Forgive for these next ten days, Stockahz. I'm absolutely swamped with work and can only provide the barest semblence of a self whilst providing you the rep circuit rundown you've come to love and cherish. Well, perhaps those two terms are more embellishment than practical description. Let's just say the rep circuit shenanigans you've come to observe. That leaves you with a safe distance from my lunacy. To the sked!

Ongoing series this day include Deneuve X 8 at IFC Center, The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Titanus: A Family Chronicle of Italian Cinema at the Film Society, Portraying the Human Condition: The Films of Masaki Kobayashi and Tatsuya Nakadai at Moving Image, and "Written" by Philip Yordan at Anthology Film Archives. The b-roll befuddlery be thus;

Dogs: check. Buns: check. Mustard brush: check. Beer: check. Hot coals: check.

Just to illustrate once more, one man's Memorial Day weekend shenanigans is another man's unfortunate detention in a Belgium airport. I kid The Sprouts, they terrify me!

Continuing series this day include Deneuve X 8 at IFC Center, The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Actuerism: Joel McCrea at MoMA, and "Written" by Philip Yordan at Anthology Film Archives. The indoor picnickry be thus;

Continuing series this day include The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Actuerism: Joel McCrea at MoMA, "Written" by Philip Yordan at Anthology Film Archives, and Booze 'N Books at the Nitehawk Cinema. The widescreen wimwammery be thus;

1982 was such a pivotal year in my childhood. It contained the Magic Summer, that concurrence of kiddie fare with adult budgets, and adult themes to boot. The genre fare that school vacay included such seminal classics as BLADE RUNNER, THE THING, TRON, STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN, and THE ROAD WARRIOR. It was also the year that spawned my opening interview question; "What was your favorite film when you were 12 years old and is it still your favorite?" Twelve is that age, I believe, when film transitions, for those so inclined, from a passive pasttime to a deeper interest, maybe even an obsession, where the making of lists and the beginnings of essays become as fulfilling as the movie viewing experience itself. 1982 was also the year that saw the first step on a grand journey for a personality that would inform my film sensibilities, indeed my tastes in general, to a large degree.

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;

A completely loaded menu on offer today, including a doubling down on classic Japanese cinema, an extension of a finely-programmed series focusing on Hollywood's blacklist era, India's first-ever world cinema auteur, and some cool and creepy odds and ends scheduled pre-noon and post-midnight. Think it's easy to choose from a pack like this? Read on, MacDuff.

Continuing series this day include Deneuve x 8 at IFC Center, The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Portraying the Human Condition: The Films of Masaki Kobayashi and Tatsuya Nakadai at Museum of the Moving Image, Japan Speaks Out!: Early Japanese Talkies at MoMA, and "Written" by Philip Yordan at Anthology Film Archives. The Bell & Howell befussery be thussery;

So much going on in the NYC rep film circuit. So much yet to come, as summer arrives and the outdoor screenings bloom like blooming things. So much writing to attend to. And yet, all that I can think about is the new recipe Heinz mustard. Hot dog thoughts, begone! We have celluloid to discuss, which is among the few remaining ingredients still banned from hot dogs. Wait, lemme check the FDA updates...

Continuing series this day include The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Acteurism: Joel McCrea and Japan Speaks Out!: Early Japanese Talkies, both at MoMA, and the splendiferous celebration of Times Square's glory grindhouse past, The Deuce at the Nitehawk Cinema. The repertory rapscallionism be thus;

Just a reminder: the 2015 Scripps Spelling Bee is apparently scheduled for Friday evening the 29th of May. Yes, I know this has nothing to do with classic film. But on the other hand, shaddap!

Continuing series this week include The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, and both Acteurism: Joel McCrea and Japan Speaks Out!: Early Japanese Talkies at MoMA. The wimwammery be thus;

May 2015, Bebeh! The warm weather is just settling in to our winter-beaten burg. How much finer an experience traipsing between repertory screens when the winds bathe us in a balmy 80 degree breeze? Thankfully we've got plenty on the classic film horizon to keep us more than occupied. So for now let's enjoy the simple choices before the slate crowds.

Continuing series this day include The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, CinéSalon: Haute Couture on Film at the French Institute/Alliance Française, and Japan Speaks Out!: Early Japanese Talkies at MoMA. The tomfoolery be thus;

Okay, now begins the calendar period, which really lasts until the year's finished, frankly, that sees my focus pulled (no pun intended) in myriad directions at once. Two spectacular programs dedicated to Japanese cinema, one underway and one starting up next week, fight for world cinema braggin' rights with the Forum's just begun program of Satyajit's Ray's most celebrated trilogy. Later this month a new series devoted to 35mm kicks off at AFA, while MoMA has planned a massive celebration for Technicolor's centennial. So of course, as luck woukd have it, I've chosen now as the moment when I fully dive into all 4 seasons of PORTLANDIA on Netflix. I'm not easy on myself, in case you haven't already guessed.

New and continuing series this day include Deneuve x 8 at IFC Center, The Apu Trilogy at Film Forum, Japan Speaks Out! Early Japanese Talkiesat MoMA, Rockin' the Roach! - Wave Two: The Silent Clowns Film Series at the Library for the Performing Arts, and Rain the Color of Blue with a Little Red in it at Anthology Film Archives. The four-perf foofaraw be thus;