Movie time is back. Friends of St. Albert Public Library is screening a fresh round of eclectic films designed as fundraisers for STARFest and assorted library programs.
Reel Monday's 18th year starts Sept. 11 and showcases four films: The Son, a tense family drama; Air, an American sports drama; Alice Darling, a psychological thriller exploring domestic abuse; and Empire of Light, a British tale connecting people from diverse social circles.
"The movies are all very different. But they all have well-known actors and a story that will get you thinking," said Friends organizer Valerie Spink.
The 2022 movie The Son, featured on Monday, Sept. 11, showcases a weighty cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Anthony Hopkins and Vanessa Kirby. Peter (Jackman) just married his second wife Beth (Kirby), when his ex-wife Kate (Dern) drops by with their 17-year-old son Nicholas (Zen McGrath).
The teenager is depressed and has dropped out of school. Although Peter barely knows Nicholas, he agrees to house him. Peter tries to bond with his son but refuses to acknowledge how deeply Nicholas was hurt by his parents' divorce. Only when Nicholas attempts suicide does Peter grasp the gravity of the situation.
"It's very well-acted. It's about a man who does not understand how the lives of his two families have changed," Spink said.
Meanwhile, Air, written by Alex Convey and directed by Ben Affleck, is a sports drama based on the real-life story of how NIKE scooped Michael Jordan as a spokesperson. The feat cemented the company's brand legacy, attracting some of America's iconic basketball players. The movie stars Affleck, Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Damian Young and Viola Davis. Air will be screened Oct. 16.
"The movie gets off to a slow start, but once you're in it, it's quite enjoyable. I loved Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, especially because they didn't have glamorous parts," said co-organizer Kathie Konarzewski.
"I don't think it was a sports story. I think it was more a history of the company and it was quite enjoyable. There's something about the big screen you can't escape."
Three weeks later, on Nov. 16, Alice Darling, a dark narrative of a woman pushed to despair by a psychologically abusive boyfriend, is screened. While on vacation with two girlfriends, Alice discovers a wall of strength to push Simon away. However, he does not take it kindly. Released in 2022, Alice Darling stars Anna Kendrick, Charlie Carrick, Wunmi Mosaku and Kaniehtiio Horn.
Closing the autumn season on Dec. 11 is Empire of Light, a film set in an English seaside town in the early 1980s. Packed with multiple layers, Empire of Light mashes together themes of racism, mental illness, family, infidelity, and romantic connection.
Directed by Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes, several of Britain's finest actors lend their talents, including Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones and Tom Brooke.
"We've made a lot of effort to find movies we think the audience will enjoy. Our attendance dropped during COVID, and we've worked hard to get the numbers back up," Spink said.
Konarzewski closed by saying, "It's been a struggle to choose movies because producers change their release dates all the time. But our audience has been very courteous, and we're privileged to show films in a very comfortable theatre. We've had real cooperation from many people, and we will keep going for a while."
Films start at 7 p.m. in the Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street. Single tickets are $15, and a season pass is $58.50. Tickets are available in person, by calling 780-459-1542 or online by visiting tickets.stalbert.ca.
