December 24th 2015. Pick of the Xmas Eve.
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Continuing series this day include Modern Matinees: The Film Library Grows at MoMA, and the monumentally melodramatic Imitations of Life: The Films of Douglas Sirk at the Walter Reade Theater. The rep circuit's Night Before Xmas be thus;
IFC Center
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) Dir; Frank Capra
Film Forum
PIERROT LE FOU (1965) Dir; Jean-Luc Godard
MoMA
Modern Matinees: The Film Library Grows
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER (1938) Dir; Norman Taurog
Film Society of Lincoln Center
Imitations of Life: The Films of Douglas Sirk
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION (1954) Dir; Douglas Sirk
ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (1955) Dir; Douglas Sirk
WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956) Dir; Douglas Sirk
BATTLE HYMN (1957) Dir; Douglas Sirk
Today's Pick? It's actually today's Picks. I can't say nein to a quartet of sudsy soapers from the man who might've, along with partner producer Ross Hunter, defined the genre's apex, the onetime Dietlef Sierck, who rose to prominence in the Hollywood 50's as Douglas Sirk, purveyor of purple prestidigitation par none. Given a spin through the cinematic reputation car wash by the writers at Cahiers du Cinema, he went from crafter of disposable camp confections to multi-layered commentator on America's postwar consumer culture. He dealt in plots outlandish, behavior unhinged, libidos perplexed, but all the while composed lush entertainments bursting with visual splendor. Three of his most iconic unspool today, as part of the series Imitations of Life: The Films of Douglas Sirk; MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION, ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS and the completely batty WRITTEN ON THE WIND, as well as the slightly lesser-known yet Rock Hudson-headlined BATTLE HYMN. Tix are normally on sale for a bulk rate discount, but the website for the Film Society of Lincoln Center doesn't seem to list one this time. Could be a glitch on my behalf. Regardless, this is the series you should attend today if ya wanna indulge in holiday verklempt. For such things was Kleenex invented. As well as straitjackets.
For more info on these and all NYC's rep film screenings in December '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!
