Director Robert Eggers's previous films - THE WITCH (2015) and THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019) "were claustrophobic, visionary works that blurred the boundary between the imagined and the real." (The New Yorker) His new film THE NORTHMAN is an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder. With an all-star cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and singer Björk's first cinematic role in 17 years. Melodrama, murder, mayhem and witchcraft abound.

     Buster Keaton counted THE GENERAL among his favorite films and it has since been hailed a masterpiece. After making three features of a more modest scope, THE GENERAL (1926) marked his return to filmmaking on an ambitious scale. Built around a majestic prop that becomes a character in its own right - a locomotive steam engine - it is filled with intimate moments. It is a grand achievement.

     In recognition of Earth Day, we're presenting a free community screening of NEWTOK this Sunday at 12:45 in the Rosebud. Free admission comes with a free small popcorn for all ticket holders. Tickets available beginning this Friday at 3:30 at the box office and online.

     Water will erase Newtok, Alaska. Built on a delta at the edge of the Bering Sea, the tiny Yup'ik village has been dealing with melting permafrost, river erosion and decaying infrastructure for decades. To keep their community intact, residents must relocate their entire village. They will become some of America's first climate change refugees.

     New titles coming to the Rose Theatre Film Library next week: DARK HORSE, "It's a galloping victory." POLLACK, starring Ed Harris and Marcia Gay Harden. TIM'S VERMEER, "Astonishing." WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA, "Eloquent and heartfelt."

Cinematically yours,
Rocky