It’s been a long year, but we’ve finally reached that point: the LAST WEEK OF THE FILM SERIES. I’m sure you haven’t come nearly as often as you’d have liked or at least as often as you should have, so take a break from that I-can’t-believe-there-are-two-weeks-of-class-left panic attack and watch a movie. There won’t be a test, although a correct answer to our quiz question on Friday night might score you an awesome prize. We’re going out with a bang here at the Film Series, so whether you prefer hordes of groupies or hordes of orcs, we got you covered.
1964. UK. Dir: Richard Lester. With The Beatles. 87 min.
Wednesday, May 2. 8 p.m. $5.
The Fab Four come together to play themselves for the world’s very first Beatles motion picture, which earned itself a place on Time’s 100 best films of all time. The mockumentary follows the band’s trek from Liverpool to London at the height of Beatlemania as they face crazed fans, Paul’s meddling grandfather, and a suddenly absent Ringo. Fans of British comedy, 1960s spy films, John, Paul, George, or even Ringo are encouraged to attend and sing along. Matching suits encouraged but not required.
1977. Japan. Dir: Nobuhiko Obayashi. With Kimiko Ikegami. 88 min.
Thursday, May 3. 8 p.m. Free.
Developed in response to the success of Jaws, Hausu (House) couldn’t be further from a Spielberg film. A group of high school girls find themselves in a house full of supernatural traps that range from flying heads to possessed light fixtures. Inspired by his daughter’s nightmares, Obayashi creates stylized effects hauntingly reminiscent of a child’s creation. Praised by Japanese and American critics alike, especially following its wide release in North America just a few years ago, Hausu is the perfect boost for those who want their nightmares to be just a little bit weirder.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
2003. USA/New Zealand. Dir: Peter Jackson. With Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen. 201 min.
Friday, May 4. 8 p.m. $5.
The third one. If you’ve seen it, you know you want to see it again on the big screen. If you haven’t seen it, you want to see it for the first time on the big screen. It’s the Lord of the Rings. There will be a day when the courage of men fail, but yours shouldn’t this Friday. But still, you should probably come prepared.
1926. USA. Dir: Clyde Bruckman. With Buster Keaton, Marion Mack. 107 min.
Saturday, Mar 5. 8 p.m. Free.
Celebrate our season closer with slapstick comedy legend Buster Keaton in one of his best films (also considered one of the greatest films of all time) as Ben Model from the Museum of Modern Art provides live accompaniment. At the start of the Civil War, train conductor Johnnie Gray (Keaton) chases down Union spies who have stolen off with his two great loves: his fiancé and worse yet, his train. Keaton puts modern action heroes to shame by doing his own death-defying stunts while maintaining his trademark blank expression. Regardless of your feelings towards slapstick comedy and silent films/trains, you should most definitely attend.
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