1. The Last New Wave (Lincoln Center)
Picnic at Hanging Rock, Peter Weir, 1975. Photo courtesy of The Kobal Collection.
The Australian New Wave, that saw the beginnings of directors like Bruce Beresford, Philip Noyce, Fred Schepsi, and Peter Weir, gets a retrospective at Lincoln Center. Though the disproportionately greater opportunities afforded them in Hollywood eventually lured these directors from their native land, they left behind a legacy of films speaking uniquely to the people and history of it. Of interest for too many reasons to properly count here. Get up there. (Mon. 1/28—Thu. 1/31)
2. New Yawk New Wave (Film Forum)
Mean Streets, Martin Scorsese, 1973.
The final week of three, this week Martin Scorsese’s breakthrough feature Mean Streeets will be screening, in something of a culmination of the series’ stylistically and historically inclusive celebration of New York filmmakers and filmmaking. However much New Yorkers would like to suppress the fact that large parts of Mean Streets were actually shot in Los Angeles, the movie itself is nonetheless very much of New York City, and an excellent culmination of this fascinating series. (Wed. 1/30 and Thu. 1/31)
3. Groundhog Day (Landmark Sunshine)
The beloved 1993 Bill Murray vehicle is getting midnight screenings both Feb 1st & 2nd , at the beginning and end of the holiday from which it takes its name. If you’re a fan of this ingenious, pan-genre charmer already seeing it with what’s sure to be a full house (seriously, get tickets in advance) promises to be a treat. And if you’ve never seen it before, this may be the ideal circumstances under which to do so. (Fri. 2/1 and Sat. 2/2)
4. Filmmakers Albert Maysles and D.A. Pennebaker in person (Film Forum)
Photo courtesy of Film Forum.
Monday night at 7:50, Albert Maysles and D.A. Pennebaker, two giants of the documentary form, will be appearing in person as several of their films screen. The program consists of Pennebaker’s Baby and Jingle Bells, as well as Maysles’ With Love From Truman and Robert Drew’s Jane. With the current boom in documentary filmmaking, this is an excellent opportunity to see two of its great pioneers in the flesh. (Mon. 1/28)
5—The Wizard Of Oz (Rubin Museum of Art)
This cabaret-style screening of the all-time classic is free but for a $7 drinks minimum and is being introduced by psychologist William Braun. For novelty of setting and atmosphere alone, this can’t be beat, but there’s also the matter of getting to watch The Wizard Of Oz in the bargain, and The Wizard Of Oz is great. (Fri. 2/1)
