In the West End of 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theater underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril. (PG-13, 98m)

Opens Friday, September 23rd!

Alice and Jack are lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project and their families. The 1950’s societal optimism espoused by their CEO, Frank–equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach–anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia. While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives–including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley–get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause. But when cracks in her idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade, Alice can’t help questioning exactly what they’re doing in Victory, and why. Just how much is Alice willing to lose to expose what’s really going on in this paradise? (R, 122m)

Opens Friday, September 16th!

A cinematic odyssey exploring Bowie’s creative, spiritual and musical journey. From the visionary mind of Brett Morgen, Moonage Daydream features captivating, never-before-seen footage and performances spanning David Bowie’s 54-year career. The film includes 40 exclusively remastered Bowie songs and is the first film ever sanctioned by the Bowie Estate, with local access to the artists’ archives. (PG-13, 2h 14m)

“At every turn, Morgen’s film is a bombastic, overstimulating, poignant, life-affirming and risk-taking summation of the artist’s ethos and maturation as a person. In short, Moonage Daydream is the film Bowie would’ve proudly made.” – Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

“An 140-minute shapeshifting epiphany-slash-freakout leading to the revelation that, yes, we’re lovers of David Bowie and that is that.” – Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

Opens Friday, August 19th!

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose”. Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it. (PG-13, 2h 11m)

“An eye-popping blockbuster that, for all its daft macho contrivances, still manages to take your breath away, dammit.” – Mark Kermode, Observer

“Even as you see all the plot twists coming, Tom Cruise’s charms and the spectacular aerial action still take your breath away.” – Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

96% RT Critics’ Consensus | 99% Audience Score

When 30-year-old self-proclaimed homebody Mack Martin (Elizabeth Lail) reluctantly joins a Palm Springs bachelorette trip for her best friend Carla (Taylour Paige), her inner 70-year-old is released — literally. The frustrated writer and influencer magically transforms into her future self: “Aunt Rita” (Oscar®-winner Diane Keaton). Freed from the constraints of other people’s expectations, Rita comes into her own, becoming an unlikely social media sensation and sparks a tentative romance with Mack’s adorable dog-sitter, Jack (Dustin Milligan). A sparkling comedy with a magical twist, Mack & Rita celebrates being true to yourself… (2022, PG-13, 1h 35m)

“Lessons will be learned, and there is plenty of slapstick. Although no relation to Buster, this Keaton has grown increasingly game for all manner of pratfall.” – Lisa Kennedy, NY Times

“An odd, sweet and, at times, maybe even deranged film, full of charismatic performances and an earnest message about being yourself.” – Fran Hoepfner, The Wrap

“At times disarming, at others plain silly, it takes a few daring leaps without quite avoiding middle-of-the-road sitcom territory.” – Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter

Opens Friday, August 26th!

Dr. Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton) is an academic — content with life and a creature of reason. While in Istanbul attending a conference, she happens to encounter a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. This presents two problems. First, she doubts that he is real and second, because she is a scholar of story and mythology, she knows all the cautionary tales of wishes gone wrong. The Djinn pleads his case by telling her fantastical stories of his past. Eventually she is beguiled and makes a wish that surprises them both. (2022, R, 1h 48m)

“Great pleasure ensues from the constant presence of both Elba and Swinton, who are alert to every possibility presented by the script and then add so much more to it in the bargain; both performances are nothing short of marvelous.” – Todd McCarthy, Deadline Hollywood Daily

“It’s a film that passionately believes in the power of storytelling and its ability to make sense of the world — but it’s also about the value of accepting love.” – Iana Murray, London Evening Standard

“A visual dazzler that wears its fantasy elements lightly and with playful humour.” – Raphael Abraham, Financial Times

Friday, August 19th at 9:15pm!

Greetings meat popsicles, get your multi-pass ready and join us for Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element on Friday August 19th. We’ll have the usual refreshments available, with sales benefiting The Muse Writers Center. Friendly reminder alcohol sales are CASH only! As always, we’ll have trivia prizes and posters will be for sale from our pal Chris Kozak.
Tickets are available for PRESALE – call us at (757)625-6276
Doors at 8:30, movie at 9:15.

FILM NOTES:  In the 23rd century, a New York City cabbie, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), finds the fate of the world in his hands when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) falls into his cab. As the embodiment of the fifth element, Leeloo needs to combine with the other four to keep the approaching Great Evil from destroying the world. Together with Father Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm) and zany broadcaster Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker), Dallas must race against time and the wicked industrialist Zorg (Gary Oldman) to save humanity. (1997, PG-13, 2h 7m)

“One of the great goofy movies — a film so preposterous I wasn’t surprised to discover it was written by a teenage boy.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Wednesday, August 24th at 7:15pm
Join us for a special one night only screening of Fire of Love followed by a prerecorded Q&A with director Sara Dosa.

The story of two French lovers, Katia and Maurice Krafft, who died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of our planet, while simultaneously capturing the most explosive volcano imagery ever recorded. Along the way, they changed our understanding of the natural world, and saved tens of thousands of lives. Previously unseen hours of pristine 16-millimeter film and thousands of photographs reveal the birth of modern volcanology through an unlikely lens — the love of its two pioneers. (PG-13, 93m)

“The result is more than a mere nature documentary. It is one of the most moving and mesmerizing films of the year, a meditation on the wonders of nature and human curiosity.” – Shirley Li, The Atlantic

“The way Dosa shapes the story, emphasizing the couple’s deep love for each other and their unconventional lives, is what makes Fire of Love…one of the most moving and memorable films of 2022.” – G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

“It is spectacular. You have to see it in a theater to experience the enormity of it” – Christy Lemire, FilmWeek (NPR)

Wednesday, August 31st at 7:15 pm!

Who was Frida Kahlo? Everyone knows her, but who was the woman behind the bright colours, the big brows, and the floral crowns? Take a journey through the life of a true icon, discover her art, and uncover the truth behind her often turbulent life. Delving deeper than any film has done before, engaging with world-renowned Kahlo experts, exploring how great an artist she was, discover the real Frida Kahlo.

Live introduction by Luisa Adelfio, an award-winning local artist who exhibits her work internationally.

Presented with

Mal’s Movies 2022! A series of classic films in July and August hosted by friends of Mal Vincent on Monday evenings. (With repeat screenings on Tuesday afternoons without hosts.) Starts Monday, July 18th!

As you know, Mal Vincent passed away last November at the age of 83. As you also know, Mal was irreplaceable, whether as the Virginian-Pilot’s film critic for more than half a century (his annual Oscar picks were always an event), as a guest on countless local radio broadcasts, or just as a friend sharing one of his latest Hollywood exploits over the phone. It was Mal’s wish that his yearly festival of classic films at the Naro would continue, and so we have assembled a group of local celebrities and cinephiles to step in as hosts for some of Mal’s favorite films from past festivals, as well as for some he had planned to share in the future. No one can fill his shoes, but we’ll do our best to do justice to his memory and to the movies he adored.

You can see the full festival screening calendar with trailers here.

Screenings Tuesday, August 16th & Thursday, August 18th at 8pm!

Indie filmmaking at its grassroots best! Local filmmakers had 2 days to make a 5-7 minute short film. See what the local talent created! In this screening filmmakers compete for Audience Favorite and The Best Of the 48HFP Hampton Roads. The 48HFP is like improv for filmmakers. In early August, they draw their genre, character, line of dialogue and a prop from a hat and then have 2 days to make their film. Screenings are Tues., Aug. 16th, 8:00pm (Group A) & Thur., Aug. 18, 8:00pm (Group B) Tickets to each show are $9, and Naro Ticket Books are valid for admission.

Best Of & Awards Ceremony – Sunday, August 28th at 8pm!

Celebrate local independent filmmakers and view the Best Of short films produced in the 48 Hour Film Project 2022. This event is a combination of the Awards Ceremony and short film viewings as we honor all the filmmakers of the local 48HFP. See who earns the distinction of Audience Favorite, Best Film and so much more! Sunday, Aug. 28th, 8:00pm ($5.00).  

Friday, September 9th at 9:15pm

Oh, Hi, friends! The Room returns to the Naro big screen September 9th! We’ll have our usual libations available, with proceeds benefiting Todd Rosenlieb Dance Center. Monthly reminder that beer & wine sales are CASH ONLY. There will also be plenty of edibles, weenies, and trivia prizes! Our friend Mallory Jarrell will be here selling posters too!

Tickets are available for PRESALE- call (757) 625-6276 to reserve. Doors at 8:30, movie at 9:15

This “electrifying American black comedy about love, passion, betrayal and lies” stars (and was directed, written and produced by) the mysterious Tommy Wiseau, and has been a cult favorite since 2003. “Enter The Room and leave forever changed!”  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)