This season has been dominated by new cinema, due in no small part to the combination of a bigger screen, better projector, and HD players (Blu-ray and HD-DVD). Next week, we should be finished upgrading the sound system as well, so the temptation to show modern works will be even greater.

As an antidote to this trend, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie provided an opportunity for us to step back in time, not only as a period movie (1932), but to a period of film-making that can seem heavy-handed when at its worst. With a wonderful performance by Maggie Smith, a taught dialogue, and an underlying subtext of fascism on the rise in Europe,  The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie remains an engaging watch, with a good helping of laughter. Too bad there were only ten of us here to enjoy it.