Cars force couples together in romantic comedies like “It Happened One Night.” They put relationships through the wringer in movies like “Two for the Road” or “Little Miss Sunshine.” They create tense cat-and-mouse games in movies like “Duel,” “Joy Ride,” or “Death Proof,” box their protagonists in with a killer like in “Detour” and “Collateral,” or trap the audience themselves inside the car in films like “Locke” or “Jafar Panahi’s Taxi.”
Often they become extensions of their character’s psyche—lending aloof loners in movies like “Taxi Driver,” “The Driver,” and “Drive” a sense of control and separation from the world around them. They give men (and it’s almost always men) a chance to prove themselves through mechanical acuity and driving ability, pushing cars as far as they will go in racing dramas like “Le Mans,” “Grand Prix,” “Rush,” and “Ford vs. Ferrari.”
This tradition of getting behind the wheel to prove something continues at The Triplex this week with “F1,” director Joseph Kosinski’s (“Top Gun: Maverick”) white knuckle drama set inside the world of elite racing. The film centers around Brad Pitt’s Sonny Rhodes, a driver who gets a late-in-life second chance after an injury derailed his career. Kosinski puts a focus on the physical and emotional impact of driving at this level, allowing us to feel the visceral toll Sonny’s journey to redemption takes on his mind and body.
And that is what these movies are all about—the journey. When these characters put their feet back on the ground, they are in a new place in their lives, physically and spiritually. These movies are reminders that if there is an emotional confrontation or realization that you have been putting off, you might want to think twice about going for a long car ride. Otherwise… buckle up.
Now Playing
“Jurassic World Rebirth”
Starts Wednesday.
Gear up for director Gareth Edwards’ (“Rogue One,” “Godzilla”) new take on the iconic franchise that sees a group of scientists and mercenaries (including Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and “Wicked’s” Jonathan Bailey) venture into the dinosaur hot zone to extract the genetic material needed to make a life altering drug.
“Elio”
An intergalactic adventure from Pixar. Ends Thursday!
From the studio that brought you “Wall-E” and “Lightyear” comes “Elio,” an out-of-this-world adventure for anyone who has ever searched for a place to fit in. When Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession, is beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, he is all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.
“How to Train Your Dragon”
A high flying adaptation of the animated classic. Ends Tuesday!
The live action adaptation of the beloved animated franchise follows young viking Hiccup as he defies centuries of tradition by befriending Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Along with their friends, Hiccup and Toothless confront a world of fear and misunderstanding while taking on an ancient threat that endangers humans and dragons alike.
“The Phoenician Scheme”
A madcap caper from Wes Anderson. Ends Tuesday.
Packed to the brim with an ensemble led by Benecio Del Toro and featuring Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Willem Dafoe, Riz Ahmed, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and many more, Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” follows Del Toro’s businessman Zsa-Zsa Korda as he appoints his only daughter, a nun (Threapleton), as sole heir to his estate, making them the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
Coming Soon
“Materialists”
Starts July 4th.
Celine Strong’s “Materialists,” a swoon-worthy deconstruction of the traditional rom-com starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, comes to The Triplex next week! When matchmaker Lucy (Johnson) declares that she’ll only marry a rich man, her resolve is put to the test when she meets financier Harry (Pascal) on the same night she reconnects with her decidedly imperfect ex-boyfriend John (Evans).
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
July 4th at sundown in Great Barrington Town Hall Park.
We are teaming up with Berkshire Busk and Boondocks Film Society to take our 1975 at 50 series outside! Join us at sundown on Friday, July 4th as we screen the comedy classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” on the lawn at Great Barrington Town Hall Park. Bring a picnic and sit under the stars as we trek along with the Pythons for a surreal medieval quest featuring fierce knights, puzzling bridgekeepers, and the most ferocious rabbit you will ever encounter.
“Superman”
Starts July 11th.
Eyes up here! Director James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) brings his kinetic love of comics to one of the most iconic figures in American pop culture with “Superman,” coming to The Triplex on July 11th! A new take on the story of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and the citizens of Metropolis sees Kal-El (David Cornsweat) trying to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage while dealing with the mounting pressures of being the protector of Earth.
