Howdy! Senior Writer Jason Heller here. Just wanted to let you know that The A.V. Club’s monthly sci-fi film series Science Friction continues tonight at 7:30 at Alamo Drafthouse Denver with 12 Monkeys. Released in 1995, the Terry Gilliam-directed film is loosely based on Chris Marker’s 1962 short La Jetée, although Gilliam radically fleshes out this tale of time travel, apocalyptic pandemics, and madness with the help of stars Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. It’s also part of our Gilliam Time Travel extravaganza, which began earlier this month with Time Bandits (shown earlier this month as part of our monthly fantasy film series Fantastique). And with Syfy’s 12 Monkeys TV series underway, what better time to revisit the direct inspiration on the big screen?
Like its sister series Fantastique, Science Friction is curated and hosted by Frank Romero, cofounder of Denver Comic Con, and yours truly. Frank and I will be there in person tonight to introduce and discuss the film, as well as pick the winner of this month’s giveaway: a hardcover copy of The Art Of Mad Max: Fury Road, courtesy of Titan Books. The winners of our monthly giveaways are chosen at random from Alamo Victory members in attendance. (If you’re not already an Alamo Victory member, it’s free to sign up, and you get all kinds of great perks.) 12 Monkeys, like all Science Friction and Fantastique screenings, is sponsored by The A.V. Club.
Tickets for 12 Monkeys are on sale now.
Science Friction schedule
June 17: 12 Monkeys
July 15: They Live
Fantastique schedule
July 20: Big Trouble In Little China
August 24: The Dark Crystal