JULY 2 & 5

A killer shark is terrorizing the vacationers at Amity Island in this adaptation of Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel.  Jaws dominated the box office throughout the summer of ‘75 and made Steven Spielberg a household name.  Composer John Williams turned two ominous notes into an Academy Award-winning score.  It’s been over 40 years and folks still think twice about going into the water.   (“You’re going to need a bigger boat.”)

1975

Rated PG

JUNE 25 & 28

Music, comedy, and manic car chases through the streets of Chicago, all rolled into one 80’s cult classic. Original Saturday Night Live cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues, brothers who are getting the band back together to save the orphanage where they grew up. Filled with show-stopping numbers from such musical icons as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and James Brown. (“We’re on a mission from God.”)

1980

Rated R

JUNE 18 (FATHER’S DAY) & JUNE 21

Maybe the greatest adventure movie ever made, directed by Steven Spielberg from an idea from George Lucas.  The film introduced audiences to archeology professor/action hero Indiana Jones, and concerns the search for the legendary lost Ark of the Covenant.  The Ark is said to contain enormous power, and “Indy” (Harrison Ford) and Marion (Karen Allen) must find it before the Nazis do.   (“Snakes.  Why’d it have to be snakes?”) 

1981

Rated PG

JUNE 11 & 14

High school senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) takes playing hooky to a whole new level in this classic 80’s comedy from writer/director John Hughes.  Whether it’s singing from a float in a parade or crashing a fancy restaurant as Abe Frohman (“the Sausage King of Chicago”) Ferris knows how to show his friends a good time.    (“Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”) 

1986

Rated PG-13

JUNE 4 & 7

One of the most quotable comedies ever made.  Our hero Westley (Cary Elwes) is intent on rescuing lovely Buttercup (Robin Wright) from an unhappy fate as the bride of Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).  Mandy Patinkin co-stars.  (“My name is Inigo Montoya.  You killed my father.  Prepare to die.")  Not a big hit when it first played in theatres (“Inconceivable!”), this film has become a cult classic.  (“Have fun storming the castle!”) 

1987

Rated PG

MAY 21 & 24

The British Comedy troupe Monty Python applies their unique brand of off-the-wall humor to the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.  The cast members play multiple parts, with Graham Chapman (“I am Arthur, King of the Britons!”), Terry Gilliam as the Bridgekeeper (“What…is your quest?”), Eric Idle as the Dead Collector, and John Cleese as the incredibly determined Black Knight.  (“It’s just a flesh wound!”) 

1975

Rated PG

MAY 14 (MOTHER’S DAY) & MAY 17

“The hills are alive” with the sound of the most popular musical of all time. Julie Andrews stars as the governess to the seven rambunctious children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). The majestic Austrian Alps are matched by the unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein score.  You’ll be inspired to “climb every mountain,” while simply remembering your “favorite things.” ("Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...”)

1965

Rated G

MAY 7 & 10

John Hughes wrote and directed this classic 1980’s coming-of-age movie. Five high school students—“a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel, and a recluse”—are stuck in Saturday detention together. Before it’s over they will learn some powerful truths about one another, and themselves. The original “brat pack” movie with Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy. (“Could you describe the ruckus, sir?”) 

1985

Rated R

APRIL 30 & MAY 3

Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck play an adulterous couple with murder on their minds, and Edward G. Robinson is the insurance investigator who is their worst nightmare. One of director Billy Wilder’s best, this classic film noir drama received 7 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.  The screenplay by Wilder and Raymond Chandler is loaded with memorable lines. (“Murder can sometimes smell like honeysuckle.”) 

1944

APRIL 23 & 26

A love story to remember, one of the most popular in movie history.  Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr meet on an ocean liner, and feel an immediate attraction.  Both are involved with other people, so are they destined to be together or not?  Bring your handkerchiefs (but be ready to laugh and smile as well) as this irresistible romance builds to its unforgettable conclusion.  (“It was the nearest thing to heaven…you were there.")

1957

APRIL 16 (EASTER) & APRIL 19

Barbra Streisand stars as exuberant matchmaker Dolly Levi in the screen version of the Broadway musical. Walter Matthau is Horace Vandergelder, the “well known half-a-millionaire” who is Dolly’s client and the object of her affections. Directed by Gene Kelly, with a score by Jerry Herman that is full of toe-tapping tunes, including the title song performed by Streisand and Louis Armstrong.  ("It’s so nice to have you back where you belong...”)

1969

Rated G

APRIL 9 & 12

A blockbuster from director Cecil B. DeMille, who practically invented the Biblical epic. Charlton Heston stars as Moses, the Egyptian prince who becomes a holy man, Yul Brynner plays Rameses, the Pharaoh who tries to destroy him, and Anne Baxter is the princess Nefretiri, who is loved by them both. Over 60 years after it was filmed, the parting of the Red Sea is still an awesome spectacle on the big screen.  ("Behold his mighty hand!”)

1956

Rated G

APRIL 2 & 5

The beloved movie version of the popular children’s book about an 11-year-old boy who loves books. He becomes engrossed in a story about a young warrior, Atreyu, who must save a magical world from a storm known as “the Nothing.” Along the way Atreyu encounters a curmudgeonly turtle, the “Ancient One,”   (“We don't even care whether or not we care...”) and a kindly flying “luckdragon.” (“Never give up and good luck will find you.”) 

1984

Rated PG

MARCH 26 & 29

Muppets creator Jim Henson directed this musical fantasy about a teenage girl (Jennifer Connelly) who must enter the mythical world of the Labyrinth to rescue her kidnapped baby brother. Henson’s puppets are amazing, but it was the casting of David Bowie, who also contributed 5 original songs, that made this an iconic 80’s film. A highlight is “Magic Dance,” performed by Bowie and a gaggle of goblin puppets.  (“You remind me of a babe…”)

1986

Rated PG

MARCH 19 & 22

Gene Wilder is Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (“That’s FRONKensteen!”), struggling with the legacy of his infamous mad-scientist grandfather in this classic satire from Mel Brooks.  With a stellar supporting cast that includes Marty Feldman as Igor (“It’s pronounced Eye-gor”), Madeline Kahn, Peter Boyle, Terri Garr, and Cloris Leachman as the late baron’s mysterious housekeeper Frau Blucher.  ("Yes, yes, say it…he vas my boyfriend!”)

1974
Rated PG

MARCH 5 & 8

One of the best from director Alfred Hitchcock, the “master of suspense.” James Stewart, confined to his New York City apartment with a broken leg, finds that “people watching” from his window helps to pass the time.  Things heat up when he and his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) begin to suspect one of his neighbors of murder. Thelma Ritter plays Stewart’s wise-cracking, straight-talking nurse. (“Nobody ever invented a polite word for a killing yet.”)

1954

FEBRUARY 19 & 22

Director Francis Ford Coppola turned Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel about a fictional crime family into a movie classic.  Winner of 3 Oscars® including Best Picture, this movie revived the career of Marlon Brando, who won Best Actor as Don Vito Corleone.  Al Pacino was nominated for his star-making performance as his son Michael.  Contains some of the most famous quotes in movie history. ("I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”)

1972

FEBRUARY 12 & 15

The first—and for over 40 years the only—movie to win Oscars® in all 5 of the top categories: Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay.  Frank Capra directed this endearing romantic comedy about a wealthy socialite (Claudette Colbert) and a street-wise newspaperman (Clark Gable) who become unlikely travel companions.  The hitchhiking scene, where Colbert schools Gable, is a classic. ("I’ll stop a car, and I won’t use my thumb!”)

1936

FEBRUARY 5 & 8

The movie version of one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most popular musicals, based on the real-life experiences of a 19th century Englishwoman who taught the children of the King of Siam.  Nominated in 9 categories, including Picture and Actress (Deborah Kerr), and winner of 5 awards.  Yul Brynner was named Best Actor for his iconic performance as the king, a part he had originated on Broadway.  ("Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!”)

1956