James Karen at Film Forum – May 20, 2013

Actor James Karen

James Karen is one of those actors who, as soon as you see him, you think something along the lines of, “Oh yeah, I know that guy.  He is in so many things.”  On May 20, at Film Forum, the man himself made an appearance at an event honoring him with a screening of his 1985 horror movie/comedy “The Return of the Living Dead.”

Film Fourm Director of Repertory Programming, Bruce Goldstein, introduced Karen by mentioning that in addition to having been in the original Broadway cast of “A Street Car Named Desire” in 1947, Karen had performed in over 200 films and had done lots of television work.  Karen is probably most recognizable from his numerous TV commercials for Pathmark supermarkets, made between 1969 and 1979.

A quick collection of film clips showed Karen in many diverse roles including his feature film debut in “Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster” (1965).  Karen’s filmography also includes “The China Syndrome” (1979), “Wall Street” (1987), “Mulholland Drive” (2001) and “Poltergeist” (1982) among many others.  Goldstein asked Karen why, with over 200 movies, had he  picked “The Return of the Living Dead” for the evening’s screening?  “Because it was the most fun I had making a movie,” Karen replied.

“Scarecrow” (’73) at Film Forum, May 17-23

Gene Hackman and Al Pacino in “Scarecrow.”

“Scarecrow,” the 1973 road movie directed by Jerry Schatzberg, will be having a run at Film Forum from May 17 – 23.  The film stars Al Pacino (fresh off “The Godfather”) and Gene Hackman, both in their primes.

“Scarecrow” will be shown in a clean, beautiful, anamorphic (really wide screen) print which, for me, was a revelation.  I first saw “Scarecrow” many years ago when I taped it off of channel 5 at 2:00 am using the EP (lowest picture quality, but more time on a VHS tape) setting on my VCR.   The film’s original wide screen dimensions were blown up to fill the space of square shaped TVs.  In other words I was losing 50% of the picture.  Now that home video users are used to the concept of letterboxing this problem has become less and less frequent. Commercial breaks were thrown in for good measure but, despite all of this, I liked the film.  Now, seeing “Scarecrow” in its correct, widescreen aspect ratio, I can properly appreciate Schatzberg’s use of long takes as the characters amble about aimlessly toward objectives that they are probably not going to achieve, dwarfed by the wide open spaces through which they travel.

“The Good the Bad and the Ugly” returns to Film Forum, August 29 – September 4

Eli Wallach and Clint Eastwood in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966)

Back by popular demand, following sold out screenings at its recent “Spaghetti Westerns” series, Film Forum presents director Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Western masterpiece “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966) in a restored DCP (Digital Cinema Package) version.   TGTBTU will run from August 29 – September 4.

If you have not seen TGTBTU on the big screen all I can say is “go.”  It is tremendous fun and one of my favorite movies.  Plus, Film Forum’s screening is a rare opportunity to experience it under ideal circumstances.  DCP means is that TGTBTU will be screened in high definition video, projected from a hard drive, as opposed to a traditional 35mm film print.

“The Battle of Algiers” comes to Film Forum, July 6 – 12

“The Battle of Algiers,” a realistic view of a seemingly never ending conflict.

“The Battle of Algiers” (1965), director Gillo Pontecorvo’s documentary like recreation of Algeria’s struggle against 130 years of French rule, during the years 1954 – 1957, will have a run at Film Forum from July 6 – 12.  It is valid to think that the Film Forum’s timing in showing “The Battle of Algiers” so close to July 4 is a patriotic gesture.  There are definite parallels to be drawn between the American Revolution and the situation in Algeria.  They are both stories about colonies rebelling against governing bodies.  In fact, as fate would have it, there is only a one day difference in the respective dates of independence.  July 5 marks the 50^th anniversary of Algerian Independence, which did not actually happen until 1962.  As a result one could have two legitimate interpretations for the Film Forum’s screening, although the comparisons do not stop there.  The story is one that, while the players may change, history seems doomed to repeat.

“The Price of Power” – Part of “Spaghetti Westerns,” at Film Forum

On June 7, Film Forum’s current series, “Spaghetti Westerns,” presented a screening of director Tonino Valerii’s The Price of Power (1969), an intelligent, complicated western about a presidential assassination.  The movie was introduced by director Alex Cox (Repo Man – 2010, Sid and Nancy – 1986).  In addition to being a director in his own right, Cox is also a Spaghetti Western enthusiast and author of the book “10,000 Ways to Die: A Director’s Take on the Spaghetti Western.”  His energy and enthusiasm for Spaghetti Westerns was quite evident.

Spaghetti Westerns seem to take place in alternate realities.  They are set in the American West.  The actors dress like characters in a western.  They ride horses and carry guns.  There are references to the Civil War.  However, everyone is speaking Italian.  In the case of The Price of Power there are at least three other alternate realities that can be added.

“Spaghetti Westerns” at Film Forum, June 1 – 21, 2012

Tomas Milian (left) and Lee Van Cleef in director Sergio Sollima’s “The Big Gun Down,” part of “Spaghetti Westerns” at Film Forum

From June 1 – 21 Film Forum will present  “Spaghetti Westerns,” a 26 movie festival about this important, and often neglected, film genre.  This series is the most ambitious of its kind ever presented in the United States.  Due to the extreme rarity of prints and complex issues involving rights, not to mention expense, a series of this nature has been virtually impossible to mount, until now.  “Spaghetti Westerns” will include rare 35mm prints obtained from the Cineteca Italiana in Rome, as well as other national archives, private collections and Hollywood studio archives.

The Italian filmmakers who made spaghetti westerns actually prefer the term “Italian Western,” or “Western all Italiana,” to “Spaghetti Western.”  They feel that the term “spaghetti” implies that they were copying an American genre, the western, when in fact they were re-inventing it.

“The Gang’s All Here” at Film Forum

Carmen Miranda in "The Gang's All Here," at Film Forum

From April 20 – 26 Film Forum will present an eye popping, 35mm, restored print of the 1943 Busby Berkeley Technicolor extravaganza “The Gang’s All Here.”  True to its title the movie is a compendium of popular culture figures from the World War II era: Alice Faye, Benny Goodman, radio personality Phil Baker, dancer Tony De Marco and singer/dancer Carmen Miranda.  It is a fascinating, virtual window into another era.

Ruggles of Red Gap

From April 4 – 10 Film Forum will present a 35mm archival print of director Leo McCarey’s charming 1935 comedy “Ruggles of Red Gap.”  The film stars Charles Laughton in one of his rare comedic roles.

“Ruggles” is a “fish out of water” story with Laughton as the fish.  Laughton’s Marmaduke Ruggles is a proper English butler traveling with his employer, Lord Burnstead (Roland Young), in 1908 Paris.  Burnstead loses Ruggles in a poker game to loud talking (and dressing) uncouth American millionaire Egbert Floud (Charlie Ruggles, no relation to the eponymous title character).  Egburt, forever henpecked and disapproved of by his nouveau riche, high society wannabe wife Effie (Mary Boland), takes Ruggles under his wing.  Za Su Pitts appears as Ruggles romantic interest, Mrs. Judson. 

The Island President

The Island President, Mohamed Nasheed.

From March 28 – April 10 Film Forum will show director John Shenk’s compelling, frightening and beautifully shot new documentary “The Island President.”  The subject is Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed.

The Maldives are a virtual paradise consisting of 1200 small islands strewn like jewels across the top of the Indian Ocean spanning 400 miles of open sea.  Until Nasheed’s election the Maldives had been under the brutal dictatorial rule of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.  Nasheed led a 20-year pro democracy movement against Gayoom which resulted in Nasheed being imprisoned for 18 months in a corrugated cell and tortured.  He finally emerged as president at the age of 41.  

Gerhard Richter Painting

The artist at work. In "Gerhard Richter Painting" the title delivers.

“Gerhard Richter Painting,” the new documentary about the eponymous painter had its U.S. theatrical premiere yesterday at Film Forum, where it will run until March 27.   The film delivers what its title promises.  Gerhard Richter, considered to be one of the world’s greatest contemporary painters, creates and speaks about his life and life’s work.