The Cinema Lounge
On Monday July 21, 2025 at 8:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group.
TOPIC: The Blues Brothers at 45 w/ Author Daniel de Visé
By any coherent logic, The Blues Brothers seemed destined to fail. Its star, John Belushi, struggled with a massive cocaine habit. The production went way over its time and beyond its budget. The story somehow fused together comedy, massive car chases, and a love letter to classic rhythm and blues greats, many of whom appeared in the movie.
Of course not only did The Blues Brothers succeed at the box office, it has stood the test of time, rediscovered by fans who weren't born when the movie came out. Quotes such as "We're on a mission from God" became part of the culture. The Library of Congress selected it for the National Film Registry. Today The Blues Brothers serves as a testament to Belushi's comedic genius, along with his friend co-star, and lead writer Dan Aykroyd. The film also captured for all time the immortal talents of Cab Calloway, Aretha Frankin, James Brown and Ray Charles.
To discuss what made The Blues Brothers such an enduring classic, we are thrilled to be joined by journalist and author Daniel de Visé?, writer of The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic. De Visé, a graduate of Wesleyan and Northwestern universities, has worked at the Washington Post and Miami Herald, among other newspapers. He shared a 2001 Pulitzer Prize and has garnered more than two dozen national and regional journalism awards. His other books include I Forgot to Remember, Andy & Don, The Comeback and King of the Blues.
Adam's Rib: Coming to a Theater Near You: More Ads
Early last month a bit of bad news largely slipped through the cracks. AMC Theaters signed an agreement with National CineMedia (NCM) allowing commercials to play right before the movie. Granted, compared to mass protests, Middle East conflicts, and global unrest this development objectively feels trivial. But AMC had resisted NCM for years, saying that its customers “react quite negatively to the concept.” So what does AMC's capitulation mean for moviegoers? For theaters, it means short-term cash, but what does the future hold? Many years ago I'd written about the rise of the movie ads, and now seemed like a good time to revisit the subject in my new Adam's Rib column.
We Need to Hear From YOU
We are always looking for film-related material for the Storyboard. Our enthusiastic and well-traveled members have written about their trips to the Cannes Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival, London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, the Berlin Film Festival, the Palm Springs Film Festival, the Reykjavik Film Festival, the Munich Film Festival, the Virginia Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, The Nitrate Picture Show, and the Chicago Critics Film Festival. We also heard about what it's like being an extra in the movies. Have you gone to an interesting film festival? Have a favorite place to see movies that we aren't covering in the Calendar of Events? Seen a movie that blew you away? Read a film-related book? Gone to a film seminar? Interviewed a director? Taken notes at a Q&A? Read an article about something that didn't make our local news media? Send your contributions to Storyboard and share your stories with the membership. And we sincerely thank all our contributors for this issue of Storyboard.
Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
"The Hackman Connection" (July 11-September 17) celebrates the films of Gene Hackman (1930-2025). Films in July are The French Connection (1971); Bonnie and Clyde (1967); Prime Cut (1972); and Night Moves (1975). More in August and September.
"AFI Achievement Award: Francis Ford Coppola" (July 11-September 9) presents a film series from this talented and independent filmmaker. Films in July are Dementia 13 (1963-2017) in a director's cut; The Rain People (1969) in a 4K restoration; The Godfather (1972); and The Conversation (1974) in a new 4K restoration. More in August and September.
"Il Bello Marcello: Mastroianni on Screen" (July 12–September 16) is a centennial celebration of Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni (1924-1996). Films in July are Against the Law (1950); La Dolce Vita (1960); White Nights (1957); Too Bad She's Bad (1954); and La Notte (1961), some of which are new 4K restorations. More in August and September.
"VistaVision!" (July 11-September 18) is a series of mostly 1950s films made in the new format to compete with television. July films are The Desperate Hours (1955); To Catch a Thief (1955); The Trouble with Harry (1955); We're No Angels (1955); and Richard III (1955). More in August and September.
"Oh My Godzilla!" July 11-September 16) is back for a second summer. Films in July are Godzilla Raids Again (1955); Mothra (1961); and Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965). More in August and September.
"More Than a Witness: Positive Force DC and Revolution Summer at 40" (July 6-17) celebrates the 40th anniversary of DC punk's Revolution Summer. Films are Punk the Capital: Building a Sound Movement (2019); Positive Force: More Than a Witness (2014); We Are Fugazi From Washington DC (2023); and Salad Days: A Decade of Punk in Washington DC (2014).
"Robert Altman Centennial" (July 18–September 18). Robert Altman (1925-2006) was known as an innovator and iconoclast and helped to define the 1970s. He never won an Oscar for Best Director but received five nominations. Films in July are Brewster McCloud (1970; M*A*S*H (1970); That Cold Day in the Park (1969); and The Delinquents (1957). More in August and September.
"Killer Vision: 30 Years of Killer Films" (July 20–September 17) honors the independent film company which became synonymous with auteur-driven storytelling and launching creative partnerships with Todd Solondez, Todd Haynes, and others. Films in July are I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) shown in 35mm; and Safe (1995). More in August and September.
"AFI Silver After Dark" is a series of midnight-style movies. The film for July is The Mystery of Chess Boxing (Joseph Kuo, 1979) from Hong Kong. Shown in both dubbed and subtitled versions.
"Recent Restorations" (April 25-July 10) is a selection of recently restored films, most of which are 4k restorations. Films in July include Army of Shadows (1969); Wages of Fear (1953); and The Sacrifice (1986).
"Wild at Heart: The Films of David Lynch" (April 25-July 8) commemorates the late director who died earlier this year. One last film in July: Inland Empire (2006).
"Oh Mai! The Films of Mai Zetterling" (April 25-July 3) takes a look at the Swedish-born actor, a pioneer of feminist cinema. The series wraps up in July with Amorosa (1986) and Scrubbers (1982).
"Special Engagements" for July include The Goonies (1985); Sorcerer (1977); Heat (1995); and The Return of the Living Dead (1985) presented by Count Gore De Vol. Tangerine (2015) is shown for Art House Theater Day, followed by a recorded Q&A with filmmaker Sean Baker and producer Samantha Quan. The documentary Married to Comics (2023) is presented by SPX and features Q&A with filmmaker John Kinhart.
"World Pride on Screen" (May 18-July 3) celebrates the 50th anniversary Pride celebrations in DC. The last films in the series are Funeral Parade of Roses (1969) from Japan; Peaches Goes Bananas (2024) from France; The People's Joker (2022); and Pink Narcissus (1971).
"Three Films by Mamoru Hosoda" (May 11–September 30) continues in July with the animated Summer Wars (2009), shown in both dubbed and subtitled versions. One more in September.
National Museum of Asian Art (Freer Gallery of Art)
On July 9 at 2:00pm is Godzilla (Ishiro Honda, 1954), part of the "Japanese Classics" series of films. Note that the AFI will be doing a series of Godzilla films in July and August.
On July 11 at 5:30pm is an outdoor screening and music performance featuring composer and musician Eiko Ishibashi and a silent version of Ryusuki Hamaguchi's film Evil Does Not Exist (2023).
The series "In Case You Missed It" looks at three films that briefly played in our area. On July 18 at 7:00pm is Caught By the Tides (Jia Zhangke, 2024) from China; On July 20 at 3:00pm is The Monk and the Gun (Pawo Choyning Dorji, 2023) from Bhutan, followed by a Q&A with the film's director and a reception. On July 25 at 7:00pm is All We Imagine As Light (Payal Kapadia, 2025) from India.
On July 27 at 2:00pm is the DC premier of Sima's Song (Roya Sadat, 2024) from Afghanistan, followed by a discussion with the director, co-writer and actors.
National Gallery of Art
The exhibit "Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolution Artist" shows two documentaries: Standing Strong (2023) is on July 5 at 2:00pm and Betty y Pancho (1998) is on July 6 at 2:00pm.
The film series "By Land, Sea, and Lens: Creatures on Film" accompanies the exhibit "Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World" through historic and contemporary international videos and films inspired by the incredible insects, sea creatures, birds and other animals. On July 12 at 2:00pm is How Deep Is Your Love? (Eleanor Mortimer, 2025); and on July 26 at 2:00pm is It Is Night in America (Ana Vaz, 2022) filmed at Brasilia Zoo. More in August.
Museum of American History
On July 3 at 1:00pm is the documentary The Ride Ahead (Samuel and Dan Habib). A discussion follows with the filmmakers. Location: The Warner Bros. Theater.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
On July 2 at 2:30pm is Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture (2024) about the architectural legacy of enslaved Africans skilled in the building trades in French colonial Louisiana. A discussion follows the screening. Location: The Oprah Winfrey Theater.
National Portrait Gallery
The Portrait Gallery’s Star Power: Saturday Movie Matinee series returns this summer with The Thin Man (1934) starring Myrna Loy and William Powell on July 19 at 2:00pm. The series of 1930s films accompanies the exhibit "Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood's Golden Age by George Hurrell." Location: McEvoy Auditorium
The Avalon
On July 2 at 8:00pm is Shall We Dance? (Masayuki Suo, 1996) from Japan in a 4K restoration. Part of the "Programmer's Choice" series.
The "Czech Lions" film for July is Dry Season (Bohdan Sláma, 2024) on July 9 at 8:00pm.
The Ties That Bind Us (Carine Tardieu, 2024), the "French Cinematheque" film this month is on July 16 at 8:00pm.
Library of Congress
The Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn presents National Film Registry Selections. On July 10 is Grease (1978); on July 17 is Goonies (1985); on July 24 is Spy Kids (2001); and on July 31 is The Muppet Movie (1979). All are shown at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building. One more in August.
Wolf Trap
On July 17 at 8:00pm is Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1979) with Steven Reineke conducting the National Symphony Orchestra. On July 26 at 8:00pm is "Disney 80s and 90s" with Sarah Hicks conducting the NSO.
Kennedy Center
Films in July are shown outdoors on the REACH Video Wall at dusk. On July 11 is the animated The Incredibles (Brad Bird, 2004). On July 18 is Julie and Julia (Nora Ephrom, 2009) starring Meryl Streep. On July 25 is Moulin Rouge! (Baz Luhrmann, 2001).
Old Greenbelt Theater
The series "School's Out" presents a number of family-friendly films. On July 3 at 1:00pm is Madagascar (Tom McGrath, Eric Darnell, 2005); on July 10 at 1:00pm is Luca (Enrico Casarosa, 2021); on July 17 at 1:00pm is Paddington (Paul King, 2014); on July 14 at 1:00pm is Song of the Sea (Tomm Moore, 2014); and on July 31 at 1:00pm is Tomorrowland (Brad Bird, 2015). More in August.
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
The "Angelika Classics" series shows classic films on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm. On July 7 at 7:00pm is Serenity (2005).
"Sunday Epics" is a new series shown on the second Sunday of the month at 2:00pm. On July 13 at 2:00pm is Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition (2001).
On July 28 at 7:00pm is The Wizard of Oz (1939) for the series "Musical Mondays."
"Classics in Black and White" features a classic B&W film on the third Monday of each month at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. On July 21 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm is Dark Passage (1947).
The Studio Ghibli Festival shows anime films on Wednesdays at 7:00pm with English subtitles and Thursdays at 11:00am with English dubbing. On July 2 at 7:00pm and July 3 at 11:00am is Grave of the Fireflies (1988). On July 9 at 7:00pm and July 10 at 11:00am is Howl's Moving Castle (2004). On July 16 at 7:00pm and July 17 at 11:00am is Ponyo (2008). On July 23 at 7:00pm and July 24 at 11:00am is Spirited Away (2002) and on July 30 at 7:00pm and July 31 at 11:00am is The Boy and the Heron (2023). More in August, and September.
The "Harry Potter Film Series" (July 1-August 23) is on Tuesdays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 10:00am. On July 1 at 7:00pm and July 5 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001); on July 8 at 7:00pm and July 12 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002); on July 15 at 7:00pm and July 19 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004); on July 22 at 7:00pm and July 26 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005); and on July 29 at 7:00pm and August 2 at 10:00am is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007). More in August.
Korean Cultural Center
On July 2 at 6:00pm is House of Hummingbird (Bo-ra Kim, 2019). On July 16 at 6:00pm is Unstoppable (Kim Min-ho, 2018). Check the website for RSVP information.
FILM FESTIVALS
OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVALS
Every summer (June through September) numerous locations around the DC show films outdoors.
