This week at the Harbor Theater
“Wonka” - PG; 1 hour, 52 minutes - Based on the extraordinary character at the center of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Roald Dahl’s most iconic children's book and one of the best-selling children's books of all time, Wonka tells the wondrous story of how the world's greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. In this visit to the exciting, sweet world filled with imagination, Timothée Chalamet stars as the fun, free-spirited Willy Wonka. The film is an origin story, following a young Wonka through adventure-filled mayhem as he meets friends, including the infamous Oompa-Loompas. After seven years of perfecting his craft, Willy sets off to prove people wrong and create the best tasting chocolate they've ever had. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.
"[Chalamet] is his own Wonka, endearing and pure, in a movie that's as joyful as one of Wonka's heavenly little concoctions." - Adam Graham, Detroit News
“The Boy and the Heron” - PG13; 2 hours, 4 minutes - From the legendary Studio Ghibli and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (“Spirited Away”) comes a new critically-acclaimed fantasy adventure. After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself. Opens Friday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2 p.m. (OCAP), Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
"The Boy and the Heron is a literal work of art. Cryptic as it can be, you leave reminded that life can be wonderful, but only sometimes, and often in the most unlikely ways." - Danny Leigh, Financial Times
Classic Film Series presents “A Place in the Sun” - NR; 2 hours, 2 minutes - In this classic version of Theodore Dreiser's novel "An American Tragedy," George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), the nephew of a wealthy industrialist, is excluded from high society and given a blue-collar job at his uncle's factory. While ascending the ranks of the company, George becomes romantically involved with co-worker Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters). However, when he is introduced to socialite Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor), he quickly falls for her, leading to a tragic love triangle. Two shows only: Thursday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m.
"One of the great studio dramas of the period and one of this column's favourite films, with haunting performances from Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift." - Evan Williams, The Australian
Coming soon: “The Color Purple” - A story of love and resilience based on the novel and the Broadway musical, “The Color Purple” is a decades-spanning tale of one woman’s journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. Opening Friday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.
Harbor Theater is open for 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday and Sunday; shows Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for members and children under 18. ADA-mandated Audio Descriptive (AD) and Closed Caption (CC) devices are available for the visually and hearing-impaired. Inquire at the concession stand.