10/24 7 pm Rosemary’s Baby
Chelsea Cinemas, Manhattan
A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins controlling her life.
10/24 8 pm Dial M for Murder (in 3D)
Village East Cinemas, Manhattan. Part of their Hicthcock-Tober! Fest
An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.
Dir. John Carpenter. 1978, 91 mins. Restored DCP. With Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran. John Carpenter knew how to use the super wide CinemaScope movie frame better than any other horror director, and his proto slasher film, about a masked maniac with a vendetta, stalking babysitters in suburban Illinois, remains the most elegantly shot and composed film of its kind. This brilliantly paced movie of mounting anxiety and dread perfectly evokes an autumnal atmosphere and features a naturalistic, star-making performance by Jamie Lee Curtis. The underrated Village Voice critic Tom Allen recognized the film as “an instant schlock horror classic,” and wrote “Halloween, a study in warm colors, dark shadows, and ceaselessly tracking dollies, owes more to the expressive possibilities raised by Vincente Minnelli in the Halloween sequence of Meet Me in St. Louis than to any films in the realistic school.” The screening will be introduced by critic Nick Pinkerton, who is writing an appreciation of Tom Allen for Moving Image Source. Free with Museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum members may reserve tickets in advance by calling 718 777 6800
Dir. Howard Hawks. 1966, 126 mins. 35mm. With John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Cann, Charlene Holt. Hawks’s elegiac and comical follow-up to Rio Bravo pushes both the humor and the violence of the first film to extremes. Cole Thornton (Wayne), a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Hara, (Mitchum), to help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water. Caan provides comic relief as Mississippi, an inept gunman armed with a diabolical shotgun. Free with Museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum members may reserve tickets in advance by calling 718 777 6800.
El Dorado 10/26 4pm
Can you go wrong with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan? TRAILER
John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Cann, Charlene Holt. Hawks’s elegiac and comical follow-up to Rio Bravo pushes both the humor and the violence of the first film to extremes. Cole Thornton (Wayne), a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Hara, (Mitchum), to help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water. Caan provides comic relief as Mississippi, an inept gunman armed with a diabolical shotgun.
Rio Lobo 11/9 2 pm A little more than a preview 😉 John Wayne, Jennifer O’Neill. Col. Cord McNally (Wayne), a former union officer, teams up with a group of men to search for the traitor whose perfidy caused the defeat of McNally’s unit in the Civil War. Their quest brings them to Rio Lobo, a small Texan town besieged by a band of ruthless outlaws led by the traitor they were looking for. Hawks’s last film is a relaxed Western in the mold of Rio Bravo and El Dorado.
Kirk Douglas. An expedition of fur trappers up the Missouri River features expansive outdoor photography, while focusing on the rivalry between two men for a Native-American woman. Film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote, “Though this sublime 1952 black-and-white masterpiece by Howard Hawks is usually accorded a low place in the Hawks canon, it’s a particular favorite of mine—mysterious, beautiful, and even utopian in some of its sexual and cultural aspects.”
Saturday 10/12 Ball of Fire (1941) 2 pm
A group of ivory-tower lexicographers realize they need to hear how real people talk, and end up helping a beautiful singer avoid police and escape from the Mob.
Sergeant York (1940) 4:30 pm
True story of a hillbilly sharpshooter drafted in WW1 despite his claim to be a pacifist, who ends up becoming a war hero.
Sunday 10/13 His Girl Friday (1940) 2 pm
A newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying.
A Song is Born (1948) 4:30 pm
Gangster’s moll Honey Swanson goes into hiding when her boyfriend is under investigation by the police. Where better to hide than a musical research institute staffed entirely by lonely bachelors? She gets more than she bargained for when the head of the institute Professor Hobart Frisbee starts to fall for her–Written by Col Needham
Monday 10/14 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 2 PM
Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.
Hugo Like The Artist, this film is about broken people that need to be fixed and it honors film history particularly the life of Georges Méliès. I thought it was a delightful adventure drama and the 3D effect worked very well though the film was a trifle too long though. It’s a good film about reconciliation and healing.
The Unknown (1927) A silent movie from 1927 starring Lon Chaney and the young Joan Crawford. Thankfully, the Film Forum in Manhattan has been showing silent pictures on Monday nights. After the success of 2011’s The Artist and Hugo, I would not be surprised if I see a few remakes of some of the classic silent movies.
The Iron Lady: was not a bad movie but slow; too slow. They blew it on the film focusing too much on Maggie Thatcher being a senile old lady with a penchant for drink rather than her years as PM.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone particularly traumatized by Septmber 11, 2001 and I saw the film at the Regal in Battery Park City across the street from where such appalling horrors occurred.I was surprised that Thomas Horn did not receive a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal as Oskar Schell whose character may have Asperger’s. In my year’s of teaching high school, I’ve had some students with such a condition and I dare say he nailed it. It moved a trifle slow to get to the point, as did Hugo but, like Hugo I thought it did a fine job regarding the theme of healing. Here’s my spoiler, so you can stop reading if you intend on seeing a few of the films before the Oscars but, one, I really wanted to know what was in the safety deposit box of William Black and second, why the hell didn’t they have Max von Sydow‘s character speak at the end?
Two minor items that came to me were: I thought they had Queens, NY down to a tee. The guy in Rockaway and the bar in Broad Channel were so suited to stereotype. I loved it (this author is from Queens and speaks highly of both Rockaway and Broad Channel). I also noticed Viola Davis (this and The Help) and John Goodman (this and The Artist) are both in two films nominated for Best Picture. I wonder if this is a first.
My Week With MarilynI thought this was actually a very good film and a rather sad story. Michelle Williams was nominated for Best Actress for the film and after seeing the others. I thought she had Marilyn down: not in looks but in mannerism/voice etc.
Albert Nobbs: Since there were two nominees, Glenn Close for Best Actress and Janet McTeer for Best Supporting Actress, I figured I’d see it. Two outstanding performances for sure.
Bully: A documentary that certainly achieved its goal of making bullying a topic of conversation. I think educators, parents, and students should see it.
North By Northwest(1959) Queens, NY is where we have the Museum of the Moving Image (MOTMI) that has arguably the best cinema in the city and has an ongoing “See It Big” exhibit. I’ve only seen the film on TV and never in one sitting. By seeing it on the big screen, it’s now in my all time top ten.
Touch of Evil (1958) Once again, another MOTMI “See it Big” show. You can’t go wrong with Charlton Heston playing a Mexican and the great opening tracking scene is ruined by the car explosion.
Titanic (1996) My better half never saw the film as she was dating some pretentious asshole at the time who refused to see Hollywood blockbusters. A film good enough to stand on its own and did not need to re-released in 3D
Casino(1995) A Martin Scorcese gangster picture starring the usual crew. One can’t go wrong there. Seeing it on the big screen a second time and 17 years later, I noticed it’s funnier than when I first viewed the film and I found myself more compassionate toward Sharon Stone’s character. She was a hard core addict in the downward spiral throughout the film. Sharon Stone also did an excellent performance.
Part of the Fashion in Film series at the MOTMI
American Gigolo(1980) The word that just describes this film is SORDID.
Men In Black 3(2012): A sci fi farce that made fun of itself included an alien wearing a Mark Sanchez NY Jets jersey as well as old Shea Stadium (with the tiles still on it) and Bill Hader as Andy Warhol was genius
Saturday Night Fever: If there are movies that the reaction to was not what the film makers intended, this has to be one of them. It’s a rather depressing film particularly on the big screen
The Elephant Man: It’s not everyday that one gets to see John Gielgud, Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and Wendy Hiller all in a single film. It’s a sad film but the theme of “human dignity” is in your face. Kudos to director David Lynch (who I am not a fan of) for making such a wonderful film
2001:A Space OdysseyWhen the opportunity arsies to see this film on the big screen, I think that as a film lover, you have to go out of your way to see it. Having seen it on CBS sometime in late 1976 or early 1977 when I was in the second grade does not count and now having seen it as it was meant, VHS on a 32 inch TV back in the late 1980s is now 2 1/2 hours of life I’ll never get back. I won’t get into theory or anything but this film is worth seeing just because it’s a cinematic wonder.
The Queen of VersaillesA documentary that I enjoyed quite a bit. I found there something quite likeable about David and Jackie though, I was surprised that David did not put away anything
The Dark Knight Rises Despite the fact there will be a porn movie with the same title anyday now, I LOVED this movie. Michael Caine is my first of the year for a Best Supporting Actor nomination (he did win one for Hannah and Her Sisters back in the 1980s). This was a fast moving action picture and everyone in it did such stellar performances. I would have considered it a GREAT film but for a few clichés.
Ted: One can’t go wrong with a pot smoking teddy bear
Vertigo: Jimmy Stewart as an obsessed ex cop. So unJimmy Stewart. Another Hitchcock masterpiece
To Catch A Thief: Hitchcock, Cary Grant, and Grace Kelly. What else is there to say? The Bridge on The River Kwai:What’s there to say other than it’s a masterpiece and I think may just be the best anti-war film I have seen. It just shows the absurdity of everything.
Rear Window:Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in this classic on the big screen at the UA Midway as it was celebrating its 70th birthday. Makes one wonder why the hell Grace Kelly ever left Hollywood.
ARGO: I thought it was a good film but not suspenseful since I remember the story. Well shot, well acted, and well done. I’d say, go see it.
The Thing (1982). Thank god for the Museum of the Moving Image. How can one go wrong with a John Carpenter horror/sci flick starrring Kurt Russell?
Skyfall: An excellent James Bond movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it however, I must admit, given that my people are from Donegal, Skyfall itself looked quite a bit like the place. I think Daniel Craig is also the closest to the James Bond of the original Ian Fleming novels.
Lincoln: An excellent film about America’s great President. If Daniel Day Lewis doesn’t win Best Actor at the Oscars, I will be shocked. The film was just shy of perfect as it had a few “Spielbergisms” in it that detracted from the final picture (just like War Horse). Outstanding motion picture.
Silver Linings Playbook: This film was marketed as a comedy (just watch the trailer) but it is not. It’s a good story, a little too long, I checked the time time during the film to figure out how much was left which is my tip off. It’s a story about reconciliation and healing which everyone likes to see. I think Bradley Cooper will get an Oscar nomination as he does a fine job showing mental illness in the film and I also think Jennifer Lawrence may get a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She was stellar in the film and from what I saw, has quite a career in front of her.
All About Eve: A classic in every sense of the term.
Life of Pi A genuine contender for numerous Oscar nominations. One of the few films I have been to where the 3D is actually worth the extra few bucks.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers A classic that never gets old. Like the 1970s remake, you can say there was an huge element of suburban conformity but we know it was an allegory for the Cold War.
Stand Up Guys An enjoyable film about a few old guy, that is, old gangsters and their friendship. You can tell Pacino, Walken, and Arkin were having fun making the film. A pleasant surprise.
Zero Dark Thirty I thought it a really good, not great, film. My suspicions about the torture scenes being Hollywood bullshit to drum up some controvery were confirmed. I wonder if it will be a major commercial success when it goes to wide release. Why? Critical acclaim, female protagonist,and, call this crazy but, many Republicans will refuse to see it since President Obama gave the order to take out UBL. This film seemed choppy early on, had one or two scenes that I thought didn’t even need to be in the film, and you even get the impression the order was given to the SEAL team on short notice (i.e. hours). I thought they spent some time in Virginia training for it at a mock up compound.
My better half preferred this film over Argo which I thought was the better picture as a thriller. They’re both similar films as they’re historically based thrillers but I thought Argo was more “thrilling”. Yes, I am being picayune.
Manhola Dargis of The New York Times in her review writes “It’s pitiful, really, and as the movie heads toward its emphatically nontriumphant finish, it is impossible not to realize with anguish that all that came before — the pain, the suffering and the compromised ideals — has led to this.” That’s a great description of the film in it’s totality. Now of course I am reading into it but one could also look into the film as an allegory for SIN. Maya (Jessica Chastain) is recruited into the CIA out of high school,I suppose that would indicate she’s a prodigy (she is the only CIA character 100% that UBL is in the compound) and you assume she was probably a nice kid. Now of course she had to step down to the enemy’s level of morality, typical action movie trick, and torture. She realizes she had to pay a personal price, a ransom if you will, to get the job done.
Django Unchained In my book, this is the best film of the year. As a Tarantino picture, we expect plenty of “ultra violence” but I thought the real violence in this film was not the shootings but the scenes of slavery in America. I know Spike Lee has been critical of the film, which he said he would not see as slavery is not a “spaghetti western”, which is true, but I think the film does provoke an interest in it. After the movie, I went online and started reading up on slavery. As usual, Tarantino doesn’t disappoint with the dialogue and the performances were outstanding. I expect many Oscar nominations from this film.
Here are my “Denis Awards” for the 2011 Films that I attended. This is purely meaningless and strictly subjective however, some critics and members of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences may agree with many of my picks. It sort of sucks having to choose some of them as it’s so often a tough call but you have to decide.
Best Supporting Actor Nominees (Winner in bold with my reasoning) Adrian Brody, “Midnight in Paris” Cory Still, “Midnight in Paris” (this guy had Hemingway down. Jolly good show)
Don Cheadle, “The Guard”
Jeremy Irons, “Margin Call”
Armie Hammer, “J. Edgar” (honorable mention: he really did a fine job considering his amount of time in the picture as well; in my book, he was nosed out by Cory Still. Good work Armie)
William Fichtner, “Drive Angry in 3D”
Best Supporting Actress Bérénice Bejo, “The Artist” (this was a “no contest” in my book and the other four were all so good–Miss Bejo just got the better role in a better film) Shailene Woodley, “The Descendants”
Bryce Dallas Howard, “The Help”
Marion Cotillard, “Midnight in Paris”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
Quality Ultra-Violence Scene
Battle Los Angeles
Drive Angry in 3D
Unknown Contagion (the societal breakdown where the man clocks a woman for MREs? Yeah, that’s what would happen)
Best Line:
“You Calvanistic penny pinching Scot!”, John Hurt, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” “That old cocksucker” Christopher Shyer, “J. Edgar” (the theater went ape shit when he said it)
“Speak to me as though you are talking to a small child” Jeremy Irons, “Margin Call”
“I didn’t get here by being smart” Jeremy Irons, “Margin Call”
“I see a Rhenocéros!” Adrian Brody, “Midnight in Paris”
Best Comedy:
“Bridesmaids”
“The Hangover II”
“Paul”
“Horrible Bosses” “The Guard” (sophisticated comedy unlike the others that were quite predictable and cliche)
Best Director:
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist (no brainer: to edge out Martin Scorcese, Woody Allen, and Clint Eastwood means, you made a great film. Not bad company to be in)
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Clint Eastwood, J. Edgar
Best Actress Viola Davis, The Help Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
I had to flip a coin on this one as these were the two stand out performances by actresses in films I went to see in 2011 (Mara won 6-4). I have a hunch it may just be a two horse race but perhaps someone such as Glenn Close for that movie where she pretends to be a man or Meryl Streep for Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady” may win. I do think of the first few minutes of “The Help” where Viola Davis mentions her grandmother being a “house slave” and I said “She’s getting an Oscar nomination for this”–she was convincing. This is my weakest call.
Best Picture “The Artist” (as a film, it was by far a better movie than the others)
“Contagion”
“Midnight in Paris”
“Margin Call”
“The Guard”
So those are my picks for 2011’s best films. I look forward to your comments and I hope you agree with many of my decisions. If not, I genuinely look forward to your comments. Tell me where and why I’m wrong.
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