Linden Public Library Film Series
The Linden Public Library continues its popular film series into the fall with two distinctly different but interesting themes of movies. On Friday afternoons at 1:00 p.m., the library will present politically-themed, Oscar nominated movies set in Washington while three other films that are based on real events will be shown at other dates and times during October.
The presidential-based movies will begin on Friday, October 15 when the 1979 film Being There will be shown. A simple-minded gardener becomes a most unlikely trusted advisor to a high-powered Washington insider who is close to the president. The film stars Peter Sellers and Melvyn Douglas, who won an Oscar for this role. On Friday, October 22, The Contender, a 2000 political thriller, will be presented as a female candidate is considered for appointment as vice president when scandalous information – and misinformation – about her past surfaces and threatens to derail his candidacy. The film stars Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman. On Friday, October 29, Rob Reiner’s popular 1995 film, The American President, will be shown. A widowed president seeking reelection falls in love with a Washington lobbyist. The film stars Michael Douglas, Annette Bening and Martin Sheen. On Friday, November 5, the 1993 comedy, Dave, will be shown. This Oscar-nominated screenplay tells the story of an uncanny presidential lookalike named Dave who is recruited by the Secret Service to stand in for the actual president. This movie stars Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver.
Other films based on real life events include Critical Thinking, a 2020 drama which will be shown on Wednesday, October 13 at 1:00 p.m. This movie is based on the true story of Miami’s Jackson High School chess team which becomes the first inner-city youth team to win the U.S. National Chess Championship. It stars John Leguizamo, who also directed and produced this inspirational film. On Monday evening, October 18 at 6:00 p.m., the film Monuments Men will be shown. This 2014 movie is based on the real events of a special Allied unit of soldiers during the closing months of WWII that was charged with finding and saving pieces of rare art before the Nazis destroy or steal them. On Tuesday afternoon, October 26 at 1:00 p.m., the 2006 film The Hoax will be presented. This movie deals with the intriguing events surrounding writer Clifford Irving’s bogus biography of billionaire Howard Hughes during the early 1970s. This movie stars Richard Gere and Alfred Molina.
Located at 31 East Henry Street, the Linden Public Library has been at the center of the city’s social, cultural, artistic and educational life since it was founded in 1928. Films are presented thanks to special funding by the Friends of the Linden Library. If you have any questions, please call the library at 908-298-3830.
