Fight the power with Spike Lee’s 1989 masterpiece Do the Right Thing, screening as part of our Concrete Dreams series!

Salvatore “Sal” Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin’ Out believes a pizzeria in a Black neighborhood should showcase Black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin’ Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise on the hottest day of the summer.

Often listed as Spike Lee’s best as well as one of the greatest films of all time, Do the Right Thing resonates with a scorching sociopolitical fury that proves ever more relevant thirty years onward.

Concrete Dreams: Black Identity in the Urban Frame is a series that explores the profound relationship between Black Cinema and the cities that shape its narratives. Each film in the series not only tells a compelling story, but also positions the urban environment as a central character—its streets, culture, and communities influencing the lives, struggles, and triumphs of its inhabitants. By highlighting stories that intertwine identity, culture, and place, this series invites audiences to reflect on the dynamic interplay between people and the environments they call home, showcasing how these cities pulse through the heart of Black storytelling.

A24 presents Sing Sing, Greg Kwedar’s 2023 prison drama based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Prison. Now nominated for three Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Song! 

The film centers on John “Divine G” Whitfield (Colman Domingo), an inmate wrongfully convicted, who finds purpose and redemption by participating in a theater group composed of fellow prisoners. As they collaborate to stage an original comedy, “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code,” tensions arise with the introduction of a new member, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin (portraying a version of himself), who challenges the group’s dynamics and Divine G’s leadership. Through the transformative power of art, the men confront their pasts, forge deep bonds, and rediscover their humanity.

Sing Sing features a compelling ensemble cast, including many formerly incarcerated actors, and has been lauded for its authentic portrayal of resilience and the rehabilitative impact of creative expression.

Our second Volunteer of the Month is Alex Alcala, who has chosen Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread as his VOTM pick!

Set in 1950s London, the film follows renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his tightly controlled life dedicated to crafting exquisite couture for high society. Reynolds’ world is upended when he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a headstrong young woman who becomes his muse and lover. As their relationship deepens, a battle of wills emerges, with Alma challenging Reynolds’ rigid ways and asserting her own desires. Their dynamic becomes a haunting and unconventional love story, steeped in power struggles and mutual dependence.

Wind up the tension with The Monkey, a new horror film from Longlegs’ Osgood Perkins!

The film follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, portrayed by Theo James and Bill Skarsgård, who reunite to settle their late father’s estate. Among his belongings, they discover an eerie wind-up monkey toy with cymbals, an artifact tied to a series of tragic deaths from their childhood. As the monkey’s sinister influence resurfaces, the brothers are drawn into a horrifying battle to break its curse before it claims more lives.

Adam Rehmeier’s darkly comedic indie favorite Dinner in America returns just in time for our all-month birthday celebration! And this time, we’re preceding it with Adam’s 2024 film Snack Shack for a double feature for the ages! And stick around after each film for an exclusive Q&A with writer/director Adam Rehmeier, Producer Ross Putnam, and more surprise cast and crew TBA from each film! 

Snack Shack is set in Nebraska City, 1991, as two best friends get the chance to run the swimming pool snack shack. Later on, it becomes to be the perfect scenario for transgression, fun, personal discovery and romance. The perfect Summer movie! 

Dinner In America follows an unlikely pair—Simon (Kyle Gallner), a punk rocker on the run from the law, and Patty (Emily Skeggs), a socially awkward misfit obsessed with his band. Set in the suburbs of Detroit, the film explores their chaotic journey as they bond over their mutual disdain for societal norms. As their connection grows, Simon and Patty embark on a rebellious adventure that confronts their personal insecurities and helps them discover their own voices.

21st Century Cult takes a dark detour with Crimson Peak, Guillermo del Toro’s 2015 gothic romance. 

The film follows Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring writer haunted by the ghostly warning to “Beware of Crimson Peak.” After a whirlwind romance, she marries the enigmatic Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and moves to his decaying ancestral mansion, Allerdale Hall, alongside his mysterious sister, Lady Lucille (Jessica Chastain). As Edith unravels the sinister history of the Sharpe family and the house itself, she discovers dark truths lurking beneath its beautiful, crumbling facade.