October 6-9
Wednesday October 6
In this twisted, visually striking fusion of The Princess Bride and Cinema Paradiso, an injured stuntman and a girl strike up a friendship, and together spin a swashbuckling ale of revenge. Her innocence struggles against his inner demons as their ornate, shifting fantasy erupts onscreen, interweaving breathtaking scenery filmed in over 20 countries.
The Fall
2006. USA/India. Dir: Tarsem Singh. With Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru. 117 minThursday October 7
In a display of raw and nonsensical violence, a group of insurgent captive dwarfs stage a coup and reverse the status quo of their correctional institution. Is it an allegorical critique of religion and political structures, or simply a Herzogian nightmare brought to life?
Even Dwarfs Started Small
1970. Germany. Dir: Werner Herzog. With 28 little people. 96 minFriday October 8
Considered "the quintissential piece of action cinema" by some and "totally friggin' sweet" by others, this iconic lone-man-vs-terrorists showdown has been imitated often (on a bus, on a boat, on a plane...) but never duplicated. Explosions, emotions, humor, and a little Christmas cheer mix into a perfect, potent brew of yippee-kai-yay.
Die Hard
1988. USA. Dir: John McTiernan. With Bruce Willis. Alan RickmanSaturday October 9
Fellini's endearing, dreamily gorgeous drama follows a prostitute (wife Masina, in a performance for the ages) as she wanders around Rome, encountering swindlers and movie stars while imagining a better life. Will an encounter with a French accountant after a magic show break the cycle of optimism and disappointment?