Grand Illusion Cinema

... and also oddities and curiosities, but even ones that pass over to the mainstream.

I'm thinking of when the Grand Illusion programmed, uh, City on Fire-

Mm

... over the summer that I went to, when there's, there was that sudden push of, you know, like Ringo Lam, Hong Kong cinema films.

Yeah.

It is crazy.

The Film Forum and, like, The Grand Illusion, like, having The Varsity again.

Eric, I'm, I'm curious, like, what you made of a film like Cronovisor.

... we might be on our way.

But for folks that don't know what we're talking about, the first good news, to start out with a good thing, the Grand Illusion Cinema is coming back to University District.

They are taking over the Varsity Theater starting ideally in late November or early December.

They had previously been operating in the University District for more than 50 years before closing in January 2025, and now are coming back to the Varsity, which itself had closed its doors earlier this year.

Uh-huh

...

the Grand Illusion is back.

Uh-huh.

Sure.

So the good news is that the Grand Illusion Cinema is returning home to the University District.

They are taking over the space formerly known as the Varsity Theater.

Their name is now up on the marquee and they will be returning back either late November or early December is the current target.

Next, on a more somber note, if you want to commemorate 9-11 and see a movie, might I recommend Spike Lee's amazing 25th Hour, starring Edward Norton.

It was the first major film to acknowledge the tragedy on screen, and it's being presented in 35mm by Grand Illusion Cinema at the CIFF Film Center.

There are three opportunities to catch the movie, Friday evening and in the afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday.

Next, let's do a few quick hits of places to enjoy some libations this weekend.