Aug. 28
The Pianist (2002)
Director Roman Polanski revisits the Warsaw of his childhood in this compelling story of pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody) and his struggle to survive the destruction all around him. The film earned three Academy Awards, including Best Actor and Best Director. Harrowing and brilliant. IFC, 8:30pm
Aug. 29
Constantine (2005)
In this supernatural thriller based on a DC Comics character, John Constantine skulks through the darkened streets of Los Angeles, chain-smoking and casting out the half-human/half-demon beings that he has been able to see since childhood. Yes, it’s a perfect role for Keanu Reeves. AMC, 10:30pm
Aug. 30
Say Anything… (1989)
Classic underachiever Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) defies the odds by getting a post-graduation date with beautiful valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye), whose father fears that her new boyfriend will derail her future. But there is a dark undercurrent in this romance, one that proves that sometimes maturity comes from the least likely source. FMC, 7pm
Aug. 31
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
A ditzy Southern Californian discovers that her destiny is to fight vampires, not to simply go to Europe, marry Christian Slater and die like she’d planned. As Buffy accepts her fate under the tutelage of her Watcher, Merrick, and with the help of one lone ally, Pike, her spoiled life gives way to a new, vampire-slaying existence. While this underrated film written by Joss Whedon may not be Oscar-worthy, it is a whole lot of fun. It also helped spawn a new generation of supernatural entertainment after the television adaptation starring Sarah Michelle Gellar became a huge hit. AMC, 8pm
Sept. 2
Casablanca (1942)
One of the most famous films of all time — and one of the most quoted — stars Humphrey Bogart as a jilted, expatriate American gin joint owner in Morocco whose life is shaken and stirred when his now married ex (Ingrid Bergman) walks back in. TCM, 10:15pm
