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About swazoo

President of the Friends of the Cerrito Theater

“In the Heat of the Night” (1967) at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito on Thursday, August 27

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Come see this groundbreaking crime drama set in Mississippi during the civil rights movement!

Sidney Poitier plays Virgil Tibbs, a police detective from Philadelphia who comes to the small town of Sparta, Mississippi to visit his mother. Rod Steiger plays police chief Bill Gillespie. After Gillespie initially suspects Tibbs of the murder and robbery of an important local citizen, he asks Tibbs to help investigate the crime. The case becomes more and more difficult and dangerous, as Tibbs encounters racism at every turn. How Tibbs is shown standing up for himself is a milestone in American film.

“In the Heat of the Night” won five Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor (Rod Steiger), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Sound. It was nominated for two more: Best Director (Norman Jewison) and Best Sound Effects. The score, by Quincy Jones, was nominated for a Grammy. Ray Charles sang the theme song and had a hit record with it. The movie is on several “100 Years” lists by the American Film Institute, and in 2002 it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

“In the Heat of the Night” will play only once at the Cerrito, on Thursday, August 27 at 6 pm. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as the movie may sell out. All seats are $9.00. Arriving early is a good idea, to choose your seat and order delicious food, wine, and beer.

Upcoming Classics

The Cerrito Classics series will continue with the following films:

  • Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 pm: Some Like It Hot
  • Thursday, October 29 at 6:00 pm: Little Shop of Horrors
  • Thursday, December 10 at 6:00 pm: Scrooged

Instead of a classic film in November, there will be a special event on Monday, November 9 celebrating the 20th anniversary of the re-opening of the Cerrito Theater in 2006. We will share more details in an announcement to come.

See you at the movies!

35mm Returns to Rialto Cinemas Cerrito

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Come see three films that are actually on film!

Starting on Thursday, October 23, Rialto Cinemas Cerrito will be showing three movies that were not only shot on film, but will be projected on film. The Cerrito is one of the few theaters left that still has 35mm projection equipment, so this will be an exceptional experience. Director Paul Thomas Anderson said, “You don’t need reminding, but it always bears repeating that seeing Film on Film is the way Nature intended. So don’t go against Nature and seek out your local theater that projects film.”

The first of the films is “Frankenstein,” directed by Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labryrinth,” “The Shape of Water,” “Pinocchio,” “Hellboy.”) This retelling of the classic story by Mary Shelley stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Christoph Waltz, and Mia Goth. Critics have called it “a breathtaking coup” and “a visual masterpiece.” It starts at the Cerrito on Thursday, October 23. For more information, click here.

The second film is “Nouvelle Vague,” directed by Richard Linklater, about the making of the French new wave film “Breathless.” It stars Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard, Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Adrien Rouyard as François Truffaut. It’s a love letter to classic film, a real treat for film lovers. Critics have described it as “delightful and vibrant” and a “charming homage.” It starts at the Cerrito on Friday, October 31. For more information, click here.

The third film is “Train Dreams,” directed by Clint Bentley, based on the novella by Denis Johnson about an orphan in the early 20th century who helps expand the railroads into the Pacific Northwest. It stars Joel Edgerton, Clifton Collins Jr., Felicity Jones, and William H. Macy. Critics have described it as a “western epic of breathtaking visual splendor,” and “a perfectly formed movie.” It starts at the Cerrito on Friday, November 7. For more information, click here.

Tickets are now on sale for all three films. You can get them on-line or at the box office.

Thanks, and see you at the movies!

“Eleanor the Great” at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito

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See June Squibb in Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut!

June Squibb is Eleanor Morgenstein, a 94-year-old woman who moves from Florida to New York to live with her daughter. Eleanor wanders into a support group and shares a story that brings her unwanted attention. This attracts Nina (Erin Kellyman), a 19-year-old journalism student who becomes Eleanor’s friend. Things get out of hand, forcing Eleanor to confront the truth.

“Eleanor the Great” is Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut. June Squibb has previously been in “About Schmidt” (2002), “Nebraska” (2013), and “Thelma” (2024). The film also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave” (2013)).

“Eleanor the Great” is playing now at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito. Tickets are available online or at the box office. Click here for more information. We really hope you come to see this special film.

More announcements will be coming soon. See you at the movies!