INHERENT VICE is the seventh feature from Paul Thomas Anderson and the first ever film adaption of a Thomas Pynchon novel. When private eye Doc Sportello’s ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him in a looney bin … well, easy for her to say. It’s the tail end of the psychedelic ’60s and paranoia is running the day and Doc knows that “love” is another of those words going around at the moment, like “trip” or “groovy,” that’s being way too overused — except this one usually leads to trouble. With a cast of characters that includes surfers, hustlers, dopers and rockers, a murderous loan shark, LAPD Detectives, a tenor sax player working undercover, and a mysterious entity known as the Golden Fang, which may only be a tax dodge set up by some dentists … Part surf noir, part psychedelic romp — all Thomas Pynchon.

“INHERENT VICE unfolds so organically, so gracefully and with such humanistic grace notes that even at its most preposterous, viewers will find themselves nodding along, sharing the buzz the filmmaker has so skillfully created.” — Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

“Joaquin Phoenix and the terrific acting ensemble that joins him in this pot-infused ’70s-era beach noir create such a good buzz you can almost get a contact high from watching.” — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

“In its graceful superimpositions and its use of water to evoke a more idyllic time (particularly in a rainy flashback set to Neil Young), INHERENT VICE is very much a companion piece to THE MASTER.” — Ben Kenigsberg, The A.V. Club

“A hilariously louche and ramshackle psychedelic noir, INHERENT VICE is an audacious stylistic leap for Anderson, but his risks pay off beautifully. It’s an amazing work, capturing the heady vibe of Thomas Pynchon’s novel while stumbling into in the great cinematic lineage of California noir.” — Craig Williams, CineVue

Closed captioning devices are available for this film. If needed, please ask about it at the concessions counter.

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148 MIN

United in Anger: A History of ACT UP is an inspiring documentary about the birth and life of the AIDS activist movement from the perspective of the people in the trenches fighting the epidemic. Utilizing oral histories of members of ACT UP, as well as rare archival footage, the film depicts the efforts of ACT UP as it battles corporate greed, social indifference, and government neglect. The film explores how a small group people of various races and classes came together to develop new forms of protest and organize more than a dozen major demonstrations that transformed how U.S. government and mainstream media dealt with the AIDS crisis.

A discussion with the filmmakers about contemporary radical politics and culture follows the film. Free popcorn and soda are provided.

Sponsored by Ohio University’s Political Science Department.

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90 MIN

Comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) examines the rise and fall of his relationship with struggling nightclub singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Speaking directly to the audience in front of a bare background, Singer reflects briefly on his childhood and his early adult years before settling in to tell the story of how he and Annie met, fell in love, and struggled with the obstacles of modern romance, mixing surreal fantasy sequences with small moments of emotional drama.

“A touching and hilarious love story that is Allen’s most three-dimensional film to date.” – Joseph McBride, Variety

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93 MIN

Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client’s brusque aide (Harrison Ford) to tail a young couple, Mark (Frederic Forrest) and Ann (Cindy Williams). Tracking the pair through San Francisco’s Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.

“A taut, intelligent thriller.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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113 MIN

In this revered Western, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) returns home to Texas after the Civil War. When members of his brother’s family are killed or abducted by Comanches, he vows to track down his surviving relatives and bring them home. Eventually, Edwards gets word that his niece Debbie (Natalie Wood) is alive, and, along with her adopted brother, Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), he embarks on a dangerous mission to find her, journeying deep into Comanche territory.

“Contains scenes of magnificence, and one of John Wayne’s best performances.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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119 MIN

Based on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr, ALL ABOUT EVE is a backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). Tattered and forlorn, Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing (Bette Davis), weaving a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Taking pity on the girl, Margo takes Eve as her personal assistant. Before long, it becomes apparent that naïve Eve is a Machiavellian conniver who cold-bloodedly uses Margo, her director Bill Sampson (Gary Merill), Lloyd’s wife Karen (Celeste Holm), and waspish critic Addison De Witt (George Sanders) to rise to the top of the theatrical heap.

“A motion picture that, because of its priceless dialogue and unforgettable lead performance, will never lose its luster.”  – James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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138 MIN

In this noir classic, detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) gets more than he bargained for when he takes a case brought to him by a beautiful but secretive woman (Mary Astor). As soon as Miss Wonderly shows up, trouble follows as Sam’s partner is murdered and Sam is accosted by a man (Peter Lorre) demanding he locate a valuable statuette. Sam, entangled in a dangerous web of crime and intrigue, soon realizes he must find the one thing they all seem to want: the bejeweled Maltese falcon.

“Among the movies we not only love but treasure, The Maltese Falcon stands as a great divide.” – Rodger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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100 MIN

Rating: Unrated

The Athena Cinema is celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2015. To celebrate a century of cinema, the Athena is screening 12 unique films that showcase the history and craft of movies over the last 100 years. Starting with the era of silent films, the series takes us through high points of different eras and remarkable films, starring legends such as Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Gene Hackman, Heath Ledger and more. And at the end of 2015, we will honor our roots by closing with the modern silent film, THE ARTIST, which ran at the Athena in 2012. For more information on our 100th anniversary, please visit, https://athenacinema.com/our-100th-anniversary/

Steamboat Bill Jr.

The college-boy son of a hard-bitten riverboat captain proves to be an incompetent milquetoast embarrassment to his riverdog dad — until proving his manhood when a cyclone strikes their small town. Keaton’s last silent under his own creative control is one of his funniest.

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70 MIN

Rating: Unrated

Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky’s the limit – major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies.

“It is pure magic from the first frame to the last.” – Mark Rabinowitz, CNN.com

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100 MIN