The current retrospective features films with DAME JUDI DENCH, DAME MAGGIE SMITH, DAME KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS (all of these distinguished actresses honored by QUEEN ELIZABETH II), appearing in ten motion pictures released between 1969 and 2015.
There will also be four films (released between 1950 and 1962) honoring the Japanese Screenwriter SHINOBU HASHIMOTO known for his participation with the director, AKIRA KUROSAWA. Mr. Hashimoto passed away July 19, 2018 at the age of 100 years
THE SECRET GARDEN (1993) – Charming Mix of Magic and Mystery
THE SECRET GARDEN (1993)–101 Min.
Parents death in India send their daughter to England where she
meets unusual group of friends.
Stars Maggie Smith, Kate Maberly and Heydon Prowse.
Based on a novel by Frances Hodgon Burnett.
Directed by Agnieska Holland.
Sun. Sept. 16 – 1:30 pm
Tues. Sept 25 – 2:00 pm
THE SECRET GARDEN, a rendition of the classic novel, is an enchanted tale of an orphaned young girl who discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle’s Yorkshire estate. There, she meets an invalid cousin she never knew. The girl restores the garden and discovers its magic powers. The cast is exceptional, especially, the outstanding performance of Maggie Smith.
LADIES IN LAVENDER (2004) – TWO BRITISH SUPERSTARS
LADIES IN LAVENDER (2004)-Running Time: 104 Min.
Two sisters rescue a young musician washed upon the Cornwall shore.
Stars: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl, David Warner
Directed by Charles Dance.
Sun. Sept. 16 – 7:00 pm
Tues. Sept. 25 – 7:00 pm
Ladies in Lavender showcases the two great Dames of British film and theatre, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Playing aging spinster sisters and sharing a cottage on the Cornwall coast, they lead quiet lives. Set in 1936, a violent storm washes up a young Polish Jewish violinist on their beach. The sisters save his life, but the local villager are suspicious. These two superb actors give amazing performances in this charming period piece.
IRIS (2001) – A FAMOUS LIFE
IRIS (2001) Running Time: 90 Min.
True story of writers Iris Murdoch and her husband, John Bayley.
Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet, Hugh Bonneville
Directed by Richard Eyre.
Tues. Sept 18 – 7:00 pm
Tues. Sept. 25 – 4:30 pm
IRIS is the biographical drama of British writer, Iris Murdoch and her relationship with her husband, John Bayley. In an Oscar winning performance by Jim Broadbent as Bayley and another exceptional portrayal by Judi Dench as Murdoch, both actors play their roles movingly and superbly. This vibrant piece of cinema shares lives of major ups and downs in ways that will touch us all.
JANE EYRE (2011) – CLASSIC ROMANTIC TALE
JANE EYRE (2011)-Running Time 120 Min.
A young governess falls in love with her student’s father.
Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Judi Dench, Jamie Bell
Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë.
Directed by Cary Joji Fukanaga.
Wed. Sept. 26 – 4:00 pm
JANE EYRE, based on Charlotte Bronte’s world famous novel, is the familiar story of a naïve young governess who uncovers the dark secret of her employer whom she marries. This latest screen version, beautifully rendered, stars Mia Wisalkowski and Michael Fassbender brilliantly supported, in the role of the housekeeper, by the incomparable Judi Dench.
AKIRA KUROSAWA’S “THE BAD SLEEP WELL” (1960) – JAPANESE FILM NOIR
THE BAD SLEEP WELL (1960): Running Time: 151 Min.
An industrialist seeks revenge for his father’s death.
Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Kyôko Kagawa
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
In Japanese with English subtitles.
Wed. Sept. 26 – 7:00 pm
THE BAD SLEEP WELL An industrialist seeks to avenge his father’s death, leading to tragedy, in this depiction of “feudal capitalism.” The Japanese corporate world is infused with cut-throat Samurai warrior-like values in this excellent film. Outstandingly directed in a modern setting, it is a film noir that rises to the level of a Shakespearean drama, and, truly, one of Kurosawa’s major artistic achievements,
Previous Screenings thru September 5, 2018:
“A pastor’s life spirals out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an activist and his wife.” Watch Paul Schrader’s latest Masterpiece September 2-5
FIRST REFORMED DIRECTOR – PAUL SCHRADER 108 MINUTES 93% ROTTEN TOMATOES
FIRST REFORMED is a stirring American drama that gives us a revealing picture of the inner and external conflicts of a Protestant minister serving in a failing historic church. Faced with questions of morality and faith, his beliefs are challenged due to the losses in his life and the disturbing state of the world around him. Directed by Paul Schrader, the film has achieved enormous critical consensus, and actor Ethan Hawke has been greatly praised for his leading performance. Rotten Tomatoes reports that the film is “brought to life by delicate work from the director Paul Schrader and elevated by a standout performance by Ethan Hawke.” As A. O. Scott of the New York Times so eloquently puts it, “It is a portrait of a soul in torment…all the more powerful for being so rigorously conceived and meticulously executed.”
Some secrets can’t be buried. Discover the award-winning film ‘1945’, returning to NYC by popular demand September 2-5!
“One of the Best Films of the Year!” – J. Hoberman
Los Angeles Times Critics Pick
Synopsis:
On a summer day in 1945, an Orthodox man and his grown son return to a village in Hungary while the villagers prepare for the wedding of the town clerk’s son. The townspeople – suspicious, remorseful, fearful, and cunning – expect the worst and behave accordingly. The town clerk fears the men may be heirs of the village’s deported Jews and expects them to demand their illegally acquired property back.
Director Ferenc Török paints a complex picture of a society trying to come to terms with the recent horrors they’ve experienced, perpetrated, or just tolerated for personal gain. A superb ensemble cast, lustrous black and white cinematography, and historically detailed art direction contribute to an eloquent drama that reiterates Thomas Wolfe’s famed sentiment: you can’t go home again.
“A teen endures the tidal wave of contemporary adolescence during her last week of middle school.” Playing thru September 4
EIGHTH GRADE DIRECTOR – BO BURNHAM 94 MINUTES 98 % Rotten Tomatoes
Eighth Grade is the poignant story of a 13 year-old contemporary suburban adolescent in her last week of middle school. The writer and director Bo Burnham has perfectly captured the struggles and social frustrations that many young people face at this vulnerable period in their lives. A comedy with serious undertones, The New Yorker calls it, “a sweet, compassionate and clear-eyed depiction of adolescence.” Manohla Dargis of the New York Times, writes that it is a “sharp, smart comedy – tenderly and movingly told.” A box office success, critics and audiences alike are giving very high marks to this coming-of-age charmer.
“Three complete strangers are reunited in an astonishing coincidence after being born identical triplets, separated at birth, and adopted to different families. Their jaw-dropping, feel-good story becomes a global sensation.” Playing September 1-5
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS DIRECTOR – TOM WARDLE 96 MINUTES 96% ROTTEN TOMATOES
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS is a compelling documentary film which tells the true and unbelievable story of identical male triplets. Separated at birth, adopted by three different families and unknown to one another, their lives change dramatically when they are reunited at age nineteen by an astonishing coincidence. Their newfound fame and celebrity will eventually lead to an unimaginable secret. Winner of the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the film has garnered excellent reviews and played to full houses since its opening. To quote top critic Liz Braun of the Toronto Sun, “You should see it because it’s brilliantly made and contains riveting material.”
Playing Aug 24-30 is an exclusive uptown run of one of the most talked about American independent films of the year:
By director Josephine Decker and featuring Miranda July, Molly Parker and a dazzling young newcomer, Helena Howard, this ecstatically conceived drama of a teenager desperately trying to find her place in the world while caught between her needy mother and her drama teacher, has galvanized the critics.
“A classic coming-of-age drama…as Madeline, Helena Howard delivers a performance that is one of the most distinctive, most varied and most extreme in its expressive array and technical power, of any teen performer in the history of the cinema.” Richard Brody, NEW YORKER
Daily matinee screenings through September 2 of the hugely popular, inspirational documentary RBG, chronicling the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a tonic for troubling times.
At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior’s rise to the nation’s highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans – until now. RBG is a revelatory documentary exploring Ginsburg ‘s exceptional life and career from Betsy West and Julie Cohen, and co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films.
“The movie’s touch is light and its spirit buoyant, but there is no mistaking its seriousness or its passion.” – A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES
