I still chuckle about the time, a little less than two years ago, my dear friend Jaime came to visit me in L.A. She'd been traveling the country with the volunteer group Americorps -- aiding Habitat for Humanity, gutting houses in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck, and other such do-gooding that made me feel like a selfish monster. We were talking one day when she suddenly jumped in her seat, experiencing the electric jolt you get when a memory surfaces that you've been dying to share with someone. "I saw something on the internet I wanted to tell you about," she said. "Have you heard of You...Tube?"
That she pronounced the name of the most ubiquitous pop-cultural phenomenon of the past several years like it was written in Sanskrit made me squeal like a toddler, but I was also a little envious. Even though it lasted only a moment, she felt like she'd discovered a tiny pleasure to share with her friends. That's a great feeling, no?
On with today's screenings:
AUTRY NATIONAL CENTER
Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA, 90027-1462
Food and Gene Autry -- if you like paying for both of those things, then head over to the Autry Center for dinner and a movie:
5:00 PM -- Barbed Wire (dir. George Archainbaud, 1952)
BILLY WILDER THEATER
Courtyard Level, Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
The Archive's series of British films from the 70s and 80s continues with a double feature:
7:30 PM -- Kes (dir. Ken Loach, 1970)
Loach's first feature (pictured above), named one of the greatest British films of all time by the British Film Institute. As a big Loach fan who's never seen this, I'll probably be in attendance.
Followed by -- Pressure (dir. Horace Ové, 1975)
Per the Archive: "Partly adapted from Samuel Selvon's novel and partly improvised, director Ove' summoned his firsthand experiences in the British black power movement to recreate London's racial powder keg. Scenes of police brutality and racist church sermons were shot with many of the "extras" unaware that the participants were actors!"
NOTE: As planned, I attended the Archive's screening of Terence Davies' Distant Voices, Still Lives on Saturday. Why is this film not on DVD in the States? I haven't been able to shake the images or the sonic experience since the credits rolled. The films gets into your bones. Here's a review from Fernando Croce at Slant Magazine that nails the experience.
CINEFAMILY @ THE SILENT MOVIE THEATER
611 N Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Bit of confusion about tonight's Cinefamily event, "TV Tuesday".
The website, as of the time of this posting, lists the screening time as 8:00 PM.
However, an email went out to the mailing list last night indicating a 'time change' to 10:30 PM.
I assume this means that the only screening will be at 10:30 PM, but folks planning to attend who don't get the newsletter might be in for a surprise.
Here's the Cinefamily's description of the event:
"There is no deeper well of secret guilty goodness than the thousands upon thousands of made-for-TV movies, "special" episodes and weird commercials that have passed through the airwaves and into the ether. We promise a magical night where every short attention span-style flip of the channel lands you on a different amazing piece of lost television you won't be able to take your eyes off of. We've got at least two great '70s TV movies, and a whole mess of other stuff you can barely remember from years past, or can't believe existed. Bring your favorite snacks, snuggle up, and join our couch, 'cause it's TV Tuesday!"
LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Today's Tuesday matinee selection at LACMA:
1:00 PM -- The Happy Years (dir. William A. Wellman, 1950)
"The taming of an unruly pupil at a turn-of-the-century American school."
NEW BEVERLY CINEMA
7165 West Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tonight at the New Bev, Eric Caidin and Brian Quinn present the Grindhouse Film Festival and a tribute to director Ted V. Mikels
7:30 PM -- The Doll Squad (1973)
Actress Francine York will be in attendance.
A second feature will play at 10:00 PM, but as of the time of this posting, the title hasn't been announced.
SKIRBALL CENTER
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
As part of the Skirball's ongoing series of the films of Israeli brothers Barak and Tomer Heymann, two films will screen:
7:30 PM -- Dancing Alfonso (2008)
"Alfonso is the lead dancer in an Israeli flamenco troupe, whose group members average seventy-five years of age. After the death of his wife, Alfonso begins to obsessively court a fellow dancer, Sima, much to the dismay of his children."
Followed by -- Out of Focus (2007)
"Documents, for the first time, the creative process of Ohad Naharin, choreographer of the world-renowned Batsheva Dance Company. For five days, director Tomer Heymann trails Naharin as he teaches his choreography to acclaimed American troupe Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in a New York studio, capturing insightful glimpses into the worlds of both dance and cinema."
The Heymann brothers will be in attendance for a Q&A.
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