March 3rd 2015. 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.
Y'know, as horrible a test of sinew and spirit this now thankfully deceased February '15 was, there were some memorable moments. The MANHUNTER screening at IFC, attended by none other than the serially-killing Tom Noonan. Speaking of Michael Mann, my taking in of his latest, the criminaly underappreciated BLACKHAT, which is no waste of your two hours to be sure. Discovering the brilliance of Damien Clazelle's WHIPLASH at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema, just in time to cheer for it at the Oscars and to beat the drum, pun intended, for its maker, who I suspect has announced himself as a major new cinematic voice. On the small screen both BETTER CALL SAUL and Marvel's AGENT CARTER showed once more how formidable a medium television has proven during this new golden age. And the Oscars, of course, with all its resplendent glitz, gloss, glam, and okay before I take as long as NPH did that night let's just get to this day's goods.
New and ongoing series this day include CinéSalon: Benoît Jacquot - Leading Ladies at the Alliance Française, or French Institute, Black & White 'Scope: American Cinema at BAM Cinématek, and the Wim Wenders fete at MoMA. The projector bulb's bedevilry be thus;
Film Forum
KES (1969) Dir; Ken Loach
French Institute/Alliance Française
CinéSalon: Benoît Jacquot - Leading Ladies
THE DISENCHANTED (1990) Dir; Benoît Jacquot
BAM Cinématek
Black & White 'Scope: American Cinema
BILLY BUDD (1962) Dir; Peter Ustinov
MoMA
ALICE IN THE CITIES (1974) Dir; Wim Wenders
Today's Pick? It's gotta be Ustinov's Melville adap, 1962's BILLY BUDD, his masterfully crafted seafaring tale that details a clash of wills, one good versus the other evil, unspooling as part of BAM Cinématek's trib to widescreen monochrome; Black & White 'Scope: American Cinema. I choose it perhaps for no other reason than its status as the great Terence Stamp's debut feature. And really, do I need a better justification? No Stamp, no Bow Before Zod. You really wanna consider that frightening alternate reality? Hm?
For more info on these and all NYC's classic film screenings in March '15 click on the interactive calendar on the upper right hand side of the page. For reviews of contemporary cinema and my streaming habits (keep it clean!) check out my Letterboxd 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. Back soon with new Picks 'n perks, til then safe, sound, make sure the next knucklehead is too!
P. S. We're fully entwined in winter's embrace, and believe it or not some of our fellow NY'ers have still yet to be made whole in the wake of the 2012 storm. Should you be feeling charitable please visit the folks at OccupySandy.net, follow their hammer-in-hand efforts to restore people's lives, and donate/volunteer if you have the inclination and availability. Be a collective mensch, Stockahz!
