September 22nd 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.
The pickin's be slim, yet cherce today. Continuing series include Vittorio De Sica: Attore, Regista, Seduttore at Film Forum and Ingrid Bergman at BAM at BAM Cinématek. The kino kerfuffle be thus;
Film Forum
Vittorio De Sica: Attore, Regista, Seduttore
MIRACLE IN MILAN (1951) Dir; Vittorio De Sica
UMBERTO D. (1952) Dir; Vittorio De Sica
SHOESHINE (1946) Dir; Vittorio De Sica
BAM Cinématek
JUNE NIGHT (1940) Dir; Per Lindberg
Today's Pick? It may not screen at a specially ticketed price for multiple screeings, but hey, sometimes ya gotta lay down the coin if ya wanna take in the gleam. Oh, somethin' like that anyway.
I haven't availed myself of the opportunity to shine the Kliegs on a magnificent retrospective, one that focuses on a masterful filmmaker from Italy, who bridged the gap between the classical era throguh the neo-realist period into the magic realist era of the 60's. He began as actor, a popular one, and so his interest remained mainly in character and performance. Through this special lens he was able to present a depiction of the world that served as social comment, as optimistic view of home country, as biting critique of humanity or the lack thereof. He begat one of the essential works of the neo-realist era, among the most important film movements in the medium's history. He oversaw one of comedy legend Peter Sellers' best and funniest roles, in my humble opinion, in a farce scrripted by Neil Simon which served as a one-two punch to both his native Italy's post-war culture and the ugliest aspects of the film industry in general. He was crucial to the promotion of Sophia Loren to worldwide icon. He volunteered his thespian skills, at the height of his directorial career, in one of Max Ophuls' finest works. His influence was wide and ongoing and undeniable. For a few weeks more his work unspools at one of our finest repertory houses. Today, I'm hoisting three of his best on my shoulders.
Vittorio De Sica's MIRACLE IN MILAN, UMBERTO D., and SHOESHINE screen at Film Forum today as part of the series Vittorio De Sica: Attore, Regista, Seduttore! In the words of my home borough of The Bronx, gettayoobacksideoffayoocouchandpayadaFilmForumtowatchadamovies, yooknuckleheadyoo!
For more info on these and all NYC's rep film screenings in September '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 begun its annual wane, 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!
