The Good Earth and the Good Bard: Everett’s First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave., has resumed its Reel World film series. The series screens three of the most important environmental films of the past 40 years, followed by three screen adaptations of William Shakespeare’s plays. The Friday night film nights begin with a potluck at 6 p.m., movie at 7 and discussion following the film. The films:
May 2, “A Civil Action”: (Conrad Hall/Steven Zillian, 1999). This film was based on a true story of an epic battle between two companies accused of polluting the groundwater of Woburn, Mass., and citizens who, as a result, lost several of their children to leukemia. John Travolta plays Jan Schlictmann, the attorney who represented the citizens and who almost lost his practice. Also features Robert Duvall, William H. Macy and Kathleen Quinlan.
May 9, “Promised Land”: (Gus van Zant, 2013). A small Midwest town struggles to balance its economic needs with environmental responsibility, resulting in a life-changing experience for a conscience-stricken salesman from a natural gas company. Stars Matt Damon (who also co-wrote the script) and Frances McDormand.
May 23, “The Merchant of Venice”: (Michael Radford, 2004). Bassanio asks his friend Antonio for 300 ducats to seek out the hand of the beautiful heiress Portia. But Antonio is broke, and he must secure a loan from Shylock, one of the hated Jews from the ghetto, to fulfill his promise. Containing one of the most memorable trial scenes in cinema history, this film exposes virulent anti-Semitism in 16th century Venice. Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes and Lynn Collins lead the amazing cast.
June 6, “Much Ado about Nothing”: (Joss Weadon, 2012). This film is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s hilarious comedy set in director Joss Weadon’s own house in California. Filmed in black and white, misplaced expectations, wacky characters plotting mischief and shrewdly drawn dialogue has never been so wondrously displayed.
June 20, “Henry V”: (Kenneth Branagh, 1989). An epic battle for the honor of England forms the storyline here. Young Henry has been insulted by the French, but he must overcome his own inner doubts and terrible odds to win the day at Agincourt. A favorite British production in times of crisis, the multitalented Branagh wrote the script, starred and directed, including the incomparable Derek Jacobi.
Hitchcock series: A yearlong series of 12 of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films will be shown on the last Wednesday of the month at the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library, 9512 Evergreen Way, Everett; call 425-257-8250. A screening and discussion will start at 1:30 p.m. and a screening only will start at 6:30 p.m.
May 28, “Lifeboat”: Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Walter Slezak and Hume Cronyn are among the survivors when a ship is torpedoed (1944).
June 25, “Notorious”: A woman is asked to spy on Nazis in South American; with Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant (1946).
July 30, “Rope”: Two friends commit the perfect murder. Stars Dick Hogan, John Dall, Farley Granger and Jimmy Stewart (1948).
Aug. 27, “Strangers on a Train”: A socialite plots a double murder; with Robert Walker and Farley Granger (1951).
Sept. 24, “Dial M for Murder”: A tennis pro (Ray Milland) plans to murder his wife (Grace Kelly), but things go awry (1954).
Oct. 29, “Rear Window”: Jimmy Stewart, laid up with a broken leg, and Grace Kelly, in designer clothes, suspect a neighbor of murder (1954).
Nov. 26, “Vertigo”: A retired detective (Jimmy Stewart) becomes obsessed with a friend’s wife (Kim Novak) in San Francisco (1958).
Dec. 31, “North by Northwest”: A New York executive (Cary Grant) becomes embroiled with spies; he meets Eva Marie Saint as he flees across the country (1959) (No 6:30 showing).
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