Theater rehashes new, old cinema favorites

By Gary Schaefer

They say movies always are better on the big screen, so one local theater is bringing back some classics.

Market Square Cinema, also known as GKC Theaters at 2160 Sycamore Road, is sponsoring a rerun film series.

From Friday until April 27, the theater will highlight a classic film from the last 20 years each weekend. To kick off this event, GKC will hold a free showing of “The Goonies” at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All subsequent films will show at 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for $3.

Here’s a look at the films revisiting their big-screen roots over the next few weeks.

“The Goonies” – Friday and Saturday

Chunk on the big screen delivering big laughs is a sweet treat if ever there was one. Some of us may be too young to remember seeing “The Goonies” in a theater, so it’s a nice opportunity to put a great film experience in the memory tank. The free admission means there’s no reason for reprinting “fiftay dahla bels” and feel free to break out the truffle shuffle for your concessions.

“The Usual Suspects” – March 15 and 16

This is a word-of-mouth film that gained popularity and revenue once it hit VHS. Many people missed the boat when it was in theaters, so now is the chance to make amends before Keyser Soze comes and gets you. This film set the pace for the final plot twist in films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Primal Fear” and also put actor Kevin Spacey on the map.

“Requiem for a Dream” – March 22 and 23

The feeling this film induces is equivalent to a sucker punch to the back of the head. The film is the drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island individuals who lose control when their addictions become stronger than their wills. The film has a lot of intense sequences and is candy for the eyes being on the big screen. It will leave the audience’s hearts beating a mile a minute.

“Ghostbusters” – March 29 and 30

“I ain’t afraid of no ghosts.” The Stay Puft marshmallow man stomps his way across the screen. It’s like getting floor seats – to a bull fight. Here is your chance to relive the slime craze from the ’80s and catch Bill Murray at his funniest.

“The Princess Bride” – April 5 and 6

It seems inconceivable to bring back this film, but it’s been out to sea too long. It’s great love story set in the time of pirates, castles, thieves and princesses who go by the name Humperdink. A terrific Rob Reiner film that leaves audiences asking, “Does anybody want a peanut?”

“Being John Malkovich” – April 12 and 13

This visual achievement from Spike Jonze was released in 1999. It’s a zany mind-trip into the life of a motion picture star. John Cusack plays a puppeteer that discovers a portal into Malkovich’s mind. Character after character jumps into Malkovich’s mind, even himself. What would you do if you could be someone else?

“Beetlejuice” – April 19 and 20

Bizzare is a good adjective to describe Beetlejuice, but hilarious will do just as well. Who knew that Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton could do slapstick? Beetlejuice is a meddling ghost who helps a down and out ghost couple. The couple is failing to scare a family that has occupied their home.

“Memento” – April 26 and 27

This indie hit by Christopher Nolan has resurfaced after its 2000 release. Market Square Cinemas thought you might’ve forgotten about the man with short-term memory loss. Guy Pearce, since featured in “The Time Machine” and “The Count Of Monte Cristo,” is on the hunt for his wife’s murderer. But finding the right man is more complicated than at first glance.