"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world this August include:
Film Noir 2024
A Shadow Is Haunting the World: International Noir
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque will be present
Film Noir 2024 from August 1 - September 5. The programme reads:
“I like the American films noir better than anything.”
Jean-Pierre Melville
Forget the sunscreen. Film noir returns to The Cinematheque this summer for another lucifugous season of hard-bitten American crime fiction from arguably Hollywood’s most distinctive—and inarguably most misanthropic—chapter of moviemaking. This year’s lineup of eight shadow-steeped works were all forged in the canonical period of noir’s 1940s and ’50s golden age; save for perennial favourite Pickup on South Street, all stem from the archetypal first decade of the cycle. Half of the films screen in stunning new digital restorations, with a refurbished Gilda, that pinnacle of prestige postwar noir, arriving on the back of a buzzy Cannes Classics premiere to mark the centenary of Columbia Pictures. Lauren Bacall also rings in the big 100, and her first Bogie match-up To Have and Have Not is one of four peak-caliber titles joining our roster for the first time ever (The Man I Love, T‑Men, and White Heat are the others)—a testament to the expansiveness of the noir catalogue and our audience’s insatiable appetite, year after year, for more!
Speaking of more: Threaded throughout our core program is a sidebar exploring the reach of American noir on international cinema, as well as a pair of Jean-Luc Godard pictures (part of our year-long “JLG Forever” series) underscoring the imprint of noir on the immortal auteur. Anthony Mann’s nocturnal 1947 procedural T‑Men, a veritable noir style-guide whose historical absence from our series we’re only too eager to put right, will also screen at The Cinematheque’s 2024 Open House (August 10) in a noir-themed “Deep Focus” presented by our crackerjack Learning & Outreach crew.
Before the opening-night screening of Gilda, gussy up for our annual courtyard shindig featuring vinyl jazz, cold brews, tasty treats, and the latest crop of noir swag.
Opening NightAugust 1 (Thursday)
6:00 pm – Courtyard Shindig
6:45 pm – Gilda
9:00 pm – Le samouraï
Also being presented is A Shadow Is Haunting the World: International Noir from August 1 - September 1. The programme reads:
While film noir is often considered an American phenomenon—a genre defined by an historical period and a style—it never would have existed without the European émigré directors that entered Hollywood with a craft informed by silent cinema and German expressionism. This noir sidebar explores the way that influence can run both ways. Heroic bloodshed, rumberas, and neo-noir might have their own separate rules, but their survey of crime and capitalism, cops and gangsters, fatalistic love and doomed heroes often overlaps with the subject of our annual August tradition. Each film screens in a restored version, and can go toe-to-toe with the best, meanest, and most beautiful entries in the noir canon.
For more information about each of these series, click on the appropriate image. For all of the films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.
In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting The Graduate (1967) Friday, August 2, It’s a Gift (1934) Sunday, August 4, Monkey Business (1931) Sunday, August 4, and The Red Shoes (1948) on Friday, August 9.
* Note: Some of the showtimes are matinees only.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of August’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
Young Frankenstein
The Last Laugh
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Filmoteca d'estiu will be presenting Young Frankenstein (1974, as part of their 2024 - CINEFILE ANNIVERSARIES series) Friday, August 2, Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4, and The Last Laugh aka Der letzte Mann (1924, as part of their 2024 - CINEFILE ANNIVERSARIES series) on Monday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 20.
Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of August’s programming, click on the banner image above.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Blue Velvet (1986, a 35mm print) Friday, August 2, Lawrence of Arabia (1962, a 70mm print) Saturday, August 3, Wednesday, August 7, Monday, August 12, Tuesday, August 13, Sunday, August 18, Monday, August 19, Tuesday, August 27, Wednesday, August 28 and Saturday, August 31, American Psycho (2000, a 35mm print) Saturday, August 3, Citizen Kane (1941, a 35mm print) Sunday, August 4, The Godfather: Part 2 (1974, a 35mm print) Sunday, August 4, Celine and Julie Go Boating aka Céline et Julie vont en bateau (1974, a 35mm print) Monday, August 5, Le Cercle Rouge (1970, a 35mm print) Wednesday, August 7, Tokyo Story aka Tôkyô monogatari (1953, a 35mm print) Thursday, August 8, Vertigo (1958, a 4k presentation) Saturday, August 10, Eraserhead (1977) Sunday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 14, The Shining [U.K. Version] (1980, a 35mm print) Tuesday, August 13, Psycho (1960, a 4k presentation) Wednesday, August 14, Full Metal Jacket (1987, a 35mm print) Thursday, August 15, Blade Runner [The Final Cut] (1982, a 4k presentation) Friday, August 16, Taxi Driver (1976, a 35mm print) Wednesday, August 21 and Friday, August 23, The Godfather (1973, a 35mm print) Friday, August 23 and Friday, August 30, and Ashes and Diamonds (1958) on Thursday, August 29.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see August’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the Packard Campus Theater is presenting The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943, a 35mm print) on Friday, August 2.
Click on the poster image for more information on this film’s screening. To see the rest of August’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The Vista Theater will present Sorcerer (1977, a 35mm print) Friday, August 2, Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4, and Coonskin (1974, a 35mm print) on Friday, August 9 at Midnight only and Saturday, August 10 at Midnight only.
Click on the respective movie poster above for more information and the marquee image for all of the films playing during the month of August.
Kelly’s Heroes
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
The Chase
Smiles of a Summer Night
In Los Feliz (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present Kelly’s Heroes (1970, a 35mm print, as part of their ‘Donald Sutherland Remembered’ series) Saturday, August 3, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974, as part of their ‘Cinematic Void’ series) Monday, August 5, The Chase (1966, as part of their ‘Watch Local: Warner Bros’ Midwest Street’ series) Saturday, August 17, and Smiles of a Summer Night (1955, a 35mm print, as part of the ‘Greg Proops Film Club’ with an introduction by Greg Proops) on Monday, August 26.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding above image. To see the entire month of August’s programming including other films showing at the The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (also part of greater Los Angeles), and Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.
A Matter of Life and Death
Seven Samurai
2001: A Space Odyssey
In San Francisco, California, The Roxie Theatre will present A Matter of Life and Death (1946, a 4k restoration) Tuesday, August 6, Seven Samurai (1954, a 4k restoration) Friday, August 9, and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, a 35mm print) on Saturday, August 24.
For more information on each film’s showing, click on the appropriate movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Roxie, click on the theatre image above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting The Iron Giant (1999, a 25th Anniversary Screening) on Saturday, August 10, Sunday August 11 and Wednesday, August 14.
Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
In theatres across the U.S., Fathom Events is presenting Lawrence of Arabia (1962, in celebration of Columbia Pictures 100th Anniversary) Sunday, August 11 and Monday, August 12, and Rear Window (1954, a 70th Anniversary screening) on Sunday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 28.
Click on each film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present Lolita (1962, a 35mm print) Friday, August 16, Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18, a double bill of Watermelon Man (1970, a 35mm print) and Putney Swope (1969, a 35mm print) Wednesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 22, and a double bill of Three on a Match (1932, a 35mm print) and Blonde Crazy (1931, a 35mm print) on Saturday, August 31.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of August’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
BLAXPLOITATION, BABY!
Frenzy
Ed Wood
In New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting:
BLAXPLOITATION, BABY! from Friday, August 16 – Thursday, August 22. The programme reads:
A festival of classics from the short-lived early ‘70s genre, with movies by Black filmmakers including Ossie Davis, Gordon Parks, Gordon Parks Jr., and Melvin Van Peebles and an exciting array of iconic new movie stars including Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Ron O’Neal, Tamara Dobson, Jim Brown, Vonetta McGee, Fred Williamson, Isaac Hayes, and others.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972, a New 4k restoration) from Friday, August 23 – Thursday, August 29.
Tim Burton’s Ed Wood (1994, with a post-film conversation with co-screenwriter Larry Karaszewski) on Tuesday, August 27.
# Note: Some of the showtimes may be matinees only.
For more information on the aforementioned series, Frenzy, or Ed Wood, click on the appropriate image above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.
The Green Ray
Blue Velvet
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present The Green Ray aka Le rayon vert (1986, a 35mm print) Monday August 19, and Blue Velvet (1986, a 35mm print) on Monday, August 26.
For more information on either of these film’s showing, click on the corresponding movie image above. For further information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
In Detroit, Michigan The Redford Theatre will present Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, a 35mm print) on Saturday, August 24.
Click on the top image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Redford Theatre banner above.
In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting Amadeus [The Director’s Cut] (1984, a 35mm print) on Thursday, August 29, Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31.
Click on the poster image for more information on this screening. To see the rest of August’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.
In Santiago, Chile The Movistar Arena along with CineConcerts will present Gladiator (2000) with live musical accompaniment featuring Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard’s magnificent music on Thursday, August 29.
Click on the above image for more information.
There are 11 reviewed films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
#Note: Due to TCM’s inaccurate reformatting of its online monthly scheduling, including a malfunction in adjusting its time zones correctly, the links provided are to its correct “Summer of the Stars” programming.
Top Ten Western #6 is Howard Hawks' 1948 Red River reviewed here. This is one acutely observed, character-driven western you don't want to miss. The drive will begin on TCM Saturday, August 3 at 7:15 pm PDT.
(From left) John Wayne, Montgomery Clift
Alfred Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain (1966) may not have turned out to have quite the drawing power many of his other films have obtained, however, fans should still find enough engaging elements to keep entertained. Previously reviewed here, the curtain will be pulled back Sunday August 4 at 12 pm PDT.
Wolfgang Kieling (at left), Paul Newman
“Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.”
Olivia de Havilland is The Heiress (1949), previously reviewed here and appearing again on TCM Friday, August 9 at 7:15 pm PDT.
Dustin Hoffman’s breakthrough role occurred in 1967’s The Graduate, reviewed as a previous Blu-ray recommendation here. This young man’s trials and tribulations can be observed Wednesday, August 14 at 5 pm PDT.
Dustin Hoffman
My next recommendation is Howard Hawks’ lightening fast comedy/romance His Girl Friday (1940), reviewed here and blasting off on TCM (updated) Sunday, August 18 at 10:30 am PDT.
(From left) Ralph Bellamy, Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell
Western fans should check out the rock solid The Fastest Gun Alive, reviewed here, with a spectacular final showdown not to mention the tension-filled and expertly handled exposé leading up to it. The fastest gun will draw on TCM Tuesday, August 20 at 6:30 am PDT.
This next offering I would not necessarily recommend except perhaps for its Jerry Goldsmith score: The Swarm (1978) which has, along with its soundtrack, been briefly reviewed here, and will be presented on Wednesday, August 21 at 3 am PDT.
Victim
If I was in charge of choosing a single film noir for someone only willing to see one in the entire canon, I would select Double Indemnity (1944) as its most fulfilling and accomplished representative. It has been previously reviewed in Opening Up a Treasure: Double Indemnity. Thoughts of adultery, greed and murder will manifest themselves on TCM Sunday, August 25 at 5 pm PDT.
Many of the films first listed as "Hidden Gems" are not so hidden anymore thanks to those companies releasing them on DVD and Blu-ray in addition to their regular showings on TCM. One of these is Hidden Gem #59, The Hill (1965), an intense dramatic achievement. I've previously reviewed this film here. The Hill can be marvelled at on TCM Tuesday, August 27 at 2:45 pm PDT.
Facing us (from left to right): Jack Watson, Ossie Davis, Sean Connery, Alfred Lynch, Roy Kinnear. Facing them is Ian Hendry.
Just letting viewers know that TCM will be showing Around the World in 80 Days (1956), previously reviewed here, on Wednesday, August 28 at 3 am PDT.
(From left) David Niven, Cantinflas
“I love this dirty town.”
New York City’s vernacular never smelled sweeter than it does in 1957’s Sweet Smell of Success. Any device designed to test acidity levels, applied to this film’s dialogue, would itself disintegrate after flicking the “on” switch. The film, reviewed here, will be shown Saturday, August 31 at 11:15 pm PDT.
(From left) Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster
TCM's current “Summer of the Stars” schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM images. Only the “Summer of the Stars” East Coast setting is currently reliable. For the correct West Coast or PDT showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the film’s East Coast or EDT airtime.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the brilliant composer Alexandre Desplat who turns 63 on August 23rd.
His boundless artistry has enhanced the dramatic capability of numerous films of all types. It’s no wonder he’s one of the most “in demand” composers working today. Some of his better known scores include: The Girl with a Pearl Earring, Birth, The Beat that My Heart Skipped, Syriana, Firewall, The Queen, The Painted Veil, Lust, Caution, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, The Golden Compass, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The King’s Speech, The Tree of Life, Moonrise Kingdom, Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, The Grand Budapest Hotel (Academy Award for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score), The Imitation Game, The Danish Girl, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Shape of Water (Academy Award for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score), Little Women, The French Dispatch, The Outfit, Pinocchio, Asteroid City, and The Boys in the Boat.
The Soundtrack recommendation of the month is Alexandre Desplat's poetic score to 2017's Oscar winning Best Picture The Shape of Water.
If water were sentiment, this film’s shape would look like the lost city of Atlantis.
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water (an outline reminiscent of 1984’s Splash) oscillates uncomfortably between dark turmoil over the inner workings at a covert Government facility and a light fairy tale romance between the man/amphibian creature being held there and a mute female janitor. Juxtaposing scenes that are so diabolically cruel with those of tender affection can only connect with viewers who ignore one concern over the other and are willing to embrace the admittedly slick but skimmed over approach to storytelling the filmmakers have employed here. The Shape of Water could have easily been titled “The Sorrow and the Pity” seeing as how both feelings have so thoroughly shaped these waters.
Alexandre Desplat’s Oscar winning score favours the lighter, fantasy aspects of the story with gentle and delicate themes of extraordinary sensitivity.
It is available on the Decca label and can be ordered from Amazon.com by clicking on the accompanying image.
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)...
… previously reviewed here, is August’s Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection, Region Free) recommendation. It is now available from Amazon.com by clicking on the image below.
A.G.