June 19 The General/The Adventurer 7:00 PM Come for an evening of nostalgia--our summer program opens with a short silent film classic by Charlie Chaplin accompanied by a live pianist. Then we will watch Buster Keaton's groundbreaking film The General. Some call it America's first action movie. Made in the mid-1920s, The General is filled with daring stunts, hilarious antics, and a spectacular train crash. The store is based on a true incident that occurred during the Civil War. The film opens in 1861 just as the attack on Fort Sumter is announced. Roger May, longtime film buff and silver screen fan, will moderate. The General is his all-time favorite film. Originally released 1927. Rereleased in 1995 with music arranged by Robert Israel. Rated G. 74 minutes. Apple's Bakery will provide pastries for the social hour.
July 24 Man on Wire 7:00 PM Our July theme is adventure. Man on Wire recently won an Oscar for best documentary. The film features tightrope walker Phillippe Petit and his "artistic crime of the century." He created a daring--albeit illegal--high-wire performance between New York City's Twin Towers in 1974. The film is moderated by Peoria's own Chris Duke who traveled and performed with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit. She will talk about her experience of working with Phillippe Petit, a passionate and gifted artist. She worked with him in 1975 with the Greatest Show on Earth at the Louisiana Superdome. 2008 release in USA/UK. Some French with English subtitles. Rated PG-13. 90 minutes. Apple's Bakery will provide adventuresome treats.
Aug. 21 The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill 7:00 PM August brings us to nature and the joy that animals can bring to us. Wild Parrots tells the story of how a homeless musician (Mark Bittner) finds meaning for his life when he starts a friendship with dozens of parrots at a park in San Francisco. "In a cinematic portrait, we are introduced to his colorful companions and the relationship they share as well as the realities of urban wildlife that changed Bittner's life forever." USA release 2005. Rated G. 83 minutes.
September 11 Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired 7:00 PM Won best documentary film editing award at Sundance. The movie examines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to the legendary director's sudden flight from the United States. The truth couldn't fit in the headlines. The movie includes archival footage and contemporary interviews with those involved – the victim, Polanski's associates, attorneys. USA/UK, 2008. 99 min. Unrated.
September 25 Los Cronocrímenes (Time Crimes) 7:00 PM Won six international film awards. A man climbs into a time machine and travels back in time for merely an hour. A series of disasters follows. If you liked the mystery and time puzzles of Memento, you will enjoy this film too. Spain, 2007. 92 min. Rated R.
October 9 Hors de Prix (Priceless) 7:00 PM This romantic comedy stars actress Audrey Tautou (Amèlie). In this film, she plays Irene, a woman who only dated men with money. That is, until she met a man with a heart. France, 2006. 104 min. Rated PG-13.
October 16 Mr. Arkadin 7:00 PM For the Film Noir series, an Orson Welles classic. Originally publicized with the tagline, “Discovering the past can be murder.” Filmed throughout Europe; released in 1955. The dialogue is in English. 105 min. Rated PG-13.
November 6 Film Trivia Challenge – Have a fun evening and support our 2010 RiverDeep Film Festival. More information to come!
November 13 Chugyeogja (The Chaser) 7:00 PM Won Best Editor Asian Film Award. With both horrifying suspense and absurd comedy, The Chaser features a cat-and-mouse game between a detective turned to crime and a serial killer. South Korea, 2008. 125 min. R.
November 21 Special Event at Peoria Theater – Film and Wine Tasting 7:00 PM. Bottle Shock, a documentary that reveals the background behind the now infamous 1976 blind wine tasting in Paris where a California chardonnay with buttery notes and a Smithsonian finish won over competing French wines . USA, 2008. 110 min. PG-13.
December 4 Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale) 7:00 PM Winner of both acting and directing awards. Nominated for 14 additional awards. A family history of estrangement, physical and mental illnesses does not lend itself to a cheerful holiday season. But can the scheme concocted by the three youngest finally bring peace? France, 2008. 150 min. Unrated.
All films (other than the special event at Peoria Theater (3225 Dries Lane) on November 21) will be shown on the ICC North Campus, 5407 N. University, Peoria IL, in the Arbor Hall auditorium (2nd floor) at 7:00 PM. $5.00 Adults / $4.00 with Student ID.
For more information, call (309) 339-3001 or email r2rfocus@yahoo.com.