Throwback Thursday Film Series

The Throwback Thursday Film Series screens a variety of classic and contemporary movies for an adult audience.  More info

Feb 5: Lady Sings the Blues (1972)  Diana Ross was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her performance as jazz singer Billie Holiday in this bio-picture. Directed by Sidney J. Furie, the film costars Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor. Bob Mackie designed the costumes. 2 hr., 24 min. (R)

Feb. 12: Get On Up (2014) This fine biography chronicles the turbulent life of James Brown. Chadwick Boseman gives a powerhouse performance as the Godfather of Soul, with Nelsan Ellis and Dan Aykroyd costarring under the direction of Tate Taylor. 2 hr., 19 min. (PG-13)

Feb. 19: Dreamgirls (2006) Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Anika Noni Rose play the members of a ‘60s girl group striving for pop music success amidst personal and professional problems. Loosely based on the career of the Supremes, the film costars Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Both Murphy and Hudson were nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscars with Hudson winning the award. 2 hr., 10 min. (PG-13)

Feb. 26: Purple Rain (1984) A talented singer (Prince) runs into conflict with his band, his girlfriend, and a singing rival in this enjoyable musical drama. The musical sequences are terrific and the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Score. Morris Day and Apollonia Kotero costar under the direction of Albert Magnoli. 1 hr., 51 min. (R)

Mar. 5: The Patriot (2000) Mel Gibson stars as a farmer in South Carolina during the revolution. He is forced to join the American militia when British troops destroy his home and capture his two sons. Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, and Jason Isaacs costar under the direction of Roland Emmerich. 2 hrs., 45 min. (R)

Mar. 12: The Howards of Virginia (1940) An aristocratic Virginia lass with ties to the British (Martha Scott) marries an American backwoodsman (Cary Grant), creating problems as the revolution starts. Much of the film was shot in recently-restored 1930s Williamsburg.  1 hr., 56 min. (NR)

Mar. 19: Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) John Ford directed this terrific historical drama about a young couple (Henry Fonda, Claudette Colbert) living in New York’s Mohawk Valley, fighting to save their home despite the menace of Tories and their Iroquois allies. Supporting actress Edna Mae Oliver steals the show as a feisty, tart-tongued widow. 1 hr., 44 min. (NR)

Mar. 26: John Paul Jones (1959) The life of John Paul Jones is recounted, Hollywood style, in this swashbuckling adventure. Robert Stack plays the renowned Revolutionary War hero, with Marisa Pavan, Bette Davis, and Charles Coburn in supporting roles.  2 hrs., 6 min. (NR)