Frances Ha - Opens June 28th

Frances (Greta Gerwig) lives in New York, but she doesn't really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but shes not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren't really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness. Frances Ha is a modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship,class, ambition, failure, and redemption.

"4/4 Stars.  A black-and-white salute to the French New Wave that manages to be very much of this moment."-Philadelphia Inquirer.

"3.5/4 Stars.  The film may be small, but it's really good."-Chicago Tribune.

"5/5 Stars.  Ms. Gerwig, who has effortless, behind-the-beat verbal timing, also possesses a knack for physical comedy, an enviable ability to obliterate the difference between clumsiness and grace."-New York Times.

86 min., Rated R.

Hey Bartender - Opens June 28th: One Week Only!

The documentary focuses on two bartenders trying to achieve their dreams through the world of bartending.  After being injured, a Marine turns his goals to becoming a rock star bartender at the best cocktail bar in the world. A former bank executive who bought the corner bar in his hometown struggles to keep it afloat in a community that no longer values a place where everyone knows your name.  Features the most famous bartenders in the world along with unprecedented access to the most exclusive bars in New York City and commentary from Graydon Carter, Danny Meyer and Amy Sacco.

92 min., Unrated.

Cocktail Battle: Friday, June 28th at 6:30pm

Three bartenders will enter the Spectator Lounge armed with only their most original cocktail recipe, but only ONE will emerge victorious.  Celebrate the triumphant return of the cocktail at Cinema Center on June 28 with the opening of the documentary Hey Bartender!  After the film screening, three of Club Soda's strongest bartenders will compete for YOUR votes in an-all out mixology battle.  Once a bartender's drink is crowned the winner, follow the victor back to Club Soda where the drink will be served the rest of the night at a discount.  The film begins at 6:30, the cocktail tasting/battle starts right afterward, at about 8:10 pm.  Tickets for this event are $10, and that includes the film screening, cocktail tasting, and hor d'oeuvres provided by Club Soda.  This event is 21 and over.  Purchase Tickets Here.

Evil Intent - $5 One Time Showing

Saturday, June 29th at 11:59pm

Stephanie and Kelly are best friends and roommates. Paul is Stephanie's boyfriend and Kelly's former boyfriend. The three of them eventually realize they are part of a love triangle that's filled with love, betrayal, insanity, and murder.

74 min., Unrated.

At Any Price - Opens July 5th

In the competitive world of modern agriculture, ambitious Henry Whipple (Dennis Quaid) wants his rebellious son Dean (Zac Efron) to help expand his family's farming empire. However, Dean has his sights set on becoming a professional race car driver. When a high-stakes investigation into their business is exposed, father and son are pushed into an unexpected crisis that threatens the family's entire livelihood.

"This is a brave, layered film that challenges the wisdom of victory at any price."-Roger Ebert.

"With its fine eye for detail, At Any Price is also a complicated and revelatory look at the intersection of country folk and corporate might."Los Angeles Times.

"If At Any Price overstates its points, they are still worth making. And the hot-wired performances by Mr. Quaid and Mr. Efron drive them home in a movie that sticks to your ribs and stays in your head."-New York Times.

105 min., Rated R.

The East - Opens July 19th

The East, a suspenseful and provocative espionage thriller from acclaimed writer-director Zal Batmanglij and writer-actress Brit Marling, stars Marling as former FBI agent Sarah Moss. Moss is starting a new career at Hiller Brood, an elite private intelligence firm that ruthlessly protects the interests of its A-list corporate clientele. Handpicked for a plum assignment by the company's head honcho, Sharon (Patricia Clarkson), Sarah goes deep undercover to infiltrate The East, an elusive anarchist collective seeking revenge against major corporations guilty of covering up criminal activity. Determined, highly-trained and resourceful, Sarah soon ingratiates herself with the group, overcoming their initial suspicions and joining them on their next action or "jam." But living closely with the intensely committed members of The East, Sarah finds herself torn between her two worlds as she starts to connect with anarchist Benji (Alexander Skarsgård) and the rest of the collective, and awakens to the moral contradictions of her personal life.

"A taut espionage drama that pits global corporations against a radical band of ecoterrorists."-Philadelphia Inquirer.

"3/4 Stars.  The reason the movie works has everything to do with the low-key and unaffected quality Brit Marling brings to the screen."-Chicago Tribune.

"4/5 Stars.  By spicing up a complex morality tale marked by sophisticated themes with down and dirty back stabbing and betrayals, the movie turns corporate malfeasance into a spy game that is entertaining without being dumbed down."-Los Angeles Times.

Digital Projector Fundraiser!

Sunday, July 21st

Please come support Cinema Center as we show two locally made films while all the proceeds go to the Digital Projector Fund.  Regular Pricing, pay once for both films.  We hope to see you there!

The Devil - One Time Showing at 6:30pm

Aftermath - One Time Showing at 6:45pm

Hedwig and the Angry Inch - $5 One Time Showing

Saturday, July 27th at 11:59pm

Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell), born a boy named Hansel, is raised by a single mother (Alberta Watson) who wishes to see her son do better than his poverty-stricken family. Some years later, Hansel is attracted to a good-looking American G.I., who promises a betterlife overseas for young Hansel, under one condition: that he undergo a sex-change operation to become a fully functional female whom he can then marry. The operation is seriously botched, leaving the now-renamed Hedwig with an "angry inch" only to be stranded in a dingy Kansas trailer park on the day the Berlin Wall comes tumbling down. Hedwig then supports herself through a series of ill-fated lounge gigs and side jobs, meeting up with 16-year-old Tommy Gnosis (Michael Pitt), a religious type who befriends her and later steals her songs and becomes the rock star Hedwig always dreamed of being. 

91 min., Rated R.

Pride Film Festival - July 28th

Cinema Center and Pride Fort Wayne are partnering to bring you Fort Wayne's first Pride Film Festival!

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell), born a boy named Hansel, is raised by a single mother (Alberta Watson) who wishes to see her son do better than his poverty-stricken family. Some years later, Hansel is attracted to a good-looking American G.I., who promises a betterlife overseas for young Hansel, under one condition: that he undergo a sex-change operation to become a fully functional female whom he can then marry. The operation is seriously botched, leaving the now-renamed Hedwig with an "angry inch" only to be stranded in a dingy Kansas trailer park on the day the Berlin Wall comes tumbling down. Hedwig then supports herself through a series of ill-fated lounge gigs and side jobs, meeting up with 16-year-old Tommy Gnosis (Michael Pitt), a religious type who befriends her and later steals her songs and becomes the rock star Hedwig always dreamed of being. 

91 min., Rated R.

I Am Divine

I Am Divine is the story of Divine, aka Harris Glenn Milstead, from his humble beginnings as an overweight, teased Baltimore youth to internationally recognized drag superstar through his collaboration with filmmaker John Waters. Spitting in the face of the status quos of body image, gender identity, sexuality, and preconceived notions of beauty, Divine was the ultimate outsider turned underground royalty. With a completely committed in-your-face style, he blurred the line between performer and personality, and revolutionized pop culture. I Am Divine is a definitive biographical portrait that charts the legendary icon’s rise to infamy and emotional complexities.

90 min., Unrated.

Mala Noche 

The debut film of director Gus Van Sant, this independent, low-budget comedy-drama based on an autobiographical novel by Walt Curtis was produced on black-and-white 16 mm film for only $25,000. Tim Streeter stars as Walt, the manager of a seedy liquor store in Portland, OR. Walt, who is gay, has fallen desperately in love with Johnny (Doug Cooeyate), a teenage illegal Mexican immigrant who doesn't speak English. Although Johnny is utterly unaffected by Walt's attentions, the boy does agree tosleep with his suitor for $25, but Walt can't come up with the cash. Introduced to Walt's sister Betty (Nyla McCarthy), it becomes clear that Johnny prefers her romantic company. Walt settles for Johnny's best friend Roberto Pepper (Ray Monge), becoming the boys' protector and patron, teaching them how to drive and trying to learn Spanish, despite their cruel indifference toward him.  Tragedy ensues.

75 min., Unrated.

Leviathan - Opens August 23rd

in the very waters where melville's pequod gave chase to moby dick, leviathan captures the collaborative clash of man, nature, and machine. shot on a dozen cameras - tossed and tethered, passed from fisherman to filmmaker - it is a cosmic portrait of one of mankind's oldest endeavors.

"3/4 Stars.  The adventurous souls who stick with it will find head-spinning images and a cumulative impact that does, in fact, amount to a story."-New York Post.

"Radical experiential/experimental video of bloody viscera and abstract beauty. Embedded/embodied lens as in Brakhage's 'The Governor' and Geyrhalter's 'Our Daily Bread.'"-Chicago Sun-Times.

"3.5/4 Stars.  With its repetitive images of netted and gutted sea life, the film suggests that the beast is the human hunter himself."-Boston Globe.

87 min., Unrated.

Taste of the Arts

King King - One Time Showing

Saturday, August 24th at 10pm On the A.U.C Building

"How would you like to star opposite the tallest, darkest leading man in Hollywood?" Enticed by these words, brunette leading lady Fay Wray dyed her hair blonde and accepted the role of Ann Darrow in King Kong -- and stayed with the project even after learning that her "leading man" was a 50-foot ape. The film introduces us to flamboyant, foolhardy documentary filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), who sails off to parts unknown to film his latest epic with leading lady Darrow in tow.Disembarking at Skull Island, they stumble on a ceremony in which the native dancers circle around a terrified-looking young girl, chanting, "Kong! Kong!" The chief (Noble Johnson) and witch doctor (Steve Clemente) spot Denham and company and order them to leave. But upon seeing Ann, the chief offers to buy the "golden woman" to serve as the "bride of Kong." Denham refuses, and he and the others beat a hasty retreat to their ship. Late that night, a party of native warriors sneak on board the ship and kidnap Ann. They strap her to a huge sacrificial altar just outside the gate, then summon Kong, who winds up saving Ann instead of devouring her. Kong is eventually taken back to New York, where he breaks loose on the night of his Broadway premiere, thinking that his beloved Ann is being hurt by the reporters' flash bulbs. Now at large in New York, Kong searches high and low for Ann. After proving his devotion by wrecking an elevated train, Kong winds up at the top of the Empire State Building, facing off against a fleet of World War I fighter planes.

103 min., Unrated.