Opens Friday, September 20th

Brittany Forgler lives the good life in New York City, but at 27, the hard-partying ways, chronic underemployment, and toxic relationships are catching up with her. When she visits a doctor, she’s given a prescription she never wanted: Get healthy or else! Although she’s too broke to join a gym, her seemingly together neighbor Catherine pushes her to lace up her sneakers and run one sweaty block. The next day, she runs two. And soon, after finishing her first mile, she sets an almost unthinkable goal: running the New York City Marathon. Comic actress Jillian Bell embodies the character of Brittany. This breakout indie film was written and directed by Paul Downs Colaizzo, in his directorial debut. (R, 103 mins)

“The movie succeeds because Bell succeeds. It’s gratifying to see a so-called character actress with reliably deadly comic timing loosen up, stretch out and learn what it means to carry a movie.” – Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Friday, September 20th, at 9:15pm

Johnny (Wiseau) is a successful banker who lives happily in a San Francisco townhouse with his gorgeous fiancée, Lisa. One day, inexplicably, she gets bored with him and decides to seduce his best friend, Mark (Greg Sestero). From there, nothing will be the same again. Often referred to as the “Citizen Kane of bad movies,” this is one not to be missed. (2003, R, 99mins)

Follows through the early years of singing Mexican canciones with her family, her folk days with the Stone Poneys, and her reign as the “rock queen” of the ‘70s and early ’80s. She was a pioneer for women in the male-dominated music industry and an early advocate for human rights. Ultimately, her incredible voice was lost to Parkinson’s disease, but her music and influence remain as timeless as ever. Linda narrates the film with help from Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, and Don Henley (PG-13, 95 mins)

“She shows herself to be one of its indispensable interpreters, as a vocalist and also as a thinker – covering a sprawling landscape with elegance, passion and insight.” – A.O. Scott, New York Times

“The film has Ronstadt’s full cooperation, including her funny, charming narration throughout.” – Ren Jender, NPR

“A beautiful, deeply moving and well-deserved tribute to this utterly singular woman and her talent.” – Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

Saturday, September 21st, at 9:15pm

A down on his luck HAIL driver, a Uber-type service, makes extra cash chauffeuring a low level drug dealer around town. When he finds himself in a serious financial bind, his desperation leads him to kidnap the dealer’s child to hold for ransom. Comedian turned dramatic actor Jim Gaffigan stars in the title role. Local filmmaker Derrick Borte (London Town, The Joneses) shot this film noire on the gritty streets of Norfolk. (R, 92 mins)

Filmmaker Derrick Borte will be in attendance Saturday night to introduce the film.

Advance tickets can be purchased here – https://bpt.me/4330197

“Intimate and unsettling. Superbly played.” – Sheri Linden – Hollywood Reporter

“American Dreamer is a stunner. The acting, especially the interplay between Gaffigan and Jones, is beautifully nuanced and imbued with a verisimilitude seldom found in an indie film. The spare score by Bryan Senti is beautifully wrought and ratchets up the tension to a fever pitch. And director Borte’s impressive command of the narrative, with its multiple twists and turns, pins the viewer to their seat until the final claustrophobic conclusion. Smart indie films like this don’t come around too often. See it however/wherever you can – 9 out of 10 stars” – Joshua Speiser – Film Threat

Fully immerses audiences in the life of the last great artist of the Italian Renaissance. With the enchanting narrative voice of Helena Bonham Carter, cinema audiences visit places that evoke and preserve the memory of the painter, including the State Archives, the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, the Church of San Rocco, and more, all in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Tintoretto’s birth. Narrated by Helens Bonham Carter and directed by Giuseppe Domingo Romano.(96mins)

Tuesday, September 24th, at 7:15pm

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, VA, Fiddlin’ is the first documentary permitted to record this family festival of Old Time and Bluegrass musical traditions. Fiddlers and pickers of all ages travel from far and wide to attend this legendary music event. Sister filmmakers, Julie Simone and Vicki Vlasic return to their Appalachian roots to film at the world’s oldest Fiddler’s Convention. (96 mins)

Introduction: Barry Graham is the host and producer of WHRV radio shows ‘Pickin’ and ‘Acoustic Highway’.

Wednesday, September 25th, at 7:15pm
Presented with Chrysler Museum

The Naro joins art theaters around the country for the premiere of Anthropocene in recognition of the U.N. Climate Action Summit. The acclaimed filmmaking team behind Manufactured Landscapes (2006) and Watermark (2013) along with art photographer Edward Burtynsky (his photo exhibition Water was showcased in 2016 at Chrysler Museum) have travelled the globe to document the lasting impact industrial technology has made on reshaping the earth’s landscape. It’s a stunning sensory experience and cinematic meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet. Narrated by Alicia Vikander. (87 mins)

Introduction by Seth Feman, curator of Photography at Chrysler Museum.

Post-film discussion:
Eileen Woll is the Offshore Energy Program Director of Virginia chapter Sierra Club.
Catherine Kilduff is a staff attorney for The Center for Biodiversity

“Masterfully detailed, captivating you visually with a subtle yet haunting musical layer to tell a difficult yet necessary story.” – Pamela Powell, Reel Honest Reviews

“Astonishment. Pure, lurid, ravishing, genuine astonishment. That is ‘Anthropocene: The Human Epoch.'” – Luke Hicks, Nonfics

Read Tench Phillips’ latest News & Views column ‘Burning Down the House’