CULTURAL FILM SERIES
The Cultural Film Series is once again proud to partner with the Augustine and Culture Seminar Program. This year’s series explores the cinema of imagination. As Rod Serling said, “Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science Fiction is the improbable made possible.” Arthur Conan Doyle wrote that “When there is no imagination, there is no horror.”
Films are screened in the Cinema of the Connelly Center on Villanova’s campus on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Monday evenings at 7 p.m.
The speakers, who introduce the film and lead a discussion after the screening, are only present for the Monday evening screenings. As always, all screenings are free and open to the public.
For more information, email Dr. John O’Leary or call (610) 519-4454.
September 20 – 21
Metropolis
Directed by Fritz Lang
Germany 1927 | 124 minutes
This, “landmark of global cinema,” (Brian Susbielles, InSession Film) tells the story of a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners.
Speaker: Rick Worland
September 27 – 28
Ugetsu
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Japan, 1953 | 96 minutes
This tale of ambition, family, love, and war set in the midst of the Japanese Civil Wars is, “entrancing, affecting, and unforgettable” (Brian Eggert, Deep Focus Review).
Speakers: Dan Jefferson and Suan Marcosson
October 4 – 5
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Japan, 1989 | 102 minutes
Kiki settles in a seaside town and starts a high-flying delivery service in this, “heartwarming, gorgeously-rendered tale of a young witch discovering her place in the world” (Rotten Tomatoes).
Speaker: Derek Arnold
October 25 – 26
Arrival
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
USA, 2016 | 116 minutes
Described as, “one of the most beautiful, emotional and original science-fiction films of the last decade,” (Alex Behan, The Post NZ) this film follows a linguist and her team as they find a way to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors.
Speaker: TBA
November 1 – 2
Song of the Sea
Directed by Tomm Moore
Ireland, 2014 | 94 minutes
Ben and his sister Saoirse, who can turn into a seal, go on an adventure to save the spirit world in this “magnificent journey into Irish folklore, beautifully illustrated and full of wonder (Alex Zane, The Sun UK).”
Speaker: Jonathan O’Neill
November 8 – 9
Get Out
Directed by Jordan Peele
USA, 2017 | 104 minutes
This horror film following a young African-American man visiting his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend is, “essential viewing for the socially conscious horror fan” (Brian Eggert, Deep Focus Review).
Speaker: Hezekiah Lewis
December 6 – 7
It’s a Wonderful Life
Directed by Frank Capra
USA, 1946 | 131 minutes
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman see the value of his own life in this, “holiday classic to define all holiday classics” (Rotten Tomatoes).
Speaker: John O’Leary
February 14 – 15
Heart of a Dog
Directed by Mikhail Bulgakov
USSR, 1988 | 130 minutes
In the wake of the Russian revolution, Professor Preobrazhensky rescues a starving dog and attempts to transform him into a man in this film based off Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel.
Speaker: Boris Briker
February 21 – 22
Edward Scissorhands
Directed by Tim Burton
USA, 1990 | 105 minutes
Following the story of an unfinished creation who leaves his isolated castle, “Tim Burton's engaging modern-day fairy tale is an imaginative bit of whimsy… both funny and bittersweet” (Jack Wilkinson, United Press International).
Speaker: Alexis Monroe
March 14 – 15
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Directed by Steven Spielberg
USA, 2001 | 145 minutes
A highly advanced robotic boy longs to become "real" so that he can regain the love of his human mother in this, “dark, visionary fairy tale… a cyberpunk ‘Pinocchio’” (Sean Axmaker, Stream on Demand).
Speaker: John-Paul Spiro
March 21 – 22
2001: A Space Odyssey
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
U.K and USA, 1968 | 139 minutes
This, “visionary tale that continues to be controversial, influential, and open to multiple interpretations,” (Matt Brunson, Film Frenzy) tells the story of two scientists and one supercomputer dispatched to Jupiter to find the origins of a mysterious artifact.
Speaker: Saladin Ambar
April 4 – 5
The Bride of Frankenstein
Directed by James Whale
USA, 1935 | 75 minutes
Baron Henry Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, builds his monster a mate in this, “eccentric, campy, technically impressive, and frightening picture” (Rotten Tomatoes).
Speaker: Ruth Anolik
April 11 – 12
Young Frankenstein
Directed by Mel Brooks
USA, 1974 | 105 minutes
An American grandson of the infamous scientist discovers the process to reanimate a dead body in this “homage to black and white gothic horror” (Bryce Hanson, Horror Movie Talk).
Speaker: Elana Starr
April 18 – 19
Sixties TV: The Twilight Zone - "I Sing the Body Electric” (produced by Rod Serling, script by Ray Bradbury, USA, 1962, 25 minutes)
and
Star Trek - "Requiem for Methuselah” (produced by Gene Rodenberry, script by Jerome Bixby, USA, 51 minutes)
Join us for a special screening of two episodes from enduring sixties sci-fi TV classics: The Twilight Zone and Star Trek.
Speaker: Rick Worland
April 25 – 26
Blade Runner
Directed by Ridley Scott
USA and Hong Kong | 117 minutes
This, “massive and formative illustration of world building” (Allen Almachar, The MacGuffin), tells the story of a blade runner who must terminate four replicants trying to find their creator.
Speaker: TBA
All films are screened at the Connelly Center Cinema. Parking available in the St. Augustine (M2) lot behind the Connelly Center.
CULTURAL FILM SERIES COMMITTEE
JOHN O’LEARY, Director
JARRYD KAINZ, Assistant Director
J.J. BROWN, Treasurer
TONY ALFANO, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services
ADVISORS
DAN JEFFERSON
SUSAN MARCOSSON
JOHN PAUL SPIRO
ELANA ROSE STARR
INFORMATION
CALL (610) 519-4454
EMAIL JOHN.OLEARY@VILLANOVA.EDU