New York City may get all the new releases first, but there’s a lot more to the film culture here than just what’s in the mainstream theaters! Every week we bring you the top 5 cinematic events to check out.
1.) The Last Detail (Film Forum)
Hal Ashby’s anti-establishment classic celebrates its 40th year with a one week run at the Film Forum starting April 5. Armed with a screenplay that cusses like a sailor, writer Robert Towne’s adaptation of Darryl Ponicsan’s novel sends Navy lifers Badass Buddusky (Jack Nicholson) and Mule Mulhall (Otis Young) to deliver naive newbie Meadows (Randy Quaid) to the brig. Meadows’ punishment hardly fits his crime, so he’s treated to a weekend of debauchery and fun by his captors. The duo of Badass and Mule teach Meadows plenty of life lessons, including the most painful one on life’s stunning lack of fairness. The Last Detail is an unrepentently angry film, funny as hell at times but ultimately devastating. Nicholson turns in his best performance; Badass Buddusky is the essence of Jack at its purest. My Pops once told me this film was what being in the Navy felt like. That alone makes ita must-see.
2.) Upstream Color (IFC Center)
It’s not fair for me to tell you that Shane Carruth is at the Museum of the Moving Image on April 4th, since his screening of Primer is sold out. If resorting to puppy dog eyes and/or showing a butt cheek doesn’t get you a ticket from a sympathetic MoMI patron, there’s always Carruth’s latest at the IFC Center (opens April 5th). Upstream Color has lots of Twitter buzz, which you should never listen to anyway. But depending on whom you ask, this film promises either orgasmic rapture or mental blue balls of confusion. If nothing else, Upstream Color, like its predecssor, will give you a challenging puzzle. Whether you chose to try solving it is up to you.
3.) 20th Annual African Film Festival (Film Society of Lincoln Center)
This year’s festival opens with the fascinating 1992 film Guelwaar, by the great Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène (Moolade). Most films in the series (which runs April 3-9) feature Q&A sessions with their filmmakers. Showcasing films from past and present, this festival allows viewers to experience a variety of films from a continent once practically ignored in cinematic circles.
4.) Miyazaki at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
Goro Miyazaki’s From Up on Poppy Hill is in theaters now, so BAM presents the films of Goro’s dad, Hayao. Eight films, all on 35mm, unspool from April 5-14. Includes Princess Mononoke, Spirted Away (his best) and My Neighbor Totoro, among others. But, since this series is only about films Miyazaki directed, there’s no Pom Poko! Drat!
5.) Spice World at Midnight (Landmark Sunshine)
They’ll tell you what you want, what you really really want–and it’s probably not this, even if it is being screened on 35mm. Still, the rowdy midnight crowd might make it worth your while. I hear you groaning, and I ignore you. Whenever I do this list, #5 will always be a midnight movie. Because trash is good for you.
