A list of upcoming theatrical re-releases coming our way
A re-release of the original, keep-the-lights-on-scary original “Alien” hits theaters this weekend, the latest in a string of mainstream theatrical (mostly) classic re-releases. Here’s a look at what else is coming up for the rest of the year (dates and titles are subject to change):
“Alien” (1979) This is in celebration of the 45th anniversary of Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi/horror masterpiece, about the crew of a commercial spacecraft that encounters a deadly life-form after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin. Danger! The emergency destruct system is now activated! (April 26)
“Star Wars Ep. 1: The Phantom Menace” (1999)
The first film in the pre-quels that followed the original films explores the origin story of Luke Skywalker. (May 3)
“Steel Magnolias” (1989)
An all-star female cast that includes Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Darryl Hannah and Julia Roberts (the only one in this bunch nominated for an Oscar — wow — in one of her early roles) fill this tale of a group of Southern women who share their life experiences and friendships at the local beauty parlor. (May 5 and 8)
“Uncut Gems” (2019) Not sure why this is getting an IMAX re-release, but it’s widely regarded as star Adam Sandler’s best performance, playing a fast-talking New York City jeweler who deals with mounting debt and angry collectors closing in. (May 22)
“The Muppet Movie” (1979) This 45th anniversary re-release follows Kermit and some newfound friends as they trek across America to find success in Hollywood. Ah, it’s a rainbow connection! (June 2 and 3)
“South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” (1999) Fathom Events is re-releasing this bigscreen spin-off of the foulmouthed TV series as a 25th anniversary “sing-a-long” screening. Does anyone even remember any of the songs? Were there even songs? (June 23 and 26)
“The NeverEnding Story” (1984) Fathom Events presents this 40th anniversary re-release about a troubled boy who dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book. The film recently
The cast of Forum Theatre’s “Harvey” began rehearsal around Easter, which gave Mark Mannette inspiration for his invisible co-star.
“I would see all of these photos in newspapers of the Easter Bunny,” said Mannette, who plays Elwood P. Dowd in the classic comedy, which opens this weekend. “So, he’s about that size but he has a vest and a bowtie and a jacket.”
In “Harvey,” Elwood is a good-natured eccentric whose best friend is a 6-foot, 3 ½-inch tall invisible rabbit.
“My main challenge is to keep track of the rabbit,” Mannette said. “On stage, when you have a scene partner that the audience doesn’t see but that I must see, that’s a challenge.”
Written in 1944, “Harvey” has been produced nearly constantly in the past eight decades by theater groups, said Kathryn Page Hauptman, Forum artistic director.
“I love this show, and I’ve never done it before,” Hauptman said. “It’s a classic and I thought it would be fun to explore it for the Forum and for me.”
Hauptman said the theme of the play is the reason it’s held up over 80 years.
“It addresses ideas that all of us struggle with or have or experience – the need for a personal connection, the need to be accepted for who we are, what we are, no matter how eccentric that might be or how different that might be,” she said.
“Harvey” came along at the right time, Hauptman said.
“It was a really bright spot after World War II, when soldiers were coming home. That was one of the reasons Mary Chase wrote it, and I think now we need a little laughter.”
Mannette added, “It’s a clever script, it’s well-written and everyone can see themselves as one character or another on stage.”
The successful play was followed up by an iconic 1950 movie comedy, starring James Stewart as Elwood.
Hauptman said she encouraged the 11-member cast to watch the movie if they hadn’t already, but not to dwell on it.
“It’s a classic movie, but the script is a little bit different,” she said. “It was a reference, and now we create our own.”
Mannette, who played the cab driver in “Harvey” at age 15, said he doesn’t want to create a Stewart impression.
“I always prefer not to do
got a resurgence through a Netflix “Stranger Things” episode. (July 21 and 22)
“Rear Window” (1954) Fathom Events presents this 70th anniversary re-release of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic about a wheelchair-bound photographer (James Stewart) who spies on his neighbors from his Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. (Aug. 25 and 28)
“Blazing Saddles” (1974) The 50th anniversary re-release of Mel Brooks’ comedy classic follows a black sheriff who is hired by a corrupt politician to unknowingly ruin a western town, but then becomes the town’s hero. I’m parked over by the commissary! (Sept. 15 and 18)
“Mean Girls” (2004) This 20th anniversary screening of the nonmusical original film written by Tina Fey follows a naive teenager (Lindsay Lohan) who transfers to an American high school after years of homeschooling in Africa and must navigate the shark-like waters of being a popular girl. Beware of word vomit! (Oct. 3 and 6)
“The Fifth Element” (1997) Director Luc Besson’s visually spectacular sci-fi tale takes place in a wildly colorful future, where a cab driver (Bruce Willis) joins forces with a mysterious young woman (Milla Jovovich) to recover four mystical stones that are essential to the defense of Earth against the impending attack of a malevolent cosmic entity. It’s always something! (Nov. 17 and 20)
“White Christmas” (1954) Fathom Events presents this 70th anniversary of the Christmas classic following a successful song-and-dance team who become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn owned by their former commanding general. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney star. (Dec. 15 and 16)