For those who enjoy thinking …

On its 40th anniversary, the Biograph Theatre, or perhaps something akin to its reanimated spirit, will serve up a pair of highly acclaimed films as a double feature to kick off a three or more part series titled “The Golden Age of Repertory Cinema.”

In other words, the James River Film Society will present “Breathless” (1960) — a 50th anniversary restoration 35mm print no less — and “Lonely Are the Brave” (1962) at the VCU Grace Street Theater on Saturday, February 11, 2012. The event will be a fundraiser for the volunteer run nonprofit James River Film Society and an opportunity to officially launch its campaign to establish a small storefront cinema in downtown Richmond.

This splendid on-the-lam twin bill is guaranteed to make viewers think no less than twice.

Still, in 2012, is it safe to throw another Biograph party?

Perhaps … we’ll see.

7:00 p.m. Breathless (1960): B&W. Directed by Jean-Luc Godard. Cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Saber. Note: An opportunistic thief on the run becomes irresistible to a pretty American journalism student in Paris. Uh, oh, the guy is dangerous. How long can it last?

9:20 p.m. Lonely Are the Brave (1962): B&W. Directed by David Miller. Cast: Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau. Note: To help his friend, a free-spirited cowboy flings himself recklessly at the hobbling effects of modernity … then tries desperately to escape.

Tickets: $20 ($10 for the films; $10 donation to the nonprofit James River Film Society). Advance tickets are available for purchase online through Eventbrite (or just scroll to the bottom of this page) or at these fine local establishments: Plan 9 Music (3012 W. Cary Street in Carytown), Video Fan (403 Strawberry Street) and Harrison Street Coffee (402 N. Harrison Street).

Contacts:

James Parrish: james@jamesriverfilm.org (804) 564-3224

Terry Rea: ftrea9@gmail.com (804) 938-7997

For more information visit the James River Film Society’s website (http://jamesriverfilm.org) or follow the James River Film Society on Facebook; for more information on the Biograph Theatre visit http://biographzombie.blogspot.com/ and http://biographtimes.blogspot.com/