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 our calendar for showtimes.

Star Wars: A New Hope

The Imperial Forces — under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) — hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy. (PG, 121m)

“The greatest kids’ picture for adults since The Wizard of Oz” – Tom Shales, NPR

(This is the original Star Wars epic released in 1977.  It was later designated as episode 4 with the phrase “New Hope” to fit George Lucas’ storyline as he expanded the franchise with multiple prequels and sequels.  But this is the ground-breaking production that must be seen on the big screen!)

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See trailer

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

The adventure continues in this “Star Wars” sequel. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master’s help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse). (PG, 125m)

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See trailer

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) battles horrible Jabba the Hut and cruel Darth Vader to save his comrades in the Rebel Alliance and triumph over the Galactic Empire. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) reaffirm their love and team with Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), the Ewoks and the androids C-3PO and R2-D2 to aid in the disruption of the Dark Side and the defeat of the evil emperor. (PG, 133m)

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See trailer

Friday, June 23rd at 11:30 pm!
A Naro Night Owls Presentation!

Come join us for a look at this cult-classic Japanese experimental comedy horror film directed by the late and legendary writer and director Nobuhiko Obayashi. The film is about a schoolgirl traveling with her six friends to her ailing aunt’s country home, where they come face to face with supernatural events as the girls are, one by one, devoured by the home. It stars mostly amateur actors, with only Kimiko Ikegami and Yōko Minamida having any notable previous acting experience. The musical score was performed by the rock band Godiego. (1977, 1h 27m)

“Delirious, deranged, gonzo or just gone, baby, gone — no single adjective or even a pileup does justice to House.” –  Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“Movies as original as this one don’t come along very often, so grab it while you can.” – V/A Musetto, New York Post

“That House was made at all is a minor miracle. That it has returned, to critical acclaim and a new generation of fans, is a major miracle. Truly, this is some kind of wonderful.” – Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

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The true-life story of Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel)  and Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton), the two men that charted the course of the spectacular rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone. With intelligence as sharp as its humor, BlackBerry takes a terrifically entertaining look at the rise and fall of a generation-defining gadget. (R, 1h 59m)

“This is one of those whip-smart, character- and story-driven gems that grabs you from the start and never lets go.” – Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

“BlackBerry is one of the best business biopics I’ve seen, because it’s fueled by that skepticism; it’s a roller coaster that viewers can enjoy riding all the way up, but it’s not afraid to question its own climax the whole way down.” – David Sims, The Atlantic

98% RT Critics Consensus!

Set over the course of one night in a single hotel room, Sanctuary tells the story of a dominatrix (Margaret Qualley) and Hal (Christopher Abbott), her wealthy client. About to inherit his late father’s position and fortune, Hal tries to end their relationship, but when his attempt to cut ties backfires, disaster ensues. (R, 1h 36m)

“If you’re someone who regularly bemoans the dearth of movies for adults, then take heart:  Sanctuary  is here for you.” – Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

“The film has the confidence and generosity to allow the audience to ask its own questions before it makes its first (of many) giddily upending reveals.” – Amy Nicholson

94% RT Critics Consensus!

Opens Friday, June 23rd!

New from director Wes Anderson, Asteroid City is the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events. A star-studded cast including: Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Jeffrey Wright, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Steve Carell, & Jeff Goldblum.

Coming Summer 2023

Written, co-produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan, and based on the 2005 book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist credited with being the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the Manhattan Project—the World War II undertaking that developed the first nuclear weapons, with a supporting ensemble cast that includes Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh.

A wildlife volunteer on an uninhabited island off the British coast descends into a terrifying madness that challenges her grip on reality and pushes her into a living nightmare. Evoking the feeling of discovering a reel of never-before-seen celluloid unspooling in a haunted movie palace, this provocative and masterful vision of horror asserts Mark Jenkin as one of the U.K.’s most exciting and singular filmmakers. (1h 31m)

“Are its cultish mysteries for everyone? Undoubtedly not. But if there’s a place in your heart for dark, folky mind-benders that plug into the cosmic energy of remote, oceanic terrain, you should take a trip across Jenkin’s freaky landscape asap.” Philip De Semlyen, Time Out

“I’ve seen the film three times so far, and I can’t wait to dive into it and be swept away again. Bravo!” – Mark Kermode, Observer (UK)

A crew of young environmental activists execute a daring mission to sabotage an oil pipeline, in Daniel Goldhaber’s taut and timely thriller that is part high-stakes heist, part radical exploration of the climate crisis. Based on the controversial book by Andreas Malm. (1h 39m)

“Few films feel as excitingly jacked in to our current social climate as Daniel Goldhaber’s How to Blow Up a Pipeline.” – Mark Hanson, Slant Magazine

“The genius of the adaptation is that it transposes these radical ideas into the entertainment of a heist movie and the pathos of a character study. It does both these things really, really well.” – Drew Gregory, Autostraddle

A documentary about the remarkable fifty-year relationship between two literary legends, writer Robert Caro and his longtime editor Robert Gottlieb. Now 86, Caro is working to complete the final volume of his masterwork, The Years of Lyndon Johnson; Gottlieb, 90, waits to edit it. The task of finishing their life’s work looms before them. The film is an intimate look into artistry, mortality, antagonism, and the transformative power of creative collaboration. (PG-13, 1h 52m)

“A great profile, filled with wit, affection and detailed stories of how the books came to be.” – Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times

“What a pleasure it is to witness these two gentlemen at work, doing something they love. This documentary is as exhilarating to me as any Hollywood action-adventure yarn. I loved every minute.” – Leonard Maltin

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…)