Across the Universe
Now available on: 4K Ultra HD | Blu-ray | Digital
Directed by Julie Taymor
Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther McCoy, T.V. Caprio
Columbia Pictures
Original release date: October 12, 2007
Fathom Events screenings: July 29 & 31, August 1, 2018

Thanks to Fathom Events and Columbia Pictures, I got to see one of my favorite films, Julie Taymor‘s gorgeous 2007 musical drama Across the Universe, in theaters again. Finishing up a 3-day run on August 1, the limited-edition screenings included a special exclusive introduction from Taymor celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love in 1968.

Across the Universe uses the spectrum of classic Beatles songs to take our characters through the turbulence of late 1960’s America as we fought the unpopular Vietnam War abroad and waged cultural wars at home. Starring Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood, the film allowed Taymor to showcase her artistic style, and the array of songs by arguably the greatest band of all time show the wide range of human emotions that that era was dealing with.

In her brief but poignant introduction, Taymor discusses the parallels between the Summer of Love and the summer of 2007 when the film debuted as we were fighting another unpopular war — the Iraq War — and yet there was a growing awareness and resistance from young people who would soon become enamored with a young charismatic presidential candidate preaching messages of hope and change. The film perhaps is more poignant today as our culture becomes more divided ideologically and philosophically.

Fathom Events consistently brings these types of wonderful events to our local theaters. In a time where most films, especially in summertime, are blockbusters, sequels, remakes, or part of cinematic universe, it is refreshing to go to the movie theater and sit in the air conditioning to watch a concert, an opera, a comedy show, or classic film via these special events.

Their TCM Big Screen Classics series is my personal favorite, giving audiences of today a chance to view some of the greatest films of all time that you probably missed the first time around. Coming to theaters on August 8th is the 20th Anniversary of the seminal Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski starring Jeff Bridges as “The Dude.” Showings are at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Other TCM Big Screen Classics returning this year are South Pacific for its 60th Anniversary (August 26 & 29), The Sound Of Music, Rebel Without a Cause, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Die Hard, and White Christmas.

You can check out all the events coming to theaters near you at fathomevents.com.

Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe is available now on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and streaming (to rent or buy). You can also get the Soundtrack on CD and Digital.

Follow me on Twitter.