Cinema ClubHistory
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The Camera Cinema Club events are the most unique cinematic experiences offered in the Bay Area. Among the many special guests and celebrities who have talked with audiences about their films are actors John Malkovich and Peter Mullan, and a host of independent filmmakers who have gone on to celebrated careers. One of the all-time highlights for members was when Jessica Yu, Academy Award-winning director of "Breathing Lessons: The Life And Works of Mark O'Brien", passed her Oscar around the audience during the Club's inaugural 1997-98 season.
An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2007-2008 Season
| October 14, 2007 |
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Man In The Chair - The Club inaugurates its 12th season as two unlikely partners -- a would-be teen filmmaker, and an aged former Hollywood crew member -- team up for a prestigious student film competition. |
| November 18, 2007 |
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The Savages - An irreverent look at family, love and mortality about two adult siblings (Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman) forced to care for an estranged elderly parent. |
| January 13, 2008 |
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Taxi To The Dark Side - Alex Gibney's Oscar-winning documentary investigation into the homicide of a taxi driver at the Bagram Air Force
Base in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11. |
| February 10, 2008 |
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Shotgun Stories - Jeff Nichols' slow burning, southern, familial drama which tracks a feud that erupts between two sets of half brothers following the death of their father. |
| March 16, 2008 |
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Tre - Eric Byler's close-up look at the complicated nature of adult romance via the interactions of four characters who have recently ended long-term relationships.
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| April 13, 2008 |
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The Memory Thief - Gil Hofman's drama about Lukas, an aimless young L.A. man whose chance encounter with a Holocaust survivor changes his life forever. |
| May 18, 2008 |
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Sidekick - Michael Sparaga's and Canada's first (and only) bonafide super hero flick, about mild-mannered computer consultant Norman, who sets out to help a co-worker refine his superpowers. |
| June 22, 2008 |
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Encounters At The End Of The World - Werner Herzog's unusual, ruminative and wondrous documentary on Antarctica and the unusual folks -- human and otherwise -- who reside there. |
| July 20, 2008 |
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The New Year Parade - Tom Quinn's award-winning drama following two siblings, as their parents separate against the backdrop of Philadelphia's Mummery. |
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| August 24, 2008 |
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Ping Pong Playa - In Jessica Yu's uproarious comedy, jive-talking Chinese American slacker Christopher "C-dub" Wang is forced to step up and defend the family's title at a table tennis tournament.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2006-2007 Season
| October 15, 2006 |
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F**CK - The Club inaugurates its eleventh season with this incisive and funny documentary look at the history of the infamous expletive. |
| November 12, 2006 |
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Flannel Pajamas - Engaging portrait of a marriage coming apart, in which newlyweds Stuart and Nicole realize maybe they made a mistake. |
| January 7, 2007 |
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Venus - The great Peter O'Toole stars as an aging actor who forms an unlikely friendship with his best friend's wayward niece. |
| February 11, 2007 |
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Days Of Glory - Oscar-nominated drama recounting the experiences of Algerian soldiers who served in the French Army during WWII. |
| March 18, 2007 |
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Hollywood Dreams - Henry Jaglom's riveting new drama, tackling many movie business myths through the story of aspiring actress Margie Chisek. |
| April 15, 2007 |
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Fido - A quirky, original homage to classic 1950s films mixing humor, drama, and horror to create a world in which zombies are central to everyday life. |
| May 20, 2007 |
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Once - Inspirational tale of two kindred spirits and fellow musicians who find each other on the bustling streets of Dublin. |
| June 10, 2007 |
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Sunrise - Special 35mm presentation of F.W. Murnau's 1927 silent screen masterpiece with its original Movie Tone musical score. |
| July 15, 2007 |
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In Search Of Mozart - Phil Grabsky's feature-length documentary, drawing on authentic locations in 11 countries to profile the legendary composer. |
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| August 19, 2007 |
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In The Shadow of the Moon - David Sington's award-winning documentary look at the Apollo space program of the 1960s and early 70s.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2005-2006 Season
| October 16, 2005 |
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The Californians - Jonathan Parker's locally filmed political satire exploring the tensions between land developers and environmentalists. |
| November 13, 2005 |
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The Dying Gaul - Craig Lucas' cinematic amalgam of emotional and psychic manipulation, identity-switching, the Hollywood filmmaking process and politics. |
| January 8, 2006 |
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Illusion - In a story of love, loss and redemption, Kirk Douglas stars as a dying movie director reflecting back on his life of achievement but little else. |
| February 12, 2006 |
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Brick - Rian Johnson's innovative "patois noir" translates pulp fiction/film noir archetypes into the realm of a 21st-century SoCal high school. |
| March 19, 2006 |
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Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher - Documentary chronicling the Jesus Movement of the early 70s through the persona and life of Lonnie Frisbee, self styled drug user, hippie and Jesus Freak. |
| April 9, 2006 |
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Hard Candy - When 14-year-old Hayley and photographer Jeff hook up after an online flirtation, things turns violent when Hayley discovers that Jeff may be a child pornographer. |
| May 21, 2006 |
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Colma: The Musical - Catchy and exuberant home-grown indie feature set in Colma, California, with 13 tuneful songs featuring all original music. |
| June 11, 2006 |
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Civic Duty - Tribeca Film Fest hit about a New York accountant who post 9/11-suspects his Islamic neighbor of being a terrorist. |
| July 9, 2006 |
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Six Figures - Powerful and disturbing domestic drama, based on the novel by Fred Leebron about a family caught in complex and ambiguous turmoil. |
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| August 13, 2006 |
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The Illusionist - In 1900 Europe, stage magician Eisenheim returns to Vienna to win back his childhood love Sophia from Crown Prince Leopold.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2004-2005 Season
| October 12, 2004 |
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Primer - Sci-fi thriller Primer, the Grand Jury Prize winner at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, in which four young corporate engineers create a new device in their garage. |
| November 14, 2004 |
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Assassination of Richard Nixon - Chilling drama focusing on the tragic true story of Sam Bicke, who in 1974 attempted to assassinate Nixon. |
| January 9, 2005 |
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The Chorus - French Oscar nominee about a new teacher who forms a boys' choir at a French reform school in 1949. |
| February 13, 2005 |
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The Delicate Art of Parking - Mockumentary comedy in which Lonny Goosen, a scheming filmmaker with an atrocious parking record who gets revenge through a searing expose. |
| March 27, 2005 |
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The Mudge Boy - Gripping drama chronicles the troubled existence of Duncan Mudge, a 14-year-old misfit traumatized by his mother's passing. |
| April 17, 2005 |
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Lipstick and Dynamite - Colorful documentary profiling lady wrestlers of the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, including Gladys "Killem" Gillem, the Fabulous Moolah, the Great Mae Young. |
| May 15, 2005 |
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Mad Hot Ballroom - Inspiring look inside the lives of New York City school kids journeying into the world of ballroom dancing. |
| June 12, 2005 |
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March of the Penguins - Filmed over 13 months in Antarctica, the story of the Emperor Penguin's struggle to eat, live, and reproduce. |
| July 17, 2005 |
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Last Days - Gus Van Sant's fictional meditation on the inner turmoil that engulfs a brilliant, but troubled musician in the final hours of his life. |
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| August 21, 2005 |
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The Talent Given Us - An original and humorous "road'' movie about a middle aged couple who head cross country to track down their long-lost son.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2003-2004 Season
| October 12, 2003 |
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Zero Day - In Ben Coccio's chilling directorial debut, two best friends record on video the planning and execution of an assault on their high school classmates. |
| November 16, 2003 |
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My Flesh And Blood - This powerful Sundance Film Festival winning documentary chronicles a year in the life of northern California single mother Susan Tom, raising 13 handicapped children, ages 8 to 19. |
| January 11, 2004 |
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Straight Into Darkness - This war drama focuses on two American army deserters struggling to survive as they embark on an emotional journey of combat and self realization. |
| February 15, 2004 |
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The Best Thief In The World - A compelling drama exploring the many ways a father's stroke affects a working-class Manhattan family, centering on a stormy mother-son relationship. |
| March 14, 2004 |
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The Prince And Me - In this cinematic fairy tale, Wisconsin farm girl Paige (Julia Stiles) falls in love with the Prince of Denmark, leading to a cultural and generational clash. |
| April 18, 2004 |
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Valentin - The autobiographical story of an eight-year-old boy in 1960s Argentina who just wants to be loved and to have a "normal" family. |
| May 16, 2004 |
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Cock And Bull Story - The friendship of a gifted young boxer and his emotionally imbalanced best pal are put to the test as the boxer prepares for the biggest fight of his life. |
| June 13, 2004 |
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Frankie And Johnny Got Married - Based on a true story, actress Lisa Chess drops everything to self-finance a modest production of a romantic comedy about two lost people finding each other. |
| July 18, 2004 |
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Maria Full Of Grace - Spirited and rebellious Maria, frustrated with her deadend life in rural Bogota, is drawn to Franklin, a stylish young man who talks of a cool job that involves travel. |
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| August 22, 2004 |
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Broadway: The Golden Age - Rick McKay's survey of American musical theater offers tantalizing snippets of long ago performances, and many priceless interviews.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2002-2003 Season
| October 20, 2002 |
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The Good Thief - This feature film debut follows Chris, a young Irish-American man just released from prison for taking the fall for the local Irish mob. |
| November 17, 2002 |
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Tully - Hilary Birmingham's quietly told drama exploring a legacy of love between two young men and their troubled father. |
| January 12, 2003 |
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Max - Daring historical drama exploring a fictional post-World War I friendship between Adolph Hitler and wealthy German Jews Max Rothman. |
| February 16, 2003 |
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The Weather Underground - Sam Green's extraordinary doc about the infamous Weathermen, who stirred domestic havoc with their violent protest measures against the Vietnam war. |
| March 16, 2003 |
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Stone Reader - Mark Moskowitz's fascinating journey--and love song to reading--to find the author of a book, "The Stones of Summer", that changed his life. |
| April 13, 2003 |
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The Man In The Glass Booth - Arthur Hiller powerful drama about wealthy Jewish businessman Arthur Goldman, and his possible connections to the Holocaust. |
| May 4, 2003 |
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Charlotte Sometimes - Sex, love and loneliness converge in a love triangle in Eric Byler's haunting and challenging drama. |
| June 22, 2003 |
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Prey For Rock and Roll - Playwright, screenwriter and composer Cheri Lovedog's autobiographical account of her years in an all-girl rock band. |
| July 13, 2003 |
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Skin Deep - Former Cinema Club director Ken Karn produced this psychological murder-mystery-thriller, best film/actor at the 2003 American Black Film Festival. |
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| August 3, 2003 |
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American Splendor - Genre-defying film based on Harvey Pekar's seminal autobiographical comic book first published in 1976.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2001-2002 Season
| September 23, 2001 |
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Happy Accidents - Sci-fi/romantic comedy starring Oscar winner Marisa Tomei. |
| October 21, 2001 |
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Innocence - Late-life, second-chance romance from Down Under. |
| November 18, 2001 |
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Go Tigers! - Documentary portrait of high school football powerhouse. |
| January 13, 2002 |
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Waydowntown - Award-winning urban drama from Canada. |
| February 17, 2002 |
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Baran - Romantic drama among Aghan refugees in Iran. |
| March 17, 2002 |
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The Medicine Show - Autobiographical drama of courage in the face of death. |
| April 14, 2002 |
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The Salton Sea - High-octane film noir thriller starring Val Kilmer. |
| May 5, 2002 |
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Maelstrom - Unique urban folk tale from Canada. |
| June 9, 2002 |
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The Believer - Riveting take of love, hate and faith. |
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| July 14, 2002 |
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Lovely And Amazing - Brenda Blethyn in an intimate family portrait of four hapless but resilient women.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 2000-2001 Season
| September 24, 2000 |
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Girlfight - Powerful Sundance Grand Prize winner about Latina girl who finds herself in boxing ring. |
| October 14, 2000 |
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Venus Beauty Institute - France Cesar Award winner starring Nathalie Baye as Angele, a 40-something cosmetologist who has written off the possibility of love in her life. |
| November 19, 2000 |
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Me And Isaac Newton - Documentarian Michael Apted journeys into the hearts and minds of seven scientists who have solved mysteries that are centuries old. |
| January 14, 2001 |
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Ratcatcher - Scottish director Lynne Ramsay's first feature following 2 weeks in the life of James, a gaunt 12-year-old living in the slums of Glasgow during an epic garbage strike in the 70's. |
| February 18, 2001 |
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The Widow of St. Pierre - Patrice Leconte drama based on true story of sailor sentenced to death in mid-1800s Newfoundland, starring Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil. |
| March 18, 2001 |
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With A Friend Like Harry - Dominik Moll's Hitchcockian drama about a family on their way to their holiday home, approached by Harry, a school acquaintance they can't remember, who then proceeds to invade their lives. |
| April 15, 2001 |
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The Party Crashers - A comedic heist film about a group of disillusioned but desperate actors and writers who hijack a Hollywood party and hold it hostage. |
| May 27, 2001 |
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The Anniversary Party - Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming (who also direct) star as a Hollywood couple celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary, and the fact that they have reconciled after a years separation. |
| June 17, 2001 |
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Jerome - One day, Wade Hampton leaves his old life in LA behind and heads off to Jerome, Arizona, an enclave of artists and bohemians. |
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| July 15, 2001 |
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Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Born a boy named Hansel in Communist East Berlin, Hedwig finds his other half and seeks musical fame in America in this rock musical.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 1999-2000 Season
| September 26, 1999 |
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Getting To Know You - An ingenious adaptation of several dark short stories by Joyce Carol Oates, and a dramatic look at the dysfunction and chaos which often afflict everyday people. |
| October 17, 1999 |
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Last Night - Canadian writer/director/actor Don McKellar's end of the world comedy/drama about the different ways a few average individuals choose to spend their remaining hours on Earth before the impending apocalypse. |
| November 14, 1999 |
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American Movie - Award-winning documentary charting two years in the life of Mark Borchardt, a sporatically employed, divorced father of two who refuses to give up his dream of making the Great American Movie. |
| January 9, 2000 |
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A Map Of The World - Oscar-nominated Sigourney Weaver as teacher and mother trying to find her way in the world after a series of tragedies forever alters her life in small-town Wisconsin. |
| February 13, 2000 |
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Mr. Death/Beautiful People - Errol Morris' documentary about death house technician Fred Leuchter; and Jasmin Dizdar's comedy/drama about several immigrant families in contemporary London. |
| March 19, 2000 |
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Detention - Andy Anderson's subversive tale of every educator's fantasy, a substitute teacher who doesn't back down. |
| April 16, 2000 |
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The Girl Next Door - Documentary on the life and times of Oklahoma housewife-turned-porn star Stacy Valentine. |
| May 21, 2000 |
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Croupier - Mike Hodges brilliant 1998 noir thriller about frustrated novelist Jack Manfred, who takes a job as croupier in an elegant London gaming house. |
| June 11, 2000 |
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Blessed Art Thou - Tim Disney's first feature film, in which monks at a northern California monastery experience a miraculous encounter, with implications that are both stunning and uplifting. |
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| July 16, 2000 |
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The Five Senses - Canadian director Jeremy Podeswa's award-winning drama pivoting around, you guessed it, the five senses, and the lives of five characters, each searching for a significant and intimate human connection.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 1998-99 Season
| September 27, 1998 |
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Hands On A Hardbody - Documentary about 24 Texans competing in a "hands-on" endurance contest for a new Nissan truck. |
| October 18, 1998 |
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Pleasantville - Comedy/drama where two teenagers are mysteriously transported into a 1950s black-and-white sitcom. |
| November 15, 1998 |
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Elizabeth - Oscar-nominated thriller depicting the dramatic rise to power of Queen Elizabeth. |
| January 10, 1999 |
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Jay Rosenblatt's Short Films - Found footage shorts, Short Of Breath, The Smell Of Burning Ants and Oscar-nominated Human Remains |
| February 21, 1999 |
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Cleopatra's Second Husband - Local filmmaker Jon Reiss' debut feature, a harrowing, yet wickedly funny, exploration of power and submission. |
| March 21, 1999 |
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The Living Museum - Patients in a psychiatric center express themselves through art in Academy Award winner Jessica Yu's documentary. |
| April 18, 1999 |
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Three Seasons - Local filmmaker Tony Bui returns to Vietnam to make this poetic and moving drama of a country in transition |
| May 30, 1999 |
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The Third Man - Restored version of 1949 Carol Reed classic starring Orson Welles. |
| June 13, 1999 |
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Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl - Powerful story of young Shanghai girl "sent-down" for rural training during Cultural Revolution. |
| July 11, 1999 |
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The Dinner Game - Hilarious French farce about wealthy and obnoxious yuppies engaged in a never-ending game of oneupsmanship.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's 1997-98 Season
| September 21, 1997 |
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Waco: The Rules Of Engagement - Gripping Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary |
| October 26, 1997 |
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A Self-Made Hero - A French deserter from WWII appropriates a war hero's identity |
| November 28, 1997 |
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Welcome To Sarajevo - Michael Winterbottom's harrowing true story of war |
| January 11, 1998 |
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AfterGlow - Alan Rudolph directs Academy Award nominee Julie Christie |
| February 15, 1998 |
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Mrs. Dalloway - Academy Award winning director Marleen Gorris and Vanessa Redgrave |
| March 15, 1998 |
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River Red - Powerful debut feature from Sundance '98 |
| April 19, 1998 |
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Paulina - Vicki Funari's Spanish language docu-drama |
| May 31, 1998 |
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Habit - Critically-acclaimed debut feature from Larry Fessenden |
| June 14, 1998 |
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Stuart Bliss - Hilarious black comedy hit from L.A. Indie Fest |
| July 12, 1998 |
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The Chambermaid on The Titanic - Bigas Luna's lush and romantic tale of love and deceit.
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An Overview of the Cinema Club's First Season
| November 17, 1996 |
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Sling Blade - Academy Award, Best Screenplay |
| January 19, 1997 |
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Kolya - Academy Award, Best Foreign Film |
| February 16, 1997 |
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love jones - Sundance Audience Award Winner |
| March 16, 1997 |
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Kissed - The Year's Most Controversial Film |
| April 6, 1997 |
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Citizen Ruth - Laura Dern's Best Performance |
| April 20, 1997 |
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Jessica Yu Films -
Breathing Lessons, Better Late, Sour Death Balls |
| May 18, 1997 |
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Shall We Dance? - Japanese film hit |
| June 15, 1997 |
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Ulee's Gold - Critically-acclaimed Victor Nunez film starring
Peter Fonda
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| July 13, 1997 |
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The Full Monty - Oscar-nominated Comedy from Peter Cattaneo |
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