The In-Laws with Alan Arkin via Skype, Sammy Davis Jr: I’ve Gotta Be Me, The Writer, One of Us

Celebrating Alan Arkin

We’ll pay tribute to this famously versatile actor through a sampling of his roles: as the terrifying killer in the unnerving thriller Wait Until Dark, a sincere but clueless dentist in the madcap classic The In-Laws, the paranoid salesman in the haunting Glengarry Glen Ross, and the outrageous, foulmouthed grandpa Edwin Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine—and we’ll also show his darkly comedic directorial debut, Little Murders. We’re thrilled that Arkin himself—who’s in the middle of production on his latest project—will take time away from his busy shooting schedule to join us by Skype for this celebration.

The In-Laws

“One of those rare comedy scripts that escalates steadily and hilariously, without faltering or even having to strain for an ending. As for Mr. Arkin and Mr. Falk, it is theirs, and not their children’s, match that has been made in heaven.” (Janet Maslin, New York Times)

This is certain to be a joyous evening: Re-experience this crazy, madcap classic on the big screen! On the eve of their children’s marriage, soon-to-be in-laws—mild-mannered dentist Sheldon Kornpett (played to hilarious perfection by Alan Arkin) and ex-secret agent Vince Ricardo (nimbly portrayed by Peter Falk)—embark on a series of misadventures involving the CIA, the Treasury Department, and Central American dictators. Through a series of events too absurd to even try to explain, the two men “serpentine” from suburban New Jersey to Honduras to save the world—or at least the upcoming wedding.

Tickets: $15 (members), $20 (nonmembers)

“This delightful and entertaining documentary looks at the life and career of a musical star you thought you knew. It portrays a complex, unique and very talented man who courted controversy his whole life.” (Jerusalem Post)

With a star-studded roster of interviewees—including Jerry Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg, and Billy Crystal—acclaimed filmmaker Sam Pollard (Slavery by Another Name) creates a magnificent portrait of the dancer, singer, impressionist, and actor of unparalleled charisma, Sammy Davis Jr. Dazzling audiences from the age of three until his death at 64, Davis was a star of stage and screen and member of the legendary Rat Pack. He defied societal norms concerning interracial romance, religion, and political affiliation, courting controversy but with consistent grace and honesty. He inspired African-Americans with his showbiz successes and his alignment with Martin Luther King, but he also baffled progressive admirers by campaigning for Nixon and going to Vietnam. Ultimately, Davis was a performer and a patriot, as devoted to Judaism as he was to entertainment.

Tickets: $10 (members), $15 (nonmembers)

“Beautiful, like only a unique one-time thing can be.” (Haaretz)

After Fauda and False Flag, get ready to binge-watch your next favorite television show from Israel. The Writer is an immensely clever fictionalized autobiographical series from Sayed Kashua, creator of the award-winning 2007–10 comedy Arab Labor. In The Writer,Kashua’s main character—his alter ego—is a man named Kateb (Yousef Sweid), who’s having an identity crisis after the overnight success of his own hit series—which is, not coincidentally, called Arab Labor.

Kateb has become something of a poster boy for the new Israeli Arab, one who writes razor-sharp criticism, yet is still well received by the Israeli public and critics alike. But as he nears 40, he grows increasingly aware of the closing gap between his real self and his main character, whose main goal is to find favor. Kateb feels trapped in the gilded cage of his own making, unable to know if people really like his work, or if he’s just the right Arab in the right place at the right time.

As Kateb’s midlife crisis spins out, family troubles and general acting out add to the complexity of this tautly written, exquisitely acted, and psychologically rich story. The Writer resonates powerfully with all viewers. We’ll show the entire first season in three programs. Join us!

Save $6 when you buy tickets to three programs of The Writer! You can build your package here.

Program 1

Program 2

Program 3

Tickets: $10 (members), $15 (nonmembers)

“A rare window into a highly insular community that is often misunderstood, or tacitly sanctioned for fear of stoking anti-Semitism.” (IndieWire)

Oscar-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp) penetrate one of the most insular communities in North America, that of New York’s Hasidic Jews, who live by a strict code that discourages contact with outsiders. In what feels like a thriller, this documentary introduces us to three people who are driven to break away from their closed society, despite threats of retaliation. Etty, who was forced into marriage at 19, birthed seven children by age 29, and recounts a history of spousal abuse. Luzer, in his late 20s, broke ties with his family to pursue his dreams as an actor. Eighteen-year-old Ari, suffering from the trauma of sexual abuse, wants to explore a different way of life. Ultimately, One of Us asks what it means to separate oneself from everything that’s familiar.

Tickets: $12 (members), $17 (nonmembers)