January 5 -11
Four from Robin Williams
A proper retrospective on Robin Williams would take all month. For now, we’ll focus on his output from the late 80’s into the 90’s. His work means a lot to us, so it only seemed right to feature the films we grew up with. Though far from the beginning of his career, these are the films that introduced a generation to his one-of-a-kind blend of manic unpredictability and heartfelt sincerity.
In his stand-up, unpredictability was Williams greatest asset. His loose, improvisational speed kept audiences in rapt attention. On film, Williams was given a chance to turn that unpredictability into something new, and Good Morning Vietnam is an incredible showcase. His improvised, on mic riffs as army D.J. Adrian Cronauer brings the comedy. Outside of the recording booth, his volatility becomes a risk as Cronauer struggles to navigate the complexities of the Vietnam War and his place in it.
Friday (1/5) - 7:00
Saturday (1/6) - 7:00
Monday (1/8) - 7:00
Thursday (1/11) - 4:15
Not everything in Aladdin has aged gracefully, but Robin Williams performance as Genie still stands amongst his best. Again, Williams brings empathy to the character that makes him much more than a joke-delivery-system. But when the jokes do come, Willaims’ freewheeling improvisation, embellished by Disney’s exceptional animators, is the stuff of legends.
Saturday (1/6) - 2:00
Sunday (1/7) - 4:45
Monday (1/8) - 4:45
Thursday (1/11) - 7:00
In Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams plays Dr. Sean Maguire. With his shaggy beard and drab sweaters, Sean has all the trappings of a maudlin, coming-of-age movie mentor figure. But Williams quickly reveals the pain and anger beneath Seans facade. He does so with empathy that only makes us care for Sean more, and it elevates Good Will Hunting far above the films familiar trappings.
Saturday (1/6) - 4:15
Sunday (1/7) - 7:00
Tuesday (1/9) - 4:15
Wednesday (1/10) - 7:00
The first thing Robin Williams deserves credit for is making us believe that a struggling father’s family wouldn’t recognize him if he were disguised as an elderly British nanny. The second is the way he used to clout to ensure that Mrs. Doubtfire avoided the artificially happy endings that plague most family fare, especially when divorce is involved. Mrs. Doubtfire could have easily been a collection of slapstick gags (especially in the early 90’s, when lazy transphobia was a safe box office move), but Williams and director Chris Columbus created something far more intelligent, and accepting, than so many of their contemporaries.
Sunday (1/7) - 2:00
Tuesday (1/9) - 7:00
Wednesday (1/10) - 4:15
Schedule by Day
Friday, Jan. 5
7:00 - Good Morning Vietnam
Saturday, Jan. 6
2:00 - Aladdin
4:15 - Good Will Hunting
7:00 - Good Morning Vietnam
Sunday, Jan. 7
2:00 - Mrs. Doubtfire
4:45 - Aladdin
7:00 - Good Will Hunting
Monday, Jan. 8
4:45 - Aladdin
7:00 - Good Morning Vietnam
Tuesday, Jan. 9
4:15 - Good Will Hunting
7:00 - Mrs. Doubtfire
Wednesday, Jan. 10
4:15 - Mrs. Doubtfire
7:00 - Good Will Hunting
Thursday, Jan. 11
4:15 - Good Morning Vietnam
7:00 - Aladdin