December 8-11

Wednesday, December 8

Robocop

1987. USA. Dir: Paul Verhoeven. With Peter Weller, Nancy Allen . 102 min.
In a decaying Detroit, weapon-packed robots are the latest fad in law enforcement. But when a slain cop is reborn a cyborg, his (its?) commitment to order falters as he investigates his human death. The subversive mind behind STARSHIP TROOPERS and SHOWGIRLS crafts this modern FRANKENSTEIN into a satire of corporate culture and violence-obsessed America.

Thursday, December 9

Film Studies Department Open House

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Enjoy a rare screening of three Wesleyan senior thesis films of yore, then stay to schmooze with Film faculty and students. Get the scoop on the Film Studies Department and a mouthful of holiday cookies to boot!

Friday, December 10

The Nightmare Before Christmas

1993. USA. Dir: Henry Selick. With Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman. 76 min.

What’s this? What’s this? In the cult classic that forever warped a generation, the King of Halloween grows tired of his own holiday and gives Christmas a makeover. The macabre, darkly funny, and heartwarming mood found in every good holiday comes to life here via impeccably crafted stop-motion characters.

Saturday, December 11

Throne of Blood

1957. Japan. Dir: Akira Kurosawa. With Tishirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura. 110 min.
It’s Macbeth in kimonos, as a samurai is driven to regicide and madness by his scheming wife. With haunting compositions that conflate the normal with the supernatural and textual insights that would make your English profs commit seppuku, the film well deserves its reputation as one of the best Shakespeare adaptations of all time.