Jaws. Raiders of the Lost Ark. 2001: A Space Odyssey. Goodfellas. An American Werewolf in London. Pulp Fiction. Imagine if those were just some of the choices for a night at the movies, instead of whatever pap is playing at the local Cineplex these days.
On February 1-7, Cineplex has put together a cross-Canada movie series they are pegging the Great Digital Film Festival, where they are screening classic, digitally remastered films for only six bucks a pop.
“It was an opportunity to bring some of Hollywood’s greatest fan favourites back to the big screen and, in many cases, coming back for the first time in digital format,” says Cineplex director of communications Mike Langdon. “We think our guests are going to love it.”
As well as the aforementioned films, the week-long festival will include The Fifth Element, the Indiana Jones sequels, A Clockwork Orange, Gremlins, Reservoir Dogs, Casino, and The Matrix.
“Our team looked very closely at the movies that were available and they’ve put together a lineup that they think is going to really excite Canadians and bring them into the theatre,” says Langdon.
Two Asian cult hits, Battle Royal and Oldboy (currently being remade in Hollywood by director Spike Lee), will also screen at the festival, as well as the brand new zombie flick Cockneys vs. Zombies, which opens in theatres later this year. “Cockneys hadn’t been widely released in Canada and it fit with the overall theme,” says Langdon. “And with the other two films, they really appeal to a certain segment of our guests and they are in demand.”
Langdon says the festival is a way for movie fans to reconnect with classic movies from their past in the way that they were meant to be seen: digitally, and on the big screen.
“My favourite Indiana Jones movie was always Temple of Doom because I saw it at the theatre with my dad and loved it as kid,” says Langdon, “so I’m excited about the opportunity to get back in the theatre and see it again. And that’s what this festival is all about.”
The Great Digital Film Festival screens in Victoria at Silver City Victoria Cinemas. Go to cineplex.com/events/digitalfilmfest for screening days and times.