Summer film discussions! All discussions will take place on Zoom at 7:00 pm.
View the films at home (check https://www.justwatch.com for options) and join us for a Zoom discussion.

August 1 – In the Heat of the Night, 1967. “They call me Mr. Tibbs.”  The classic line of dialog delivered by Sidney Poitier to Rod Steiger as Poitier, playing the role of big city detective trying to  solve a murder, fights racism and small town insularity in Sparta,  Mississippi. Smoldering performances highlight this thriller that won 5  Academy Awards.  Available from the library, and for rent on Amazon. Watch the trailer here. 

August 8 – Stand By Me, 1986. Based on a Stephen King novella, this  coming of age story follows four boys leaving behind the innocence of  their youth as they are propelled into the complexities of the adult  world.  Don’t miss this touching story that resonates today as much as it did  almost 40 years ago. Available from the library, on Netflix and for rent on Amazon. Watch the trailer here

August 15 -The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1999. Matt Damon, Jude Law,  Gweneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchette and Philip Seymour Hoffman. What  more needs to be said about this psychological thriller in which Damon insinuates himself into another man’s life in an effort to  “become” that person. Available from the library, for rent on Amazon. Watch the trailer here. 

August 22 – Cool Hand Luke, 1967. “What we have here is a failure to  communicate.” Paul Newman shines as an anti hero who refuses to  conform and bow down to authority. Called one of the major films of  the 60’s, the movie also features superb performances by George  Kennedy and Strother Martin. Available from the library and for rent on Amazon.  Watch the trailer here. 

Bob Kagan was Chair of the Communication Department at Manchester Community College for 30 years. In his “unretirement” he teaches Communication courses at Central Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford. He has been leading film discussions at the Avon Free Public Library for the past 6 years.

Please register once for the series, even if you can’t attend all of the sessions. Zoom links will be sent out before the event.

Series sponsored by the Friends of the Avon Library.