Many serious cinephiles may argue that even the best home theater can’t replicate the communal moviegoing experience. Some might even play that they-don’t-make-‘em-like-they-used-to card. Those who fall into both categories can rest easy as the retro movie experience is alive and well in Atlanta.
MARIETTA
The Earl Smith Strand Theatre
The Strand first opened its doors in 1935 and ran as a movie house until 1976. It wasn’t until 2003 that a board was put together to bring the venue back to life. Appropriately enough, one of its first donations came from the iconic film couple Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman ($10,000 in 2004). A total of about $4.5 million helped the Strand receive the construction and startup operation it needed, and its second coming finally arrived in January 2009. Today you’ll find live theater, music and classic films filling the Strand’s calendar. Several movies light up its screen in November, including a trio of director Alfred Hitchcock’s top-shelf offerings. “The Birds” soars on Nov. 2, the audience gets a shower of scares with “Psycho” on Nov. 16, and “North by Northwest” lands Nov. 23. A special 25th anniversary screening of director Rob Reiner’s comic fairy tale “The Princess Bride” takes place Nov. 24.
8 p.m. Nov. 2, 16, 23 and 24. $7-$8. Additional service charge applies for online orders. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 N. Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080, www.earlsmithstrand.org.
EMORY
Emory Cinematheque Series
Emory University and its film and media studies department celebrates time-honored celluloid with this free film series. Its current program, “Movie Magic: Special and Visual Effects from 1896 to Now,” honors cinematic eye candy through the years. It launched in August with Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” and runs most Wednesdays through Dec. 5. Stanley Kubrick’s epic “2001: A Spacey Odyssey,” which screens Nov. 7, changed the face of sci-fi cinema with its groundbreaking effects. The oddball imagination of director Terry Gilliam splashes on the screen Nov. 28 with “Brazil.” On Dec. 5, fans of giant monsters can catch the digital-effects wizardry of “The Host,” Korea’s all-time box-office champ. Film professionals and scholars are known to stop in for special events. Next up is French filmmaker Claire Denis (“Chocolat”), who will introduce and chat about her more recent project, “White Material,” on Nov. 14.
7:30 p.m. Wednesdays (except Nov. 22) through Dec. 5. Free. White Hall at Emory University, 301 Dowman Drive, Atlanta. 404-727-6761, http://filmstudies.emory.edu/home/.
TUCKER AND SUWANEE
Movie Tavern
This national chain has a pair of metro locations, both offering first-run flicks, and a full menu of grub and libations. Although contemporary blockbusters, some in 3D, take up most of the screen time, Movie Tavern’s Retro Cinema series runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The latest batch includes Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like It Hot” on Nov. 6 and 8. The fancy footwork of “Singin’ in the Rain” pours down Nov. 13 and 15. Celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays with “The Wizard of Oz” on Nov. 20 and Thanksgiving night. The Jets and Sharks rumble in “West Side Story” on Nov. 27 and 29. Keep an eye out for more Retro Cinema additions in the months to come.
7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 29. $6-$9. Additional service charge applies for online orders. Northlake Festival Movie Tavern, 4043 LaVista Road, Tucker. 678-680-5782; Movie Tavern at Horizon Village, 2855 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Suwanee. 678-730-6900, www.movietavern.com.
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