Movies Everyone Should, but May Not, Have Seen

Richard Lewin, United Church of Christ pastor, retired. Wednesdays. 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. May 6, 13, 20, 27. Bohm Theatre.

There are many movies of historical significance, artistic genius, with wonderful storylines and ground-breaking technology that should be seen, even decades after their release. This class will view four such movies — wonderful movies that should be seen… ESPECIALLY if you have not been fortunate enough to have already seen them. There will be time provided for conversation regarding the viewing event.

Movies selected will depend on availability and costs.

Movie 1: Metropolis (1927)

(Hopefully, the Restored 2010 version)

Is a 1927 expressionist drama film: a pioneering science-fiction movie, among the first feature-length movies of that genre. Made in Germany during the Weimar period, filming took place over 17 months (1925-1926) at a cost of more than 5 million Reichsmarks. A “classic.”

Movie 2: It Happened One Night (1934)

A pre-Code American screwball comedy film directed by Frank Capra and Harry Cohn. Starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, the film was the first film (of three: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Silence of the Lambs) to win all five major academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Movie 3: Daughters of the Dust (1991)

The first feature film directed by an African-American woman distributed in the U.S. Set in 1902 it tells the story of three generations of Gullah (also known as Geechee) women in the Peazant family on Saint Helena Island as they prepare to migrate to the North on the mainland. The film gained critical praise for its lush visuals, Gullah dialogue, and non-linear storytelling.

Movie 4: Renoir (2012)

This is a 2012 French drama film based on the last years of Pierre-Auguste Renoir at Cagnes-sur-Mer during World War I, and tells the forgotten story of Andrée Heuschling (Catherine Hessling) the last model of the impressionist painter, and first actress in the films of his son, the film director, Jean Renoir. The film won the AARP Movies for Grownups “Best Foreign Film” Award.