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This Week at the Cinema: May 5 - 11, 2023

Arts and Entertainment

May 5, 2023

From: Cinema Arts Centre

This week at the Cinema we are opening the new documentary film 'Wild Life', from the Oscar Winning directors of 'Free Solo'. We will also continue our runs of the new Judy Blume adaptation, 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret', as well as 'Polite Society', and 'Chevalier'.

Special events this week include screenings of classics such as the beloved coming-of-age comedy 'Mermaids' with author Patty Dann in-person, Billy Wilder's legendary comedy 'Some Like it Hot', Steven Spielberg's 'E.T.', and 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' & 'Return of the Jedi', along with a special event dedicated to Harry Chapin, which includes a live reading and screening of Harry's Oscar Nominated documentary.

Make sure to check out our calendar for all of the screenings and special events coming up!

Our Spring Membership Sale runs through June 30th! Now is the best time to become and member and support the Cinema!

Wild Life

From the Oscar-winning filmmakers of Free Solo, Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Wild Life follows conservationist Kris Tompkins on an epic, decades-spanning love story as wild as the landscapes she dedicated her life to protecting. After falling in love in mid-life, Kris and the outdoorsman and entrepreneur Doug Tompkins left behind the world of the massively successful outdoor brands they'd helped pioneer -- Patagonia, The North Face, and Esprit -- and turned their attention to a visionary effort to create National Parks throughout Chile and Argentina. Wild Life chronicles the highs and lows of their journey to effect the largest private land donation in history.

From Patagonia CEO to conservationist: Kris Tompkins' story comes to life in new film

Trailer

Showtimes

Fri: 2:10; 4:30; 7:05

Sat: 1:20 ; 3:50; 6:40

Sun: 12:10; 6:00 

Mon: 2:00; 4:15

Tues: 2:00; 4:15; 7:05 

Wed: 2:00; 4:15

Thurs: 3:00; 7:10 

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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

A beloved classic comes to the big screen with this adaptation of Judy Blume’s best-selling novel. At 11, Margaret is moving to a new town and beginning to contemplate everything about life. Her mother (Rachel McAdams) and grandmother (Kathy Bates) offer loving support but are themselves finding their footing in a new place, and coming to terms with finding happiness in the next phase of life. For all three, one’s place in the world, and what brings meaning to life will draw them closer together than ever before.

NPR: Judy Blume, both beloved and banned, on 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.'

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret review – Judy Blume adaptation is a winner

Trailer

Showtimes

Fri: 1:50; 4:20; 6:50; 9:20

Sat: 1:10; 3:45; 6:50; 9:00

Sun: 12:05 (Open Captions); 2:35; 5:05; 7:35

Mon: 2:10; 4:40; 7:10

Tues: 2:10; 4:40; 7:10

Wed: 2:10; 4:40; 7:10

Thurs: 2:10; 4:40

*The Sunday 12:05 screening will be played with subtitles

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Polite Society

A merry mash up of sisterly affection, parental disappointment and bold action, Polite Society follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.

BBC 'Polite Society' review: This explosive, action-packed delight recalls Scott Pilgrim, Kill Bill, Get Out and The Matrix

‘Polite Society’ Smashes the Patriarchy With Thrilling Flair

Trailer

Showtimes

Fri: 4:25; 9:25

Sat: 3:40; 9:15

Sun: 4:55

Mon: 2:00

Tues: 2:00

Wed: 2:00

Thurs: 2:00; 7:05

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Chevalier

Inspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French

plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer

and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.

‘Chevalier’ Review: Kelvin Harrison Jr. Triumphs in the Lush Joseph Bologne Biopic 

Trailer

Showtimes

Fri: 1:55; 6:55

Sat: 6:45

Sun: 2:25; 7:25

Mon: 4:30; 7:05

Tues: 4:30

Wed: 4:30; 7:05

Thurs: 4:30

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Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Discover the conflict between good and evil in the electrifying Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. After the destruction of the Death Star, Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion’s defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin.

Friday, May 5th at 9:30 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

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Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Experience the triumph of the Force in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. In the epic conclusion of the original trilogy, the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, while the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor. 

Saturday, May 6th at 1:00 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

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Cult Cafe - Now on the big screen!

Death Becomes Her

Starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis!

When a novelist loses her man to a movie star and former friend, she winds up in a psychiatric hospital. Years later, she returns home to confront the now-married couple, looking radiant. Her ex-husband's new wife wants to know her secret, and discovers that she has been taking a mysterious drug which grants eternal life to the person who drinks it. The actress follows suit, but discovers that immortality has a price.

Saturday, May 6th at 9:30 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

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Cinema for Kids

Steven Spielberg's

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas). Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces “E.T.,” as the alien is dubbed, to his brother and his little sister, Gertie (Drew Barrymore), and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien.

Sunday, May 7th at 12 PM

$7 Members | $12 Public | $5 Kids

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IndieGirl Film Picks presents

Mermaids (1990)

With author Patty Dann in-person, moderated by Isil Bagdadi-Sergio

Starring Cher, Winona Ryder, & Christina Ricci!

Join us for a special showing of this beloved classic about mothers and daughters, followed by a conversation with “Mermaids” novelist Patty Dann. A film for anyone whose mother ever drove them crazy, this quirky comedy/drama stars Cher as Rachel Flax, a free-spirited single mother living with her two daughters - teenager Charlotte (Winona Ryder) and 9-year-old Kate (Christina Ricci) in a small New England town in 1963. Their tight-knit bonds are tested when Rachel is romanced by a local shoe salesman (Bob Hoskins) who'd like to become part of the family. 

Sunday, May 7th at 2:30 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

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What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?

A political thriller with a classic rock band at the heart of the action, What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears? involves the U.S. State Department, the Nixon White House, the governments of Yugoslavia, Romania and Poland and documentary footage that has been suppressed for over 50 years by one or all of the above.

In June 1970, hot off their spectacular Grammy win for Album of the Year (besting The Beatles’ “Abbey Road”), Blood, Sweat & Tears becomes the first American rock band to perform behind the Iron Curtain, doing concerts in Yugoslavia, Romania and Poland on a tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Like much of the youth in America, band members have been outspoken and critical of the Nixon administration and the Vietnam War. The Iron Curtain Tour seems to be a curious decision by the band, which was at the very height of their popularity. Upon their return, the band becomes a victim of the significant societal upheaval and culture wars in a polarized America, divided as much then as it is now. Political criticism typically comes from one side or the other. But in 1970, Blood, Sweat & Tears find themselves in the crossfire from both the Right AND the Left and the group suffers greatly as a result. Suddenly, they are no longer hip and cool and lose support from fans, the media, concert bookers and the recording industry. In short, the Right is outraged by the U.S. government footing the bill for an anti-war/anti-Nixon rock band to tour overseas and refer to Blood, Sweat & Tears members as “Communists”. The Left is critical of the band for appearing to be an instrument of the U.S. government and/or the CIA. Through documentary footage shot during the Iron Curtain tour (and thought to be lost) and present-day interviews with band members and historians, as well as the unsealing of government records, What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears? unravels the details of this extraordinary year in the life of the band.

Trailer

Monday, May 8th at 7:30 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

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Movie Trivia Night!

Hosted by Daniel French

Show off your film knowledge and get a chance to win a cash prize!

50 questions based all around film, actors and actresses, awards, and everything else associated with the world of film. Challenge like-minded film fans in a battle of wits for cash and other prizes. You can form teams, so bring some friends and work together. Feel free to come alone and play solo, or join a team!

1st Prize – $100 cash to the winning team!

2nd Prize – Up to 4 CAC gift cards! (a value of $24 each)

Monday, May 8th at 8:00 PM

$10 Public | $7 Members

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Tai Chi in the Sky Room!

Enjoy some Tai Chi, Chi Gung, & Meditation classes in the Sky Room, every Tuesday at 10 am! Improve your balance, strength, and peace of mind. Free of charge! 

Tuesdays at 10 AM in the Sky Room!

FREE!

Spring Season 2023!

Cinema Arts Centre Preview Club

Special Advanced Screening Series!

As a member of the Cinema Arts Preview Club, you will attend special advance screenings of major new films prior to their New York release. The club features outstanding films from the festival circuit, always accompanied by discussions with guest speakers. Club members are invited to participate in the discussion. Films and guest speakers are a surprise until the night of the screening; where you will be introduced to a wide range of high-quality, discussion-provoking movies. The club is also a great social experience. Come early and schmooze. Members will fill out comment cards at each film, and the results and choice opinions will be read at the next film. The Cinema Arts Preview Club promises many unforgettable evenings this season and for years to come.

Our host, Isil Bagdadi-Sergio is an indie film producer, programmer, distributor and publicist. In 2001, Isil and her partner Michael Sergio started CAVU Pictures to produce and distribute cutting-edge, critically acclaimed and award-winning independent films. Isil has shepherded dozens of films into the marketplace and continues to champion independent filmmakers, artists and storytellers in every way she can. She frequently serves as a panelist, moderator, mentor and juror at numerous film festivals throughout the year.

Our recent programs have included an advanced screening of 'Hilma', with director Lasse Hallström and star Lena Olin in person, as well as 'Aftersun', which took home awards at Cannes, NYFCC, Gotham Awards, BIFA, and saw star Paul Mescal nominated for an Oscar. We also showed 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed', which was awarded the top prize at Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature - as well as Joanna Hogg's 'The Eternal Daughter' - which was listed by numerous critics as one of the Best Films of 2022.

In the past, the Preview Club has featured such films as: Pedro Almodóvar's 'Pain and Glory', Céline Sciamma's 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire', the Oscar winning documentary, 'Free Solo', Hirokazu Kore-eda's Palme d'Or winner 'Shoplifters', the Academy Award Best Picture winner 'Green Book', 5X Oscar Nominee 'Lion', as well as 'Three Identical Strangers', 'Hearts Beat Loud', 'Chappaquiddick', and many others.

Dates:

Tuesday, May 9th

Thursday, May 25th

Thursday, June 8th

Thursday, June 22nd

at 7:00 PM

Package price:

$60 Members | $72 Public

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Comic Gems

Billy Wilder's

Some Like it Hot

Starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, & Jack Lemmon

“I don't care how rich he is, as long as he has a yacht, his own private railroad car, and his own toothpaste,” sighs Marilyn Monroe in director Billy Wilder’s beloved comedy Some Like It Hot. What she got instead were two broke, bickering, cross-dressing musicians (Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon) running from a murderous gangster. An instant hit upon its release, it dished out comedic tidbits of mass murder, seduction, sexual stereotypes, and drag-queen culture – and is still as funny today as it was six decades ago.

Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

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FMSH & NOOM Present

Open Mic Night!

Join us most Wednesdays in the Sky Room for our new Open Mic Night! Hosted by the Folk Music Society of Huntington (FMSH) and Northshore Original Open Mic (NOOM), open mic is welcome to performers of any kind!

Wednesday, May 10th at 7 PM

Sign-up at 6:30 PM

Free!

Harry Chapin: His America & Beginnings As A Filmmaker

Live Reading by Tom Chapin of 'Searching for Harry Chapin's America: Remember When the Music' and Film Screening of Harry Chapin’s 'Legendary Champions'

Singer/Songwriter Harry Chapin (“Taxi”, “Cat’s In The Cradle”) made Huntington his home and Long Island the community he cared most about. But, before he found overnight success at age 28, achieved any level of fame and settled into family life, he balanced his vagabond troubadour existence as a would-be folk-rock musician with his day job: editor and filmmaker.

Harry worked for a company called The Big Fights, Inc, run by Bill Cayton and Jim Jacobs, the men that later formed the management team for Mike Tyson, among others. Cayton and Jacobs were originally collectors of fight footage and archivists. They hired a young Harry to make the documentary, Legendary Champions. It would go on to be nominated for the Academy Award for best documentary in 1968 and won the Atlanta Film Festival Gold Prize.

Join us for a special screening of Harry Chapin's documentary film, a riveting look at heavyweight boxing during the first half of the 20th Century. After the film, we will be joined by boxing historian, Michael Silver to discuss the film with Harry's son, Josh Chapin.

Prior to the screening of Harry’s Legendary Champions, there will be selected readings by Tom Chapin of the recently released book “Searching for Harry Chapin's America: Remember When the Music” by Patrick Fenton. Pat became a dear friend of the Chapin Family before his passing in January 2022. We honor his singular voice and warmth with Tom Chapin leading us through “Searching…” in which Fenton describes his road trips to the towns and people that inspired Harry Chapin's most renowned songs.

On Pat Fenton and his book:

"Patrick Fenton has written a unique appreciation of a musical artist's work by going on tour in the footsteps of Harry Chapin and listening to the American Everyman tell the other half of this timeless troubadour's wonderful story-songs. In the clear, beautiful prose of a blue-collar scribe, Fenton records the thumping heartbeat of the American heartland that keeps the music and stories of Harry Chapin alive, decades after his death."

- Denis Hamill, author of Fork in the Road

Tom Chapin is a Grammy award-winning musician, entertainer, singer-songwriter, and storyteller. We are fortunate enough to have him emcee the program and to read some of the Pat Fenton book we treasure. His music and children’s books can be re-discovered at www.tomchapin.com

Michael Silver is an internationally respected historian and author. His first book "The Arc of Boxing: The Rise and Decline of the Sweet Science" (McFarland Publishers, 2008) won two awards for boxing journalism from the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing and the Boston Veteran Boxers' Association. His second book, "Stars in the Ring: Jewish Champions in the Golden Age of Boxing-A Photographic History" (Lyons Press, 2016) was called "an achievement unlikely to be equaled" by Publisher's Weekly. Mike's latest book is "The Night the Referee Hit Back: Memorable Moments From The World of Boxing" (Rowman & Littlefield 2020). His books can be found at his website, www.mikesilverboxing.com

Thursday, May 11th at 6:30 PM

$10 Members | $15 Public

With post-film Q&A with Josh Chapin and historian Michael Silver

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