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Last updated on August 15, 2008.

Death Race

Tues, Aug. 19 - 7:30pm
AMC Mazza Gallerie
5300 Wisconsin Ave, NW

We have admission for up to 50 members. BONUS - because there are 2 events this night, for this one only, you may bring a guest.



Terminal Island, New York: 2020. Overcrowding in the U.S. penal system has reached a breaking point. Prisons have been turned over to a monolithic Weyland Corporation, which sees jails full of thugs as an opportunity for televised sport. Adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for violence and a spectacular, enclosed arena come together to form the 'Death Race', the world's biggest, most brutal sporting event. Five-time NASCAR champion Jensen Ames is a man who has become an expert at survival. After eight years of hard time, he has only six weeks before reuniting with his family. But when Weyland demands a driver to headline the big game, Ames is forced to submit. Donning the costume of mythical rider Frankenstein, the racer becomes an instant crowd favorite, an unequaled sporting superstar. His face hidden by a metallic black mask, one convict will be put through a brutal three day challenge, with the trophy being the ultimate prize: freedom. The only catch is that he must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in this post-industrial wasteland to claim it. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, Ames must now kill or be killed to win the most treacherous spectator sport on Earth: 'Death Race'. Universal Pictures. Opens Aug. 22.

CAST: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson, Natalie Martinez


Towelhead

Tues, Aug 19 - 7:30pm
Landmark E Street Cinema
E Street, NW betw 10th & 11th

We have admission for up to 100 members.

There will be a Q&A following the screening with director Alan Ball.



Jasira wants something she can't define; attention, love, acceptance or a normal life. Unfortunately she doesn't know the right way to find it. When Jasira's mother exiles her to Houston to live with her strict, quick-to-anger Lebanese father, she quickly learns what aspects of herself to suppress in front of him. In private, however, she conducts her sexual awakening with all the false confidence that pop culture and her neighbor's magazines have provided. The result is a funny, dark, bold and harrowing look at the confusion and misguided exploration of youth in America's track houses, public schools and suburban wastelands. Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Alicia Erian. Warner Independant (1hr 56min). Opens Sept. 16.

CAST: Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, Peter Macdissi, and newcomer Summer Bishil

DIR/WRITER: Alan Ball (American Beauty, Six Feet Under)


Hamlet 2

Thurs, Aug. 21 - 7:30pm
AMC Mazza Gallerie
5300 Wisconsin Ave, NW

We will have admission for up to 70 members. There will be a special ticketing system for passes for this event. Please refer to the email which was sent to you for instructions.



"The hit, the very palpable hit" of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, HAMLET 2 is an irreverent comedy centering on one teacher's overzealous quest to mount a high school musical. Steve Coogan plays Dana Marschz a failed actor-turned-high school drama teacher. Shortchanged in the talent department, Dana still harbors ambitions and passions. At work, that is; his personal life, with his dissatisfied wife Brie and their boarder Gary leaves much to be desired. At Tucson, AZ's West Mesa High School, Dana sees himself as an inspirational teacher. But his adaptations of popular films, as performed by his top students Rand and Epiphany are not resonating. When his latest - re-creating Erin Brockovich - is dismissed by the 9th grade drama critic and his department is targeted for closure, Dana must reach deep into himself for creativity. After much perspiration, he conceives a sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet - a musical-theater extravaganza that will disdain both political correctness and dramatic credibility. Above all else, he fervently believes that his opus must be staged, and nothing can break his optimistic spirit. Focus Features (1hr 30min). Opens Aug. 22.

CAST: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Amy Poehler, Elisabeth Shue

DIR: Andrew Fleming (Dick, Threesome)


Sex Drive

Thurs, Aug 21 - 7:30pm
Regal Gallery Place
707 7th Street, NW

We have open admission for this very early screening. BONUS - you may bring a guest.



Loveable underdog Ian is the last American virgin. At least that's how it feels to him now that he's 18, about to go to college, and losing girls to his 14-year-old brother. Always the nice guy, never the boyfriend. But his luck finally seems to be changing when he meets Danielle. The problem is she lives in Knoxville and he's in Chicago AND thinks he's the Brad Pitt-lookalike he's pretending to be on Facebook. At his best friend Lance's urging, Ian decides to confront his fear of rejection when Danielle makes him the offer of a lifetime: "If you drive all the way for me, I'll go all the way for you." This wild romp follows Ian, Lance and their third musketeer, the spunky and gorgeous tomboy, Felicia as they set out in Ian's older brother's beloved '69 GTO. Despite many hilarious setbacks on the road, including a stop-off at an Amish rave, Ian finally meets his dream girl - but things don't turn out quite as planned. Summit Entertainment. Opens October 10.

CAST: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, Seth Green, James Marsden

DIR/WRITER: Sean Anders

General Screening Information

WHAT IS A PREVIEW? Before movies open, local ad agencies generate publicity with advance screenings. Washington, DC Film Society members are a popular target audience for previews, since we create good "word of mouth" for a film. Sometimes we have an entire theater to ourselves, but most of the time we share a theater with an audience holding passes that the ad agencies have distributed through radio stations, newspapers, and local establishments. In the past, the Film Society has hosted numerous special events as well.

AM I GUARANTEED A SEAT? No! Seating for previews is always on a first-come, first-served basis. Why? First of all, sometimes more members than we have passes to give out will show up at a particular screening. Also, the ad agencies always give out more passes than there are seats in the theater. The theater is always overbooked because at least 20% of pass holders don't show up. If everyone shows up, the theater could be full before you get in. Even if we have an RSVP screening (see below), arrive early to ensure a seat.

WHAT ABOUT RSVP SCREENINGS? When we have very few passes, we still want to offer the screening to as many members as possible, yet want to avoid turning many people away. When this happens (30 passes for two or less), we will sometimes have an RSVP system set up. Please follow instructions in the e-mail for RSVP screenings.

WHEN YOU GET TO THE THEATER: Each member must bring a valid membership card to the screening and show it to the Film Society staff person at the theater to receive a free pass.

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