JPT COLLECTION
American Characters
The historic Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center proudly presents AMERICAN CHARACTER(S): A 250th anniversary film series celebrating the characters who define American cinema- while showcasing the imperfect character of the American dream and the great ideals our complicated country aspires to. Commemorating America’s 250th birthday, these movies represent the best of Hollywood and the best (and sometimes worst) of US through storytelling tied to the American experience, and the protagonists who live it. Michael Corleone. Mookie. The Waco Kid. Madonna. Danny & Sandy and Thelma & Louise. John Wayne’s ugly but heroic Ethan Edwards and Denzel Washington’s real-life hero Coach Herman Boone. Intrepid journalists like Amy Goodman and social pioneers like the disc-jockeys of WBCN. Flawed characters to be sure, but characters that we Americans easily recognize and relate to. Characters who inspire us. These characters sometimes scare us or help us realize hard truths about our own nature, as they chase the promise of the American Dream and stumble into its pitfalls.
We love these characters and these movies. These classic films are for all of us to enjoy together in perpetuity. As immigrant mortician Bonasera tells Don Vito Corleone at the start of The Godfather, “I believe in America”. We believe these movies convey an honestly-crafted, thought-provoking, and endlessly entertaining slice of American cinematic life. We know you’ll enjoy watching them back on the big screen in the best format available. We hope you join us- after all, we American characters are stronger united!
Featuring: THE GODFATHER- June 10 @ 7:00. Featuring fee cannolis!
THELMA & LOUISE- June 16th @ 7:30
DO THE RIGHT THING (Spike Lee's masterpiece)- June 19th @ 7:30
STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! June 27th @ 7:30 & June 28th @ 2:00 featuring star Amy Goodman in-person conversation. Also screening June 29th-30th @ 3:00.
BLAZING SADDLES (screening on director Mel Brooks' 100th birthday)- June 28th @ 5:30
SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS- June 30th featuring a Pinot Noir tasting and live jazz by the Chase Ceglie Jazz Trio @ 6:30 movie @ 7:30
WBCN and The American Revolution (w/ filmmaker Q&A)- July 1st @ 6:00
THE PATRIOT- July 3rd @ 7:30
GREASE- July 4th @ 4:30
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN- July 5th @ 1:30
REMEMBER THE TITANS- July 5th @ 4:30
THE SEARCHERS (John Ford's Western masterpiece screens restored for its 70th Anniversary) - July 7th @ 7:30
COMING SOON
WEDNESDAY, JUN 10
The Godfather
American Characters
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
American Characters
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
COMING SOON
TUESDAY, JUN 16
Thelma & Louise (4k Restoration)
American Characters
An Arkansas waitress and a housewife shoot a rapist and take off across the American landscape in a '66 Thunderbird.
American Characters
An Arkansas waitress and a housewife shoot a rapist and take off across the American landscape in a '66 Thunderbird.
COMING SOON
FRIDAY, JUN 19
Do The Right Thing
American Characters
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors
American Characters
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors
COMING SOON
SATURDAY, JUN 27 - TUESDAY, JUN 30
Steal This Story, Please! with Amy Goodman in person June 27 and 28
American Characters
Fiercely independent journalist Amy Goodman has spent three decades holding the powerful to account, reporting from war zones and the Democracy Now! newsroom. In Steal This Story, Please!, Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin craft a riveting portrait of journalism’s power – and peril – in an era of corporate control and political attacks on truth.
American Characters
Fiercely independent journalist Amy Goodman has spent three decades holding the powerful to account, reporting from war zones and the Democracy Now! newsroom. In Steal This Story, Please!, Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin craft a riveting portrait of journalism’s power – and peril – in an era of corporate control and political attacks on truth.
COMING SOON
SUNDAY, JUN 28
Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks' 100th Birthday)
American Characters
In order to ruin a western town, a corrupt politician appoints a black sheriff, who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary.
American Characters
In order to ruin a western town, a corrupt politician appoints a black sheriff, who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary.
COMING SOON
TUESDAY, JUN 30
Sweet Smell Of Success w/ Live Jazz Music & Pinot Noir Tasting
American Characters
A powerful Broadway columnist coerces an unscrupulous press agent into breaking up his sister's romance with a jazz musician. Featuring Live Jazz!
American Characters
A powerful Broadway columnist coerces an unscrupulous press agent into breaking up his sister's romance with a jazz musician. Featuring Live Jazz!
COMING SOON
WEDNESDAY, JUL 1
The Airways Belonged to the People: WBCN and The American Revolution
American Characters
The true story of how radio, politics, and rock and roll converged at a turbulent moment in American history.
American Characters
The true story of how radio, politics, and rock and roll converged at a turbulent moment in American history.
COMING SOON
FRIDAY, JUL 3
The Patriot
American Characters
Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.
American Characters
Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.
COMING SOON
SATURDAY, JUL 4
Grease
American Characters
Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?
American Characters
Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?
COMING SOON
SUNDAY, JUL 5
A League Of Their Own
American Characters
Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry.
American Characters
Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry.
COMING SOON
TUESDAY, JUL 7
The Searchers (70th Anniversary)
American Characters
An American Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches. See a 4k screening of the grandest Western ever made!
American Characters
An American Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches. See a 4k screening of the grandest Western ever made!