For five August days, movie goers can see five of the most interesting films of the past five decades, in downtown Bloomington. They’ll on the big screen, where they are grandest.
The historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater launches its Blockbuster Decades Film Series—remarkable and representative films from the 1970s through the 2010s. The series begins Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Buskirk, running every weekend through Aug. 22. Each screening shows off a cinematic success from that decade.
A man walks his dog under the Buskirk-Chumley Theater marquee in February 2021.
Blockbuster Decades Film Series lineup
“Dog Day Afternoon” (1975), 7 p.m. Aug. 8, shows us newbie crook Sonny (Al Pacino) and his likewise crooked pal Sal (John Cazale). They try robbing a Brooklyn bank, but their plans fizzle. Eight hostages are seized, and reporters and FBI gather. It was inspired by an actual 1972 Chase Manhattan Bank robbery in which three robbers sought money to pay for a gender reassignment surgery. A14-hour standoff resulted, as did plenty of media coverage. The film won Best Original Screenplay, Academy Awards.
“The Goonies” (1985), 7 p.m. Aug. 9, gives us Steven Spielberg’s troupe of tiny heroes in this kids’ escapade. Underground hideaways, convoluted booby traps and a pirate ship believed lost forever make this film a winner for thrill-lovers.
“Seven” (1995), 7 p.m. Aug. 15, is likely to repulse some viewers as it details a patient and cerebral serial killer out to punish people he thinks are committing one of the seven deadly sins. The killer’s technique is hideous, and the late critic Robert Ebert said, “‘Seven’ is well-made in its details, and uncompromising in the way it presents the disturbing details of the crimes. It is certainly not for the young or the sensitive.” Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow star is this film that gave the film world this question: “What’s in the box?”
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“Batman Begins” (2005), 7 p.m. Aug. 16, features Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne. Wayne receives martial arts training in the Far East by Liam Neeson as Henri Ducard. Ducard lets it be known that the obliteration of Gotham City has been planned. Wayne intends to fix things — and not with murdering anyone. Batman is born.
“Pitch Perfect” (2015), 7 p.m. Aug. 22, is for those who want a good racy musical comedy, in this film about female power and sisterhood. Rumors suggest these women’s final year at school will be wrecked by a bit of wrongdoing. The singing champs must hang on to their harmonies as they compete against a supergroup from Germany. Viewers will see men singing a cappella, too, in this joyous flick of fun.
“These films defined their decades and shaped cinema for millions,” said Danny Gutierrez, marketing associate at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. “We’re thrilled to bring these blockbusters back to our community on the big screen.”
How these films made the cut
When choosing which films to show, Buskirk’s executive director Steve Versaw considered ones he likes and ones he thought the audiences would.
“These are all blockbuster hit films from their respective years,” Versaw said. “Both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Some have become cult classics. It’s interesting to see what was considered a hit film in the ’70s versus the 2000s. All are good in their own way.”
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Versaw chose the series hoping it could cross generations. Some will remember when they first saw a film; for others this may be their first time seeing one of movies in a theater.
“With all of us streaming at home, I think we sometimes forget the grandeur and emotional connection we feel watching movies on a big screen in a theater with popcorn.”
Where the movies will be shown
WHAT: Blockbuster Decades Film Series
WHEN: 7 p.m. Aug. 8, 9 15, 16 and 22.
WHERE: Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
TICKETS: Price for each movie is $11.56 for adults, $9.51 for students. Go to https://buskirkchumley.org/events/ with tickets sent as e-tickets to an email or buy at theater box office, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Buskirk-Chumley Theater Blockbuster Decades Film Series 5 films in 5 days