Note!!!: After a nearly three year hiatus, In-Person Super Cinema is returning!
The tentative start date is Thursday September 7, 2023.
The location where free movies will be shown will be the Community Meeting Room on the 3rd floor of the Central branch in downtown Berkeley.
This and all following Super Cinemas will be enjoyed every Thursday, and the time will be 2:30pm.
In the mean time "Super Cinema Suggests" is a weekly recommendation of movies available thru Kanopy or Hoopla, two fantastic and free library databases available to all with a valid Berkeley Public LIbrary card. They consist of thousands of independent, international, classic and documentary films.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Go to cityofberkeley.kanopystreaming.com and create an account by clicking on the Sign Up button.
2. Go to your email account to verify your email address.
3. Add your library card number.
4. Start watching videos! You have 10 film play credits available per calendar month.
Super Cinema April 2023
Children of Heaven
1997 / 89 min. / PG
In Persian with English Subtitles
Set in Tehran. After collecting his sister Zahra’s shoes at the cobbler, schoolboy Ali loses them. Ali and Zahra decide to keep the loss a secret from their parents,, who are way behind on bills, and proceed to share Ali’s sneakers. Zahra wears them to her school in the morning, then runs home to give them to Ali for his afternoon classes. Naturally, there are complications. Roger Ebert gave the movie his highest rating and said it “glows with a kind of good-hearted purity.” It was nominated for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards for 1998.
Seabiscuit
2003 / 140 min. / PG-13
The Great Depression is underway, Horse racing is popular. Seabiscuit, a grandson of the champion, Man o’ War, is a small and at first unmanageable thoroughbred slated for special training by his auto tycoon owner, Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges). To match his horse, Howard assembles a passionate underdog team made up of trainer Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) and jockey “Red” Pollard (Tobey Maguire). Seabiscuit is soon the most successful racehorse on the West Coast, leading Howard to challenge the owner of War Admiral, Seabiscuit’s East Coast counterpart, to a historic matchup. Stakes and emotions run high. It’s a satisfying period film.
Citizen Ruth
1996 / 102 min. / R
Citizen Ruth is a satirical black comedy focused on Ruth (Laura Linney), a small-town pregnant drug addict whose first four children have been taken from her by child welfare agencies. An explicit script and very broad performances depict the height of the post-Reagan era when Roe v. Wade was the law but raucous abortion-related battles were fought almost nightly on the evening news.
Away from Her
2007 / 110 min. / PG-13
A couple married for over 40 years, Fiona and Grant Anderson (Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent) begin to realize Fiona has Alzheimer’s. The care facility she moves herself to asks Grant not to visit for 30 days to allow Fiona to adjust. When he returns, she has become devoted to a fellow patient (Michael Murphy). Roger Ebert calls the film “a heartbreaking masterpiece” and praises writer/ director Sarah Polley’s first directorial effort, for which she won multiple awards for Best Direction and for adapting the screenplay from an Alice Munro short story. Julie Christie also won multiple awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Watch Sarah Polley: this year she won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Women Talking.
Super Cinema May 2023
Summertime
1955 /100 min. / Approved
Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn), a middle-aged, unmarried secretary from Akron, Ohio, is vacationing alone in magnificent Venice. She, her movie camera and a pestering street urchin called Mauro take everything into their wide eyes. Sitting in San Marco Plaza her first night, Jane sees a man (Rossano Brazzi) watching her. She’s lonely, but walks away. There are more chance encounters—and more chances for romance, in spite of complications. See it for love of love, see it for lovely, otherworldly Venice. Director David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago) said Summertime was his favorite of his own films.
Cider House Rules
1999 / 126 min. / PG-13
Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) is the oldest “child” at St. Cloud’s, a maternity hospital and orphanage run by Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine). Homer helps with upkeep of the buildings and he acts as a mentor to other children living at St. Cloud’s. Homer is smart but has no formal education. Nevertheless Larch trains him in obstetric procedures so that Homer can help him with women who want to have their babies at St. Cloud’s. Larch improbably intends for Homer to succeed him as director of St. Cloud’s. Uncomfortable with Larch’s plan, Homer leaves, and returns a few years later only to secure treatment for a woman in trouble. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom.
Boyhood
2014 / 165 min. / R
Richard Linklater wrote, directed and produced this epic coming-of-age drama between 2002 and 2013. The main character is Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane), who is 6 when the film starts, 17 when it ends. All the other characters age at the same pace as he does—his father, Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke), his divorced mother, Olivia (Patricia Arquette), and his sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater). Stated simply, Linklater wanted to make a film about growing up. So he brought the cast and crew together every year for 12 years of Mason Jr.’s life. The script was written as the narrative progressed through those 12 years. Boyhood was the most acclaimed film of 2014. It holds a 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with nearly 200 reviews, making it Rotten Tomatoes’ most highly rated film, ever.
Road to Perdition
2002 / 117 min. / R
An orphan raised by Irish mob boss John Rooney (Paul Newman), Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is now Rooney’s chief enforcer. They regard one another as father and son, but blood splits Rooney’s loyalties. When Rooney feels obliged to order a hit on Sullivan’s family to please his hothead son Connor (Daniel Craig), Sullivan and 12 year old Michael Sullivan Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin), who has survived Rooney’s blood bath, take to the road, and Michael Sr. positions himself to avenge his family. Conrad L. Hall won the Academy Award for cinematography. He nailed the dark, chilled feeling of the Depression. Directed by Sam Mendes.
Super Cinema June 2023
Reds
1981 / 195 mn. / PG
Epic historical films such as this rarely come along these days. Warren Beatty co-wrote, produced, directed and starred as journalist John (Jack) Reed reporting on the October 1917 Revolution that ended the Russian Empire. His reportage later became Ten Days that Shook the World. Reds won awards for Vittorio Storaro’s cinematography, Maureen Stapleton’s portrayal of Emma Goldman, and Beatty’s direction. Also features Diane Keaton as Reed’s colleague and lover, Louise Bryant, and Jack Nicholson as Eugene O’Neill. The run time is just over three hours, so settle in with some borscht and blini.
We Were Here
2011 / 90 min. / NR
An inspiring, acclaimed documentary about the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, this film communicates how courageous in-your-face AIDS activists in the 80’s and 90’s kept pressure on the US government to step up AIDS research to find a cure. Proactivity didn’t lead to a cure but did lead to development of antiretroviral drug treatments that now allow almost 30 million infected people to live stable lives. Another 10 million infected people, mostly in under-developed countries, do not have access to antiretroviral drugs, and that must change.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
1961 / 115 min. / Approved
The movie boasts a charming turn by Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a society-celebrated kook paradoxically running away from attachment. George Peppard plays Holly’s on-again off-again boyfriend as well as the gigolo of a rich woman played subtly by Patricia Neal. Unfortunately there’s also a racist bit of caricature performed by Mickey Rooney as Holly’s buck-toothed Japanese landlord. Music by Henry Mancini, including the Academy Award winning song “Moon River,” sung wistfully by Hepburn. Hepburn’s Givenchy wardrobe for Breakfast has remained at the pinnacle of high fashion for 60 years. Based on a novella by Truman Capote. Directed by Blake Edwards.
Howard Zinn: A People’s History of the United States
2016 / 90 min. / NR
Historian Howard Zinn’s book of the same title gathers reports of “U.S. history from the point of view of — and in the words of — America’s women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers,” [quoting a publisher summary], from 1492 to the present. Directed by Olivier Adam and Daniel Mermet, this film is a capsule of some of the voices from Zinn’s book, which is now in its 35th printing. The film is a visceral document, amplifying voices systematically suppressed by mainstream historical authorities. This enlivening video really boosts the narrative.
The Last Waltz (watch on Hoopla)
1978 / 117 min. / PG
Formerly Bob Dylan’s backup band, the group known thereafter simply as The Band had been touring on its own for a few years when, in 1976, it announced The Last Waltz. It would be a celebration of their work and their final live concert The film of it was directed by Martin Scorsese, who used seven 35 mm cameras to capture it. The Band’s members included Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. Also on the bill were more than a dozen guest artists, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Dr, John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr and Muddy Waters. Scorsese conducted off-stage interviews, which were interspersed with concert footage, having the result of thickening the mix, as it were. The Last Waltz is consistently ranked among the top several concert films of all time.
Super Cinema July 2023
Aviator
2004 / 170 min. / PG-13
Howard Hughes (Leonardo Di Caprio), is 22 when he gets into filmmaking. He catches the aviation bug from making the air war film, Hell’s Angels. He begins to design planes and to pilot them. He sets multiple flying records, and founds Hughes Aviation (a subsidiary of his inventor father’s Hughes Tool Company). He dates actresses Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett), Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale) and others. His business acumen allows him to buy multiple other businesses and to accumulate billions. As he grows older, he develops a severe case of what is now known as OCD. He is famously eccentric and mostly a recluse for the rest of his life. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film won many awards including a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Cate Blanchett.
Rambling Rose
1991 / 112 min. / R
During the Great Depression, the small-town Hillyer family takes in an orphaned teenager named Rose (Laura Dern). Rose is irrepressible—full of fun and flirtatiousness. She looks up to Mrs. Hillyer (Diane Ladd), who is an independent sort of woman who takes college classes. She also warms to Mr. Hillyer (Robert Duvall), who is good-natured and kind. While the summer is still young, an array of men respond to Rose’s provocative ways, leading to an embarrassment of mooning and fist fights, but there is more to come. The film was critically acclaimed. Laura Dern and Diane Ladd, mother and daughter in real life, were nominated for Oscars for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. It was the only time a mother and daughter have been so honored in the same year and for the same picture. Directed by Martha Coolidge.
Itzhak
2017 / 82 min. / NR
Born in 1945, Itzhak Perlman has been a master violinist since he was very young. Ed Sullivan hosted him on television in 1958, and soon after Perlman was touring as a solo performer. What we see here is a slice of him, A to Z, at home, rehearsing, at the ball game, teaching, kibitzing with family and friends, performing, and much more. He’s delightful, whatever he’s doing. That he lost the use of his legs to polio at 4 is not among the first few things one who knows him might tell you about him. Directed by Alison Chernick.
Catch-22
1970 / 122 min. / R Adapted by Buck Henry from Joseph Heller’s novel of the same name, Catch-22 is a satirical black comedy war film with a huge cast, including but not limited to Alan Arkin as the primary character, Yossarian, Martin Balsam, Art Garfunkel, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Jon Voight, Anthony Perkins, Martin Short and Orson Welles. At an air base in Italy, Yossarian is close to reaching 25 bombing missions when Colonel Cathhcart, the Bomb Squad Commander, increases the maximum number of missions a pilot can fly. Then Yossarian, desperate to stop flying, discovers a “catch-22.” The Army Air Corps considers that a pilot who wants to fly more missions is crazy, therefore unfit to fly, yet one who refuses to fly them is sane and fit to fly them. The absurdities pile up as the Squad flies on. Directed by Mike Nichols.
Super Cinema, August 2023
At Eternity’s Gate
2018 / 111 min. / PG-13
Set during the final months of Vincent Van Gogh’s life near Arles, France, the film reveals what filmmaker Julian Schnabel sees as Van Gogh’s artistic and spiritual crisis at that time. The film also suggests an alternative to the general understanding that Van Gogh’s death was a suicide. Willem Dafoe’s dynamic performance won him several nominations for Best Actor.
The Queen
2006 / 103 min. / PG-13
The emotional aftermath of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, sees millions join in an outpouring of public grief that shakes the royal family, and especially Queen Elizabeth II. At first misreading the moment, the Queen (Helen Mirren) is forced to reconsider her response to Diana’s death. Mirren swept up nearly all acting awards that year, and director Stephen Frears won several as well.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
2007 / 117 min. / R
Andy Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a finance executive who embezzles that little bit extra and enlists his brother Hank (Ethan Hawke) in a “what could go wrong” scheme to rob their parents’ jewelry store for what Andy needs to outrun the coming audit. When it goes wrong, their father (Albert Finney) goes after the truth. Legendary director Sidney Lumet won universal acclaim for this, his final film, which made it to lots of “best 10 films of the year” lists. Stellar acting all around—what else from this A+ ensemble cast?
Kinky Boots
Stream on Hoopla
2005 / 107 min. / PG-13
In Northampton, England, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) is attempting to save the family shoe factory after his father’s death. On a fashion finding trip to London, he meets Lola / Simon (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a drag performer who inspires him to try to produce stronger high heel boots for drag queens. All he needs to do is convince his employees. The fun made its way to theater and TV also.
Witness for the Prosecution
Stream on Hoopla
1957 / 116 min. / NR
In London’s venerable Old Bailey courthouse, a man (Tyrone Power) is on trial for murder, his barrister (Charles Laughton) thinks he’s innocent, his alibi witness knows he’s not, his wife (Marlene Dietrich) testifies for the prosecution, and the ending is a complete surprise. Directed by the great Billy Wilder. This was Agatha Christie’s favorite film adaptation of one of her stories.