Philadelphia Magazine

Weekend Report: Box-Office Blues

Avoid the post-Oscar-nom garbage and catch these classics instead

By Victor Fiorillo

A few weeks ago, we were happily watching Oscar contenders like There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men. But now, it seems we’ve hit a bit of a lull: last weekend brought us masterpieces like Over Her Dead Body and Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, while this weekend’s box office will be blitzed by Paris Hilton in The Hottie and the Nottie and the Matthew McConaughey farce Fool’s Gold (be sure to check tomorrow’s IMPRESARIO for the FLICK FILTER, your guide to opening weekend).

The antidote to this lousy movie syndrome is to ignore the new releases completely and stick with beautiful old films. Thursday night brings Dr. Strangelove to National Mechanics. Phoenixville’s Colonial (where they filmed The Blob) is showing a newly restored version of the super-charming 1956 film The Red Balloon on Saturday (followed by the also-French White Mane, inexplicably dubbed into English … yuck!) and Hitchcock’s divine Notorious on Sunday. And the International House has dug deep into the vaults for Saturday night’s screening (with live music) of the 1924 Russian silent, Aelita, one of the earliest science fiction films that still exist.

Dr. Strangelove, National Mechanics, 22 S. 3rd St., 215-701-4883, Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Free, nationalmechanics.com

The Red Ballon and White Mane, Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St. 610-917-0223, Saturday at 2 p.m., $4 to $7, thecolonialtheatre.com

Notorious, Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St. 610-917-0223, Sunday at 2 p.m., $4 to $7, thecolonialtheatre.com

Aelita, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, 8 p.m., $12 to $15, ihousephilly.org

 

Change text size
Print

Email

Write a comment
 
 

User comments

No users have posted comments on this article.

Post a comment

To comment on this article you must be logged in. Not registered?
Philadelphia It List

Holiday Entertaining

Spice up your holiday party with tips and recipes from the area's most talented specialists. Watch The Chef's Kicthen 11/11-12/30 on CN8 every Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm.
 
 

SIP 411

Browse our SIP411 bar guide & get connected to what’s hot & happening at Philly’s lounges, restaurants and bars. Stay connected with weekly txt alerts delivered to your phone!