February revivals: second half

Hi, Mike here with revival options to catch for the rest of February. A small list with a couple of repeats to start, but it's a list I feel real good about. Again, I'll try to keep the descriptions brief, and include a link to the website of wherever it's playing. Here we go:



JAWS- Fri Feb 18 and Sun Feb 20 at Midnight- IFC Center- A midnight screening of this classic, on all 3 nights of Presidents Weekend. On both AFI Top 100 lists, but higher up for me. More like in my personal Top 35 as opposed to just one of one hundred. Don't underestimate the quality of this Spielberg film on the big screen, and IFC Center tends to get good prints. It's not just another fish film. 3 Oscars including John Williams's memorable score, and a nomination for Best Picture (along with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Barry Lyndon, Dog Day Afternoon and Nashville; not shabby.)http://www.ifccenter.com/films/jaws/#day_sun

THE GODFATHER- Sun Feb 20 at 8:20- Film Forum- Part of the Al Pacino films of the 1970s retrospective. One of the greats. Winner of 3 key Oscars: Picture, Screenplay Adaptation for Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo and Marlon Brando for Actor. No need to mention the Oscar controversy in this list about Brando that night. No need to mention its high place on both AFI lists. No need to mention its place in my personal top 35 (pretty high, yet not as high as Godfather 2). Just need to say; unless you're over the age of 46, you saw its brief re-release in 1997 or saw a crappy print when it's played at Midnight at Landmark Sunshine Cinema, you've only seen this on tv. Maybe you saw it's brief run at the Forum or the Ziegfeld back in the fall of 2008 in its restored print. But there are plenty of you out there who have no clue about the immersing power of this terrific film. Now is a great time to correct this:
http://www.filmforum.org/films/pacino.html


DOG DAY AFTERNOON- Tues Feb 22 at 7 and 9:30- Film Forum- Part of the Pacino films of the 70s retro. A Sidney Lumet classic. One of the great New York City films, and one of the great heist films, and based on a true story. A man robs a bank to pay for his lover's operation; it turns into a hostage situation and a media circus. A quintessential New York film that couldn't be made outside the 70's. 6 nominations, including Pacino, Lumet and Picture; an Oscar for Screenplay. "ATTICA! ATTICA!".


ALICE'S RESTAURANT- Mon Feb 28 at 8 with an introduction from Craig Lucas- IFC Center- Part of a series of films where Gay and Lesbian artists talk about the films that heavily influenced them. In the case of playwright Craig Lucas (Prelude to a Kiss, The Light in the Piazza), it was Alice's Restaurant, from director Arthur Penn (Oscar nominated for this). Not a hit film when compared to Penn's previous picture, Bonnie and Clyde, but for those who weren't around when this came out, consider it a forgotten gem. It doesn't play out Arlo Guthrie's classic song, but is more inspired by it. Depicts the end of the hippie lifestyle/ free love movement, like with Gimmie Shelter. But unlike that documentary, there's no brutal sorrow here. More of a wistful sadness, with a somewhat ambiguous ending. Lucas will introduce the film, but I have no idea if he'll discuss it post-screening:

http://www.ifccenter.com/series/queerartfilm/

http://www.ifccenter.com/films/alices-restaurant/



Let me know if there's any interest. And if you like to see me and hear me, you can find me on-stage in Amateurs, starting Saturday Feb. 19 for 3 weekends. Go to http://www.parksideplayers.com/ for details and reservation information. Ask me film stuff afterwards if you like. I don't promise enlightened answers, but I do promise responses. Later all.