Directed by Academy Award® nominee Paul Schrader* based on his original screenplay, Master Gardener follows Narvel Roth (award-winner Joel Edgerton), the meticulous horticulturist of Gracewood Gardens. He is as much devoted to tending the grounds of this beautiful and historic estate, to pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager Mrs. Haverhill (three-time Academy Award® nominee Sigourney Weaver). When Mrs. Haverhill demands that he take on her wayward and troubled great-niece Maya (Quintessa Swindell) as a new apprentice, chaos enters Narvel’s spartan existence, unlocking dark secrets from a buried violent past that threatens them all. (R, 1h 47m)

* Paul Schrader first became widely know for writing the screenplay of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. He later continued his collaboration with Scorsese, writing or co-writing Raging Bull and The Last Temptation of Christ. He also directed a number his own films, notably First Reformed, The Card Counter, and Cat People.

“It shouldn’t work and, even after seeing it twice, I don’t think that it entirely does, which only makes it more fascinating and strengthens its power.” – Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“Though Master Gardener may not be as effective as either The Card Counter or First Reformed… it burnishes [Paul Schrader’s] reputation as a great American portraitist.” – Kyle Smith, Wall Street Journal

“What Schrader has crafted with Master Gardener is a fable of redemption.” – JoshKupecki, Austin Chronicle

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Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a popular writer, and her husband Don (Tobias Menzies), a well-liked teacher, share the kind of relationship that truly, seriously, for the love of God cannot be real: that is, they’re actually in love. Even after decades of marriage, parenting, and their own successful careers, their physical spark has somehow not diminished; in fact, they seem to relish the opportunity to share a single ice cream cone and drive others — including their son, Charlie — mad. Should it come as a surprise then that his own marriage is in crisis? But when Beth discovers that Don has been untruthful to her about his opinion of her work for years — Beth’s world comes crashing down. Has their whole relationship been one Big Fat Lie? Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener.

“…offers sharp observations on marriage, professional success, and insecurities that sometimes become self-fulfilling prophecies, doing so with both an earnest (sometimes laugh out loud) sense of humor and a keenly observant eye.” – Tomris Laffly, AV Club

“It’s both smart and entertaining.” – Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

96% RT Critics Consensus: “Smart, funny, and above all entertaining, You Hurt My Feelings finds writer-director Nicole Holofcener as sharply perceptive as ever.”

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Wednesday, May 31st at 7:15 pm!
ADDED: Saturday, June 3rd at 1pm and Sunday, June 4th at 12noon
Presented with the Chrysler Museum

In the spring of 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam opened its doors to the largest Vermeer exhibition in history. The show sold out within days of going on sale. This film offers you the chance to experience the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition on the big screen…With loans from across the world, this major retrospective will bring together Vermeer’s most famous masterpieces including Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Geographer, The Milkmaid, The Little Street, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, and Woman Holding a Balance. In all, 28 of his surviving 35 works.

This Exhibition on Screen film invites audiences to a privileged view of the exhibition, accompanied by the director of the Rijksmuseum and the curators of the show. A truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Just who was this master of paint, living in Delft in the Netherlands between 1632 and 1675? The answer lies in the paintings and never before has there been a film that shows them in this much detail and with this much context.  (90m)

“There will never be another Vermeer show as great as this one” – Washington Post

“This is more than an exhibition. It’s a miracle.” – The Guardian

Introduction* by Lloyd DeWitt, Chief Curator of Chrysler Museum
(*Wednesday screening 5/31 only)
Presented with

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Thursday, June 8th at 8:00 pm!
Free Admission c/o Old Dominion University Libraries

An auspicious debut for writer-director Cheryl Dunye, The Watermelon Woman tells a fresh story in wittily irreverent style. An aspiring black lesbian filmmaker researches an obscure 1940s black actress billed as the Watermelon Woman. (1996, unrated, 1h 21m)  Pre-show starts at 7:30 pm with screening at 8 pm!

“The Watermelon Woman is quite smart, remarkably sophisticated filmmaking for a first-time director.” – Achy Obejas, Chicago Tribune

“A sweet, sassy mockumentary.” – Jay Carr, Boston Globe

NARO MINDED – A regular series of free public screenings of cult favorites and new releases to share updates on Old Dominion University Libraries’ ongoing project to re-open Naro Expanded Video.

Flashback Friday, June 9th at 9:15 pm!
The Princess Bride?! Back at Naro?! Inconceivable! 

Directed by Rob Reiner, this fairy tale adventure sees Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) separated from her one true love Westley (Cary Elwes) and forced to marry the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, the film is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh. It is considered a cult classic and “eminently quotable” for its wealth of memorable one-liners. (PG, 98 mins) ALL TICKETS $11. (Naro ticket books are also valid for admission.)

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Flashback Friday, June 16th at 9:15pm

Ten years after their high school graduation, Romy (Mira Sorvino) and Michele (Lisa Kudrow) haven’t exactly accomplished everything that they set out to do. Despite their strong friendship, their personal and professional lives are still lacking. When they hear of their upcoming high school reunion, they take it as an opportunity to show their classmates how much they’ve changed — first by trying to reform themselves, then by creating a lie that eventually spins out of control. (1997, R, 1h 31m) All tickets $11. (Naro ticket books are valid for this film.)

“Cheerful, giddy fun” – Janet Maslin, New York Times

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The Naro is pleased to present a series of classic films for a new generation children (and the young-at-heart) this summer on Saturdays at 11:00 am starting on June 17th and on Wednesdays at 1 pm starting June 21st, and winding up on Labor Day weekend Saturday (9/2), Sunday (9/3) and Monday, (9/4) at 11:00 am. Enjoy these iconic originals as they were meant to be seen on the big screen. A perfect summer outing for the kids in your life and a delightful revisiting of old movie friends for folks of a certain age. All tickets are just $6! Naro ticket books are also accepted!

Film listings and ticket purchase here!

June 16th –  June 22nd!

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away…the Naro showed the original Star Wars trilogy. Return with us again to view as the saga returns to our giant hi-def screen in full Dolby SurroundSound!

That’s right! Star Wars week at the Naro! Transport yourself to fantastical other worlds through the magic of the giant screen and digital surround sound.  Bring along your kids and grandkids for an immersive experience that needs to be shared with a new generation of sky walkers! If they’ve only experienced Star Wars on their smart phones, tablets or living room TVs, they will be in for a mind-blowing treat  they will long remember!

It all starts on Friday, June 16 with the initial screening of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE at 6:00. If you can’t make it on the weekend don’t fret- we’ll be showing them the rest of the week too!  SEE CALENDAR FOR SHOWTIMES & TICKET PURCHASE LINKS.

Friday, July 28th at 11:30 pm!

Rocky Horror is back at the Naro with an all new live cast made up of former Naro cast members and some brand new faces making their debut on the Naro stage! The cast: “Creatures of the Naro” is bringing all the fun you’d expect from a live Rocky Horror shadow cast and more! The movie and live show are both rated R, not recommended for those under 18. The comedy/horror/musical turned cult classic stars Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. (R, 91m)  

All seats $14 | No ticket books, no senior discount, no refunds!
MORE INFO & ONLINE TICKET PURCHASE  (All recent Rocky shows have sold out, so…)