This weekend, the Syracuse campus will host a number of movies, from small independent ones to big blockbusters. Here are the ones that will be showing on a silver screen near you:

IF YOU GO:What: ‘Reel Bad Arabs’When: Today, 4 p.m.Where: 60 Eggers HallHow Much: Free

‘Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People’

This documentary addresses a common thread that has been in most war films since Sept. 11: the vilification of Arabs in recent cinema. The film explores multiple depictions of Arabs, from thieves to the demure Arab woman to radical religion leaders and of course, the unstable terrorist. The documentary discusses that because these themes are so recurrent in films today, the Western world is unconsciously developing a prejudice against Arabs and the Arab culture. The film’s ultimate message remains to have viewers challenge what they see in movies and not be so quick to judge what is presented to them by filmmakers.

IF YOU GO:What: ‘A Day Without a Mexican’When: Today, 6:30 p.m.Where: 207 Hall of LanguagesHow Much: Free

‘A Day Without a Mexican’

This Mexican film also tackles stereotypes, but this time, it’s about the mindset Californians’ have about the abundant Latino population. As a result of the mass influx of immigrants in California cities, many residents make the assumption that they are all illegal immigrants. The film sets out to show people the reality, that three-quarters of the Latino population in California are legal U.S. citizens, but through a fantasy scenario. The filmmakers create a world in which all Latinos have been removed from California through a mysterious cloud, and then show the effects on the rest of the population. The consequences are shown in a comical light, as residents are depicted having to live without domestic help and border patrol workers are suddenly without jobs.

IF YOU GO:What: ‘Hairspray’When: Today, 8 p.m.Where: Gifford Auditorium, HBCHow Much: Free

‘Hairspray’

The remake of the 1988 classic was a huge hit in theaters this summer, grossing nearly $120 million at the box office. The remake stars John Travolta in drag, much to audiences’ delight, and other big names like Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifah. Another name that added to the movie’s popularity was ‘High School Musical’ wonder boy Zac Efron. The title role went to newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, who is obsessed with ‘The Corny Collins Show’ and is determined to become a dancer on the show. With the help of her friends, Tracy auditions and fights for her own role and for integration on ‘The Corny Collins Show’ in 1962 Baltimore.

Published on November 1, 2007 at 12:00 pm