Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Now that classes are over, it’s an excellent time to catch a movie as Oscar season approaches. Intrepid indie film fans should head to the Ritz in the Old City (not far from the Market East SEPTA station), where weekday evenings and some matinees are $5.50 with a student ID. They are currently playing “Closer,” an Oscar-bait film about domestic strife and adultery, adapted from the play by Patrick Marber. The film stars Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen and is directed by Mike Nichols (“The Graduate”). Music librarian George Huber recommends “Callas Forever,” a biography of the brilliant soprano Maria Callas, starring Fanny Ardant and directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Starting this Friday, catch “Lightning in a Bottle,” a concert film focusing on the blues and featuring musicians such as B. B. King and Bonnie Raitt. Check http://www.ritzfillbill.com for
times.
Those who want to stay closer to Swarthmore, or more in the mainstream should go to Marple. The popular Pixar-animated feature “The Incredibles,” is still playing, as is “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.” “Ocean’s Twelve,” the sequel to the hit 2002 heist movie “Ocean’s Eleven” will open this Friday. The movie stars most of the original cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts (again), and adds Catherine Zeta-Jones. In this sequel, the gang takes on Europe, which is sure to provide pretty locations and lots of uses for gadgets. Also opening on Friday is the vampire action movie “Blade: Trinity,” the third movie in the series. Joining forces with a troupe of human vampires known as Nightstalkers, Blade fights the original vampire, none other than Dracula himself. Will he prevail? Are any of these movies worth seeing? (The critics would
advise you to select “Lightning in a Bottle” or “The Incredibles.”) Why don’t you put down that book and find out!
