Downfall                                             Sept. 6 & 8

It is the spring of 1945 and the Russians are advancing towards Berlin. Hitler and his staff take shelter in a large bunker complex located in the heart of the city. Based partially on the memoirs of his personal secretary, Traudl Junge, Downfall recounts the last days of Adolf Hitler, Eva Braun, and the rest of the staff as they face inevitable defeat. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. “Downfall shifts its gaze back and forth between the crumbling military situation on the ground in Berlin and the bizarre domestic situation in the bunker underneath it, combining high wartime drama with a sense of mundane detail that verges on the surreal.” A.O. Scott, The New York Times. 

Stage Beauty                                 Sept. 13 & 15

In the 1660’s men played all the roles in British theatre, portraying even the female characters. Actor Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup) was the most beautiful and skilled female lead in England. Then one day Charles II allows real women to take the stage. Ned’s ex-dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), takes over his parts and attempts to pull him out of his depression after he loses his celebrity status. "Stage Beauty is a sprawling, sincere, somewhat dirty love letter to the acting profession.” Michael Machosky, Pittsburgh Tribune.

Keys to the House                        Sept. 27 & 29

As a young man Gianna abandoned his physically and psychologically disabled son, Paolo. After fifteen years of estrangement, he meets his son for the first. Gianna decides to take his son to Berlin for medical treatment and they begin to form a lasting relationship. Winner of three awards at the Venice Film Festival.  “Stripped clean of contrivance and cheap sentiment, The Keys to the House is all the more poignant for its unflinching honesty about the stress of raising a developmentally disabled child.” Tim Knight, Reel.com.

Schultze Gets the Blues                    Oct. 4 & 6

After entering a forced retirement, Schultze spends his days napping, arguing about the rules of chess, and playing the accordion. Then one night he hears zydeco music on the radio and infuses his normal German polka rhythms with the Louisiana music. Schultze soon travels from Germany to the states and finally Louisiana, where he tries to renew his life through Louisiana’s lively musical culture. Winner of over eleven awards at international film festivals.  “It's a lazy and surpassingly lovely odyssey through time, space, rhythm, and race, and the sense of freedom in giving oneself up to chance is overwhelming.” Ty Burr, Boston Globe.

What the !@#$% Do We Know?         Oct. 18 & 20          

A pseudo-documentary, the film follows Amanda, a divorced photographer who is frustrated with her life and watches it unravel to reveal the quantum worlds beneath reality. Meanwhile, physicists, biologists, neurologists, and philosophers provide commentary for the narrative and discuss our perception of reality. "Bleep" is a great discussion-starter, and it's a pleasure to find a film that actually requires gray matter participation.” Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan.

A Very Long Engagement                 Oct 25 & 27

During WWI five men purposefully injure themselves in an attempt to escape frontline duty. As punishment, they are left in the middle of no-man’s land. Months later Mathilde (Audrey Tatu), a young woman who was engaged to one of the deserted soldiers, gets word that her fiancé is still alive. She embarks on a journey to discover the truth and find her lost love. Winner of several international awards and nominated for the

Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. “A Very Long Engagment makes points about the absurdity of war, but balances those out by adopting the phrase that "love conquers all." James Berardinelli, ReelViews.

Undertow                                           Nov. 1 & 3

Brothers Chris and Tim live in rural George with their father, John (Dermot Mulroney). Chris acts out in rebellion as his father mourns the loss of his dead wife. John’s brother, Deel, disturbs their quiet life when he arrives claiming his half of the Mexican gold coins their father left them.  Soon the boys are forced to flee and begin a trip across the Southern landscape. “He [Green] is not a director of plots so much as a director of tones, emotions and moments of truth, and there's a sense of gathering fate even in the lighter scenes.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times.

The Woodsman                                  Nov. 8 & 10

After twelve years in jail as a convicted pedophile, Walter (Kevin Bacon) returns to his hometown. He attempts to start a new life, moving into an apartment, taking a job in a lumberyard, and dating a fork-lift operator named Vickie (Kyra Sedgewick). His past continues to haunt him as he tries to form relationships and gain some semblance of redemption. “Writer-director Nicole Kassell’s debut film is a lean drama anchored by subject matter which, although difficult, remains distantly disquieting yet never challenging.” Marjorie Baumgarten, The Austin Chronicle.

A Love Song for Bobby Long                       Nov. 15 & 17

After Pursy Will (Scarlett Johansson) hears about her mother’s death, she returns to her childhood home in New Orleans. To her surprise she finds Bobby Long (John Travolta), a perpetually drunk ex-professor, and his protégée, Lawson Pines, residing in the house. They claim to have partial rights to the house and refuse to leave. Pursy moves in and shines a critical light on their lazy routines as they help her discover new possibilities.

“It's unusual to find an American movie that takes its time. It's remarkable to listen to dialogue that assumes the audience is well-read.” Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times.

For more information:

318-869-5254 (English Department, Centenary College)

or

http://www.centenary.edu/life/film