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Revisiting New Hollywood, music with movies, Dr. Strangelove, and more
The BSR January 2024 repertory movie roundup
Stephen Silver
It’s a new year, and that means the holidays are over, and also that the calendars have turned to unveil anniversaries of big movies. This month, we mark the anniversaries of a couple of mid-century classics, as well as the best and worst of the 1970s New Hollywood.
The highlights
The Godfather: Part II
Tuesday, January 9, 1pm and 7pm
Ritz Five, 214 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
We did the 50th anniversary celebration back in 2022 for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, and now its 1974 sequel—the greatest follow-up ever made—turns 50 this year. There will likely be quite a few anniversary showings leading up to the actual anniversary in December, but your first chance to see it is on January 9 in Old City.
The Film Society’s Beginning of the End
Various days and times
Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Godfather II is mostly remembered as one of the greatest successes of the 1970s period known as the “New Hollywood.” But as fans of Peter Biskind’s book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls are aware, like all good things, it eventually came to an end.
Throughout January, the Philadelphia Film Society will present a series of films from the New Hollywood era, some of which were considered less successful and are thought to have contributed to that epoch coming to an end—even though several of them have since been reclaimed as misunderstood classics.
The eight-film series includes Dennis Hopper’s 1971 The Last Movie (January 3, 12, and 17); Lawrence Kasdan’s 1977 Sorcerer (January 5 and 26); Michael Cimino’s 1980 Heaven’s Gate (January 6 and 21); Elaine May’s 1976, Philadelphia-set Mikey and Nicky (January 6 and 18); Warren Beatty’s 1981 Reds (January 6, 21, and 27); Terrence Malick’s 1978 Days of Heaven (January 7 and 28); Martin Scorsese’s 1977 New York, New York (January 13 and 27), and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1981 One from the Heart (starting January 26 at the Bourse).
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Wednesday, January 15 and Thursday, January 25
Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 Cold War satire starring Peter Sellers in multiple roles turns 60 years old later this month. One of the sharpest political satires ever put on film, Dr. Strangelove is showing twice at BMFI, with the January 25 showing featuring a Cinema Classics Seminar with Andrew Owen, PhD.
Movies with musical accompaniment
This month is a notable one for showings of films with live musical accompaniment. On Saturdya, January 6, the Media Arts Council will host a showing of Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent classic Metropolis, with live piano accompaniment by MAC artistic director Jeff Thomas.
On Wednesday, January 31, the Lightbox Film Center will present three silent films: Max Linder's 1913 Max fait de la photo, Maya Deren’s 1944 At Land, and Léonce Perret's 1912 Le Mystère des roches de Kador. Philadelphia new music ensemble Relâche will perform along with the films.
Brian DePalma’s 1974 Phantom of the Paradise is not a silent film. In fact, it’s very very loud. But nevertheless, it’s showing on January 19 and 20 at PhilaMOCA, with Paul Williams’s famous score played live by Paul Green Rock Academy. That film is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
More screenings
Philadelphia
Wednesday, January 3
Water Tower Cinema
Cinema Paradiso
Wednesday, January 3
Saturday, January 20
Philadelphia Film Center
There Will Be Blood
Thursday, January 4
Saturday, January 20
Philadelphia Film Center
The Story of a Three-Day Pass
Thursday, January 4
Philadelphia Film Center
Looney Tunes showcase
Saturday, January 6
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
Titanic
Sunday, January 7
Saturday, January 13
Philadelphia Film Center
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Friday, January 12
Ritz Five
No Country for Old Men
Friday, January 12
Thursday, January 18
Philadelphia Film Center
Alien
Friday, January 12
Saturday, January 13
Ritz Five
Nashville
Saturday, January 13
Sunday, January 14
Philadelphia Film Center
The Muppet Movie
Saturday, January 13
Hiway Theater
The Philadelphia Story
Sunday, January 14
Wednesday, January 17
Water Tower Cinema
Chinatown
Tuesday, January 16
Ritz Five
Babe
Saturday, January 20
Ambler Theatre
Badlands
Tuesday, January 23
Ritz Five
Spacked Out
Friday, January 26
Lightbox Film Center
2001: A Space Odyssey
Sunday, January 28
Colonial Theater
The Wizard of Oz
Saturday, January 13
Saturday, January 27
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
Sunday, January 28
Monday, January 29
Wednesday, January 31
Water Tower Cinema
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