With the embarrassment of riches being shown on Toronto’s multiple screens dedicated to repertory cinema, we decided it was high time to create a monthly guide for all of our local readers. Highlighting everything from the classic to the bizarre, from the backroom at Eyesore Cinema to the recently reopened Ontario Cinesphere, we’ve included dozens of screenings taking place all over the city. Find out which ones are FREE, which are 35mm prints, and which screenings are accompanied by special guests and other performances, from burlesque dancing and live bands, to the classic monthly shadowcast screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Also be sure to check out some of these ongoing, extensive retrospectives at the TIFF Bell Lightbox:
1999: Movies at the Millennium
The annus mirabilis that brought us such essential films as Eyes Wide Shut, Fight Club, Being John Malkovich, andMagnolia also marked a moment when cinema changed how we saw the world.
This Side of Paradise: The Films of Aki Kaurismäki
The recent release of Le Havre and The Other Side of Hope — the first two films of a planned “Refugee Trilogy” — confirmed that the cinema of the po-faced Finnish master could hardly be more timely, requisite, or exhilarating.
Working Girls: The Films of Dorothy Arzner
The only woman director to successfully transition from silent to sound cinema, the Hollywood pioneer provided glittering showcases for such top female stars as Katharine Hepburn, Clara Bow, Lucille Ball, and Maureen O’Hara.
Feb. 1
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Kung Fu Fridays: Fatal Fists and Crazy Kicks from the Shaw Brothers presents this archival print!
Fatal Attraction (1987) @ The Royal
For those sick of the usual lovey-dovey fare this holiday season, The Royal presents NO VALENTINE’S with THREE trips down not-lovers lane!
The Matrix (1999) @ Cinesphere
Stormy Weather (1943) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Feb. 2
The Matrix (1999) @ Cinesphere
The Buddy Holly Story (1978) @ Revue Cinema
Prior to the film, Jeff Giles (as Buddy Holly) and his trio will perform songs by Holly, Ritchie Valens, and others from the golden age of rock’n’roll.
The Visitor (1979) @ The Royal
Retropath and Laser Blast Society presents The Visitor on its 40th Anniversary!
Love Story (1970) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Badlands (1973) @ 35mm TIFF Bell Lightbox
Feb. 3
The Matrix (1999) @ Cinesphere
Pina (2011) @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Presented by Game Changers: Stories of remarkable individuals and their impact on our world.
Feb. 5
Police Story (1985) 4k @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
The Blue Jean Monster (1991) @ Eyesore Cinema
Feb. 7
McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Expect No Mercy (1995) 35mm @ The Royal
The Laser Blast Film Society is proud to present the film on producer and star Jalal Merhi’s personal 35mm print!
Designing the Movies considers the crucial contributions of below-the-line craft in both popular favorites and forgotten gems from across the decades, genres and eras.
Black Shampoo (1976) @ Eyesore Cinema
Feb. 8
Heavenly Creatures (1994) @ The Royal
Presented by No Future on the 25th Anniversary of Peter Jackson’s dark psychological drama.
Titanic (1997) IMAX 3D @ Cinesphere
Love Story (1970) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Crippled Avengers (1978) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Part of Kung Fu Fridays: Fatal Fists and Crazy Kicks from the Shaw Brothers.
Stop Making Sense (1984) @ Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema
Part of the This Film Should Be Played Loud series. See new, classic and rare concert films on the big screen.
Once (2007) FREE @ Innis Town Hall
Feb. 9
Titanic (1997) IMAX 3D @ Cinesphere
McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Sisters (1973) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Feb. 10
Part of Silent Revue – Toronto’s only year-round dedicated selection of silent films in a theatrical venue with live musical accompaniment.
For those sick of the usual lovey-dovey fare this holiday season, The Royal presents NO VALENTINE’S with THREE trips down not-lovers lane!
Titanic (1997) IMAX 3D @ Cinesphere
Home Feeling: Struggle for a Community (1983) @ U of T Media Commons
Presented by Toronto on Film, screening under-seen Canadian films once a month.
Feb. 11
The Tales of Hoffman (1951) 4K restoration @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Feb. 13
Diva (1981) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Feb. 15
Inception (2010) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Dirty Ho (1979) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Part of Kung Fu Fridays: Fatal Fists and Crazy Kicks from the Shaw Brothers.
In the Realm of the Senses (1976) @ The Royal
From Nagisa Oshima, Eastern Promises dares you to see graphic violence, nudity and real acts of sexual intercourse.
Feb. 16
All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989) @ The Royal
Baby friendly screening (house lights on, and volume not-too-loud).
Iron Giant (1999) @ Cinesphere
Mortal Kombat (1995) @ Revue Cinema
Part of the Dumpster Racoon series, with a special DOUBLE BILL DRAG ACT featuring Ivory Towers!
Howard the Duck (1986) @ The Royal
Presented with a live COMEDY PRE-SHOW featuring Nick Flanagan, Jackie Pirico, Everardo Ramirez and Chris Sandiford.
Inception (2010) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Body of Evidence (1993) @ Eyesore Cinema
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Feb. 17
The Flintsones (1994) @ The Royal
Iron Giant (1999) @ Cinesphere
Legally Blonde (2001) @ Revue Cinema
Presented by Bechdel Tested, tackling topics of women’s representation in various fields.
Silence of the Lambs (1991) @ The Royal
For those sick of the usual lovey-dovey fare this holiday season, The Royal presents NO VALENTINE’S with THREE trips down not-lovers lane!
Inception (2010) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) @ The Royal
With live commentary by Allysin Chaynes
Feb. 18
Iron Giant (1999) @ Cinesphere
Inception (2010) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Feb. 19
Black Narcissus (1947) @ The Royal
Presented by Ladies of Burlesque, featuring a burlesque performance by Sam Antic.
Feb. 20
Black Orpheus (1959) @ The Royal
Presented by Ladies of Burlesque, featuring a burlesque performance by Sam Antic.
Feb. 21
Demons 2 (1986) @ Revue Cinema
Part of Revue’s Food in Film series, you can have your cake, and watch Demons 2!
Miami Vice (2006) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Wicked City (1987) @ Eyesore Cinema
This Neon Dreams Cinema Club screening will be preceded by an introduction from the The Japan Foundation 国際交流基金 to discuss the life and career of the films subject Yukio Mishima and production designer Eiko Ishioka. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Canada Council For Refugees.
Feb. 22
Mr. Sardonicus (1961) @ The Royal
Retropath! presents Mr. Sardonicus with Punishment Poll cards, decide the fate of Mr Sardonicus mid-movie!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Hausu (1977) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Feb. 23
Judgement Night (1993) @ Revue Cinema
Presented by Drunken Cinema, providing an interactive drinking game twist to enhance the viewing experience.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Nighthawks (1981) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
The Princess Bride (1987) @ The Revue
Hosted and curated by local favourite and writer Crystal-Rose Madore, Throwback Cinema showcases the best of family and kid-friendly cinema from the 1970s-1990s, from blockbusters to cult classics.
Feb. 24
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) IMAX @ Cinesphere
Feb. 25
Superbad (2007) FREE @ The Royal
Feb. 27
All That Jazz (1979) @ The Royal
40th Anniversary!
Feb. 28
He Got Game (1998) 35mm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
The Sentinal (1977) @ The Royal
