September film events in Wichita include retro screenings, 20th Tallgrass Film Festival
As fall begins to kick in, alternative film events ramp up in Wichita for September. Here’s a look ahead:
RETRO MOVIE SEPTEMBER SERIES
Starlite Drive-In, 3900 S. Hydraulic
Showtimes TBA, starlitefun.com/
Sept. 11
“Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” — In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter (Mel Gibson) agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community escape a horde of bandits.
“Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” — After being exiled from the most advanced town in post-apocalyptic Australia, Max travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town’s queen (Tina Turner).
Sept. 18
“Dirty Dancing” — Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey star in this classic about a girl spending the summer at a Catskills resort in the 1960s who falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor.
“Footloose” — Kevin Bacon stars as a city-bred teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace. Let’s hear it for the boy!
Sept. 25
“The Goonies”— Hey you guys! Richard Donner’s 1985 classic follows a group of young misfits who discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure.
“Gremlins” — A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures on a small town. Bright light! Bright light!
ORPHEUM THEATRE
200 N. Broadway
“The Contested Plains” —This docu-drama tells the story of the John and Lydia German family, who on their way to Colorado in 1874 collided with members of a Cheyenne raiding party, many of whom were survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre and the attack at the Washita, with tragic results. The search for the four captive girls grabbed headlines throughout the nation and made household names of Native leaders and military officers. The world premiere will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $25. wichitaorpheum.com/events/the-contested-plains/
“Selena” — This 1997 biographical musical drama follows the life and career of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez before she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar at the age of 23. 7 p.m. Thursday. $8. wichitaorpheum.com/events/selena/
FATHOM EVENTS
Regal Cinemas Warren East and West
“Clerks III” — The convenience store clerks of Kevin Smith’s comedies are aging now, as Randal enlists his friends and fellow clerks following a massive heart attack to make a movie immortalizing his life at the convenience store. “I wasn’t even supposed to be here today!” 7 p.m. Tuesday-Sept. 18. Tickets $13.44. www.fathomevents.com/events/Clerks-III?date=2022-09-13
“Poltergeist” 40th anniversary —“They’re here!” A family in a quiet suburb of California faces a frightening ordeal when its home is invaded by a sinister presence. 4 p.m. Sept. 25, 7 p.m. Sept. 26, 7 p.m. Sept. 28. Presented by TCM Big Screen Classics. Tickets $13.44. www.fathomevents.com/events/Poltergeist-40th-Anniversary-presented-by-TCM?date=2022-09-25
TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL
Various venues in downtown Wichita
The 20th annual festival will include 53 features and 14 short film programs with 195 films, highlighted by the festival’s signature Stubbornly Independent, Female Filmmakers and Gordon Parks competitions. Sept. 28-Oct. 2. Passes and ticket packages vary. Full festival schedule and overview can be found at tallgrassfilm.org/tallgrass-film-festival/.
Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com.
