Four 1990s films will screen on 35 millimeter at Webster U.

Rarely, very rarely, do audiences have the opportunity to see feature films projected on 35 millimeter; that is, not digital, but as they were shot and intended to be seen. This March, thanks to the Webster University film series, four 1990s gems will be shown exactly that way, 35 mm.

First up, Saturday, March 12, is writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 two and a half hour “Boogie Nights.” Alternately daring and amusing, it tracks the meteoric rise and disastrous crash of dishwasher Eddie Adams who becomes Dirk Diggler, sensational porn star. Set in the San Fernando Valley in the 70s and 80s, it showcases performances by Mark Wahlberg, Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds (Oscar nominee for his role), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heather Graham, and more. It stands the test of time.

Second, Sunday, March 13, director Martin Scorsese’s iconic 1990 “Goodfellas,” follows real-life gangster Henry Hill from 1955 to 1980. Adapting Nicholas Pileggi’s ”Wiseguy” with Pileggi, Scorsese delivers perfect compositions, fascinating acting, and music that accents and comments on the action. Several justifiably famous scenes, one standout in a night club, find the camera following characters in mesmerizing flow. Scorsese says he wanted the violence “cold, unfeeling and horrible,” and, he succeeded with Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Ray Liotta as Henry Hill.

Third, Thursday, March 17, Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1996 dark comedy “Fargo” finds clueless car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) arranging for the kidnapping of his wife (Kristin Rudrüd) to extract a ransom from her wealthy father. Since this is Coen country, the violent twists and turns will astonish with some shocking grim developments. Frances McDormand steals the show as Brainerd, Minnesota, police chief Marge Gunderson in this classic.

Fourth, Friday, March 20 is the very popular 1994 “The Shawshank Redemption,” based on Stephen King’s novella. It finds prisoners played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman bonding and plotting as Shawshank State Penitentiary inmates. No spoilers here for first-time viewers, but I know very few film fans who don’t love this movie for the multifaceted plot of money laundering involving the prison library, dealing with life on the inside and outside, hope and despair, and, above all friendship.

All four in 35 mm, “Boogie Nights” screens Saturday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m.; “Goodfellas” Sunday, March 13; “Fargo” Thursday, March 17; and “The Shawshank Redemption” Sunday, March 20, these three at 7:30 p.m. at Webster University’s Winifred Moore auditorium. For more information, you may call 314-246-7525 or you may visit the Webster University film series website.