The Belcourt's Science on Screen Series to Return in March

The late John Hurt in 1984Starting in March, the Belcourt will bring back its Science on the Screen series of science-themed films "accompanied by discussions with leading scientists, engineers, biologists and other experts." And talk about range: The series includes films with unnervingly relevant political themes, such as 1984, off-the-wall monster fare like a midnight showing of Frankenhooker, and Hidden Figures, the Oscar-nominated box-office smash about three unsung African-American women who played crucial roles in the early years of the space program.

In its fourth year, the series is "a national initiative made possible through a grant by the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation," and the Belcourt is one of a select group of of theaters to receive the grant supporting it. The theater's ongoing Music City Mondays, Midnight Movies and Saturday Family Films will also include some science-themed offerings to line up with the series.

Information about post-screening discussions can be found here. Here's the full list of films included in the series, with synopses provided by the Belcourt:

1984 March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

"Under the watchful eye of the all-seeing totalitarian entity known as a Big Brother, a lowly clerk rebels against his inhumane overlord by doing the most human thing of all—falling in love."

The Hunger March 3-4 at midnight

"The story of a love triangle between a doctor who specializes in sleep and aging research (Susan Sarandon) and a vampire couple (Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie)."

Space Is the Place March 6 at 7:30 p.m.

"Afrofuturist sci-fi, blaxploitation, cosmic free-jazz and radical race politics combine when Sun Ra returns to earth in his music-powered space ship to battle for the future of the black race and offer an “alter-destiny” to those who would join him."

On the Silver Globe March 8 at 7:30 p.m.

"A group of astronauts crash-land on an Earth-like planet where they proceed to build a village and repopulate it with their offspring. The film follows this new civilization’s struggle to make sense of where they came from, why they’re there, and what it means to be human."

Frankenhooker March 10-11 at midnight

"A medical student sets out to recreate his decapitated fiancée by building her a new body made of Manhattan street prostitutes."

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea March 11 at 10:00 a.m.

"A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo in this adaptation of Jules Verne’s 19th century science fiction classic. Age Recommendation: 9+"

Pink Floyd: The Wall March 13 AT 7:30 p.m.

"So ya thought ya might like to go to the show? So intones our singing narrator at the opening of the surreal, psychotic blending of memory and animation that was the demise of many a VHS Head Cleaner in the era of late analog."

Uncertain March 15 at 7:30 p.m.

"UNCERTAIN is a visually stunning and disarmingly funny portrait of the literal and figurative troubled waters of Uncertain, TX, a town with 94 residents that’s so tucked away 'you've got to be lost to find it.'"

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou March 17-18 at midnight

"With a plan to exact revenge on a mythical shark that killed his partner, oceanographer Steve Zissou rallies a crew that includes his estranged wife, a journalist, and a man who may or may not be his son."

Microcosmos March 18 at 10:00 a.m.

"A French meadow on a summer's day is the setting for this incredible film that takes its microscopic cameras into the heart of the insect world. Age Recommendation: 6+"

Heavy Metal March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

"A glowing orb terrorizes a young girl with a collection of stories of dark fantasy, eroticism and horror in this cult sci-fi spin-off of the popular magazine of the same name. Featuring musical tracks by artists like Blue Öyster Cult, Devo, Cheap Trick, and Black Sabbath."

Hidden Figures March 22 at 7:30 p.m.

"The story of a team of African-American women mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program."

Repo Man March 24-25 at midnight

"When an aimless young punk accidentally stumbles into the intense world of vehicular repossession, he gets caught up in the search for a 1964 Chevy Malibu which may or may not be carrying the corpses of several extraterrestrials in its trunk."

Explorers March 25 at 10:00 a.m.

"Compelled by a recurring dream of space travel and a strange blueprint, a 12-year-old (Ethan Hawke), his computer-whiz pal, and their friend assemble a starship out of an old amusement park ride. Once in flight they are guided to and drawn aboard a mysterious spacecraft—and make a surprising discovery. Age Recommendation: 7+"

Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

"In this animated musical formed by the 14 music videos from Daft Punk’s Discovery, four musicians from another galaxy are kidnapped by an evil manager to ultimately become the biggest band on earth."

Contact March 28 at 7:30 p.m.

"National Evening of Science on Screen. Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), a radio astronomer working with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), intercepts a message seemingly sent by aliens with plans for the construction of a strange device."