The murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele this last weekend was an unspeakable tragedy—made even worse by heartless comments from a public figure who used a time of mourning to further the pain of the grieving.
The only silver lining in this dark cloud of a national moment has been the outpouring of love and admiration for the Reiners from their friends and fans—for their work in film and television, as activists, and as loving human beings. It is a powerful legacy, with Reiner’s run as a director in the 1980s and 1990s standing as its centerpiece.
After breaking out as an actor on “All in the Family,” Reiner moved behind the camera and delivered one of the most remarkable seven-film stretches in American cinema: the mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap”; the teen comedy “The Sure Thing”; the coming-of-age classic “Stand By Me”; the fantasy-romance “The Princess Bride”; the romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally…”; the psychological horror “Misery”; and the courtroom drama “A Few Good Men.”
These films could not be more different in tone or genre, yet they are unified by Reiner’s deep, abiding humanism. Outcasts, buffoons, monsters—he found the beating heart in all of them, giving his actors the space to make even the most heightened characters feel recognizably real.
I hope you will take time this holiday season to revisit one of his films with friends or family. It is a wonderful way to honor the Reiners’ legacy and embrace the kind of small, human moments that keep us going through even the darkest of days.
Now Playing
“Avatar: Fire and Ash”
A year after the events of “The Way of Water,” Jake Sully and his family encounter a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe called the Ash people. When their fiery leader Varang allies with Jake’s enemy Quaritch, the conflict on Pandora escalates to devastating consequences in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the next installment in director James Cameron’s visionary sci-fi series.
Starts Friday.
“The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants”
Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate named The Flying Dutchman on a seafaring adventure where no Sponge has gone before: the deepest, darkest depths of the sea! The biggest cinematic outing yet for this long-running family series, do not miss “The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants” when it splashes into The Triplex!
Starts Friday.
“Sentimental Value”
After sisters Nora (Renate Reinsive) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic director Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), he offers Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star (Elle Fanning), who suddenly finds herself in the middle of their complex family dynamics.
Ends Christmas Eve!
“It Was Just an Accident”
Vahad is sure the man he has abducted is the same one who tortured him in an Iranian prison… until he’s not. As he reaches out to more survivors to confirm his suspicion, the group must confront what their desire for revenge has done to them in “It Was Just an Accident,” the latest from acclaimed director Jafar Panahi.
Ends Christmas Eve!
“Zootopia 2”
Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are back on the case in “Zootopia 2,” Disney Animation’s follow-up to 2016’s smash hit family film! Following the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal metropolis upside down, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.
Held over through the Holidays!
“Song Sung Blue”
Based on the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, two down-on-their-luck musicians who find improbable success—and love—when they form a Neil Diamond tribute band, “Song Sung Blue” is the feel-good movie of the holiday season! Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as the Sardinas, “Song Sung Blue” is a rocking tribute to the idea that it is never too late to follow your dreams.
Starts Christmas Day!
“Marty Supreme”
In 1950s New York City, Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) is a young man with a dream no one respects: to become America’s first table tennis superstar. Going to hell and back in pursuit of greatness, Marty risks everything he has to prove the world wrong in this tense, tender, and funny exploration of the American dream from director Josh Safdie.
Starts Christmas Day!
“Is This Thing On?”
As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) seeks new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family—forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and the shifting shape of love. Mining sly humor from its mature portrait of a failing marriage, “Is This Thing On?” is another terrific character study from director Bradley Cooper and an ideal showcase for Will Arnett’s dramatic chops.
Starts January 9.
