July Revival Cinema Recs
Last month saw the American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week ring in its fourth year. The series has blossomed into a must on any cinephile’s calendar and expanded beyond LA to Chicago, Dallas, and New York, to name a few. The titles and special guests slated for the screenings were undeniable, but even all that enthusiasm doesn’t compare to the jaw-on-the-floor feeling I got looking over this July’s Ultra Cinematheque 70 Series. I’d see every film in the series, and there’s got to be someone out there completing the cycle. If not for some summer travels mid-month, I might even take on the feat myself. Winnowing down the 30-some-odd titles to recommendations becomes a very personal affair based on what I’ve seen in the theater before or most recently. This isn’t a discovery series so much as it is a chance to experience films in 70mm at a theater that many people probably have only seen at home. At least that’s the case for me.
AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE Ultra 70M
July 5, 12, 27 - LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) Dir. David Lean
July 6, 10 - THE SEARCHERS (1956) Dir. John Ford
July 8 - HOWARD THE DUCK (1986) Dir. Willard Huyck
July 16, 20 - PLAYTIME (1967) Dir. Jacques Tati
July 19 - TOTAL RECALL (1990) Dir. Paul Verhoeven
July 20, 27 - SHORTCUTS (1993) Dir. Robert Altman
I start my recs with David Lean’s LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. This had been at the top of my revival must-sees for a long time, but even though the film does seem to play on 70mm in Los Angeles every year or two, the timing just hadn’t worked out for me. I remedied that last year when the Vista slated it for a week of screenings. It did not disappoint. There’s no denying it as a commitment to devote a night to it at the cinema, but it’s my number one recommendation in the series if you haven’t been able to see it at the theater before.
As big a Western fan as I am, I haven’t ever seen John Ford’s THE SEARCHER on the big screen, so that gets a slot for me. HOWARD THE DUCK was a personal favorite from childhood, without a doubt the movie I saw the most the year it came out, but I haven’t seen it for nearly forty years now. Its reputation is a bit of a disaster and bomb, but my fond memories of it really make me want to revisit it, and the chance to do that in 70mm on the big screen isn’t something I’m going to pass up. Jacques Tati’s PLAYTIME makes the cut, as I’ve only seen sequences of the film and never in a theater. It’s the type of movie I have to imagine plays completely differently in a theater with a crowd, and I intend to find out if that’s the case. TOTAL RECALL is another favorite of mine from when it came out, and I rewatched it last year at home on a new 4K disc. There’s an element of kook and camp to it, certainly, and the sets at times give off a Schumacher BATMAN & ROBIN vibe, but Arnold is just at his peak here and blows right past any plot distractions through sheer force of personality. Last on my list of recs for the 70mm series is Robert Altman’s SHORTCUTS. This was one of those double VHS tape titles at the video store that mesmerized me for years until I worked up the courage to take on the runtime. I’ve only ever seen this on VHS, so the chance to take it in on 70mm for the first time in a theater is one of those special Los Angeles Revival Cinema scene moments that makes one thankful for living in this city.
CINESPIA
July 19 - ROMY AND MICHELE’S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (1997) Dir. David Mirkin
I never saw ROMY AND MICHELE on its initial theatrical run. It was probably around 20 years ago that I first watched it on DVD, and it remains to this day one of the greatest comedic surprises of my life. I just had no idea what I was in for when throwing this on for the first time. The Mira Sorvino performance is one of my favorite comedic turns of all time. The crazy, low register, baritone she devised for this is basically insane. That an Academy Award winner would attempt it is a real testament to Sorvino’s will. The only comparison that comes to mind is Sandra Bullock going all in on a truly out there character in the 2010 film ALL ABOUT STEVE, only Bullock completely fell on her face and has that year’s Worst Actress Razzie to prove it. Her Oscar win the same year for THE BLINDSIDE would certainly help one have a sense of humor about the whole thing.
OLD TOWN MUSIC HALL
July 26 - FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE (1926) Dir. Sam Taylor
I’ve been out to the Old Town Music Hall twice this year for silent films with live accompaniment on the Mighty Wurlitzer, and I find it impossible not to have at least one of their silents/live accompaniment on my recs each month. My first experience was for Hitchcock’s 1927 silent, THE LODGER: A STORY OF THE LONDON FOG. It was a sold-out show on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a bit of an older crowd, which in and of itself is a bit interesting because absolutely no one in the audience was alive in 1927. So, it wasn’t people revisiting something they’d seen in the theater as a kid. I’ve since been to one other silent there, Douglas Fairbanks’ THE BLACK PIRATE, and I’ve come away in complete awe of the virtuosos sitting at the Wurlitzer. I think it’s the most unique experience currently out there in the Los Angeles Revival Cinema scene, and if you haven’t made it to a movie there before, please treat yourself. There’s nothing like wondering in awe at points through the screenings, “This movie is almost a hundred years old, my Lord.” This month, they’ve got a Buster Keaton film playing in the front half, but I’ve chosen to highlight the lesser-known silent comedy king, Harold Lloyd, and his 1926 film FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE. I’ve only seen a couple of his films at home on TV, but they’ve never disappointed.
LONG BEACH ART THEATRE
July 3 - THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) Dir. Tobe Hooper, Presented by See It On 16mm
Is there a better film title served by a 16mm screening than THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE? In the recesses of your mind, you might think that’s the only way you’ve seen it, even though you last watched it on 4K at home. The grittiness feels like it is going to be even more alive projected from the 16mm reels. The canonical horror film already treads on snuff film territory (and probably explains its psychological hold on audiences to this day), and I immediately picture it playing in some make-shift barn theater projected on a tattered white bed sheet.
CINEFILE VIDEO
July 10 - LADY BEWARE (1987) on VHS, Dir. Karen Arthur, Presented by Physical Media Society
The VHS screenings that have begun popping up in the scene hold a real allure for me. I’ve been to three now and come away thinking it’s a bright future ahead for moviegoing if people are gathering to watch a format specially designed to hold up on a small TV and coming away satisfied from the grainy, goofy projected image. The quality is not good, but it truly taps into something when paired with the right title. And mostly these movies are ones I’ve never heard of or long since forgotten. LADY BEWARE is an 80s thriller starring a young Diane Lane. Sold!
BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER
July 12 - BIG TOP PEE WEE (1988) Dir. Randal Kleiser, Presented by Hollywood Entertainment
Pee Wee continues to resonate, going on 40 years now since Paul Reubens first debuted the titular character. This was a seminal film for me personally, celebrating kitsch and offbeat humor in a way that resonates with me to this day. I have fond memories of the sequel BIG TOP PEE WEE and am intrigued to revisit it, even if I remember admitting at the time of its release that it was a disappointment compared to the wonders of Burton’s original film. Tickets sold out so quickly for this screening upon being scheduled that the folks at Bob Baker and Hollywood Entertainment have added a second showing. Grab tix, as they are sure to sell out.
VISTA THEATER - Weekend Matinees
July 5-6 - E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL (1982) Dir. Steven Spielberg
July 12-13 - A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN (1977) Dir. Bill Melendez & Phil Roman
July 19-20 - BUCK PRIVATES (1941) Dir. Arthur Lubin
July 26-27 - INTERNATIONAL HOUSE (1933) Dir. A. Edward Sutherland
I wanted to highlight specifically the weekend matinees the Vista is running this month. I want to see each one. I made it out to a THUNDERBALL Vista weekend matinee during the MovieTown Cinema Crawl, and it’s the screening I talk most about a couple of months later. It’s a great mix of families, cinephiles, and people who can’t turn down a good deal. I saw E.T. in the theater in 2002 on its 20th Anniversary rerelease. I was shocked at the time how timeless it was, the kids felt the same as what I saw out in the world then. Tack on another 20-plus years, and the film is still getting the same reactions from people. Seeing it on film at a huge theater like the Vista is not something to pass up. I couldn’t tell you exactly what happens in A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN, I just know I love pretty much every holiday special, and don’t expect the feature will disappoint. BUCK PRIVATES is an Abbott and Costello affair, and INTERNATIONAL HOUSE a W.C. Fields number, so those get recommended on those factors alone.
WHAMMY ANALOG
July 10 - CAMP HOLLYWOOD (2004) Dir. Steve Markle, Presented by Home Video Museum & L.A. Daze
July 2- STREET ASYLUM (1990), Dir. Gregory Dark, “Stuck on VHS”
Whammy Analog is the VHS microcinema you didn’t know you needed. I love this place and love seeing screenings here. CAMP HOLLYWOOD is a handheld mini-DV doc set at the Highland Gardens hotel, a fabled come-to-LA-and-make-your-dreams-come-true landing spot for actors, comics, musicians, and fame seekers. A cure for the glossy, overlit, high production value interview docs currently masquerading as cinema. STREET ASYLUM is part of Whammy’s best ongoing series (in my opinion), “Stuck on VHS” - highlighting titles, often straight-to-video releases from their day, that never made it to DVD or any other format. Outside of rips on YouTube this is the only place you can see these movies. I made it to a Wings-Hauser-directed “Stuck on VHS” double feature during the MovieTown Cinema Crawl and won’t ever forget that. This one isn’t directed by Wings, but it does star the never-out-of-work king of 90s-straight-to-video action: check and check.
THE FRIDA CINEMA
July 24 - TANGERINE (2015) Dir. Sean Baker, Art House Theater Day
July 26 - GIALLO-THON - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? (1972) Dir. Massimo Dallamano) / DON’T TORTURE A DUCKLING (1972) Dir. Lucio Fulci / THE FORBIDDEN PHOTOS OF A LADY ABOVE SUSPICION (1970) Dir. Luciano Ercoli / TORSO (1973) Dir. Sergio Martino, Presented by Cinematic Void
Art House Theater Day is July 24th. I don’t know how long this has been running, but essentially the same ten or so movies will be on offer for one day only at numerous theaters across the country. The only option for us living in the LA area is The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana and Sean Baker’s TANGERINE from 2015. Baker is also the face and ambassador of Theater Day. He’s doing everything he can to keep moviegoing alive the way we all want it, so I’m there to support his efforts. Cinematic Void presents one of their renowned Giallo-Thons later in the month. I haven’t seen one of these titles, but programmer Jim Branscome rarely disappoints, and this has become his signature series.
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE DTLA
July 16 - IO ISLAND (1977) Dir. Kim Ki-Young
A South Korean folk horror title from highly influential director Kim Ki-Young who spawned the treasure trove of Koreans masters working today. Never heard of it, looks great.
PHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY Presented by 7th House Screenings
“U.S. Tour” Series
July 11 - AMERICA: EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER DREAMED OF - Short Docs of Tony Ganz
July 12 - Films of Les Blank & Maureen Gosling, OUT IN THE WOODS (1972/2016) / SPROUT WINGS AND FLY (1983) / DEL MERO CORAZON (1979) / HOT PEPPER (1973)
JULY 13 - CHAN IS MISSING (1982) Dir. Wayne Wang
Last month, MovieTown highlighted the PRS and 7th House programming during their YesterdayLA series. I have to say this month’s “US Tour” slate is even more don’t miss than all the incredible titles we talked through in June. I saw the trailers/promos for my first two recs here during a recent PRS outing to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. The Short Docs of Tony Ganz are what I walked away from most excited to see; they look absolutely fantastic. I haven’t seen any of the Les Blank/Maureen Gosling docs featured the next night, so that’s an easy winner. And Wayne Wang’s seminal indie work CHAN IS MISSING is a big hole in my watchlist so it makes it a 3 day PRS weekend run not to miss.
VIDIOTS
July 19 - GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH in 35mm (1990) Dir. Joe Dante
July 27 - EYES OF LAURA MARS (1978) Dir. Irvin Kershner, Karina Longworth Intro
I definitely haven’t seen GREMLINS 2 since its release, neither in the theater nor on VHS either. Several moments in the skyscraper locale of the film are burned into my head. Was the locked-in nature of the film (to one building) to its detriment? I don’t really remember, but a chance to revisit it on 35mm at Vidiots’ Eagle Theatre sounds fantastic. EYES OF LAURA MARS was one of those films recommended to me in the 90s when I was getting seriously into movies, and I still haven’t seen it. Well, I’m going to change that, and have already purchased my tix. Writer/Podcaster Karina Longworth will be on hand to intro the film and apparently run a pop-up vintage shop in their microcinema on site??? Cool.
LAEMMLE THEATRES
July 7 - HEARTWORN HIGHWAYS (1976) Dir. James Szalapski
I haven’t been out to one of the local indie arthouse Laemmle chain’s revival offerings, but they’re programming some good stuff. HEARTWORN HIGHWAYS is certainly the best country music doc of all time and one of the best music docs period.
GARDENA CINEMA
July 20 - William Sachs double feature - THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN (1977) + Mystery VHS, Presented by Physical Media Society & Horror Movie Bizness
I watched THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN on its 4K disc release last year and can attest that the practical effects are absolutely going to melt faces in the audience at the Gardena. On the whole, the film doesn’t quite live up to what you’d want with the great effects and premise, but throw in director William Sachs in the house and Physical Media Society presenting a second Sachs mystery film on VHS, and this is going to be a memorable night.
EASTWOOD
July 9 - DEMON WIND (1990) Dir. Charles Philip Moore, Presented by Certified Forgotten
July 16 - YOUNG MASTER (1980) Dir. Jackie Chan, Presented by Hong Kong Cinema Club
I made it out to the Eastwood for the first time last month to check out Hong Kong Cinema Club’s inaugural event presenting the Sammo Hung feature EASTERN CONDORS. They printed up really thoughtful, well-designed little guidebooks with essays and photos to set you in the right headspace for the film. The intro was great, and there was a sold-out crowd in the smaller basement theater at the Eastwood. I’m not going to lie, the parking over there was rough; give yourself time. I ended up grabbing a spot at the lot they recommended, and it was fine, but this is some gritty Mid-City/Hollywood LA environs. But the early Jackie Chan offering YOUNG MASTER sounds worth it. I don’t know DEMON WIND, but it looks totally awesome, so I’ve thrown it into the recs.
2220 ARTS + ARCHIVES
July 16 - Chris and Heathers’ Big Screen 16mm blow out, Presented by Mezzanine Films & Los Angeles Filmforum
I love the 2220 space in Filipinotown. I caught a ton of screenings at the LA Festival of Movies a couple of months ago, but haven’t been back. This looks like an absolute blast - a night of eclectic 16mm screenings in a party atmosphere.
ACADEMY MUSEUM
July 9 - THE ABYSS (1989) Dir. James Cameron in 70mm
July 13 - CLUNY BROWN (1946) Dir. Ernst Lubitsch in 35mm Nitrate
July 19 - STREETS OF FIRE (1984) Dir. Walter Hill in 70mm
The Academy looks to be reminding folk that they, too, screen 70mm film prints during the American Cinematheque's earlier-mentioned Ultra 70 fest. I’ve highlighted James Cameron’s THE ABYSS from ‘89 and Walter Hill’s STREETS OF FIRE from ‘84. I haven’t revisited THE ABYSS forever, but it was one of those titles I remember rewatching endlessly when it landed on HBO in the early 90s. Rock musicals have a checkered past, but STREETS OF FIRE is absolutely worth a relook. I’ve never seen it in a theater, let alone in 70mm, so it’s a must for me. And an opportunity to see a Lubitsch film on 35mm Nitrate doesn’t come around too often, so take advantage.
BRAIN DEAD STUDIOS
July 15 - ROSA LA ROSA, FILLE PUBLIQUE (1986) Dir. Paul Vecchiali
July 24 - LOVEDOLLS SUPERSTAR (1986) Dir. David Markey
I don’t know either of these titles, but the look and feel of them seems perfect for a Brain Dead screening.. ROSA LA ROSA is an 80s French indie street walker flick that evokes equal parts light frothy romance and melodrama, like a grittier Almodovar, maybe. LOVEDOLLS SUPERSTAR is presented by the UCLA Punk Archive (??) and has a delightful DIY, John Waters feel to it.
NEW BEVERLY
July 4-5 THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) Dir. Dan O’Bannon / REPO MAN (1984) Dir. Alex Cox
July 26 - 1990s Action Marathon
July 30-31 RED CANYON (1949) / COMANCHE TERRITORY (1950) Dir. George Sherman
It’s always tough to choose among the New Bev’s offerings to highlight. This month, I’m going with the 80s neon green double of THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD and REPO MAN. Alex Cox’s seminal LA movie is no stranger to the revival scene, but I don’t feel like I’ve seen Dan O’Bannon’s Return of the Dead on the calendar much, so it feels like a great double. No idea what to expect from the ‘90s Action Marathon happening on the 26th, but I grabbed a couple of tickets as soon as it landed, knowing it would sell out by the end of the day. Cannon Films titles? Arnold? Seagal? Lesser known? We’ll see. I don’t know of George Sherman, but if Tarantino is highlighting him with a double feature, I think it’s worth a look.
MIDNIGHTS
July 5th - RAMBO: First Blood Part II (1985) in 35mm, Dir. George P. Cosmatos - The New Beverly
July 11th - COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT (1970) Dir. Joseph Sargent - Nuart CineInsomnia
July 18-19 - JACKASS NUMBER TWO (2006) in 35mm, Dir. Jeff Tremaine - Vista Theater
Lastly, an area of the revival cinema scene I feel I’ve been a bit lax on this year, but want to start highlighting more, the Midnight show. A lot of this is due to just not making as many midnight screenings as in my 20s and 30s, but it’s also due to the explosion of Revival theaters in general. In the 2000s, you had the New Bev and American Cinematheque as your main options for a “normal” movie time, and so Midnight shows around town held a special place for cinephiles. I need to make it out to more, to see whether the vibe has changed or retains its rush. RAMBO PART II is an easy midnight crowd pleaser, and I haven’t seen it in a long time (and never on the big screen or in film), so this sounds fantastic. I don’t know the COLOSSUS movie, but it looks like a fun 2001 rip-off. The sheer gumption to present JACK ASS NUMBER TWO on film needs to be rewarded and I never saw anything but the first Jackass film in the theater, so, interested to see how they hold up.
Well, that’s July, have a great time out at the movies, say hi if you see me out and about.