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Schindler’s List, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the five best films of all time
The BSR December 2023 movie repertory roundup
Stephen Silver
The year in repertory cinema wraps up this month with the usual December holiday classics, along with the 30th anniversary of one of Steven Spielberg’s most acclaimed films and the end of the Sight and Sound 100.
The highlights
Sight and Sound 100: The Finale
Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Throughout the year, the Philadelphia Film Society and its chief programmer, Trey Shields, have been presenting an ambitious program of all 100 of the films from the 2022 Sight and Sound 100, its once-a-decade ranking of the greatest films of all time. PFS is believed to be the only theater or film society in the United States to present all 100.
In December, this major project will wrap up with the top films on the list. First, PFS will present #24, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, on December 2 and December 9 at the Philadelphia Film Center. Then, it’s on to the top five—all at the Film Center: Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood For Love in 4K on December 1 and 7, Yasujirō Ozu’s Tokyo Story on December 2 and 3, Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane in 4K on December 6 and 9, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, also in 4K, on December 8 and 10. (See links for times.)
And finally, the countdown wraps up on December 16 and 17 at the Philadelphia Film Center with the #1 film, Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Thursday, December 7, 7:15pm
Sunday, December 10, 1pm
Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
Wednesday, December 13, 4pm
Ambler Theater, 108 East Butler Avenue, Ambler
Saturday, December 16, 3pm
Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Sunday, December 17, 2pm
Wednesday, December 20, 6:50pm
Water Tower Cinema, 750 Montgomery Glen Drive, Lansdale
Sunday, December 24, 1:30pm
Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville
Frank Capra’s 1946 classic, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, may not be on TV every single day during the holiday season like it used to be, but this year it’s showing at five different local theaters. The December 7 showing in Bryn Mawr features a Cinema Classics Seminar taught by Alice Bullitt.
Schindler’s List
Saturday, December 16, 6:30pm
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall E, Philadelphia
Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media (PJFM) just wrapped up its fall festival in November, but they’re jumping right back into special programming this December. That includes a showing of Steven Spielberg’s 1993 Oscar winner, which tells the story of an industrialist and member of the Nazi party Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.
The showing arrives the month that the film marks its 30th anniversary. Some call Schindler’s List the definitive American Holocaust film, while others feel otherwise.
Earlier in the month, PJFM is planning something much more lighthearted: a “Latkes & Vodkas Movie Night” for Hanukkah, featuring Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights. The 21+ event is scheduled for December 6 at 8pm at Khyber Pass Pub (56 South 2nd Street).
The Abyss: Special Edition
Wednesday, December 6
Various theaters and times
There’s no new Avatar movie this December, but there is a new special edition of another James Cameron sci-fi movie featuring lots of blue and lots of water. The Abyss, his 1989 film that starred Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, arrives for one night only in a remastered 4K edition. Check listings for showtimes closest to you.
More screenings
Body Double
Friday, December 1
Wednesday, December 13
Philadelphia Film Center
Body Heat
Saturday, December 2
Saturday, December 16
Philadelphia Film Center
Elf
Saturday, December 2
Hiway Theater
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Quote-a-long)
Sunday, December 3
Wednesday, December 6
Ritz Five
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Wednesday, December 6
Ritz Five
Fatal Attraction
Thursday, December 7
Philadelphia Film Society
Home Alone
Saturday, December 9
Colonial Theatre
Under the Skin
Saturday, December 9
Friday, December 15
Philadelphia Film Center
The Polar Express
Saturday, December 9
Saturday, December 23
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
A Christmas Story
Sunday, December 10
Wednesday, December 13
Various theaters
The Favourite
Wednesday, December 13
Ritz Five
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Friday, December 15
Ritz Five
Jingle All the Way
Friday, December 15
Saturday, December 16
Ritz Five
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Saturday, December 16
Sunday, December 17
Colonial Theatre
Eyes Wide Shut
Sunday, December 17
Thursday, December 21
Philadelphia Film Center
The Holiday
Wednesday, December 20
Hiway Theater
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