LA-Area 4K and Classic Movie Screenings

[Tom Lowe]

After I caught "Lawrence of Arabia" in 70mm last weekend, tons of people have called me and PM'd me and emailed me saying, "Dude, why didn't you tell me?"

So.........

Mucho props to Reduser Sam Druckerman for tipping me off about a 35mm screening of Wong Kar Wai and Chris Doyle's "In the Mood for Love" in LA on August 10th and 11th.

http://www.newbevcinema.com/calendar.cfm

To me, this is the second-best piece of cinematography in the last ten years, number one being Terrence Malick's "The New World." But it's very close, IMO. What "In the Mood for Love" offers is the best indoor lighting and incorporation of overcranking in at least the last decade, hands down. It's a self-contained film school.

I would also like this thread to serve as an ongoing opportunity for those of us in So Cal to relate news of 4K and 35mm and 70mm projections of great movies.

I will also be seeing "Gone with the Wind" at the Bay Theater in Seal Beach between August 5th and August 8th.

I don't think I will be able to make a 35mm screening of "Barry Lyndon" on July 11th or 12th at the New Beverly, but some of you may be able to make it.

Let's do it!

[David Mullen ASC]

Just note that the New Beverly has rather subpar projection - the building wasn't really designed to be a movie theater, so they use a periscope system to reflect the projector beam onto the screen, which loses some light output.

Better to see revival screenings almost anywhere else in town. The Aero and the Egyptian have great projection.

[Tom Lowe]

David, I have heard that before. Are you saying it would be better to skip In the Mood for Love? The Aero was awesome for "Lawrence."

[David Mullen ASC]

If you want to see it projected, I'd still go and just take into account that it's probably a stop darker and less sharp than it actually should look.

[Tom Lowe]

I'd like to see it in 35mm, but not if the theater sucks.

I can see it on my home theater anytime in DVD quality.

[Alexander Nikishin]

july 22, 23

Howard the Duck (1986)
Sun: 5:20 & 9:35; Mon: 9:35

I'm there! :biggrin:

[Sam Druckerman]

Tom,

Thanks for the props.

Yes, the Beverly is a very old funky theater.

Sorry, I assumed you had already been there and knew.

I've been going there since I was kid, and just saw Raiders there a few weeks ago. I hear what David's saying and I wouldn't argue any point his made, he is the man after all...

But I think it's still fun to see films in a theater with a bunch of hard core film buffs. I guess you have to be willing to except the fact that it's not a great projector and the print's can be scratched ... on occasion.

The admission is $7.00 for a double feature, and the seats are so old they don't even have cup holders. But I like to go and support them because I love the idea of what there doing.... Screening old films. And even though most of them are available to rent... And I do have a home theater projector with a 12 ft image.... I still prefer going to a theater to have a shared veiwing experience with an audience.

I like to attend other revival venues, infact I just came home from the Aero... I'm there so often they all know me by name.

I might go see Jaws there next week...

http://www.americancinematheque.com/Aero/aeromastercalendar.htm

Thursday, July 5
7:30 PM JAWS

Or the American Cinematheque...

http://www.americancinematheque.com/mastercalendar.htm


Thursday, July 5
7:30 PM THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI

I can't decide, they both sound like fun.

Here's a few more links that might help...

http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/public/calendar/calendar_f.html

http://www.lacma.org/programs/FilmListing.aspx

The Skirball has free screenings some tuesday afternoons...
http://www.skirball.org/index.php

The city of Santa Monica has free screenings outside on the peer starting mid September for 6 weeks on Wed eve's..
http://www.artsfightingcancer.com/events.html

[David Mullen ASC]

I like seeing old movies in theaters with audiences too, just that the New Beverly tends to be lower on my list -- if I think there's a chance that the movie will show up in the coming months elsewhere, I sometimes just wait. I did see "Barry Lyndon" and "The Duellists" at the New Beverly some years ago. Luckily I got to see "Barry Lyndon" again at the Aero recently.

There is a cool low-rent vibe at the New Beverly in that it reminds me of all the old revival theaters I used to go to when in college. You're surrounded by cinephiles at those screenings, which is great. Maybe I should go back there soon...

[kmikami]

There is a cool low-rent vibe at the New Beverly in that it reminds me of all the old revival theaters I used to go to when in college.

The vibe of the New Beverly definitely betrays it's porno-theater roots!

[Sam Druckerman]

Maybe I should go back there soon...

Hi David,

Not sure how long it's been since you were there....

But, FWIW I know they installed a new bulb in their projector several months ago, which did help quite a bit.

[Sam Druckerman]

Wait a minute....

Thursday July 5th in LA has another interesting choice.

The New Beverly
Thursday, July 5 ( Wed the 4th also )
8:00 PM The Seven Samurai (1954)

The Aero
Thursday, July 5
7:30 PM JAWS

The American Cinematheque...
Thursday, July 5
7:30 PM THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI

Hmmm, decisions decisions.

It's days like this when I Love LA.

[Tom Lowe]

Have you guys been to the Bay Theater in Seal Beach? I'm planning to see Gone with the Wind there in early August in 35mm.

[Sam Druckerman]

Okay, I reviving this thread to give a "shout out" to the LA area redusers that next Friday and Saturday, August 10th and 11th, the New beverly Cinema will be screening.......

"In The Mood For Love"

I've never seen it, but based on Tom's recommendation, I'll be going on Saturday eve.

Maybe some LA reduser's would like to come, and we could grab a drink after?.... Open to suggestions.

I meet some reduser's at NAB, & the "Red Party" in Vegas and it was..... Really Cooool.

FWIW, I just saw "The Big Lebowski" & "The Hudsucker Proxy" last night at the New Beverly Cinema..... And they both looked Good.

[Albert Cheng]

I might make that on Saturday. In the Mood for Love is the one that I missed and never got a chance to see it on DVD.

BTW, my friend from work just loaned me a Chris Doyle movie he directed and dp'd. Looked nice but I can't tell you what it's about because I haven't a clue...it was wieeeeerd. A little too arty for my taste.

[Sam Druckerman]

And for all you 70mm fans...

The Aero is screening "VERTIGO" on August 22nd in ..... 70mm!!!

Also, it's Not on the schedule... yet. But the Aero is working up a Big September 70mm party, and they hope to have ...

"BARAKA",

"LAWRENCE OF ARABIA",

"THE WILD BUNCH",

Pink Floyd's "THE WALL",

and last but not least...

"2001"


------------------------

In 35mm, A Hitchcock extravaganza.

Thursday, August 16
7:30 PM FRENZY & THE WRONG MAN

Friday, August 17
7:30 PM ROPE & LIFEBOAT

Saturday, August 18
7:30 PM THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH & DIAL M FOR MURDER

Sunday, August 19
7:30 PM SUSPICION & SABOTEUR

Wednesday, August 22
7:30 PM VERTIGO *70mm

Thursday, August 23
7:30 PM THE 39 STEPS & THE LADY VANISHES

Friday, August 24
7:30 PM PSYCHO & SPELLBOUND

Saturday, August 25
7:30 PM REAR WINDOW & THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY

[Sam Druckerman]

I might make that on Saturday. In the Mood for Love is the one that I missed and never got a chance to see it on DVD.


Great.

A few other's said a while back they might come...

Let's give them a chance to see the thread.

[Bruce Allen]

Hope to be there. Things are a bit hectic...

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.co

[Dan Blanchett]

You guys are lucky. All we have down in San Diego is the Ken Cinema. We used to have the Guild, but after a multi-million dollar renovation it's now a... tattoo parlor! I suppose there are some benefits to living in the LA area, despite the traffic.

[Alexander Nikishin]

In the Mood For Love is awesome!

So is Baraka in 70mm.

I might make it myself.

[Sam Druckerman]

You guys are lucky. All we have down in San Diego is the Ken Cinema. We used to have the Guild, but after a multi-million dollar renovation it's now a... tattoo parlor! I suppose there are some benefits to living in the LA area, despite the traffic.

You know, it's incredible how many screenings there are here in LA, if you make an effort.

We have the The Aero, The Egyptian, The New Beverly Cinema, The Arc Light ( almost every week ), LACMA, The Directors Guild ( some open to the public), The AFI, The Skirball Center, The Billy Wilder Theater, UCLA, The Landmark (sometimes) ... all within about a 15 mile radius? All to some degree screening old-er films!!

And several art house theaters with the current indy / foreign pic's.

Pretty freakin Awesome for Hard Core movie buff''s.

No wonder I'm still here.....

---------------------------

So, Opcode, Bruce & Alexander....

Hope to see you guys there!

Maybe they're some other redusers who might be able to come?

The more the merrier.

[Tom Lowe]

I saw Gone With the Wind this Sunday in 35mm. First time I've ever seen the movie. What a great experience! The print wasn't so hot, and of course, it's a more TV-like aspect ratio, but it was well worth seeing in a theater.

[Sam Druckerman]

I saw Gone With the Wind this Sunday in 35mm. First time I've ever seen the movie. What a great experience! The print wasn't so hot, and of course, it's a more TV-like aspect ratio, but it was well worth seeing in a theater.

I've never seen it in the theater. That must have been a treat. In fact, the only time I saw GWTW was on a 26 inch TV, when I was kid.

Speaking of treats, Tom are you thinking about coming to "In The Mood For Love", on Saturday?

[Tom Lowe]

I've never seen it in the theater. That must have been a treat. In fact, the only time I saw GWTW was on a 26 inch TV, when I was kid.

Speaking of treats, Tom are you thinking about coming to "In The Mood For Love", on Saturday?

I've actually got a huge, annual family thing this weekend, so I don't think I can. :(

Next time for sure! Speaking of WKW, we should arrange an LA/OC get-together when Blueberry Nights gets released this fall. That would be my first WKW in 35mm.

Oh and FYI... Hitchcock's Vertigo is playing in 35mm at the Aero (http://www.americancinematheque.com/Aero/aeromastercalendar.htm) on Wed Aug 22nd. I wish I could go but I will be on a writing/location scouting/timelapse trip from Aug 15th - Sept 15th.

[Sam Druckerman]

I've actually got a huge, annual family thing this weekend, so I don't think I can. :(

Next time for sure!

Cool.


Speaking of WKW, we should arrange an LA/OC get-together when Blueberry Nights gets released this fall. That would be my first WKW in 35mm.


Could be fun.


Oh and FYI... Hitchcock's Vertigo is playing in 35mm at the Aero (http://www.americancinematheque.com/Aero/aeromastercalendar.htm) on Wed Aug 22nd. I wish I could go but I will be on a writing/location scouting/timelapse trip from Aug 15th - Sept 15th.

Ahhhh, Trust Me..... it's 70mm.

The guy's who Run the Aero gave me the info I posted, I know them..... and it's also listed on there web page.... Here,

http://www.americancinematheque.com/archive1999/2007/Aero/Hitchcock2_Aero_2007.htm#VERTIGO

"Wednesday, August 22 – 7:30 PM

70 mm. print!! VERTIGO, 1958, Universal, 128 min. Discussion following with film critic Kevin Thomas."

Sounds like a great trip, enjoy.

[Tom Lowe]

Oh man! I wish so badly I could see Vertigo in 70mm. I guess I will have to wait another 6 months. :(

So you know that one guy who runs the Aero? Kind of long hair? Do you know when Baraka and 2001 are coming?

[Sam Druckerman]

Grant is the guy you're thinking of. He's an actor, hehehe, but don't sell him short just for that... He happens to know more about film than a lot of "Directors" I've met. And he's seen Everything. He's like a walking film encyclopedia, and a really cool guy.

As of Sunday eve, Grant said they we're putting the 70mm program together for September, but didn't know the dates yet.

It's a big deal to do, because there are not that many 70mm prints in the world. They have to be tracked down, arrangements made, and to ship them is Very Expensive. That's why I said "They hope to have" in the other post.

As soon as they lock the dates, I'll post them for you.

As far as "six months?". The Aero has been doing a "Hitchcock fest" every summer, so it might be more like a year at that venue.

[Tom Lowe]

Yep. That's him. Grant. I had a chance to chat briefly with him after Lawrence. Very nice guy indeed. He said that most of the 70mm prints come to the Aero twice a year, generally speaking. Not sure about Vertigo, though. It's a damn shame to miss it!

Be sure to tell me how In the Mood at the New Beverly was. I am very jealous!

[Sam Druckerman]

Be sure to tell me how In the Mood at the New Beverly was. I am very jealous!

Will do, Tom.

Okay, guy's.... if you come to the 7:30 "In The Mood For Love" Saturday Eve... Look for me, I'll be hanging out for about 45 minutes before the show starts at the side walk Cafe / Restaurant just West of the box office, about ten feet away. Or afterwards I'll be out front on the sidewalk for a few minutes to see who shows up. Then we can grab a drink, or ?

I'll be with my friend Jerod, he's an actor and looks like one. I'll be the guy wearing a black cap who's working on his Hitchcock impersonation.

See you there.

[Tom Lowe]

Anyone who has never seen In the Mood for Love and is in the LA area should go. It is one of the greatest movies ever made, and is usually ranked alongside movies like Days of Heaven and Barry Lyndon in terms of cinematography.

[Sam Druckerman]

I'll be hanging out for about 45 minutes before the show starts at the side walk Cafe / Restaurant just East of the box office, about ten feet away.

Ahhhhh, Correction!

It's WEST of the BO, sorry late night, ya know.

[Albert Cheng]

I might make this one. I'm hanging out with a buddy whose visiting from across town and I'll have to check with him if he'd like to watch this movie instead of the current crop of films.

[Joe Carney]

LA isn't the only place. Aug 24 at the AFI Silver in Silver Springs MD, going to see the original GodFather. Still, it would be cool to live in a place that was showing all the classics in their original form.

[Sam Druckerman]

Be sure to tell me how In the Mood at the New Beverly was. I am very jealous!

Tom, thanks for a terrific suggestion.

I had forgotten about the link you posted, with Christopher Doyle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuWZI0yUUHU

Until a few minutes in, then it came back to me.

The film is a visually stunning master work in cinematography. And a must see, for anyone who loves this art form.

There are so many great things about this film, I will hold my comments to just a few of the key ones for me.

The use of negative space in the frame was WOW.

Love the many brilliant scene to scene visual transitions.

The pace of the film envelopes and soothes like a warm bath.

The soundtrack with Nat King Cole singing those great songs in "Spanish" was a revelation. Had they been the english versions, I think the lyrics would have distracted from the frame... But, in "Spanish" his velvet voice and those gorgeous melodies set the tone and served the story perfectly.

I wish I could make a film in Hong Kong, now.

I could go on and on, but the bottom line is...

I can't wait to get the DVD and study it in more detail. No, make that.... break it down scene by scene until I can swim in every frame.

Thanks again,

Sam

[Tom Lowe]

I didn't know this was your first time seeing the picture! Yeah, I had the same experience when I saw In the Mood... I was totally blown away. The framing and composition in this movie -- and in its quasi-sequel 2046 -- is the best I have seen in decades in any movie.

BTW, how was the projection and sound quality?

[Sam Druckerman]

BTW, how was the projection and sound quality?

I'm not expert... But I do see an average of 2-3 films a week in a theater, and for me the Beverly is on par with the average theater in LA. Like any rival house, I think the print has a lot more to do with the outcome. As an example, I'm at the Aero almost every week, and even though that's a newly equipped theater, when the print is not up to par or even iffy, it looks a lot worse to me than the average New Beverly screening. If the print is poor at the Beverly it seems a lot worse to me than the average screening at the AERO.

The Aero is a much nicer, larger venue and the screen is twice the size.

That said, I think you take your chances any time you go to a rival screening.... that just comes with the territory.

I thought the print last night looked Very Good.... But, who knows? If Mr Dolye was there, he may of had a contrary opinion....

The "Artist" is seldom satisfied anyway....... but I sure enjoyed it.

-----------------

Heads up, for those who might be interested....

Edgar Wright, Writer / Director...... will be at the New Beverly Cinema all day today talking about his two films....

http://www.newbevcinema.com/calendar.cfm

Hott Fuzz & Shaun of the Dead.

[Tom Lowe]

Well I've only ever seen it on a DVD on my laptop, so I will go for sure next time anyone in LA or OC screens any WKW films.

Keep us posted if you hear any rumblings about new 70mm screenings at the Aero.

[Sam Druckerman]

Here you go Tom,

I might have #81 that week, if you're in town and interested, give me a call (LOL I can already hear the phone ringing)... I'm only five minutes from the Aero.

It's a 70mm Blow Out...

Thursday, September 13
7:30 PM PINK FLOYD - THE WALL

Friday, September 14
7:30 PM BARAKA

Saturday, September 15
7:30 PM LAWRENCE OF ARABIA

Sunday, September 16
7:30 PM THE WILD BUNCH

Thursday, September 20
7:30 PM 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

And for those who may have forgotten,

Wednesday, August 22
7:30 PM VERTIGO

[Sam Druckerman]

Bump for those who like 70-mm....

THIS .... Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun.....
& Next Thurs (2oth) The Aero,

http://www.americancinematheque.com/Aero/aeromastercalendar.htm

If you haven't seen Baraka? Wow.

And if you want to see Lawrence of A..... Better buy tckets in advance.