A ‘Matrix’ marathon this weekend? Whoa

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Ten years?

It’s hard to believe that, on the last day of this month, a full decade will have passed since Neo broke through The Matrix and changed the perception (and ambition) of special-effects flicks forever. Jammed with both adrenaline and ambition, ‘The Matrix’ and its sequels left audiences awestruck and, coming two years after the odious Joel Schumacher camp-fest of ‘Batman & Robin,’ it signaled that the future of successful fanboy films was to get smarter, not dumber.

Andy and Larry Wachowski directed the “best comic book movie ever made even if it’s not a comic book,” according to ‘Constantine’ producer, Michael Uslan, and the film’s influence still echoes; there may never have been a greenlight for ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ without ‘Matrix,’ and certainly not one for ‘Watchmen.’

Forget the symbolism, who could forget seeing Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith out-twist a bullet for the first time? Even Keanu Reeves looked surprised.

The movie is, of course, best seen on a big screen and if you live in the Los Angeles area this weekend is one you should circle on the calendar. The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (1328 Montana Avenue, 323-466-3456) will screen ‘The Matrix,’ ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ and ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ on Saturday (March 28) beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is $10. After the first movie, film historian and author Eric Lichtenfeld will host a panel discussion with ‘Matrix’ editor Zach Staenberg, costume designer Kym Barrett and supervising sound editor Dane A. Davis. We also heard some other folks associated with the film might be showing up....

--Alicia Lozano

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Photos courttesy of Warner Bros