Robert Altman perfectly distilling the looniness of cartoon characters into real life action, magnificent set design, and performances by Robert Williams and Shelley Duvall (screening as part of a farewell to her) that etched their faces and names into the hearts of so many youngsters, the film deserves its recent reclamation as a misunderstood musical adventure.
Screens on Tuesday August 13th
The Conversation (1974) – Francis Ford Coppola’s Cannes-winning film that, along with The Godfather films, established him as one of the most important filmmakers of the 1970’s. Presented in 4k!
Begins screening on Friday August 16th
Kaiju Go! – A double feature of Godzilla films plus games, toys, and special guests.
Event takes place on Saturday August 17th
Shogun Assassin (1980) – I’ve never seen this film, but its description sounds intriguing- about a samurai who sets out across the countryside (with a baby!) for revenge on the boss who tried to kill him.
Screens as part of the Samurai Spaghetti series on Sunday August 18th
Django (1966) – One of the defining films of the spaghetti western genre, Sergio Corbucci’s film starring Franco Nero unspools as part of the ongoing “Samurai Spaghetti series”.
Screens on Wednesday August 21st
Boys Don’t Cry (1999) – Kimberely Peirce’s film gave stardom to a fierce performance by Hilary Swank, based on a true story.
Screens on Thursday August 22nd
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – One can probably find any reason to screen this regional classic around, but this time it’s the 50th anniversary of Tobe Hooper’s horror masterpiece.
Screens on Thursday August 22nd
The Wizard of Oz (1939) – The link for Victor Fleming’s film states it will have a ballerina pre-show!
Screens on Sunday August 25th
Lady Snowblood (1973) – Mixing well-known items with some lesser-known gems such as Toshiya Fujita’s Lady Snowblood is the perfect representation of a great repertory theater. See this and watch for the many things Tarantino ripped off!
Screens on Sunday August 25th
Spacy
1300 S Polk St #160a, Dallas, TX 75224 (located inside Tyler Station). Information about the venue can be found here
The Passing (1983) – Spacy continues to roll out some of the most unique, mind-melting, under-the-radar efforts floating around. This micro-indie was released a few years back from the boutique DVD label Vinegar Syndrome, and Evan Gordon presents this screening about 2 men who make a pact to transition some very odd parts of themselves. Filmed over 7 years and never getting any real distribution, The Passing was once a DIY effort that will now see the light of day for appreciative audiences seeking something beyond the banal.
The filmmaker, John Huckert, will conduct a virtual Q&A and another film of his, called Strangers Online (2009) will also screen.
This event takes place on Saturday August 24th
Magnolia at the Modern, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth, TX 76107. For all showtimes, events, and tickets, visit https://www.themodern.org/films
Doctor Zhivago (1965) – This is the bloated Hollywood classic for those who don’t like bloated Hollywood classics. David Lean’s film is beautiful and sweeping.
Screens on Wednesday August 7th
Ghibli Fest – The films of Studio Ghibli receive more summer love as a series of the films screen beginning Friday August 9th. Films include Castle in the Sky, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, My Neighbor Totoro, Lupin III, The Boy and the Heron, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away.
Fargo (1996) – Of course the Coen Brothers had a decade of excellent films before this Oscar winning effort, but Fargo crystallized their unique sense of humor within the framework of quasi film noir, then jettisoned any expectations of the genre through the lead of Frances McDormand, its brutal snow-covered landscape, and perfectly executed visual style. I remember seeing this alone in a movie theater during a 100-degree Texas summer day, then emerging as a lifelong Coen Brothers acolyte.
Screens on Wednesday August 14th
A Simple Plan (1998) – Another snow-covered noir to take away the summer blues. Sam Raimi’s deeply penetrating character study about the dissolution of self when greed sets in, A Simple Plan will thrill and then punch you in the gut.
Screens on Wednesday August 21st
Historic Palace Theater in Grapevine
300 S. Main St. Grapevine, TX 76051. For all showtimes and events, visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/palace-arts-center/ And by the way, most tickets are $6.00!
Films screening in their summer series, including a Frank Capra weekend!
It Happened One Night (1934) – Screens on Friday August 9th
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) – Screens on Saturday August 10th
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) – Ahh, if we could only return to the politics of Franck Capra’s masterpiece.
Screens on Saturday August 10th
Sunset Boulevard (1950) – One of those classic films that any cinephile watches pretty early on and realizes just how deceptively good a film can be as it goes along. From its opening shot of a body face down in a pool to the voice-over and closing moments. Hollywood at its finest.
Screens on Friday August 16th
Dallas Angelika
5321 E. Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206. For all showtimes, events, and tickets visit https://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/dallas
The Room (2003) – Semimonthly presentation of the film regarded as one of the worst of all time.
Screens on Friday August 9th
Studio Ghibli Fest continues here at the Angelika also. Films include Porco Rosso on Wednesday August 7th and Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind on Wednesday August 16th.
Coraline (2008) – Henry Selick’s much loved animated effort gets a remastered presentation on its 15th year anniversary. And in 3D!
Screens on Thursday August 15th
She Done Him Wrong (1933) – I’ve yet to see this best picture nominated-Mae-West-starring film about a burlesque dancer trying to steer clear of trouble while her domineering boyfriend is in jail. Also stars a young Cary Grant as a federal agent watching all the happenings. I need to see this one and now is as good a time as ever.
Screens on Monday August 19th
Rooftop Cinema Club in Downtown Fort Worth
235 Throckmorton St. Fort Worth, TX 76102. For all showtimes and details about this unique, open-air venue visit https://rooftopcinemaclub.com/fort-worth/venue/rooftop-cinema-club-downtown-ft-worth/
The schedule for this venue is stacked! Check the list below.
Dirty Dancing (1987) – Screens on Wednesday August 7th
Mamma Mia (2008) – Screens on Thursday August 8th
Never Been Kissed (1999) – Drew Barrymore has never been better in this modern rom-com favorite.
Screens on Friday August 9th
Scream (1996) – Okay, maybe for the first few minutes, Barrymore is great in this too.
Screens on Friday August 9th
Inception (2008) – Christopher Nolan spelled out the multiverse much better than any Marvel movie ever has with this metaphysical thriller.
Screens on Saturday August 10th
The Blair Witch Project (1999) – Those not around in 1999 just cannot imagine the marketing and hype surrounding this found footage horror film. Coming along at just the right time with online media in its infantile existence and the ability for people to communicate real time reactions from festivals like Sundance, The Blair Witch Project stands alone just for its hyperbole, which transitioned into a cult phenomenon. Great to see it on the big screen again, even if we’re much more jaded as a society now.
Screens on Saturday August 10th
Ratatouille (2007) – Screens on Sunday August 11th
Rush Hour (1998) – Screens on Sunday August 11th
The Great Gatsby (2013) – Screens on Monday August 12th
Pride and Prejudice (2003) – Screens on Tuesday August 13th
Love and Basketball (2000) – Screens on Wednesday August 14th
American Pie (1999) – Screens on Thursday August 15th
500 Days of Summer (2009) – Worth it just to see the sweetness of Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zoey Deschanel sharing an iPod headphone and listening to The Cure together.
Screens on Friday August 16th
She’s All That (1999) – Screens on Saturday August 16th
Love Jones (1997) – Screens on Saturday August 16th
White Chicks (2004) – Screens on Sunday August 17th
Reel House Foundation and Fort Worth Cinema Club
A partnership between the Fort Worth Film Foundation and nonprofit group Reel House, this event in Fort Worth seeks to inspire and connect people through cinema. They host a free screening on the last Wednesday of each month. The organization is also about to present a screening of Vera Drew’s wildly controversial film The People’s Joker. Find all information about this wonderful group and screenings, visit here.
Dazed and Confused (1993) – Richard Linklater’s cult classic is the perfect answer for back-to-school season. Hopefully there’s no one with a paddle waiting for the kids,
Screens on Tuesday August 6th. Check the link above for RSVP
The People’s Joker (2023) – Tickets for Vera Drew’s controversial imagining of the comic book universe transforming without their actual consent will be unspooled in Fort Worth for the first time. Drew’s film was supposed to premier at several film festivals in 2022 before becoming embroiled in rights issues. It now has the green light and has been receiving ecstatic word of mouth. Tickets and info can be found here
Dallas Film Now. 