The celebrate America’s 250th, this series will examine the American experience through the lens of film. View the films on your own time, and then join the virtual discussion.
June 10 – The Searchers, 1956. Directed by John Ford. John Wayne is at his best as a Civil War veteran who embarks on a yearslong journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches. This western is considered a classic of American cinema. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
June 17 – Twelve Years a Slave, 2013. Directed by Steve McQueen. Based on his memoir, Solomon Northrop, a free black man, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender give compelling performances in this powerful film. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
June 24 – Platoon, 1986. Written and directed by Oliver Stone. Stone, who left Yale to enlist and serve in Vietnam, has authored one of the definitive Vietnam era films that explores the horrors and absurdities of that war. Featuring stellar performances by Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe, this film maintains its relevancy today. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
June 29: Special in-peson screening of Rocky. Register for this event separately by clicking here
July 15 –There Will Be Blood, 2007. Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. This sweeping tale of family, religion, wealth and madness is often compared to Citizen Kane. Based on a novel by Upton Sinclair’s Oil, the film features stellar performances by Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
July 22 – Forrest Gump, 1994. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. In one of his most endearing roles, Tom Hanks plays Forest Gump who manages to parachute into the major events of the last half of the 20th century. Robin Wright and Gary Sinise wonderfully complement Hanks in this film that is best watched with a box of chocolates. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
July 29 – The Social Network, 2010. Directed by David Fincher. Working from a script by Aaron Sorkin, this film takes us to the birth of Facebook, showing Mark Zuckerberg creating a platform that has changed the way we communicate. Jesse Eisenberg gives an unforgettable performance as the protagonist. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
August 5 – Minari, 2020. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Named for the green herb used in Korean cuisine, Minari follows an immigrant family as they move to rural Arkansas and search for the American dream in the harsh soil of the Ozarks. A moving tale of family and resilience, Minari holds much relevancy today. Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon.
Register once for the series, even if you cannot attend all of the virtual talks. Zoom links go out the day before each film discussion.
Bob Kagan taught Communications and film at Manchester Community College, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford for over 40 years. He has been leading film discussions at the Avon Free Public Library for the past 8 years. Please register once for the series, even if you can’t attend each session.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Avon Library