DCist’s highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

Repertory: Labyrinth
Jim Henson continued to indulge the darker doors of his mind that he’d thrown wide open with The Dark Crystal in this, regrettably his last feature film. How a film made by Jim Henson and George Lucas, and starring David Bowie managed to tank as badly as this did upon release is a mystery, though perhaps parents thought it a little too scary for kids used to the more subtle subversions of The Muppet Show and its various spinoffs. As with many excellent films that just lack vision in the studio marketing department, it went on to assume its rightful position as a cult classic. Landmark theatres are showing a brand new 35mm print of the film, and it gets its turn in D.C. for one week only starting on Friday night.

View the trailer.
Plays for one week only, beginning this Friday at E Street Cinema.

—

Special Event: Henry V
Kenneth Branagh was a lad of not even 30 years when he released his directorial debut. Perhaps not coincidentally, he chose to film the same play of Shakespeare’s on which Laurence Olivier had cut his director’s teeth nearly a half century prior. It was a ballsy move, and it paid off, if only because Branagh managed the daunting task of measuring up to an acknowleged legend both in front of and behind the camera. Branagh’s Henry makes up in guts what it may lack in clarity, and packs a powerful emotional punch. Branagh may not quite have the “I was born to speak these words” delivery of Olivier, but he’s got a fire in his eyes throughout that carries the performance admirably. His devastating visual take on the Battle of Agincourt sequence should not be missed in this rare opportunity to watch it on the big screen.

Playing at the Library of Congress’ Mary Pickford Theatre Thursday at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is very limited. Call for reservations, 202.707.5677.