JFK Dir. Oliver Stone, 1991 Introduced by Prof. Michelle Robinson, American Studies As one of the most epic conspiracy thrillers ever conceived, JFK investigates the perpetually unsolved murder of an American president. Set largely in New Orleans, this sprawling, kaleidoscopic film bombards us with all manner of facts and paranoid theories while Robert Richardson’s highly…

Misery Dir. Rob Reiner, 1990  Co-sponsored by Playmakers Repertory Company in connection with their stage production of Stephen King’s Misery, October 11-31 (https://playmakersrep.org/show/misery/) Introduced by Henry Veggian, English & Comparative Literature Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, Misery is a tongue-in-cheek psychological horror film that explores the relationship between a bestselling romance novelist (played by James…

Eve’s Bayou Dir. Kasi Lemmons, 1997 Introduced by new faculty member Prof. Daelena Tinnin-Gadson, English & Comparative Literature A Southern Gothic thriller/coming-of-age drama set in 1960s Louisiana, Kasi Lemmons’ first feature film follows a young girl (Jurnee Smollett) as she grapples with new knowledge of her charismatic father’s (Samuel L. Jackson) philandering. With its layered…

Ring Dir. Hideo Nakata, 1998 Co-sponsored by Carolina Asia Center and presented at the Nelson Mandela Auditorium, FedEx Global Education Center, 301 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill Introduced by Chapel Hill Film Society This small, modestly budgeted Japanese film caused an international sensation and inspired countless sequels, remakes, and rip-offs. Produced before “viral video” was a…