Rewind, Be Kind
July 26-28, 2024
If movie history is written by the victors at the box office and the critically acclaimed, the rest get swept away into the margins, doomed to be forgotten. But what if we’re doing ourselves a disservice by skimming over anything that wasn’t a certifiable hit across the board? With our Rewind, Be Kind series we're inviting you to take a trip and revisit some of our favorite critical and financial “failures” of 1999 through 2009 and enjoy them with a kinder perspective. We picked movies that either struggled to find their audiences or received poor to middling reviews by critics at the time (and in some cases both) but have embedded themselves into our tastes since we first saw them. Some of these titles have already worked their way out of the dredges into a newfound appreciation, while others are still stuck in no-man’s land. Not “bad” enough to be good, not “good” enough to be a classic. Either way, we think they deserve a fate better than languishing in the cracks of movie history.
Series Pass: $84 | $64 Members (All in price, includes $4 service fee)
Pass provides access to all in-person Rewind, Be Kind screenings, July 26-28 at SIFF Cinema Egyptian.
Let’s revisit these unencumbered by the weight of box office reports, aggregate reviews, or the need for universal acclaim. We’re not asking you to reconsider these as forgotten masterpieces. We just hope they’re not forgotten entirely.
This series is presented in partnership with Super Yaki, who will be in attendance with new merch at the Egyptian. Limited stock available for all designs.
SIFF year-round passes are not valid for this screening. Vouchers are valid.
Rewind, Be Kind: Big Fat Liar
USA | 2002 | 88 min. | Shawn Levy
July 26, 2024
After middle schooler Jason Shepard’s (Frankie Muniz) school paper is stolen by a greedy Hollywood producer (Paul Giamatti) and adapted into a major motion picture, Jason travels to Hollywood to prove his innocence and get revenge.
Rewind, Be Kind: Scooby-Doo
USA | 2002 | 89 min. | Raja Gosnell
July 26, 2024
Zoinks! In the first live-action Scooby-Doo film, we find Mystery, Inc. hesitantly reconnecting on a horror-themed tropical island vacation. Some may roll their eyes at a modern adaptation of Scooby-Doo, but we consider this to be a comedic Zillennial masterpiece!
Rewind, Be Kind: Uptown Girls
USA | 2003 | 92 min. | Boaz Yakin
July 27, 2024
Brittany Murphy stars in Uptown Girls as a New York City it-girl and daughter of a deceased rock star. When she loses her trust fund, she begins working as a nanny for an uptight eight-year-old (Dakota Fanning). Initially maligned by critics for being an immature chick flick with a specific focus on the female leads being “unlikeable”, Uptown Girls stands the test of time as a heartbreaking coming-of-age story.
Rewind, Be Kind: Josie and the Pussycats
USA | 2001 | 98 min. | Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont
July 27, 2024
A small-town rock band has a chance at fame and fortune when plucked from obscurity and offered a record deal from a major label. But what is the cost? Directors Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont in attendance for an in-person Q&A.
Rewind, Be Kind: Van Helsing
USA | 2004 | 131 min. | Stephen Sommers
July 27, 2024
Hugh Jackman stars as the titular Van Helsing who must face off against Dracula and a monster mash of classic Universal creatures in a movie that Roger Ebert called “...silly and spectacular, and fun.” We think he was right. Director Stephen Sommers in attendance for an in-person Q&A.
Rewind, Be Kind: The Mummy
USA | 1999 | 124 min. | Stephen Sommers
July 27, 2024
At an archaeological dig in the ancient city of Hamunaptra, an American serving in the French Foreign Legion accidentally awakens a mummy who begins to wreak havoc as he searches for the reincarnation of his long-lost love. Director Stephen Sommers in attendance for an in-person Q&A.
Rewind, Be Kind: The Phantom of the Opera
United Kingdom | 2004 | 143 min. | Joel Schumacher
July 28, 2024
Joel Schumacher brings Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” to the silver screen. Despite this film being one of Schumacher’s largest spectacles, critics had an inconsistent list of complaints. We feel that The Phantom of the Opera is a beautiful dream that deserves a revisit!
Rewind, Be Kind: Sunshine (35mm)
United Kingdom | 2007 | 107 min. | Danny Boyle
July 28, 2024
Sunshine has us join a team of eight international astronauts aboard the Icarus II, a ship on a mission to reignite our dying sun. Despite impressive visuals and a stacked cast, audiences didn’t take to Danny Boyle’s sci-fi thriller. Even so, this ship merits a ride in our book. Presented on 35mm.
Rewind, Be Kind: Punch-Drunk Love (35mm)
USA | 2002 | 95 min. | Paul Thomas Anderson
July 28, 2024
A socially awkward and volatile small business owner meets the love of his life after being threatened by a gang of scammers. Presented on 35mm.
Rewind, Be Kind: Lady in the Water
USA | 2006 | 110 min. | M. Night Shyamalan
July 28, 2024
M. Night Shyamalan crafts a fairy tale about a jaded superintendent (Paul Giamatti) who discovers a water nymph in the community pool and is tasked with returning her to her blue world. Both a critical and financial failure, this one is too beautiful and sincere to dismiss as a strike.