July 25th 2013. Pick Of The Day.
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Film Forum's mini-reprieve of their exhaustive June trib to Yasujiro Ozu seems to come to an end with today's screening of the auteur's LATE AUTUMN. Once more the Japanese tradition of arranged marriage and its disfavor and decline in modern postwar Japan serves as Ozu's topic, and once more the master delivers both a narrative and style unorthodox but brilliant. I heart Yaz incredibly, but pass again. June belonged to him anyway, so lemme spread the love around a little.
Also at the Forum today Michelangelo Antonioni's L'AVVENTURA, the masterwork of world cinema that made the filmmaker's rep, screens NOT its last, as the venerable rep house on West Houston has granted it a five day stay of execution. Chose it the first day I could, so me own rules prevent a double dip, even with Monica Vitti. Damn me.
Snake Plissken's own departure plans are delayed as well, as John Carpenter's ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK is held over indefinitely at the IFC Center. Caught it a few days ago and can attest Rialto Pictures' new DCP resto returns this gem to its grindhouse glory, but as it made my Pick last week I gotta pass. But dear CHRIST I love this flick. Carpenter's the man.
Brian De Palma's colossally boring THE FURY screens as part of BAM's month-long trib to John Cassavetes, and wastes his lone onscreen face-off with fellow guy flick icon Kirk Douglas. Armond White'll be in his glory. In other words it sucks.
Bob Rafelson's trippy HEAD, The Monkees' lone feature film, screens at Videology in Brooklyn tonight. Yeah, it's a BluRay presentation, but the big screen verison of Hollywood's Fab Faux took the TV show's already darker and more surreal take on Beatlemania and sent it fully into orbit. An underrated gem, and Videology's popcorn rocks. Misses as my Pick because I'm just not feeling Brooklyn today. Don't judge.
Outdoor cinematic hijinks this eve include a screening of Mel Stuart's classic Roald Dahl adap WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY in Brooklyn Bridge Park. VERY difficult to pass up, except I just chose the screening last month at Bryant Park, and anyway an indoor screening is my preference today, a sophomore effort from one of the most important voices of world cinema in the postwar era. Not as groundbreaking perhaps as his debut feature, THE 400 BLOWS, and not as beloved as his third film, JULES AND JIM, which many consider not merely the finding of his true cinematic voice but one of the most romantic works of the French Nouvelle Vague. It's the middle child of these two, a reworking of noir conventions with a Neorealist vibe. Ace camera work from the legendary Raoul Coutard, a charming lead perf from chanteur Charles Aznavour, and a focus equal parts fatalistic and graceful make this flick a fave. I don't see this screening too often so today one of the great Frogteurs all-time is handily awarded my Pick. Avec plaisir.
Francois Truffaut's SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER screens for the second of its three day booking as part of MoMA's ongoing Auteurist History of Film series. An important work from a master's formative period. Plus the museum's AC is top notch. Don't sit behind the guy who told me to stop eating potato chips last time.
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Be safe and sound and make sure the next knucklehead is too! August Calendar's nearly finished, kiddies, and the month's CHOCK full of rep screening goodness! Back tomorrow with a new Pick. Til then enjoy whatever summer activities you get up to. GO YANKS!
-Joe Walsh
