"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world this October include:
KUROSAWA AKIRA RESTORED
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque continues with
KUROSAWA AKIRA RESTORED
From September 15 – November 2, 2025
The programme reads:
“The influence of Kurosawa Akira (1910–1998), one of cinema’s paramount figures, has remained outsized and evergreen some seventy-five years after Rashomon effectively introduced the West to Japanese film. While various mid-century directors have watched their cachet dwindle over the decades, Kurosawa’s has held exceptionally strong, unruffled by the shifting winds of appreciation. His name-making masterpieces of the 1950s, Seven Samurai and the aforementioned Rashomon, for instance, each fortified their standing amid the top 50 films of all time in Sight and Sound’s latest decennial poll. Seven Samurai was anointed the greatest ever foreign-language (i.e. non-English) film by balloters of a 2018 BBC poll—three other Kurosawa pictures cracked the upper 80—while Spike Lee’s 2025 transplanting of High and Low to modern-day NYC proves the storied tradition of making over Kurosawa for Western markets hasn’t lost its appeal or potential for greatness. (Among the most famous, The Magnificent Seven, A Fistful of Dollars, and, yes, Star Wars.)
Accounting for the enduring popularity of Kurosawa is a game of pie-chart percentages. How big a portion should be calculated for his unparalleled craft, his cross-cultural touchstones (Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, John Ford, Dashiell Hammet), his virtuosic reinvention of the chambara (sword fighting) genre, his legendary Mifune Toshiro collaborations—heck, the abiding high-regard for Japanese cinema, tout court?! What requires less speculation is the knowledge that, thanks to the efforts of studio Toho and distributor Janus Films, Kurosawa’s legacy is keeping pace with the times.
Following the release of a restored Seven Samurai last year (a sensation here at The Cinematheque), eight more digitally refurbished Kurosawa films are now available. Two—Stray Dog and High and Low—we cherry-picked early to coincide with our summer noir series. The six others are presented in this “Restored” program, a collection of indispensable Kurosawa classics that, with the exception of humanist drama Ikiru, all draw from the director’s iconic jidaigeki (period piece) output and feature leading man Mifune at the apex of his formidable acting prowess.”
Click on the respective image above for more information on this series.
For all of the films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.
Noir City will take place in Washington D.C. from October 10 - 23.
The intro reads:
Year in and year out, Eddie Muller and the Film Noir Foundation (FNF) team deliver an impeccably curated selection of films noir, combining canonical classics with wonderful rarities ripe for rediscovery. There will be a distinctly feminine slant to the proceedings at Noir City DC this year as we shine a spotlight on women whose cinematic legacies are entwined with the rise of film noir. Many of this year’s films star the six actresses profiled in Muller’s 2001 book “Dark City Dames: The Wicked Women of Film Noir,” which was reissued in April of this year in a newly revised and expanded edition.
Jane Greer, Marie Windsor, Audrey Totter, Evelyn Keyes, Coleen Gray and Ann Savage are the core cadre of women featured in this year’s program, which includes many of their signature films, including, respectively, OUT OF THE PAST (1947), THE NARROW MARGIN (1952), TENSION (1949), THE PROWLER (1951), THE KILLING (1956) and DETOUR (1945).
In addition to those acclaimed favorites, the program also highlights films starring nine other actresses notable for their performances in crime films of the era: Joan Bennett, Peggie Castle, Rhonda Fleming, Marsha Hunt, Ella Raines, Ruth Roman, Jan Sterling, Claire Trevor and Helen Walker. (Not coincidentally, the expanded edition of Muller’s book includes new profiles of these women.)
In New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting Darling (1965, a New 4K Restoration) Friday, October 10 – Thursday, October 23.
Click on the film image for more information and on the Film Forum banner for other motion pictures playing this month.
The Conformist
In Los Feliz (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present The Conformist aka Il conformista on Sunday, October 12 at 4 pm only.
For more information on this programme, click on the film image above. To see the entire month of October’s programming including other films showing at The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (also part of greater Los Angeles), and the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Heat (1995, a 35mm print) Wednesday, October 15, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992, a 4K presentation) Friday, October 17 and Monday, October 27, The Red Shoes (1948, a 35mm print) Saturday, October 18, Amadeus (1984) Monday, October 20, Apocalypse Now [Final Cut] (1979, a 4K presentation) Thursday, October 23, and Jaws (1975, a 4K presentation) on Thursday, October 30.
* Note: Some of the showtimes are matinees only.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see October’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
FOCUS ON STEPHEN KING
In Melbourne, Australia The Australian Centre For Moving Image is presenting
FOCUS ON STEPHEN KING
From October 16 – November 4, 2025
The programme reads:
With the 50th anniversary of Carrie just around the corner, retrace five decades of cinema drawn from the twisted imagination of writer Stephen King.
There’s the story of the prom queen pushed to breaking point, the axe-wielding maniac running amok in the empty hotel, and, of course, the one about the killer clown lurking in the stormwater drain.
For five decades, the novels and short stories of Stephen King have lived a double life on our TV and cinema screens. King’s imagination has consistently attracted a cavalcade of some of the finest directors to work in horror: Stanley Kubrick, John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Tobe Hooper – some lured to horror for the first time like a child to a red balloon.
A lesser-known fact about King is his support for independent filmmaking. Early on in his writing career, King began allowing film students and emerging filmmakers to purchase non-exclusive rights to adapt his short stories for one dollar – these films are known as his “dollar-babies”. No one really knows how many dollar babies are out there, inflating even further the list of Stephen King film adaptations, already standing at over 400 works.
With Halloween looming, join us in the cinema as we experience the nightmares that have jumped off the pages of Stephen King’s books and onto our screens.
Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)
Click on the respective image above for more information on this series.
For all of the films scheduled this month at The Australian Centre For Moving Image, click on the theatre banner above.
The Cremator
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will present The Cremator aka Spalovac mrtvol (1968, as part of their CZECH CINEMA OF THE SIXTIES. BEYOND THE NEW WAVE series) on Thursday, October 16 and Sunday, October 19.
Click on the film’s image for more information on this screening. To discover more of October’s programming including other films playing in Valencia, Spain at the Edificio Rialto, Castelló, Spain at the Raval Theatre and the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I, and in Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre, click on the banner image above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present The Game (1997, a 35mm print) on Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17.
Click on the poster image for more information on this presentation. To see the rest of October’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
Casablanca
In Sydney, Australia The Ritz Theatre will present Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print, as part of their ‘This is Celluloid: a Year of 35mm and 70mm Screenings’) on Friday, October 17.
Click on the film image for more information on this screening. For other films playing at The Ritz Theatre, click on the banner above.
Young Frankenstein
In Detroit, Michigan The Redford Theatre will present Young Frankenstein (1974, a 35mm print) on Friday, October 17.
Click on the top image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Redford Theatre banner above.
In Como (part of greater Perth) Western Australia, The Revival House will present Heat (1995, a 35mm print) Saturday, October 18 at 3:40 pm only and Sunday, October 19, and Re-Animator (1985, a 35mm print, as part of this film’s 40th Anniversary) on Saturday, October 18.
Click on the respective poster image for more information on these screenings. To see the other films showing this month, click on the theatre banner above.
Re-Animator
In San Francisco, California, The Roxie Theatre will present Re-Animator (1985, a 4K presentation, as part of this film’s 40th Anniversary) on Monday, October 20.
For more information on this showing, click on the movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Roxie, click on the theatre picture.
In Auckland, New Zealand, Academy Cinemas is presenting The Leopard (1963, in honour of Claudia Cardinale who recently passed away) on Tuesday, October 21.
To obtain more information on any of this programme, click on the respective poster image. To see October’s complete schedule, click on the Academy banner above.
Beauty and the Beast
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the Packard Campus Theater is presenting Beauty and the Beast aka La Belle et la Bête (1946, a 35mm print) on Thursday, October 23.
Click on the poster image for more information on this film’s screening. To see the rest of October’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Halloween (1978) on Sunday, October 26, Wednesday, October 29 and Friday, October 31.
Click on the poster image for more information on this screening. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
Eyes Without a Face
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present Eyes Without a Face aka Les yeux sans visage (1960, a 35mm print) on Monday, October 27.
For more information on this film’s showing, click on the movie image above. For further information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
Vertigo
In San Francisco, California The San Francisco Symphony will present Vertigo (1975) with live musical accompaniment featuring Bernard Herrmann’s splendid score on Thursday, October 30.
Click on the above image for more information.
These are the reviewed films showing on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. for the remainder of this month:
1944’s Laura is director Otto Preminger’s slick and assured amalgamation of mystery (whodunnit) and film noir (obsessive desire, gruesome murder etc) elements. This film was briefly reviewed here. Included is a comparison between the detective played by Dana Andrews and James Stewart’s retired investigator in Vertigo. Laura will come to life on TCM Wednesday, October 8 at 5 pm PDT.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) is one of the most authentic and enthralling courtroom dramas of all time. Previously reviewed here, the trial will begin Wednesday, October 8 at 8:30 pm PDT.
My next TCM recommendation (reviewed here) is 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate scheduled to appear Saturday, October 11 at 5 pm PDT.
“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, October 11 at 7:15 pm PDT.
(From left) Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster
Also on TCM’s agenda is the Neo-noir Bullitt (1968), one of Steve McQueen’s most iconic characterisations. Reviewed here, Bullitt will speed its way onto TCM Tuesday, October 14 at 3 pm PDT.
For those who enjoy the best in creative romantic comedy, be sure to tune in for 1959’s Pillow Talk (reviewed here) Tuesday, October 14 at 7 pm PDT.
Doris Day, Rock Hudson
Another highly recommended film starring Joel McCrea is Sullivan's Travels (1941). Preston Sturges masterfully wrote and directed Sullivan's Travels, a prior Blu-ray endorsement here. The fun-filled journey will begin Wednesday, October 15 at 5 pm PDT.
Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s more uncustomary, yet distinguished, offerings is 1953’s I Confess previously reviewed here, featuring a fervent, introspective performance from Montgomery Clift. This highly engrossing confessional will take place Friday, October 17 at 11 am PDT.
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958) is loaded with multi-faceted insights and hidden rumination on human relationships providing viewers with much to ponder long after this tale of romantic obsession ends. Vertigo was previously opened here and will unveil its visual and aural riches Sunday, October 19 at 5 pm PDT.
Titles Designed by Saul Bass
Next up is The Fury (1978), a film for which I have a few not so kind words to bestow, as well as some positive thoughts to share regarding its score, in a soundtrack recommendation previously written here. The Fury will be shown Friday, October 24 at 7 pm PDT.
Amy Irving
“The mattress is soft and there're hangers in the closet and stationary with ‘Bates' Motel’ printed on it in case you want to make your friends back home envious.”
Still another Hitchcock artistic triumph was, at the time (including throughout its primary creator’s career), the most audacious cinematic assault ever perpetrated on the movie going public or the Motion Picture Production Code for that matter. 1960's Psycho was previously reviewed here. The terror will begin Sunday, October 26 at 5 pm PDT.
The more psychologically disturbing, (than monstrously horrifying) 1941 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has Spencer Tracy in the title role. This was previously critiqued here. The Dr. will begin his transformation Tuesday, October 28 at 9:15 am PDT.
I have more to say on Spencer Tracy’s performance, compared to a few others who have played the same part, in an article seen here.
Spencer Tracy
Here is another film noir with a central character whose emotions have apparently consumed his common sense and compromised his moral integrity: The Prowler, previously reviewed here. Be on TCM’s watch Wednesday, October 29 at 1 pm PDT.
Evelyn Keyes, Van Heflin
Immediately following The Prowler is another intense film starring Van Heflin: Patterns (1956). This is Hidden Gem #54 with Ed Begley as the displaced U.S. executive whose shameful bullying at the hands of his superior corporate officer (Everett Sloane) is slowly starting to anger Begley's younger ally and (unbeknownst to himself) replacement, played by Van Heflin. All three male leads exhibit voracious appetites for their Rod (The Twilight Zone) Serling created dynamic parts. The dramatic fireworks are set to explode Wednesday, October 29 at 3 pm PDT.
Andrew Duggan (Centre on left), Ed Begley (Far left), Everett Sloane (Centre), Van Heflin (Centre on right)
Also in this month’s lineup is Todd Browning's shockingly bold and terrifying 1932 film, Freaks, previously reviewed here. They will appear on TCM Thursday, October 30 at 8:45 am PDT.
My final must-see recommendation is the 1932 version of The Mummy previously reviewed here. He will come to life Friday, October 31 at 12:45 pm PDT.
Boris Karloff, Zita Johann
TCM's current monthly schedule can be seen by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. To confirm the correct Pacific Daylight (West Coast) showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the Eastern Daylight (East Coast) showtime listed on TCM’s schedule.
(To be continued… ) A.G.