Let’s talk movies

Ralph DeLauro, former curator of the Central Library’s long-running (31 year) and highly popular Film Forum screening program, returns with a series of Film Discussion classes.

Times, locations, and admission prices vary. The (mostly) daytime classes, geared (mostly) for seniors, are scattered throughout the county. The discussions generally last 15 minutes, but knowledgable Ralph loves talking movies. Once you get him started, there’s no telling how long he’ll go.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, Monday, May 9, 1 p.m. College Avenue Center at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, Del Cerro. Sponsored by Jewish Family Services. Lunch at noon. Hitchcock’s suspense-filled tale of “crossed-murders” stars Farley Gragner and Robert Walker. Admission: $2.

Sacha Gervasi’s Hitchcock, Thursday, May 12, 1:30 p.m. Continuing Education Center of Rancho Bernardo, The Remington Club II, 6916 Hierba Drive, Rancho Bernardo. Anthony Hopkins stars in this routine Hollywood biopic. Topic of discussion: “The Man Behind the Myth: Re-imagining the Master of the Master of Suspense.” Admission: $5–$7.

Nicholas Hytner’s The Lady in the Van, Monday, May 16, 1 p.m. San Diego OASIS, Macy’s Mission Valley (third floor), 1702 Camino Del Rio North. Maggie Smith stars in a mostly true story about a loopy bag lady who “temporarily” parks her van in the driveway of celebrated playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings). Admission: $10.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, Wednesday, May 18, 7 p.m. Paradise Village, Liberty Hall (second floor), 2700 E. Fourth Street, National City. You can’t go wrong with one of Hitchcock’s two or three most entertaining films. Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr star. Admission is free.

Cherien Dabis’s May in the Summer, Monday, June 13, 1 p.m. San Diego OASIS, Macy’s Mission Valley (third floor), 1702 Camino Del Rio North. Cherien Dabis writes, produces, directs, and stars as a New York writer returning home to Jordan to get married. Admission: $10.

Julian Jarrold’s A Royal Night Out, Monday, July 11, 1 p.m. San Diego OASIS, Macy’s Mission Valley (third floor), 1702 Camino Del Rio North. This one’s new to me. According to the notes, “A posh and cheeky slice of imagined history speculates on the raucous and romantic adventures of the future Queen (Sarah Gadon) and her sister Princess Margaret (Bel Powley) as they escape their ivory tower for a wild night of Victory Celebration. With Emily Watson and Rupert Everett.” Admission: $10.

David Foenkinos and Stéphane Foenkinos’s Delicacy, Monday, August 1, 1 p.m. San Diego OASIS, Macy’s Mission Valley (third floor), 1702 Camino Del Rio North. According to Mr. Lickona, “Audrey Tautou brings her curious, wide-eyed beauty to a gentle portrait of grief after loss.” Admission: $10.