Every first Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., St. John’s brings independent and provocative films that highlight critical issues about peace and justice to us and our community. Admission is free.

When We Were Kings (1996)
January 7 , 2010, 7 p.m.

Legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman travel to Zaire for the 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight title bout in director Leon Gast's Oscar-winning documentary. At the time, Foreman was world champion, and Ali was supposedly past his prime. Financial and legal issues shelved the film for two decades, but this glimpse of Ali in the years after his moral opposition to U.S. military service showcases a sporting and cultural milestone.

This got the Best Documentary Oscar in 1997.

King Corn (2007)
February 4, 2010, 7 p.m.

In Aaron Woolf's thought-provoking documentary, friends Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis move back to America 's Corn Belt to plant an acre of the nation's most-grown and most-subsidized grain and follow their crop into the U.S. food supply. What they learn about genetically modified seeds, powerful herbicides and the realities of modern farming calls into question government subsidies, the fast-food lifestyle and the quality of what we eat. (90 minutes)

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song (2007)
March 4, 2010, 7 p.m.

Filmmaker Jim Brown blends archival footage, interviews and home movies to paint an affectionate portrait of pioneering folk singer and political activist Pete Seeger, best known for the classic anthems "If I Had a Hammer" and "Turn, Turn, Turn." Highlights include candid conversations with legendary artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, who weigh in on Seeger's far-reaching influence. (93 minutes)

Death in Gaza (2004)
April 1, 2010, 7 p.m.

Documentarians James Miller and Saira Shah planned to produce an in-depth look at the culture of martyrdom and hate pervading the Middle East . In 2003, they chronicled the lives of three Palestinian adolescents growing up in war-torn Gaza . Miller and Shah also wanted to show the Israeli side of the dispute, but during filming, Miller fell victim to the conflict when Israeli forces killed him. This Home Box Office special relates the tragic story. (80 minutes)

Young @ Heart (2007)
May 6, 2010, 7 p.m.

Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix will never sound the same once you've heard the Young@Heart chorus, a group of Massachusetts senior citizens who thrill audiences worldwide with their unusual -- and unusually poignant -- covers of rock songs. Stephen Walker's humane and heartwarming documentary, which premiered at Sundance in 2008, follows the elderly ensemble as they prepare their latest show for public performances (108 minutes)

Standard Operating Procedure (2008)
July 1, 2010, 7 p.m.

Through captivating interviews and dramatic reenactments, filmmaker Errol Morris documents the scandal that erupted in Iraq 's Abu Ghraib prison, where mistreatment of detainees at the hands of members of the U.S. military was captured on film. What was the psychological state of the soldiers? Why were the pictures taken? These questions and more are explored in detail in this engaging look at one of the Iraq War's most notorious episodes (116 minutes)

Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial (2007)
August 5, 2010, 7 p.m.

With this episode, the popular "Nova" series examines the trial of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District , a controversial legal battle sparked by a group of science teachers who refused to comply with an order to teach intelligent design. Through scene re-creations, interviews and expert testimony, the program presents the arguments of both sides and illuminates the conflict that thrust the people of Dover into the worldwide spotlight. (112 minutes).

The films we choose for St. John’s Cinema are intended to give our neighborhood insight or inspiration, maybe education, or perhaps just some joy. We hope the shared adventure of viewing these films will foster discussion and a new perspective. The views or opinions that may be expressed in these films are not necessarily those of St. John’s or its members. We encourage participants to form their own opinions.