This week at the Film Series: Mystery, music, Melissa McCarthy, and murder! 

We begin our slate of screenings with “The Player,” a meta tale about a Hollywood executive which mixes elements of noir with black comedy. A famous eight-minute opening shot sets the tone for what follows. Next, we bring you “Amazing Grace,” an Aretha Franklin concert documentary that takes a true star to the big screen, as she performs her legendary gospel album live. We then usher in the weekend with “Bridesmaids,” a laugh-out-loud extravaganza of funny women preparing for their friend’s wedding. Finally, we finish off the week with “Diabolique,” a French psychological horror thriller in which a body disappears and something very far from hilarity ensues.

Catch this spectacular line-up on the big screen, with our Wednesday and Saturday films on glorious 35mm! 

“The Player”

1992. USA. Dir: Robert Altman. With Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi. 124 min.

Wednesday, November 13. 8 p.m. Free.

Maverick auteur Altman (McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Nashville) goes Hollywood with this dark comedy about a studio executive who, after receiving death threats from a disgruntled screenwriter, tries to take matters into his own hands. Murder, romance, and a whopping 65 celebrity cameos follow.

 

 

“Amazing Grace”

2018. USA. Dir: Sydney Pollack, Alan Elliott. With Aretha Franklin. Documentary. 87 min.

Thursday, November 14. 8 p.m. Free.

This concert doc captures the staggeringly beautiful 1972 live church gospel performances that comprised one of the legendary Aretha Franklin’s most famous albums. The original footage of Franklin’s recording sessions was taken in 1972, but due to technical difficulties, the film’s release was canceled for years, until producer Alan Elliott purchased the raw footage in 2007.

 

“Bridesmaids”

2011. USA. Dir: Paul Feig. With Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph. 125 min.

Friday, November 15. 8 p.m. $5.

When Annie agrees to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, she has no idea what trials and tribulations stand between her and the big day, from food poisoning to bridesmaid rivalry. A cast of wickedly funny women—including a breakout Melissa McCarthy—elevate this ensemble comedy from the theretofore dude-driven Apatow machine.

 

“Diabolique”

1955. France. Dir: Henri-Georges Clouzot. With Simone Signoret. 117 min.

Saturday, November 16. 8 p.m. Free.

The wife of an abusive headmaster teams up with her husband’s mistress and plots his untimely demise. The only problem is that once the deed is done, the body mysteriously disappears. A noted influence on Psycho, “Diablolique” does for baths what Hitchcock’s film did for showers. Good luck ever getting clean again!