It is the official kick off to the fall movie season! Here is your #movienerdreport
Now that Labor Day is behind us, we turn to the fall movie season and Wednesday there are several film events around town.
First up is the latest edition of “Lenora’s Midnight Rental” at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights 44106). Lenora shows a secret film from her vast collection and we as the audience laugh at the vintage commercials and movie! Tonight she has a few guests from the film “Buddy!” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
More information and tickets are available here: https://grogshop.gs/tm-event/midnight-rental-presents-secret-movie-night/
The largest budgeted film to ever come out of South Korea “Hope” hits a few of our local screens starting this Wednesday. The film, which is directed by Na Hong-jin, made a big splash when it premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival. It follows the residents of a remote South Korean harbor town as they fight for survival against an unknown, terrifying creature. The film will be opening at the Cleveland Cinematheque, The Nightlight and a few other places. Of note, the Cinematheque will be playing this for five days straight starting Wednesday, which is a little different from their usual schedule.
Also, this Wednesday at The Nightlight (30 N High Street, Akron 44308), they will be bringing back one of the true box office sensations of the year in “Obsession.” The film will be introduced by Cleveland’s own Manny Liotta, who was the behind the scenes photographer for the film. After the screening, you’ll have the opportunity to get a picture with the lead character’s car, which is currently owned by a local car collector!
Tickets and information for this screening are here: https://nightlightcinema.com/movie/obsession?date=2026-09-09#/movie/obsession
Opening widely starting Thursday, the long in the works follow-up to the 1998 original “Practical Magic 2.” The film brings back nearly all the original cast including Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, and it follows the Owens sisters as they must confront a dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all.
Andrew Garfield stars as a leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II in “The Uprising.” The film was directed by Paul Greengrass and this revolt is the story that helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood.
Alan Ritchson (“Reacher”) and Owen Wilson star in the action comedy “Runner.” Which sees unlikely partners thrown into a race against time when a medical delivery they are assigned makes them the targets of a ruthless cartel.
Also opening widely, including our three area IMAX screens is the documentary “Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger.” The film chronicles Liam and Nolan Gallager’s reunion tour, which sparked big ticket sales but also many questions around the two brothers ability to stand each other during the tour.
Also opening at the Cleveland Cinematheque (11610 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland 44106): Saturday at 5 p.m. they will present the documentary “The Traveling Cinema.” It tells the story of a young man from Syria who launches a project titled: Sinema Gerock. The project aims to bring cinema to remote villages that have been long deprived of this artistic experience.
On Sunday at 2:30 p.m. they will show the John Boorman directed 1967 classic “Point Blank.” The film stars Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, and Carroll O’Connor and tells the story of a mysterious hit man who is attempting to retrieve the money that was stolen from him.
Sunday at 4:20 p.m. they will present the documentary “Checkpoint Zoo.” The film documents a team of zookeepers and volunteers who risked their lives to lead a daring rescue of thousands of animals trapped in a zoo behind enemy lines in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There will be a live, virtual Q&A with director Joshua Zeman following the film!
More information and tickets are available at: https://cinematheque.cia.edu/
Also playing at The Nightlight: Thursday evening at 5:45 p.m. they will be showing the new independent film “Facetape,” which is directed by Cleveland native Manny Liotta! The film, which also stars Cleveland native Cody Steele, tells the story of a junkie who decided to come clean after abusing an analogue VR drug called FaceTape only to find his life outside of his addiction is far from stable.
They also will be opening the film “Filipiaña” which tells the story of a teen attracted to a doctor at her country club. The attraction turns dark when she discovers the violence beneath the club’s façade.
Saturday at 3 p.m. they will be showing the documentary “Brailed It,” which looks at blind and low-vision kids that take control of cameras and capture their own experiences at the annual Braille Challenge.
Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday they will present the acclaimed documentary “American Doctor.” It looks at three American doctors – Palestinian, Jewish, Zoroastrian – that enter Gaza to save lives in the middle of a genocide, they find themselves caught between medicine and politics.
Starting on Saturday they will be presenting “Late Fame,” an acclaimed new film from Kent Jones. It stars Willem Dafoe as a legendary poet whose forgotten works captivate an eccentric group of young creatives, reigniting his artistic passion.
Finally, Tuesday evening in honor of the late Dolly Parton, they will be showing the 1989 tearjerker “Steel Magnolias” at the Happy Days Lodge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the film will start at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets and movie info are available at: https://nightlightcinema.com/
Over at the Capitol Theatre (1390 W.65th Street, Cleveland 44102): They will be continuing their series highlighting the works of Ohio native Jim Jarmusch by playing his 1991 anthology “Night On Earth.” The film follows 5 different cab drivers in 5 different American and European cities. Winona Rider, Roberto Benigni and Gena Rowlands star. It will play on Saturday, Sunday and Monday!
Tickets and movie info are available at: https://capitoltheatrecleveland.com/now-showing
Over at Case Western Reserve Film Society (Located at Strosacker Auditorium on the Case Campus): On Friday at 7 p.m., 9:15 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. they will be showing the Academy Award-nominated drama “United 93” which is a real time account of the events on United 93 , one of the planes hijacked on September 11th, 2001.
On Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. they will show “Sonic The Hedgehog” with Jim Carrey and James Marsden.
So there you have it, another jam-packed week! Until next time, we’ll see you at the movies!
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