Come see this festival of short films at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito!

The Albany Film Festival is an annual event featuring short films by Bay Area, national, and global filmmakers. It used to be held at the Albany Twin on Solano, but with the closing of that theater it has moved to the Cerrito.

The festival happens on four separate dates. Each date has a theme:

• October 10, 7:30pm: Albany GreenFest Deep mysteries, real fire power, keeping it wild, connecting with wonder.
• October 12, 10am: Living on Earth Doing your own thing is different for everyone.
• October 13, 10am: Connections Old, new, broken, complete, and always in process.
• October 19, 10am: Best of the Fest 2024

All tickets are $13. A festival pass is $30. You can buy them online or at the Rialto Cinemas Cerrito box office.

A review of the Barbie experience from Dave Weinstein, Friend of the Cerrito Theater:

Sure, streaming may be fast and easy, but nothing can beat being in a movie theater when the lights dim and a really fun film comes on and you feel part of a real audience, some of them friends, many of them neighbors.

Seeing ‘Barbie,’ a wacky, fun fantasy about a girl’s toy that is at the same time a critique of partriarchy, brought this home. First, it was great to see a film sell out—day after day—at our favorite movie theater. The pandemic wasn’t good for movie theaters, or for the movie going experience.

It put many out of business in Berkeley and (at least temporarily) closed the Albany Twin. And audiences have often been thin in the theaters that remained open. (Not so on the Albany Twin’s final night in operation, which my wife and I also attended. Ah, but that evening was tinged with sadness, as the crowd was there to bid farewell to a neighborhood institution, as well as to catch a film.)

No such sadness prevailed during the showing of ‘Barbie.’ Fans, some in pink, many of them young girls, lined up outside, chatting and expectant. My wife and I talked to a young couple, new to town, who settled in alongside us—our usual spots in the first row.

They said they love El Cerrito and the Rialto Cinemas Cerrito.

The audience was polite, quiet—except when we all laughed. It was the wonderful, peaceful mood in the theater, a sense of return to something good. No more mask mandates (and no rules against masks either!), no more social distancing. It was just a fine feeling.

Here’s hoping more and more people rediscover the joy of attending real movies in real theaters. See you at the movies.

Dave Weinstein

See four holiday classics at no charge!

Good news, everyone! Rialto Cinemas Cerrito will be showing Christmas movies for FREE on the first four weekends in December. This is the perfect opportunity for some holiday fun.

The movies will be:

A Christmas Story (1983) – December 3 & 4, 10 am

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.” Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

The Polar Express (2004) – December 10 & 11, 10 am

Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump”; “Cast Away”) reunite for “Polar Express,” an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Elf (2003) – December 17 & 18, 10 am

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results. Also starring Zooey Deschanel, Jon Favreau, Peter Dinklage, Bob Newhart and Mary Steenburgen.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – December 24, 10 am

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen). From director Ron Howard.

Tickets will be available in December. Please see the Rialto web site, here, for more information.

NOTE

Rialto Cinemas strongly recommends up-to-date vaccinations for all patrons. They also strongly recommend the use of masks in all lobby and auditorium areas. See here for details.