October 4th 2013. Pick Of The Day.
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October '13 finally gets cookin' on the rep film circuit this weekend. Among the goodies on display count Anouk Aimee's channeling of Marlene Dietrich, Yasujiro Ozu's final film, and Liza Minneli's deservedly Oscar-winning perf. Continuing series include Film Forum's trib to Jacques Demy, BAM Cinematek's Cassavetes Redux, and the Rubin Museum's Cabaret Cinema. The lowdown as follows;
IFC Center
THE WICKER MAN: THE FINAL CUT (1973) Dir; Robin Hardy
THE GETAWAY (1972) Dir; Sam Peckinpah
Film Forum
LOLA (1960) Dir; Jacques Demy
UNE CHAMBRE EN VILLE (1982) Dir; Jacques Demy
MoMA
AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON (1962) Dir; Yasujiro Ozu
BAM
THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE (1976) Dir; John Cassavetes
Anthology Film Archives
BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925) Dir; Sergei Eisenstein
STRIKE (1925) Dir; Sergei Eisenstein
Rubin Museum
CABARET (1972) Dir; Bob Fosse
Nitehawk Cinema
BLOODSUCKING FREAKS (1976) Dir; Joel M. Reed
Landmark Sunshine Cinemas
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975) Dir; Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
Today's Pick? Were the Eisenstein back-to-backers of POTEMKIN and STRIKE a true double feature I think that'd sway my vote, but the Anthology almost never offers a two for one, though the odds you'd be able to just sit through both are pretty strong at Manhattan's last remnant of the grindhouse experience. Still, a joint's gotta make a buck, so I'd never suggest you take advantage of Casa De Mekas, and besides a better choice resides on today's rep menu regardless.
I could write a coupl'a paragraphs detailing why I'm declaring today's rep champeen, but I'll just list the four most important reasons. Screenplay by Walter Hill. Based on the novel by Jim Thompson. Directed by Sam Peckinpah. And, finally, starring Steve McQueen. In the cinematic realm of guy flicks featuring men of few words and great resourceful action, they don't come much better than this.
Sam Peckinpah's THE GETAWAY screens tonight at midnight at IFC Center. A proposition once considered dicey by the major studios, whose doubts over McQueen's box-office longevity forced the star to take a cut of the profits in lieu of pay, wound up not only the 8th highest grossing film of the year but the movie where McQueen stole Ali McGraw away from husband and Paramount chief Robert Evans. Chutzpah has rewards.
For more info on these and all October's classic screenings click the interactive calendar on the upper right hand side of the page. And be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter! Back tomorrow with more, til then stay safe and sound and look out for the next knucklehead too. McGraw was a babe.
-Joe Walsh
