May 19th 2015. Pick of the Day.

Y'know, I 've experienced of late a fatigue, a weariness. Something I have always found a shameful sensation, let alone an admission. Said fatigue is the result of prolonged interaction with my fellow members of the human race, something I do professionally and on my own time, which can truly be said of us all, but exacerbated when presenting yourself as singular service to a larger public. I do this mostly as bartender and somewhat, and hopefully one day fully, as film aficionado. I bring up this fatigue because it hit me a little harder tonight, this interaction on both business fronts testing my patience, my resolve, my industry. In the face of these challenges, I think it important to remind the real re-charge of the battery; to parent your humility, to contain your ego. In the words of Kipling, to keep your head while those about you lose theirs. I'm not about to brag that I am blessed with this innate ability, but I do continue to strive for it. Because sometimes, that stranger that seems hell-bent on ruining our day, all they need is a tolerant response to an irrational outburst to change their disposition. And at some point, we may be that hell-bent stranger.
So I dearly hope this little screed allows me to break the line to get my popcorn before everyone else. Or claim the aisle seat by right of nobility. Wait, what was my origianl point again?
 
Continuing series this day include The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Japan Speaks Out!: Early Japanese Talkies at MoMA, CinéSalon: Haute Couture on Film at the French Institute, and "Written" by Philip Yordan at Anthology Film Archives. The halide-emulsed hors d'oeuvresery be thus;
 
Film Forum
The Apu Trilogy
APARAJITO (1956) Dir; Satyajit Ray
 
MoMA
Japan Speaks Out!: Early Japanese Talkies
THE LETTER (1936) Dir; Mansaku Itami
CHUSHINGURA (1932) Dir; Teinosuke Kinogusha
 
French Institute/Alliance Française
CinéSalon: Haute Couture on Film
BELLE DE JOUR (1967) Dir; Luis Buñuel
 
Anthology Film Archives
"Written" by Philip Yordan
JOHNNY GUITAR (1954) Dir; Nicholas Ray
STUDS LONIGAN (1960) Dir; Irving Lerner
 
Today's Pick? I've already chosen the excellent and most worthy series currently gracing MoMA's screens, the instructive and wildly entertaining Japan Speaks Out!, not once but twice in the last week. So I must give it a pass. AFA's trib to Philip Yordan, the man who might've been the biggest "front" for writers during the Blacklist era, appeals, but doesn't convince, and sadly it's partially due to the venue's policy against specially discounted tickets for multiple screenings. And as I've said, I'm waiting for a full day of Ray's Apu Trilogy before I make it my Pick. So my consolation prize is a 25-year old Catharine Deneuve? Poor me.
 
Luis Buñuel's BELLE DE JOUR screens twice today at the French Institute/Alliance Française as part of their magnificent series CinéSalon: Haute Couture on Film! If you think Deneuve provides only sex appeal in this film, which she does in spades, by the way, then you need to witness Buñuels' signature unraveling of the bourgeois mentality. And the specific heartbreak contained within.
 
For more info on these and all NYC's classic film screenings in May '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!
 
JoeW@NitrateStock.net
 
P. S. We seem to be entering, finally, the warm cuddle of the sun's friendlier disposition, but 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!