August 4th 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.
Well, Stockahz, you'll be glad to know, some of yaz anyway, that I survived Clamfest '15, an unabashed display of food-porn debauchery the likes of which would humble even the most shameless figure of comestible exploitation, running the gamut from Mario Batali to Joey Chestnut. And really, is there any difference? But anyway, happy to say I'm back after the much-needed, much-beloved getaway, and my thanks once more to the residents of NJ's Highlands, who took quite the beating nearly 3 years ago and are recovering perhaps slowly, but surely, and with all their grace and charm and good nature toward visitors one could hope for. Now that I have proven myself worthy of one more year on this planet, until the next test of my mettle in the face of Irish Eggrolls and Deep Fried Roasted Corn Smoothies that is, let's return to our common interest, NYC's rep film circuit, and get into this day's doings.
Continuing series this sweltering August day include True Crime! at Film Forum, Glorious Technicolor: From George Eastman House and Beyond at MoMA, the month-long trib to American International Pictures at Anthology Film Archives, and Indie 80's at BAM Cinématek. The rampage at the air conditioning gates be thus;
Film Forum
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1990) Dir; Barbet Schroeder
THE KRAYS (1990) Dir; Peter Medak
THE THIRD MAN (1949) Dir; Carol Reed
MoMA
Glorious Technicolor: From George Eastman House and Beyond
BAMBI (1941) Dirs; Various
FANTASIA (1940) Dirs; Various
Anthology Film Archives
American International Pictures
BLACK SABBATH (1962) Dir; Mario Bava
THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN (1964) Dir; Edgar J. Ulmer
BAM Cinématek
PARTING GLANCES (1986) Dir; Bill Sherwood
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
CASABLANCA (1942) Dir; Michael Curtiz
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
BACK TO THE FUTURE II (1989) Dir; Robert Zemeckis
Today's Pick? Maybe I choose it too often, maybe it's the expected, perhaps boring choice. Mybe I should even consider retiring it as a Pick for 6 months to a full year in the face of its sheer ubiquity. Them's a bunch'o maybes. Here's a certainty; it screens tonight on a rooftop, under a wonderfully balmy summer moon. So no matter which direction you think the better this day, I'm getting on that plane, because if I don't I'll regret it and for the rest of my life.
Michael Curtiz's CASABLANCA screens tonight at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, on its rooftop to be precise, beginning somewheres around sunset. Yep, it's a BluRay projection most likely, and yes, it's basically a set of folding chairs, but if you've never seen this most romantic masterpiece of the cinema under a genuine set of stars, here's your chance. We'll always have Carmine Street and Varick.
For more info on these and all NYC's rep film screenings in August '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. The warmer, fiercer cuddle of the sun's sunnier disposition has reached its zenith, 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!
