At the Liberty: "The Odyssey" & "Aladdin"

DAYTON — Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is his adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem. It was filmed using new IMAX film technology. The movie follows the mythic Greek hero Odysseus on his perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. He and his soldiers encounter gods, monsters, and treacherous seas while his wife and son face turmoil in Ithaca. The cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson. It is rated R for violence and some language, with a runtime of 172 minutes.

The Rotten Tomatoes audience and critics agree “The Odyssey” is epic, giving it an average rating of over 95%. A consensus from the critics said, “The movie reinvigorates an ancient adventure with majestic sweep and sterling work by its colossal ensemble; Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ imbues myth with primal human feeling.”

The Odyssey is visually stunning, primarily using analog, in-camera effects that give the Sacking of Troy and mythical encounters a tangible, gritty weight. The water-drenched actors were tossed about on boats, ran from crumbling sets, piled inside the Trojan horse, and escaped a terrifyingly human cyclops. A movie like this does not come around often. It has created controversy, acclaim, and interest in the classic myth.

“Aladdin,” The Missoula Children’s Theatre’s 2026 live production, will be performed on Friday, August 7, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, August 8, at 3 p.m.

Mark your calendar to see The Liberty Theater make its screen debut in “The Last Picture Shows” on September 10, 2026. The film by Rustin Thompson follows his search into the American West for traces of a vanishing small-town centerpiece – the movie theater. It is a portrait of an industry in crisis as it faces consolidation and streaming. The movie a reminder that even in cinema deserts, there are still local movie houses that offer entertainment and community connection, includeing The Liberty Theater.

Upcoming Movies: “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” August 14-18 & August 21-25 - Always subject to change.