DECEMBER 10 & 13

On Christmas Eve a boy boards a mysterious train bound for the North Pole. This adaptation of the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg has a score by Alan Silvestri that features original songs plus classic holiday recordings from the 1940’s. The “performance capture” animation used by director Robert Zemeckis made it possible for Tom Hanks to play six roles, including Santa.  ("The true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.”)

2004

Rated G

NOVEMBER 26 & 29

The hit comedy starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is mad at his family and wishes they would disappear.  When they accidentally leave for Christmas vacation without him, he gets his wish.  But he finds being “home alone” isn’t all fun and games (or is it?) when two bungling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) force him to defend his house.    (“You guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?”) 

1990

Rated PG

NOVEMBER 19 & 22

Relive the magic (or experience the thrill for the first time) of seeing Harry Potter’s first adventure on the big screen. Harry is a new student at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, where he must face the dreaded “He Who Must Not Be Named.”  Daniel Radcliffe stars as the 11-year-old wizard destined for greatness, and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson play his best friends Ron and Hermione. (“She needs to sort out her priorities!”)

2001

Rated PG

NOVEMBER 12 & 15

The popular sequel to the sci-fi comedy blockbuster. Time-traveling teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) must go back again to November 12, 1955 (“temporal junction point of the entire space-time continuum”), this time to prevent an alternate universe in which a wealthy Biff (Thomas F. Wilson) corrupts the town of Hill Valley.  (“Please, Marty. No one should know too much about their destiny.”)

1989

Rated PG

NOVEMBER 5 & 8

NOT your typical western. This politically incorrect 70’s comedy from director Mel Brooks stars Cleavon Little as Sheriff Bart and Gene Wilder as the Waco Kid. Madeline Kahn plays saloon singer Lily von Shtupp (“Ooh…a wed wose. How womantic!”) who falls for Sheriff Bart (“Oh, it’s twue, it’s twue!”)  Harvey Korman plays the villain whose name bears an unfortunate resemblance to that of movie star Hedy Lamarr. (“That’s HEDLEY!”)

1974

Rated R

OCTOBER 29 & NOVEMBER 1

Stanley Kubrick directed what many consider one of the scariest movies ever. Jack Nicholson (“Here’s Johnny!”) is a writer who takes a job as a caretaker of an off-season hotel with a really…bad…past. He and his family are virtually alone in the spooky old building. Or are they? Shelly Duvall, as Nicholson’s distraught wife, discovers her husband is turning into someone she barely recognizes. (“All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.”)

1980

Rated R

OCTOBER 22 & 25

New York City is experiencing a dramatic increase in paranormal activity, and Sigourney Weaver may have a demonic spirit living in her refrigerator. So who’s she gonna call? This comedy blockbuster written by and starring Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis also stars Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman, who along with his fellow parapsychologists tries to warn the mayor of the coming crisis. (“Dogs and cats, living together…mass hysteria!”)

1984

Rated PG

OCTOBER 15 & 18

The cult comedy based on the popular board game. Murder is on the menu at a mysterious dinner party at a secluded mansion. The top-flight comedic cast includes Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Leslie Ann Warren, Michael McKean, Martin Mull and Eileen Brennan. Presented here with all three of its original alternate endings.  (“I have absolutely no idea what we're doing here…but I am determined to enjoy myself!”)

1985

Rated PG

OCTOBER 8 & 11

A science fiction hit whose reputation has grown even bigger in the 20 years since it was released. Bruce Willis is 23rd century cab driver Korben Dallas and Milla Jovovich is Leeloo, a mysterious young woman who needs his help to save Earth from destruction.  Gary Oldman plays the quirky villain Zorg and Chris Tucker is the over-the-top radio host Ruby Rhod. Willis is at his best as the tough-guy hero. (“Anybody else want to negotiate?”)

1997

Rated PG-13

OCTOBER 1 & 4

Classic western in which John Wayne is a sheriff standing guard over a killer (Claude Akin) whose gang aims to spring him from jail. Will the Duke prevail, with the help of his deputies (Dean Martin and Walter Brennan) and a young gunslinger named Colorado (50’s heartthrob Ricky Nelson)? Did we mention this is a John Wayne movie? (“If any trouble starts around this jail, before anybody can get to you you're gonna get accidentally shot.”)

1959

Rated PG

SEPTEMBER 24 & 27

Alfred Hitchcock was a master at directing stylish thrillers (with a dose of romance), and this is one of his best. Full of beautiful French Riviera locations and Edith Head costumes. Cary Grant plays a reformed cat burglar out to clear his name and Grace Kelly is an alluring socialite dripping in jewels.  The fireworks scene may be one of the most romantic ever filmed.  (“Even in this light, I can tell where your eyes are looking.”) 

1955

Rated PG 

SEPTEMBER 17 & 20

This romantic masterpiece from director David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) remains one of the most successful movies ever made. Visually stunning and musically lush, the film won five Academy Awards including cinematography and original score.   With a stellar cast led by Omar Sharif and Julie Christie as lovers caught up in the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. (“Wouldn't it have been lovely if we'd met before?”)

1965 

Rated PG-13

SEPTEMBER 10 & 13

Romance is in the air when a princess visiting Rome (Audrey Hepburn) meets reporter Gregory Peck.  Filmed on location in the Eternal City, this enchanting comedy won three Academy Awards, including one for Hepburn in her first starring role. The actress is every inch the princess who yearns to experience everyday life, and gets the chance with the charming Peck as her guide.  (“I could do some of the things I’ve always wanted to!”)

1953

SEPTEMBER 3 & 6

The classic western widely considered to be Clint Eastwood’s masterpiece. He and Morgan Freeman play retired gunfighters with one last job to do. Gene Hackman is the cruel sheriff who stands in their way. Won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Hackman).  Eastwood won for directing and was nominated for actor for his haunting performance as the aging gunslinger. (“We all got it comin’, kid.”)

1992

Rated R

AUGUST 27 & 30

The hit comedy that spoofed every disaster movie cliché. The fate of an imperiled airliner depends on Ted Striker (Robert Hays), a nervous former pilot with a “drinking problem.” Ex-girlfriend Elaine (Julie Hagerty) is the flight attendant. (“There’s no reason to become alarmed… by the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?”) Gave Leslie Nielsen a whole new career as a comedic actor. (“And don’t call my Shirley.”) 

1980

Rated PG

AUGUST 20 & 23

This classic action comedy was the highest grossing movie of 1977 after Star Wars. Burt Reynolds is the fun-loving trucker, Bandit, who gives runaway bride Sally Field a lift, and country singer Jerry Reed is Reynolds’ sidekick, Snowman.  Jackie Gleason plays the chronically exasperated Sheriff Buford T. Justice, the “Smokey” who is hot on Bandit’s tail. (“What we’re dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law!”)

1977

Rated PG

AUGUST 6 & 9

Tom Cruise stars in this celebration of the heroism of Navy pilots, with some of the best aerial scenes ever filmed. The soundtrack album, with songs by Kenny Loggins and Berlin, including the Academy Award-winning Take My Breath Away, went platinum 9 times.  Val Kilmer co-stars as “Iceman” and Kelly McGillis plays a flight instructor romantically drawn to the reckless “Maverick” (Cruise).  (“I feel the need…the need for speed!”) 

1986 

Rated PG

JULY 30 & AUGUST 2

Kevin Bacon is the new kid in a small town where the locals don’t take kindly to rock music and dancing. And the girl he likes (Lori Singer) is the daughter of the town preacher (John Lithgow). Will he win them over? By the time our hero is done, everyone will be “kicking off their Sunday shoes” to the tune of such pop hits as Let’s Hear it For the Boy, Holding Out For a Hero, and of course the title song. (“Now I gotta cut loose…Footloose…”)

1984

Rated PG

JULY 23 & 26

The original film in the popular Vacation series—and still the best. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) takes his family on a cross-country trip to Wally World. Along the way they must cope with quirky relatives Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and Aunt Edna (Imogene Coca), but nothing shakes Dad’s determination to make this the most memorable vacation ever. ("Perhaps you don’t want to see the second largest ball of twine on the face of the earth?”)

1983

Rated R

JULY 9 & 12

This coming-of-age baseball comedy was hailed by critic Roger Ebert as a summertime version of A Christmas Story. New kid in town Scotty Smalls wants to fit in, but there’s a problem: he can’t play baseball! Before summer is over, he will make new friends, and together they will confront “the Beast,” a mysterious dog with a scary reputation.  The scene where Ham teaches Scotty how to make s’mores is a classic. (“You’re killing me, Smalls!”)

1993

Rated PG