NYC Movie Weekend!

One of the things I love most about living in New York City is the number of theaters that show classic films around the city. Now don't get me wrong- there are fewer options than when I first got here over twenty years ago. But there are still several theaters left that give you the opportunity to see classic films on big screens.

Here are some fun goings-on that are happening this weekend:

Coen Brothers Film Festival at Film Forum

If one was going to make a list of modern auteurs, Joel and Ethan Coen would rank high with their distinctive blend of dark comedy and human tragedy. Starting in 1984 with the grisly Blood Simple, Joel and Ethan have worked together to find the humor in murder, kidnapping, and bowling. Film Forum is hosting fifteen of their best from Friday 1/29 through Thursday, 2/4, ending with their newest star-studded film, old Hollywood homage Hail, Caesar! I can't wait to find out who has kidnapped Baird Whitlock!

My favorites?

Blood Simple (1984)
Raising Arizona (1987)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
And of course their most recognized film, Fargo (1996), but that stopped showing on Thursday, so you'll have to rent that one if you don't already own it. Everyone owns a copy of Fargo, right?

The Landmark Loew's Jersey brings you the news

The Landmark Loew's Theater in Jersey City is an old movie palace that has seen better days, but valiant volunteers have been working hard to step-by-step restore this gem to its former glory. It has a long way to go- but the old movie organ works and the screen is huge. So it's always a good time to get on the PATH train and see an old movie.

This and the following weekend are dedicated to movies about mass media and they are kicking off the festival with an Elia Kazan classic, A Face in the Crowd (1957). This film will wow you. It charts the career of "Lonesome" Rhodes (a surprising Andy Griffith), a former jailbird who sings his way into a radio and then TV empire. There's no Mayberry sheriff here as a beloved folk hero turns into a megalomaniac bent on becoming a political kingmaker. I'd say this film was prophetic if it weren't for the fact it was based partially on entertainer Arthur Godfrey. But all one needs to do is look at the television clown running for president now to understand that this movie is barely fictional. Amazing cast includes the always stellar Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, and introduces Lee Remick with a baton.
If this weekend doesn't work for you- try next weekend when The Landmark is showing the equally amazing Ace in the Hole (1951) and Network (1976).
Seriously, these three movies are all must-sees.


Catch the vibes of Dr. Phibes!

If classic, camp horror films are more your speed, go to the tres alternative movie house, Anthology Film Archives where The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) will scare the laughs right out of you. Care of schlock movie house American International, this gem stars the Crown Prince of Horror, Vincent Price as the titular doctor who is seeking revenge on the nine doctors who were responsible for the death of his beloved wife. To make sure he wasn't just Vincent Price being creepy, the plot adds the twist that he can't speak and his voice has to come from a weird victrola-thing that he attaches to his neck. Not weird enough? How about if he wears a mask that looks like the heavily powdered face of Price, but in reality, he's horribly burned underneath? Still not enough? What if instead of just tracking down and killing these dudes, he kills each of them according to one of the biblical plagues? What if he has a hot assistant named Vulnavia? Not even the venerable Joseph Cotton can bring any seriousness to the proceedings- but that's okay. This movie is a hoot- and if you don't believe me- check out the trailer.

Well that's what's going on in movie theaters in NYC this weekend. Go see a classic movie! Or stay at home with a plastic organ and your burned face.