February 16th 2014. Pick of the Day.
New York City's premiere resource for classic film screenings in the metropolitan area. Offering reviews, recommendations, venues and a host of links keeping classic film and the silver screens alive.
Continuing and concluding series today include the Film Society's Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema, Anthology Film Archives' Valentine's Day Massacre 2014, and BAM's Vengeance is Hers. The koo koo nuttiness as follows;
Film Forum
YOUNG MR. LINCOLN (1939) Dir; John Ford
Nitehawk Cinema
SEVEN CHANCES (1925) Dir; Buster Keaton
Mid-Manhattan Library
IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (1949) Dir; Robert Z. Leonard
Film Society of Lincoln Center
BLIND CHANCE (1981) Dir; Krzysztof Kieslowski
THE HOURGLASS SANATORIUM (1973) Dir; Wojciech Has
INNOCENT SORCERERS (1960) Dir; Andrzej Wadja
AUSTERIA (1982) Dir; Jerzy Kawalerowicz
Anthology Film Archives
MODERN ROMANCE (1981) Dir; Albert Brooks
POSSESSION (1981) Dir; Andrzej Zulawski
WE WON'T GROW OLD TOGETHER (1972) Dir; Maurice Pialat
BAM Cinematek
9 TO 5 (1980) Dir; Colin Higgins
SHE-DEVIL (1989) Dir; Susan Seidelman
Landmark Sunshine Cinema
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961) Dir; Blake Edwards
Today's Pick? Well I've nearly let the entire damn series pass without choosing a single entry, partially because I deemed other screenings more worthy on any given day, mostly because I'm unfamiliar with a lotta foreign film, which is no excuse. So I'm casting my vote today for the four closing entries in the Film Society's Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema; Krzysztof Kieslowski's BLIND CHANCE, exploring three alternate possible futures dependant on our protagonist's making or missing a train; Wojciech Has' THE HOURGLASS SANATORIUM, set in a crumbling, time-defying residence for the elderly that doubles as thinly-veiled commentary on conditions in Soviet-era Poland; Andrzej Wadja's INNOCENT SORCERERS, a tale of teen rebellion coinciding with real political rebellion; and Jerzy Kawalerowicz's AUSTERIA, one more sad detailing of the flight of Jews from anti-semitic forces in the 20th century, this set on the eve of WWI. The good folks at the Walter Reade Theater offer discount prices for multiple screenings, and it's pretty much gonna be Poland in NYC all day today weather-wise. So why not reward the great Scorsese with your attendance for an all-day movie experience, a 4-fer, and in the process hip yerself to the World Cinema dialogue! Or, y'know, sweep rock salt. Those are your options. Comrade.
For more info on these and all NYC's classic film screenings in February '14 click on the interactive calendar on the upper right hand side of the page. And be sure to follow me on both Facebook, where I provide further info and esoterica on the rep film circuit and star birthdays, and Twitter, where I provide a daily feed for the day's screenings and other blathery. Takin' a break tomorrow but back Tuesday with a brand new Pick, til then enjoy your Prez Day holiday responsibly and take at least a moment to dig the whole idea behind the Red, White n' Blue. Excelsior, Knucks!
-Joe Walsh
P. S. Should you be feeling charitable during this harsh weather period please remember to check in with the good folks over at Occupy Sandy. Some of our NY neighbors are still feeling the effects of last year's hurricane. Be a mensch.
