Our 80s Sword and Sorcery series winds down with The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s groundbreaking fantasy epic!
Set in the mystical world of Thra, the story follows Jen (voiced by Stephen Garlick), the last of the peaceful Gelfling race, who embarks on a quest to heal the titular Dark Crystal, a powerful artifact corrupted by the malevolent Skeksis. Guided by ancient prophecies, Jen must locate the missing shard of the Crystal and reunite it before a great conjunction of Thra’s three suns, which would grant the Skeksis eternal dominion. Along the way, Jen is joined by Kira (voiced by Lisa Maxwell), another surviving Gelfling, and her animal companion Fizzgig, as they face trials of courage and self-discovery.
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Our 80s Sword and Sorcery series continues with Krull, Peter Yates’ 1983 science fantasy favorite!
Set in a magical world under siege by an evil alien overlord known as the Beast, the film follows Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall). Embarking on a daring quest after his bride, Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony) is kidnapped by the Beast’s forces, Colwyn journeys to the villain’s fortress to rescue her. Armed with the legendary weapon called the Glaive, a mystical, star-shaped blade, the prince gathers an eclectic band of companions, including a wise seer, a comical thief (Alun Armstrong), and a skilled cyclops warrior (Bernard Bresslaw). Together, they traverse breathtaking landscapes, confront deadly traps, and battle monstrous creatures in their journey to defeat the Beast and restore peace to the planet.
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Up next in our 80s Sword and Sorcery series is Matthew Robbins’ 1981 dark fantasy Dragonslayer!
The story follows Galen (Peter MacNicol), a young sorcerer’s apprentice, who is thrust into a perilous quest when a desperate village seeks help to vanquish a monstrous dragon named Vermithrax Pejorative. With his master Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) unable to lead, Galen must summon his courage and skills to confront the fearsome creature, which has long terrorized the kingdom under a grim pact of human sacrifice. Alongside the brave and determined Princess Elspeth (Caitlin Clarke), Galen grapples with the limits of his power and the weight of his destiny.
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Our 80s Sword and Sorcery series opens with Excalibur, John Boorman’s 1981 Arthurian retelling.
The film follows the rise and fall of King Arthur (Nigel Terry), beginning with the forging of the enchanted sword Excalibur and its role in uniting a fractured England. Guided by the enigmatic wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson), Arthur ascends to the throne and creates the legendary Round Table, fostering ideals of chivalry and justice. However, internal strife, the forbidden love between Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) and Queen Guinevere (Cherie Lunghi), and the malevolent sorcery of Morgana (Helen Mirren) threaten to destroy Camelot from within.
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Robert Eggers’ chilling new vision of Nosferatu is making its way to The Frida Cinema! A breathtaking reimagining of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 masterpiece, the film stars an incredible cast comprised of Bill Skarsgard, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Frida favorite Willem Dafoe.
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
Join us on January 2nd for the opening night party, where we will have themed drinks and photo opportunities! And as always, we encourage your best cosplay!
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Joe Dante’s Christmas time creature feature comedy Gremlins is one of our very favorite holiday films, so let’s play it again!
The story begins when Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) receives a mysterious, adorable creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift from his father. With strict care instructions—no bright light, no water, and no feeding after midnight—Billy struggles to follow the rules, inadvertently unleashing a horde of mischievous, destructive gremlins on his quiet town. As the creatures wreak havoc, Billy and his girlfriend Kate (Phoebe Cates) race to stop the chaos and save their community.
Gremlins remains a beloved cult classic that redefined holiday-themed films and practically invented the need for the PG-13 rating. It’s funny, scary, and filled with holiday cheer all at the same time.
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Bewitch yourself with Bell, Book and Candle, Robert Quine’s 1958 romantic comedy
Kim Novak stars as Gillian Holroyd, a glamorous and independent witch who becomes smitten with her handsome upstairs neighbor, Shep Henderson (James Stewart). Using her magical powers, Gillian casts a love spell on Shep, only to face unexpected complications when genuine feelings emerge, threatening her supernatural abilities. Featuring a stellar supporting cast, including Jack Lemmon as Gillian’s mischievous brother and Elsa Lanchester as her eccentric aunt, the film dazzles with its whimsical atmosphere, witty dialogue, and enchanting performances.
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See It On 16mm returns for the holiday season to unspool It’s a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra’s timeless Christmas classic!
The film follows George Bailey, played by James Stewart, a selfless man from the small town of Bedford Falls who sacrifices his personal dreams to support his family and community. When a financial crisis pushes him to the brink of despair, George contemplates ending his life, believing he has failed everyone. Enter Clarence, a bumbling yet endearing guardian angel, who shows George an alternate reality where he never existed, revealing how deeply he has touched the lives of others.
It’s a Wonderful Life has become a beloved holiday classic that has somehow far surpassed sterling reputation. It now stands as an enduring symbol of optimism and humanity annually for those of us looking for a little bit of Christmas melancholy.
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You’re invited to a special screening of the original 1982 classic Conan The Barbarian starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, with actress Sandahl Bergman, who plays Valeria, in attendance! There will be a post-screening discussion and Q&A with Sandahl Bergman. Rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.
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Celebrate 50 years of John Boorman’s Zardoz, the 1974 dystopian sci-fi cult classic!
The story follows Zed, played by Sean Connery, a Brutal who becomes disillusioned with his life of servitude under the rule of a giant floating stone head called Zardoz, which orders the Brutals to kill each other while promising salvation. Zed stows away inside the head and uncovers the truth behind Zardoz and the Eternals’ hedonistic yet sterile existence. As he infiltrates their society, he becomes a catalyst for the collapse of their seemingly perfect, but ultimately flawed, world.
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