The Cinema Lounge
On Monday, August 19, 2024 [NOTE corrected date] at 8:00pm please join the Cinema Lounge, the DC Film Society's monthly film discussion group.
TOPIC: Message Movies
"If you want to send a message," the saying goes, "call Western Union." Despite this advice, many films have spotlighted social, racial, or economic issues. Many filmmakers have used the medium to make a statement on their times. The tradition goes back to the 1930s with I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang and Fury then continuing into the 40s with The Grapes of Wrath, The Best Years of Our Lives, Crossfire and Gentleman's Agreement. In the 50s and 60s, with filmmakers having somewhat more freedom, message films such as On the Waterfront, Paths of Glory, To Kill a Mockingbird, Seven Days in May, In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner flourished. Filmmakers had even more freedom in the 70s, with The Candidate, Network, Coming Home, and Norma Rae reflecting changing attitudes. Even with the turn to blockbusters in the 80s and 90s, Silkwood, War Games, Platoon, The Accused, Philadelphia and Boys Don't Cry commented on relevant issues.
In the 21st century, with risk-averse studios and distributors, is there still room for message films? Yes, every so often there's a Crash, Brokeback Mountain, 99 Homes or Don't Look Up. But, especially in these polarized times, taking a firm social or political position with a film can be a huge gamble. Will message movies be confined to TV or streaming?
Please RSVP to atspector@hotmail.com and you'll get the Zoom link 1-2 days before the discussion.
The Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, meets the third Monday of every month (unless otherwise noted) at 8:00pm online via Zoom. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend. Cinema Lounge is moderated by Adam Spector, author of the DC Film Society's Adam's Rib column.
Adam's Rib Examines Movies' Greatest Betrayals
Not too long ago, I had someone who I thought was a friend betray me. Betrayals feel like a vicious stomach punch for two reasons. First, the immediate consequences of the act itself. Second, that the person committing that act or allowing it to happen was someone you liked, trusted, or maybe even loved. Knowing that you misjudged someone makes you doubt yourself, shaking your self-confidence.
Betrayals in the movies sting because we pull for certain characters and feel their pain. Generally, the stakes are high, and the betrayal leads to serious damage, sometimes even loss of life. Trying to find the silver lining in what happened to me, I looked at what movie betrayals hurt the most in my new Adam’s Rib column.
We Need to Hear From YOU
We are always looking for film-related material for the Storyboard. Our enthusiastic and well-traveled members have written about their trips to the Cannes Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival, London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, the Berlin Film Festival, the Palm Springs Film Festival, the Reykjavik Film Festival, the Munich Film Festival, the Virginia Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, The Nitrate Picture Show, and the Chicago Critics Film Festival. We also heard about what it's like being an extra in the movies. Have you gone to an interesting film festival? Have a favorite place to see movies that we aren't covering in the Calendar of Events? Seen a movie that blew you away? Read a film-related book? Gone to a film seminar? Interviewed a director? Taken notes at a Q&A? Read an article about something that didn't make our local news media? Send your contributions to Storyboard and share your stories with the membership. And we sincerely thank all our contributors for this issue of Storyboard.
Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
"AFI Silver After Dark" is a series of midnight-style movies. The film for August is Speed (1994) starring Keanu Reeves.
"MGM 100" (July 12–September 19) celebrates the centennial of Metro-Goldyn Mayer with classics and underappreciated gems. Films in August are 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in 70mm with an introduction and book event with Robert P. Kolker, co-author of "Kubrick: An Odyssey;" A Night at the Opera (1935); Adam's Rib (1949); An American in Paris (1951); Battleground (1949); Blow-Up (1966); Cabin in the Sky (1943); Comrade X (1940); H.M. Pulman, Esq. (1941); Fury (1936); Intruder in the Dust (1949); Ivanhoe (1952) starring a young Elizabeth Taylor; Libeled Lady (1936); Mrs. Miniver (1942); Ninotchka (1939) starring Greta Garbo; Rendezvous (1935); Some Came Running (1958); The Asphalt Jungle (1950); The Bad and the Beautiful (1952); The Philadelphia Story (1940); The Thin Man (1934); The Women (1939); They Were Expendable (1945); Topper (1937); Westward the Women (1952); and Woman of the Year (1942). More in September.
"Shall We Dance: The Films of Fred Astaire: (July 21-September 15). Fred Astaire (1899-1987) revolutionized the movie musical as a choreographer, dancer, musician and actor. Films in August are Easter Parade (1948); Silk Stockings (1957); and The Band Wagon (1953). More in September.
"Kinds of Weirdness: The Films of Yorgos Lanthimos" (July 19-August 28). August films are Poor Things (2023); The Favourite (2018); and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017).
"Special Engagements" for August include the popular annual "CatVideoFest" for 2024; a 35th anniversary show of James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket (1989) featuring a post-screening discussion with filmmaker Karen Thorsen and Dr. Keith Clark, Professor at George Mason University and author of "Black Manhood in James Baldwin, Ernest J. Gaines and August Wilson." A 20th anniversary show of National Treasure Hunt (2004) including introduction and trivia with Aubrey Paris and Emily Black, co-hosts of the "National Treasure Hunt" podcast. Their book "National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy" will be available for sale and signing. An encore presentation of the music documentary "The Cramps and The Mutants: the Napa State Tapes" has a Q&A with Mike Plante, director of one of the short films.
"Columbia Pictures" Part III (July 12-September 19) continues from Parts I and II. August films are 1776 (1972) in a director's cut; All That Jazz (1979) in a 4K restoration; Body Double (1984); California Split (1974); Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) in a director's cut; Eyes of Laura Mars (1978); Ghostbusters (1984); Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982); Shampoo (1975); Stand By Me (1986); Taxi Driver (1976); The Karate Kid (1984); The King of Marvin Gardens (1972); and The Last Detail (1973). More in September.
"Oh My Godzilla!" (July 13-September 17). Starting with the original Godzilla (1954) which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, this series evolves through the Atomic Age, monster brawls, and introduces us to new monsters such as Mothra, King Ghidorah and many more. August films are Destroy All Monsters (1968); Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989); Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995); Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971); and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974). More in September.
"AFI Life Achievement Award: Nicole Kidman" (July 12–September 18). August films are Dogville (2003); Eyes Wide Shut (1999); Moulin Rouge! (2001); Paddington (2014); The Hours (2002); and The Others (2001). More in September.
"Stanley Donen Centennial" (July 12–September 19). A perfect complement to the series on Fred Astaire, Donen directed Hollywood musicals (many with Gene Kelly), romances and thrillers. Films in August are Charade (1963); Funny Face (1957); Indiscreet (1958); Two for the Road (1967); and The Grass Is Greener (1960). More in September.
Freer Gallery of Art
On August 14 at 2:00pm is Floating Weeds (Yasujiro Ozu, 1959) part of the "Japanese Classics" series of films.
The series "In Case You Missed It" is a collection of recent films from Asian or Asian American directors. On August 2 at 7:00pm is Past Lives (Celine Song, 2023); on August 4 at 2:00pm is the anime The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki, 2023) from Japan; on August 9 at 7:00pm is Evil Does Not Exist (Ryusuke Hamaguchi, 2024) from Japan; and on August 11 at 2:00pm is Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (Pham Thien An, 2023) from Vietnam.
National Gallery of Art
The series "Art Films and Special Screenings" presents "International Shorts: Best of the Thomas Edison Film Festival 2024." Festival director Jane Steuerwald will introduce the program which is in two parts: Part I starts at 12:00 noon August 3 and ends at 2:00pm. Part II starts at 2:30pm and ends at 4:30pm. The shorts include animation, experimental, documentary, narrative and dance works. See the website for titles.
"Tales of Cinema: The World of Hong Sangsoo" (July 27-August 17)ends with five films followed by a discussion. On August 4 at 2:00pm is Night and Day (2008). On August 10 at 2:00pm is In Another Country (2012), followed by Claire's Camera (2017) both of which star Isabelle Huppert. On August 17 at 2:00pm is Introduction (2021), followed by In Front of Your Face (2021). A post-screening discussion will follow with Tom Vick, curator of film at the National Museum of Asian Art.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On August 15 at 7:30pm is Between the Temples (Nathan Silver, 2024) starring Jason Schwartzman as a cantor.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
On August 15 at 6:30pm is The Cinematic Liars of Asahi-za (Yuki Tanada, 2021).
The Avalon
A "Summer Film Series" in August is on Sundays at 10:30am. On August 4 is Jaws (1975); on August 11 is A Tale of Summer (1996); on August 18 is Mamma Mia (2008); on August 25 is Endless Summer (1964); and on September 1 is Beach Blanket Bingo (1965).
On August 7 at 8:00pm for "Programmer's Choice" is Janet Planet (Annie Baker, 2023).
The "Avalon Docs" film this month is Join or Die (Pete Davis, 2023) on August 14 at 8:00pm.
The "French Cinematheque" film for August is The Rapture (Iris Kaltenback, 2023) on August 21 at 8:00pm.
The "Cine Polska" pick for August is Red Poppies (Krzysztof Lukaszewicz) on August 28 at 8:00pm.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress announces its annual Summer Movies on the Lawn to present National Film Registry Selections. Films in August are Rocky (1976) on August 1; and Lady and the Tramp (1955) on August 8. All are shown on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building at sundown.
Wolf Trap
On August 16 at 7:00pm is a sing-along with The Sound of Music (1965).
Kennedy Center
On August 2 is The Lorax (2012); on August 10 is Rear Window (1954); on August 17 is Free Solo (2018); on August 24 is Lincoln (2012); on August 31 is Chocolat (2000). All are shown outside on the REACH Video Wall at dusk.
Old Greenbelt Theater
In the "Cinema Classics" series is Laura (Otto Preminger, 1944) starring Gene Tierney on August 5 at 1:00pm and August 8 at 8:00pm.
A summer series "School's Out" shows animated films. On August 1 at 1:00pm is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (Jeff Rowe, 2023). On August 8 at 1:00pm is Turning Red (Domee Shi, 2022). On August 15 at 1:00pm is How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014). On August 22 at 1:00pm is The Princess and the Frog (2009).
On August 15 at 8:00pm is Twilight (Catherine Hardwicke, 2008), part of the "Cult Classics" series.
The "Summer Concert Series" shows music documentaries on Wednesdays at 8:00pm. On August 7 at 8:00pm is The Last Waltz (Martin Scorsese, 1978); on August 14 at 8:00pm is The Who: The Kids Are Alright (Jeff Stein, 1979); on August 21 at 8:00pm is It's Only Life After All (Alexandria Bombach, 2023); and on August 28 at 8:00pm is The Song Remains the Same (Peter Clifton, Joe Massot, 1976).
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
The "Angelika Classics" series shows classic films on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm. On August 5 at 7:00pm is Saturday Night Fever (1977).
"Classics in Black and White" features a classic B&W film on the third Monday of each month at 7:00pm. On Augusts 19 at 7:00pm is She Done Him Wrong (1933).
A Harry Potter series (March 30-October 26) is on Saturdays at 11:00am. On August 31 at 11:00am is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009).
"Studio Ghibli" (June 19-Sept. 5) shows anime films on Wednesdays at 7:00pm with English subtitles and Thursdays at 12:00pm with English dubbed. On August 1 12:00pm is Castle in the Sky (1986). On August 7 at 7:00pm and August 8 at 12:00pm is Porco Rosso (1992); On August 14 at 7:00pm and August 15 at 12:00pm is Nausicaa (1984); on August 21 at 7:00pm and August 22 at 12:00pm is The Princess Kaguya (2013) and on August 28 at 7:00pm and August 29 at 12:00pm is Princess Mononoke (1997). More in September.
FILM FESTIVALS
