I will be at the always great Hero Complex Film Festival to talk to Geoff Boucher about ‘Shaun Of The Dead’. Hopefully we will have a second special guest too. See you there!
(Via SlashFilm.com) Does a double feature of Dawn of the Dead with Zack Snyder and Shaun of the Dead with Edgar Wright sound like a good night at out the movies? You bet it does, and we can exclusively announce that’s just the first night of the upcoming, third annual Hero Complex Film Festival presented by the Los Angeles Times. The festival will take place May 18-21 at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE and the full announcement of the line up and ticket sales takes place at 10 a.m. April 25. Read more after the jump.
In addition to Snyder and Wright, Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, will be on hand for the Q&A. Wright might also bring a special guest.
There will be around eight films shown over the course of the weekend (there are always surprises), all with special guests, all hosted by the Hero Complex’s own Geoff Boucher. I’ve been to the fest for the past two years (you can read my write ups of 2010 here and 2011 here) and it was fantastic both times. Older movies, yes, but fantastic Q&A’s with the likes of Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Warren Beatty and many more. This year promises more of the same.
Check back tomorrow for the full announcement or head to www.herocomplex.com.
BUY TICKETS HERE NOW!
Full Schedule Below
May 18-21
Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live
Hosted by Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times
2012 event poster designed by DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee.
| Friday, May 18 | ||
| 7:00 pm |
Dawn of the Dead (2004) Special guests: Zack Snyder and Robert Kirkman Rated R |
|
| 10:00 pm |
Shaun of the Dead Special guest: Edgar Wright Rated R |
|
| Saturday, May 19 | ||
| 12:00 pm |
RoboCop Special guest: Peter Weller Rated R |
|
| 4:00 pm |
A Clockwork Orange Special guest: Malcolm McDowell Rated R |
|
| 8:30 pm |
SUPER Special guest: Rainn Wilson Rated R |
|
| Sunday, May 20 | ||
| 2:00 pm |
WALL-E Special guest: Andrew Stanton Includes a special preview of Disney/Pixar’s ‘Brave’ Rated G |
|
| 6:00 pm |
Serenity Special guest: Nathan Fillion Rated PG-13 |
|
| Monday, May 21 | ||
| 7:30 pm |
An Evening with Stan Lee Screening TBA |
|
The great Brattle Theatre is doing a Scott Pilgrim ROCK BAND night this Thursday in anticipation of the PAX conference. I love this theatre and it’s always a fun time going there.
They are also showing the movie at midnight on Friday & Saturday so head on down.
Send Cambridge my love.
Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Presented by Harmonix and The Brattle!
SCOTT PILGRIM tickets $6.75–$9.75
SCOTT PILGRIM also screens Friday, April 6 & Saturday, April 7 at Midnight
dir. Edgar Wright w/Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Mark Webber, Ellen Wong, Johnny Simmons, Jason Schwartzman [112 min] SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD is an exhilarating pop-culture extravaganza and mash-up of geek-culture influences that creates a coming-of-age story for the 21st century. Scott (Cera) is a bass-playing slacker who is smitten when he catches a glimpse of Ramona Flowers, the ultimate manic-pixiedream- girl. Unfortunately for Scott, Romana has a cadre of evil exes that Scott must defeat in video-game-style combat to win her affections. SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD also screens Fri, April 6 & Sat, April 7 at midnight!
Followed by Rock Band Night at 9:00 pm
A combo ticket for ROCK BAND NIGHT & SCOTT PILGRIM together is $15 gen pub / $13 members & students. Admission to RBN only $7. No passes.
Join us for a night of rock and roll fun with the makers of the fantastic ROCK BAND video game. Form your own band or fly solo and enter for a chance to compete live on stage in front of a panel of special guest judges from the gaming world. This event is a prequel of sorts to the absurdly popular PAX East Convention which begins on April 6. Come early and get your innerrocker pumped with a screening of the ultimate geek’n’roll film, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD!
The good people at Florida State University asked me to come out and answer a whole bunch of questions about my films (movies).
I said yes.
See you in Tallahassee this Friday.
Two Nights Done Wright with Director Edgar Wright
March 29 + 30 | Fri + Sat
Edgar Wright is coming to the SLC!
Director/writer/producer Edgar Wright will be introducing his film, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World on Friday, March 30th and will do a Q&A and discussion between two of his films, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz on Saturday, March 31st.
Each film is free for FSU students with a valid FSU ID, and $5 for the general public. It’s first-come, first-serve for these big events, so make sure you get to the theater early! We will not be selling tickets prior to the evening of the event.
For more information about Edgar Wright, visit IMDB or his Official Website
For further information check out FSU’s site here.
UPDATE: ‘SCOTT PILGRIM’, ‘SHAUN’ & ‘FUZZ’ are already sold out! But there are some tickets left for the opening feast. See you there!
Those good people at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema have kindly asked me to come an open their new church of cinema. I said yes.
I have always had a great time in Austin and with any Alamo screening I’ve done; be it ‘Shaun’, ‘Fuzz’, ‘Spaced’, ‘Scott Pilgrim’ and ‘Attack The Block’.
So join me for an epic triple bill at the new Alamo on Slaughter Lane. See you very soon, TX.
Who is the man behind the world’s first and best rom-zom-com? Who is the man who made a movie with a plotline centered around 1991’s Point Break? Who is the man who made the best movie adaptation of a Canadian graphic novel ever? Why, the charmingly English Edgar Wright of course!
We’ve been working with Edgar on the best possible programming to showcase his dynamic filmography and we’ve come up with fantastical weekend of movies to honor the grand opening of our brand new Slaughter Lane location. Wright has been to all of the other Austin Alamo locations over the years for special events and just to hang out and enjoy a local brew and pizza pie along with a flick. So he wanted to come down and help us break in the new digs with style over our opening weekend!
Wright sets the bar and sets it high for witty dialogue, hilarious pop culture references and above all entertainment. Every frame of every thing Wright’s touched is filled to the brim with great joy and even greater fun. The man is as much of a manic film fan as we are here at the Alamo and we are so thrilled to welcome him back to the Lone Star state to show off our new killer-plant themed location in South Austin!
Edgar Wright will be appearing LIVE at the following special events at our newest Alamo Drafthouse location:
Friday March 23rd- SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD Dinner Party with Edgar Wright
SOLD OUT!Friday March 23rd- SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD with Edgar Wright
SOLD OUT!Saturday, March 24th- SHAUN OF THE DEAD Quote-along with Edgar Wright
SOLD OUT!Saturday, March 24th- HOT FUZZ with Edgar Wright
Tickets for all these events will go on sale tomorrow, March 15th.
Anyone in the Cincinnati area should check out this exhibition about the history of the music video. Am very flattered that they included my video for Mint Royale’s ‘Blue Song’; a promo very dear to my heart.
So if you’re around in the area, do check it out.
Spectacle: The Music Video
Saturday March 3, 2012
6:00PM – Artists dinner and cocktails
8PM – Opening night party with live music performance by Dan Deacon
RSVP Essential
Contemporary Arts Center
44 East Sixth St.
Cincinnati, OH
Follow Flux on Twitter (@helloflux) for event updates and other news.
Opening party info on Museum website:
http://contemporaryartscenter.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=198
Facebook event for the opening:
https://www.facebook.com/events/326300114088667/
“Blue Song” by Mint Royale
Three cities doing ‘Scott Pilgrim’ midnights very soon; one at the New Beverly this Friday (WITH SPECIAL GUESTS) two at the Landmark in Houston this weekend and in March at the Denver Landmark.
Do let us know if you go.
New Beverly Midnight: Los Angeles
Dates: February 24th, 2012 @ Midnight
[Tickets]
Midnight Madness: Landmark Theatre, Houston
Dates: February 24th & 25th, 2012
Midnight Madness: Landmark Theatre, Denver
Dates: March 2nd & 3rd, 2012
UPDATE: Wednesday 25th January, 2012.
I’m afraid there’s some good news, bad news for attendees of the London Comedy Festival this weekend.
I am currently in LA writing my next movie with Simon Pegg and we are both working furiously around his duties on the Starship Enterprise. So sadly I can no longer attend the event in person on London as originally planned.
So I guess the good news is that writing is going very well, the bad news is that I was really hoping to be back in London and see you all.
Instead I plan to make it up to the crowd with a Q&A by Skype and with a VERY SPECIAL GUEST IN TOW. No prizes for guessing who.
Myself and my surprise guest will also be interviewed by Empire magazine’s Chris Hewitt, who will field questions from the live audience and via Twitter.
So, huge huge apologies for those ticket holders who had been promised the doubled with me in person. I will be there very much in spirit and am already planning to doing a second bonus event in person with LoCo and the BFI.
Tickets holders can contact the BFI box office if you do need a refund, though I hope you will still come along to enjoy the film and the Skype Q&A. Box office number is 020 7928 3232.
The good folks at the BFI can also let any ticket holders when the future in-person event will be and make sure you’re the first to know. More details here.
Again, my profound apologies. But I promise to answer all your questions this Saturday!
Edgar
LoCo presents: The London Comedy Film Festival
LoCo is delighted to welcome Edgar Wright as our first LoCo Hero, an annual celebration of the finest contemporary comedy film-makers. As director of Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World; as co-writer of Tintin; and as co-producer of Attack The Block and Sightseers, Edgar is one of the most influential and inspiring figures in British cinema. Join us to celebrate his career with this unique double bill, chosen by Edgar himself, twinning his brilliant breakthrough feature with Mike Leigh’s Life Is Sweet.
Edgar proved his gift for parody in his Channel 4 series Spaced. But, like An American Werewolf in London, Shaun of the Dead is both a parody and a terrific example of its genre. It’s also full of great performances, not just from Frost and Pegg but also Bill Nighy and Kate Ashfield, who shows a sweet, bewildered tenderness as Liz. Join Edgar for a unique celebration of his breakthrough rom-zom-com. And don’t forget to kill Philip. The screening will be followed by a Q&A.
Join LoCo, Edgar Wright and friends in the benugo Bar and Kitchen 8pm – midnight.
Shaun of the Dead + Edgar Wright and guests
The acclaimed comedy director introduces a screening of his debut feature film.
Full listings and tickets available here.
Edgar Wright introduces a screening of Mike Leigh’s tragi-comic family drama
One of the triumphs of Shaun of the Dead is the way it combines spectacular zombie action with a witty, well observed portrait of contemporary London life; in Edgar’s own words: “what if zombies attacked in the middle of a Mike Leigh film?”. A key inspiration for Shaun of the Dead, Life Is Sweet tells one family’s story over a hot London summer. Andy is a chef who dreams of freedom and has just bought a decrepit burger van. Wendy has taken a job at the world’s worst French restaurant. And Nicola is having sex with David Thewlis, smeared with chocolate spread. Love, ambition, liver and lager come together in one of Mike Leigh’s best-loved films.
Join LoCo, Edgar Wright and friends in benugo Bar and Kitchen 8pm – midnight.
Further information and tickets here.
And lo, the ‘Movies Edgar Has Never Seen’ became the films I have seen.
In the last 8 days at the New Beverly Cinema, I saw 17 movies for the first time on the big screen with a great crowd. It was bliss and thanks to all who attended.
Anyone who attended can tell you what a blast it was to see these movies with an audience. It’s my perfect way to spend my time, in a darkened theatre with fellow movie fans. And to fill in my cultural gaps in front of a paying audience was a hugely fulfilling experience. There’s no shame in not having seen a great movie, especially if you can cross it off the list in such an spectacular manner.
So thanks to my amazing guests for this series who were (in order), Joe Dante, Allan Arkush, Eli Roth, Thomas Jane, Clifton Collins Jnr, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Michael Bacall, Greg Mottola, Bob Weide, Patton Oswalt, John Landis, Matthew Weiner, James Gunn, Richard Schickel, Rian Johnson, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Carnahan, Leonard Maltin, Doug Benson, Larry Karaszewski, Walter Hill, Elvis Mitchell, Daniel Waters, Josh Olson, Richard Kelly and (in spirit) Kevin Smith.
I am truly spoilt by having these guests to introduce the films with me. It has been the best way to watch them, with enthusiastic and intelligent contributions from all.
Further thanks to those fine fellows who made written contributions for the night, (Stephen King & Joel Coen) and those who helped suggest the double bills themselves; Quentin Tarantino, Joe Dante, John Landis, Judd Apatow, Bill Hader, Joss Whedon, Guillermo Del Toro, Greg Mottola, Rian Johnson, Daniel Waters, Larry Karaszewski, Josh Olson, Jason Schwartzman, Doug Benson and Harry Knowles, not to mention all of you who frequent this blog and came up with a total of 1552 individual suggestions of what to screen in the season. And what a final 17 movies too!
The Marquees
I must also thank those without whom I could do none of this; Michael Torgan, Julia Marchese, Greg Longstreet, Marc Heuck, Leo Thompson, Lee Thomas, Brian Siberell, Rowena Arguelles, Michael Sugar, Adam Siegel, James Schamus, Devin Faraci, Jeremy Smith, Damon Houx, Phil Blankenship, Tim League, Stefanie Larson, Tamar Teifeld, Matthew Patterson, Jules McLean and Russell Walks.
Thoughts in closing.
So that really is all folks, don’t forget to sign Julia Marchese’s petition to save 35 mm and hopefully I will see you all at the movies very soon.
To go out, a lovely montage edited by Marc Heuck, who also put together all the 35mm trailers for the season.
Ta ta.
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Three cult classics on 35mm. Vintage trailers. Five very special guests in Elvis Mitchell, Daniel Waters, Josh Olson, Richard Kelly and That Kevin Smith. Get your tix.
7:30 pm / Hickey & Boggs
1972, USA, 111 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Robert Culp
Written by Walter Hill
Starring Bill Cosby, Robert Culp, Ta-Ronce Allen, Rosalind Cash, Isabel Sanford, Lou Frizzell
IMDB
9:50 pm / Cutter’s Way
1981, USA, 105 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Ivan Passer
Starring Jeff Bridges, John Heard, Lisa Eichhorn, Ann Dusenberry
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘Hickey And Boggs’ suggested by Quentin Tarantino , Elvis Mitchell & Daniel Waters | ‘Cutter’s Way’ suggested by Daniel Waters)
How about some hardboiled gems to finish off my season? ‘Hickey & Boggs’ & ‘Cutter’s Way’ is some real LA noir. The former reunites Robert Culp & Bill Cosby, the stars of ‘I Spy’, in a gritty detective movie written by first time screenwriter Walter Hill. Culp also directed what has become a highly regarded nugget of noir over the years. ‘Cutter’s Way’ AKA ‘Cutter & Bone’, starring John Heard and Jeff Bridges, was more of a cult darling on its initial release and was featured only two years after it opened in the 2nd volume of Danny Peary’s Cult Movies. I say you come down to see Cliff Huxtable and The Dude get rough.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Elvis Mitchell & Josh Olson.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984, USA, 103 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by W. D. Richter
Starring Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum,
Christopher Lloyd, Lewis Smith, Rosalind Cash
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘Buckaroo Banzai’ suggested by Kevin Smith)
I end my special season with a film that inspired the whole endeavor. A few months ago, a Twitter follower was aghast – aghast – that I had never seen ‘Buckaroo Banzai’. He asked ‘How is that even possible?’. Well the answer is thus; it was barely released in the UK. It certainly played nowhere near me. I was also in a VHS less household for the whole of the eighties (cue violins). And finally I did not have cable either. So my exposed contact to ‘Buckaroo’ was nil. That is finally about to change. And super fan Kevin Smith has decided to come and hold my hand for my first watch. The perfect midnight movie to end on? I can’t wait to find out.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright & Kevin Smith.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
Midnight Screening / Buy Tickets (When Available)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Two classic comedies on 35mm. Vintage trailers. Four very special guests in Leonard Maltin, Joe Dante, Doug Benson and Larry Karaszewski. Get your tix.
7:30 pm / To Be or Not to Be
1942, USA, 99 minutes, 35mm
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack
IMDB
9:40 pm / The Bad News Bears
1976, USA, 102 minutes, 35mm, Paramount Pictures
Directed by Michael Ritchie
Starring Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neal, Chris Barnes, Vic Morrow,
Jackie Earle Haley, Joyce Van Patten, Quinn Smith
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘To Be Or Not To Be’ (Suggested by John Landis & Joe Dante) | ‘The Bad New Bears’ suggested by Bill Hader & Doug Benson)
So what do these movies have in common? Aside from the fact I haven’t seen them. Well, both are classic comedies. Both were remade later, one in the 80’s, one in the 00’s. Both feature untalented misfits rising to the occasion. Both star famous comic actors of Jewish immigrant descent. And both deserve to be seen on a big screen with a packed house. See you there.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Leonard Maltin, Larry Karaszewski & Doug Benson.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Two seminal westerns on 35mm. Vintage trailers. Two very special guests in directors Peter Bogdanovich and Joe Carnahan. Get your tix.
7:30 pm / The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
1962, USA, 123 minutes, 35mm, Paramount Pictures
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O’Brien,
Woody Strode, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Lee Van Cleef
IMDB
10:00 pm / Ride the High Country
1962, USA, 94 minutes, 35mm, Warner Bros. (of an MGM release)
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Starring Joel McCrea, Randolph Scott, Mariette Hartley, Ron Starr, Edgar Buchanan
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance’ suggested by John Landis’ | ‘Ride The High Country’ suggested by Joe Dante)
John Ford is another director whose big canvases I try to see on the big screen. I have vivid memories of watching ‘My Darling Clementine’ on a 18 inch TV at art college in a stuffy portacabin and the entire class being asleep by the end. Not the way to see it. I have better memories of watching ‘The Searchers’ projected big and bold at the cinema, so again this is my dream idea of watching of this for the first time. ‘Liberty Valance’ was released in 1962 at the tail end of John Ford’s six-decade career. The same year, Sam Peckinpah made his breakthrough with his second feature. I am a huge fan of this director and have seen ‘Wild Bunch’, ‘Straw Dogs’, Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia’ and ‘The Getaway’ all on the big screen. But I have never seen this and am excited to change that.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Peter Bogdanovich & Joe Carnahan.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Two psychotic epics on 35mm. Vintage trailers. My guest for the evening is noted critic, author and James Cagney biographer Richard Schickel and the talented brainiac behind ‘Brick’, ‘Brothers Bloom’ and the upcoming ‘Looper’: Rian Johnson. Get your tix.
7:30 pm / White Heat
1949, USA, 114 minutes, 35mm, Warner Bros.
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Starring James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O’Brien
IMDB
9:55 pm / Throne of Blood
1957, Japan, 110 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Starring Toshiro Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Isuzu Yamada
In Japanese with English subtitles
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘White Heat’ suggested by me / ‘Throne Of Blood’ suggested by John Landis)
I have seen many classic WB gangster movies; ‘The Public Enemy’, ‘Little Caesar’, ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’, ‘The Roaring Twenties’ and ‘The Petrified Forest’. I had Raoul Walsh’s film all ready to go on DVD, but I want to see it on the big screen. Ditto for Akira Kurosawa, a director I love, but whose films want to fully immerse myself in. I own them both on disc, but they will sit in their boxes until I have seen them on 35mm. Hit me.
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright & Rian Johnson.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Two gorgeous movies on 35mm. Vintage trailers. Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner and the amazing James Gunn to introduce ‘CHUNGKING EXPRESS’. Get your tix now.
7:30 pm / The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
1964, France/West Germany, 91 minutes, 35mm, Zeitgeist Films
Written and directed by Jacques Demy
Music by Michel Legrand
Starring Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo
In French with English subtitles
IMDB
9:30 pm / Chungking Express
1996, Hong Kong, 102 minutes, 35mm, Swank/Miramax Films
Written and directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Starring Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong
In Cantonese with English subtitles
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg’ suggested by myself | ‘Chungking Express’ suggested by Quentin Tarantino, Bill Hader, Greg Mottola & Daniel Waters)
Here’s one to bring a date to. I am a big fan of musicals and chances to see them in their big screen glory are all too rare, so this is a treat for me. I’ve heard about Jacque Demy’s film since I was in school, missed the reissue and didn’t want to see it on a small screen. So this is a thrill. And its perfect partner is Wong Kar-Wai’s 1994 film ‘Chungking Express’. Ironically I saw both ‘Ashes Of Time’ and ‘Fallen Angels’ on their original release, but missed this one. I even own two copies of it on DVD, but again, a big screen outing was always calling me. Am preparing to swoon.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, James Gunn & TBA.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
The Wright Stuff III / Movies Edgar Has Never Seen [Full Post]
(Artwork from Russell Walks – www.russellwalks.com / www.russellwalks.tumblr.com)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Two colourful head trips on 35mm. Two great guests in Patton Oswalt & John Landis. Get your tix.
Speaking of Patton, he is another that inspired this season. For in my Jan 2011 season, I invited him to introduce ‘Thunderbolt & Lightfoot’ with me, mistakenly thinking it was a fave of his (I had it mixed up with ‘Charley Varrick’). But Patton accepted, I admitted my error and he then went on to do an amazing intro to a movie he had never seen. A seed was sown!
Sunday, Dec. 11: FAR OUT & FAR EAST
7:00 pm / The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T
1953, USA, 92 minutes, 35mm, Sony Pictures Repertory
Directed by Roy Rowland
Produced by Stanley Kramer
Written by Dr. Seuss and Allan Scott
Starring Tommy Rettig, Mary Healy, Hans Conried, Peter Lind Hayes
IMDB
9:00 pm / Kwaidan
1964, Japan, 161 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Directed by Masaki Koybayashi
Starring Rentaro Mikuni, Keiko Kishi, Michiyo Aratama, Misako Watanabe, Tatsuya Nakadai
In Japanese with English subtitles
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘The 5000 Fingers Of Dr T’ suggested by Harry Knowles | ‘Kwaidan’ suggested by Guillermo Del Toro & John Landis)
It’s a double bill of Technicolor and Eastman color glories as we journey into the dreams of Dr. Seuss and emerge into some fevered Japanese nightmares. In my near four decades as a film fan, I’ve seen ‘The 7 Faces Of Dr Lao’ and ‘The Five Fingers Of Death’ but never the many digits of Dr T. On the second half of the bill is the phantasmagoric ‘Kwaidan’, an expressionistic and hugely influential ghost anthology that was nominated for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ in 1965. Can’t wait.
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright, John Landis & Patton Oswalt.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
The Wright Stuff III / Movies Edgar Has Never Seen [Full Post]
(Artwork from Russell Walks – www.russellwalks.com / www.russellwalks.tumblr.com)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Three classic comedy features on 35mm. Two great guests in Greg Mottola & Bob Wiede (and maybe more). Be there!
Saturday, Dec. 10: STONE FACE VS LITTLE TRAMP VS UNCLE CLAUDE
7:00 pm / Steamboat Bill, Jr.
1928, USA, 70 minutes, 35mm, Kino International
Directed by Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton (uncredited)
Starring Buster Keaton, Tom McGuire, Ernest Torrence, Tom Lewis, Marion Byron
IMDB
8:40 pm / Modern Times
1936, USA, 87 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Written and directed by Charles Chaplin
Starring Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman,
Tiny Sandford, Chester Conklin, Al Earnest Garcia
IMDB
10:40 pm / The Bank Dick
1940, USA, 72 minutes, 35mm, Universal Pictures
Directed by Edward F. Cline
Starring W.C. Fields, Cora Witherspoon, Una Merkel, Shemp Howard
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘Steamboat Bill Jr’ & ‘The Bank Dick’ suggested by Judd Apatow | ‘Modern Times’ suggested by Bill Hader)
Growing up in the UK, my knowledge of the golden age of comedy extends to endless clip shows and re-edits of the work of Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton & WC Fields. I have warm, but fuzzy memories of them all and have definitely seen many excerpts of the above. But to conclusively see these classic movies on the big screen in one triple is an absolute monochromatic treat. Buster Vs Charlie Vs William: Three men enter, will only one man leave?
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright with Greg Mottola & Bob Weide.
Triple Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
The Wright Stuff III / Movies Edgar Has Never Seen [Full Post]
(Artwork from Russell Walks – www.russellwalks.com / www.russellwalks.tumblr.com)
I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season I had the brainwave that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
Three musical comedies. One from the fifties, one from the 80′s and my own from last year. With more rock & roll and visual jokes than you can handle. Be there or be square.
With guest hosts Joe Dante, Eli Roth & Allan Arkush (schedule permitting).
Friday, December 9th / ROCK & ROLL ALL NITE
7:30 pm / The Girl Can’t Help It
1956, USA, 99 minutes, 35mm, Criterion Pictures USA/20th Century Fox
Directed by Frank Tashlin
Starring Tom Ewell, Jayne Mansfield, Edmond O’Brien,
Julie London, Ray Anthony, Barry Gordon, Juanita Moore,
Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Fats Domino, The Platters,
The Chuckles, Eddie Cochran, Abbey Lincoln, The Treniers
IMDB
9:40 pm / Get Crazy
1983, USA, 92 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Allan Arkush
Starring Malcolm McDowell, Allen Garfield, Daniel Stern, Ed Begley Jr., Lou Reed,
Lee Ving, John Densmore, Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller, Clint Howard
IMDB
Midnight / Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
2010, USA/UK/Canada, 112 minutes, 35mm, Universal Pictures
Directed by Edgar Wright
Written by Edgar Wright & Michael Bacall
Based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley
Starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans,
Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Webber,
Ellen Wong, Johnny Simmons, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ suggested by Joe Dante / John Landis | ‘Get Crazy’ suggested by Quentin Tarantino)
A night of rock & roll comedy to kick things off. I have long wanted to immerse myself in Frank Tashlin’s movies and what better way than to see this 50’s Scope cult classic on the big screen. Coupled with ‘Get Crazy’, a film by Allan Arkush who himself is a huge Tashlin devotee and indeed ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ is one of his favorite films of all time (he may join on the night, schedule permitting). Arkush’s film is not available on DVD, so I am thrilled to be seeing this for the first time at the New Bev.
If you’re geeky enough to go for the full triple the rock and roll comedy theme extends to my own ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs The World’ in its monthly midnight slot. Arkush himself says, “All three of those movies together could do some serious damage to impressionable minds.”.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Joe Dante & Allan Arkush (Schedule permitting)
Double Bill / Buy Tickets (When Available)
Midnight Screening / Buy Tickets (When Available)
The Wright Stuff III / Movies Edgar Has Never Seen [Full Post]
(Artwork from Russell Walks – www.russellwalks.com / www.russellwalks.tumblr.com)
So, in short, I’ve done two seasons at LA’s New Beverly Cinema showing favourite movies of mine. For my third season (and last for a while) I had the sudden lightbulb of inspiration that I should show all the classics and cult gems that I haven’t seen.
8 nights, 18 films, 35mm prints, vintage trailers, $8 for a double bill.
Amazing guest hosts include Peter Bogdanovich, John Landis, Joe Dante, Allan Arkush, Greg Mottola, Eli Roth, Richard Kelly, James Gunn, Patton Oswalt, Leonard Maltin, Doug Benson, Rian Johnson, Elvis Mitchell, Josh Olson, Bob Wiede, Larry Karaszewski, Joe Carnahan and That Kevin Smith.
Details and tickets below. See you in the front row.
Want to go straight to the box office to buy tickets online? Go here!
Artwork for the season comes from Russell Walks – www.russellwalks.com / www.russellwalks.tumblr.com
Friday, Dec. 9: ROCK & ROLL ALL NITE
7:30 pm / The Girl Can’t Help It
1956, USA, 99 minutes, 35mm, Criterion Pictures USA/20th Century Fox
Directed by Frank Tashlin
9:40 pm / Get Crazy
1983, USA, 92 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Allan Arkush
Midnight / Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
2010, USA/UK/Canada, 112 minutes, 35mm, Universal Pictures
Directed by Edgar Wright
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Joe Dante, Eli Roth & Allan Arkush (Schedule permitting)
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Midnight Screening / Buy Tickets
Saturday, Dec. 10: STONE FACE VS LITTLE TRAMP VS UNCLE CLAUDE
7:00 pm / Steamboat Bill, Jr.
1928, USA, 70 minutes, 35mm, Kino International
Directed by Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton (uncredited)
8:40 pm / Modern Times
1936, USA, 87 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Written and directed by Charles Chaplin
10:40 pm / The Bank Dick
1940, USA, 72 minutes, 35mm, Universal Pictures
Directed by Edward F. Cline
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright with Greg Mottola & Bob Wiede.
Triple Bill / Buy Tickets
Sunday, Dec. 11: FAR OUT & FAR EAST
7:00 pm / The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T
1953, USA, 92 minutes, 35mm, Sony Pictures Repertory
Directed by Roy Rowland
9:00 pm / Kwaidan
1964, Japan, 161 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Directed by Masaki Koybayashi
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Patton Oswalt & John Landis.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Monday, Dec. 12: The New Romantics
7:30 pm / The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
1964, France/West Germany, 91 minutes, 35mm, Zeitgeist Films
Written and Directed by Jacques Demy
9:30 pm / Chungking Express
1996, Hong Kong, 102 minutes, 35mm, Swank/Miramax Films
Written and directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, James Gunn & TBA.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Tuesday, Dec. 13: RISE AND FALL AND RISE AND…
7:30 pm / White Heat
1949, USA, 114 minutes, 35mm, Warner Bros.
Directed by Raoul Walsh
9:55 pm / Throne of Blood
1957, Japan, 110 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright & Rian Johnson.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Wednesday, Dec. 14: FAREWELL JOHN, HELLO SAM
7:30 pm / The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
1962, USA, 123 minutes, 35mm, Paramount Pictures
Directed by John Ford
10:00 pm / Ride the High Country
1962, USA, 94 minutes, 35mm, Warner Bros. (of an MGM release)
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Peter Bogdanovich & Joe Carnahan.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Thursday, Dec. 15: HANGDOG & UNDERDOG
7:30 pm / To Be or Not to Be
1942, USA, 99 minutes, 35mm
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
9:40 pm / The Bad News Bears
1976, USA, 102 minutes, 35mm, Paramount Pictures
Directed by Michael Ritchie
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Leonard Maltin, Larry Karaszewski & Doug Benson.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Friday, Dec. 16: NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK
7:30 pm / Hickey & Boggs
1972, USA, 111 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Robert Culp
9:50 pm / Cutter’s Way
1981, USA, 105 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Ivan Passer
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Elvis Mitchell & Josh Olson.
Midnite / The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984, USA, 103 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by W. D. Richter
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Richard Kelly & Kevin Smith.
Double Bill / Buy Tickets
Midnight Screening / Buy Tickets
Thanks to Michael Torgan, Julia Marchese, Greg Longstreet, Jules McLean, Marc Edward Heuck and Quentin Tarantino for their help in this dream come true. And thanks to all of you who submitted lists on the site, especially those of you like Jeremy Smith, Devin Faraci & Damon Houx who helped narrow down the double bills.
As I’ve said many times on this blog, it’s never too late to see a movie.
(Artwork from Russell Walks – www.russellwalks.com / www.russellwalks.tumblr.com)
I hope in my time I have never chastised anyone for not seeing a movie. Neither am I a big fan of the phrase “I can’t believe you haven’t seen…” accompanied by an exaggerated expression of surprise. (Case in point: When I bought the first season boxset of ‘Breaking Bad’ at Amoeba, the cashier said with a smirk “You haven’t seen this yet?”)
I basically believe that you can’t be late to a party if the party never stops.
Back in January, I did my second New Beverly season showing some of my favourite films and indeed saw some of them on the big screen for the first time. Which gave me an idea…
For my next programming stint, why not screen classic or cult movies that I have yet to see and always wanted to see on a big screen.
Everyone has gaps in their film knowledge and I am no exception. I have seen god knows how many movies, but sometimes your programming is done for you, based on your location, your income, your age, your proximity to decent cinemas, access to technology etc. I can thank the BBC in Merry Old England for giving me the gift of seeing every single Hammer Horror growing up, but conversely still need to brush up on my Ozu.
When I make up OCD lists of movies I must see, I find that many of my missing classics are ones that I want to see on the big screen. No matter the size of your TV or how cool your home theatre set up is, there’s magic to had at the movies with a decent crowd.
I’ve been so spoilt with some amazing cinematic experiences over the years, that I am happy to wait for the perfect time to see a movie. Back in the mid 90’s Time Out did an amazing festival for the centenary of cinema and I got to see ‘The Seven Samurai’, ‘L’Atlante’, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, ‘The Wild Bunch’ and many more on the big screen. Sometimes I want to be patient for that perfect time.
So when you see the below list of movies, you might boggle at some of the films that I’ve yet to see. And to be honest, most of them are ones I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to see on a silver screen. I even own about a third of them on DVD.
So thanks to Michael & Julia at the New Beverly for allowing me to make my own opportunities to see these movies and in carefully chosen double bills made up from suggestions from Quentin Tarantino, Joe Dante, John Landis, Guillermo Del Toro, Judd Apatow, Joss Whedon, Bill Hader, Rian Johnson, Greg Mottola, Larry Karaszewski, Daniel Waters, Josh Olson, Doug Benson, Harry Knowles and all you good, good people. The movies were whittled down from my long Bucket List of Movies I must see. What’s missing from the original long list? ‘Deep End’, ‘Gaslight’, ‘Nightmare Alley’, ‘Zabriskie Point’, ‘Irma Vep’, ‘It’s A Gift’ and ‘Kicking And Screaming’ (’95), ‘The Big Clock’. ‘One, Two, Three’, ‘Kiss Me Stupid’, ‘Twentieth Century’, ‘Miracle Of Morgan’s Creek’, ‘Kiss Of Death’ and ‘Gimme Shelter’. Why? Because I’ve seen them…
See the following movies as eighteen Christmas presents that I have given to myself and that you are most welcome to join in enjoying. This is a Moviegoers Anonymous session where you can fill in your cultural gaps in the dark anonymity of the revival house. After all LA is a town where executives might have a vintage poster on their office wall for a classic film that they’ve never seen or where directors have clips of a movie on their mood reel which they haven’t watched in its entirety.
All of these people are forgiven and more than welcome to join.
So come if you love the movie. Come if you love the movie and want to see it on a big screen for the first time. Come if you haven’t seen the movie and want to pop your cherry with me. And most crucially, come and watch these movies on 35mm while you still can. It could be the last time.
I’ll be in the front row every night.
Friday, Dec. 9: ROCK & ROLL ALL NITE
7:30 pm / The Girl Can’t Help It
1956, USA, 99 minutes, 35mm, Criterion Pictures USA/20th Century Fox
Directed by Frank Tashlin
Starring Tom Ewell, Jayne Mansfield, Edmond O’Brien,
Julie London, Ray Anthony, Barry Gordon, Juanita Moore,
Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Fats Domino, The Platters,
The Chuckles, Eddie Cochran, Abbey Lincoln, The Treniers
IMDB
9:40 pm / Get Crazy
1983, USA, 92 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Allan Arkush
Starring Malcolm McDowell, Allen Garfield, Daniel Stern, Ed Begley Jr., Lou Reed,
Lee Ving, John Densmore, Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller, Clint Howard
IMDB
Midnight / Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
2010, USA/UK/Canada, 112 minutes, 35mm, Universal Pictures
Directed by Edgar Wright
Written by Edgar Wright & Michael Bacall
Based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley
Starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans,
Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Webber,
Ellen Wong, Johnny Simmons, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ suggested by Joe Dante / John Landis | ‘Get Crazy’ suggested by Quentin Tarantino)
A night of rock & roll comedy to kick things off. I have long wanted to immerse myself in Frank Tashlin’s movies and what better way than to see this 50’s Scope cult classic on the big screen. Coupled with ‘Get Crazy’, a film by Allan Arkush who himself is a huge Tashlin devotee and indeed ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ is one of his favorite films of all time (he may join on the night, schedule permitting). Arkush’s film is not available on DVD, so I am thrilled to be seeing this for the first time at the New Bev.
If you’re geeky enough to go for the full triple the rock and roll comedy theme extends to my own ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs The World’ in its monthly midnight slot. Arkush himself says, “All three of those movies together could do some serious damage to impressionable minds.”.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Joe Dante & Allan Arkush (Schedule permitting)
Saturday, Dec. 10:
STONE FACE VS LITTLE TRAMP VS UNCLE CLAUDE
7:00 pm / Steamboat Bill, Jr.
1928, USA, 70 minutes, 35mm, Kino International
Directed by Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton (uncredited)
Starring Buster Keaton, Tom McGuire, Ernest Torrence, Tom Lewis, Marion Byron
IMDB
8:40 pm / Modern Times
1936, USA, 87 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Written and directed by Charles Chaplin
Starring Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman,
Tiny Sandford, Chester Conklin, Al Earnest Garcia
IMDB
10:40 pm / The Bank Dick
1940, USA, 72 minutes, 35mm, Universal Pictures
Directed by Edward F. Cline
Starring W.C. Fields, Cora Witherspoon, Una Merkel, Shemp Howard
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘Steamboat Bill Jr’ & ‘The Bank Dick’ suggested by Judd Apatow | ‘Modern Times’ suggested by Bill Hader)
Growing up in the UK, my knowledge of the golden age of comedy extends to endless clip shows and re-edits of the work of Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton & WC Fields. I have warm, but fuzzy memories of them all and have definitely seen many excerpts of the above. But to conclusively see these classic movies on the big screen in one triple is an absolute monochromatic treat. Buster Vs Charlie Vs William: Three men enter, will only one man leave?
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright with Greg Mottola & Bob Weide.
Sunday, Dec. 11: FAR OUT & FAR EAST
7:00 pm / The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T
1953, USA, 92 minutes, 35mm, Sony Pictures Repertory
Directed by Roy Rowland
Produced by Stanley Kramer
Written by Dr. Seuss and Allan Scott
Starring Tommy Rettig, Mary Healy, Hans Conried, Peter Lind Hayes
IMDB
9:00 pm / Kwaidan
1964, Japan, 161 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Directed by Masaki Koybayashi
Starring Rentaro Mikuni, Keiko Kishi, Michiyo Aratama, Misako Watanabe, Tatsuya Nakadai
In Japanese with English subtitles
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘The 5000 Fingers Of Dr T’ suggested by Harry Knowles | ‘Kwaidan’ suggested by Guillermo Del Toro & John Landis)
It’s a double bill of Technicolor and Eastman color glories as we journey into the dreams of Dr. Seuss and emerge into some fevered Japanese nightmares. In my near four decades as a film fan, I’ve seen ‘The 7 Faces Of Dr Lao’ and ‘The Five Fingers Of Death’ but never the many digits of Dr T. On the second half of the bill is the phantasmagoric ‘Kwaidan’, an expressionistic and hugely influential ghost anthology that was nominated for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ in 1965. Can’t wait.
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright, John Landis & Patton Oswalt.
Monday, Dec. 12: The New Romantics
7:30 pm / The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
1964, France/West Germany, 91 minutes, 35mm, Zeitgeist Films
Written and directed by Jacques Demy
Music by Michel Legrand
Starring Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo
In French with English subtitles
IMDB
9:30 pm / Chungking Express
1996, Hong Kong, 102 minutes, 35mm, Swank/Miramax Films
Written and directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Starring Brigitte Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong
In Cantonese with English subtitles
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg’ suggested by myself | ‘Chungking Express’ suggested by Quentin Tarantino, Bill Hader, Greg Mottola & Daniel Waters)
Here’s one to bring a date to. I am a big fan of musicals and chances to see them in their big screen glory are all too rare, so this is a treat for me. I’ve heard about Jacque Demy’s film since I was in school, missed the reissue and didn’t want to see it on a small screen. So this is a thrill. And its perfect partner is Wong Kar-Wai’s 1994 film ‘Chungking Express’. Ironically I saw both ‘Ashes Of Time’ and ‘Fallen Angels’ on their original release, but missed this one. I even own two copies of it on DVD, but again, a big screen outing was always calling me. Am preparing to swoon.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright & TBA.
Tuesday, Dec. 13: RISE AND FALL AND RISE AND…
7:30 pm / White Heat
1949, USA, 114 minutes, 35mm, Warner Bros.
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Starring James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O’Brien
IMDB
9:55 pm / Throne of Blood
1957, Japan, 110 minutes, 35mm, Janus Films
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Starring Toshiro Mifune, Minoru Chiaki, Isuzu Yamada
In Japanese with English subtitles
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘White Heat’ suggested by me / ‘Throne Of Blood’ suggested by John Landis)
I have seen many classic WB gangster movies; ‘The Public Enemy’, ‘Little Caesar’, ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’, ‘The Roaring Twenties’ and ‘The Petrified Forest’. I had Raoul Walsh’s film all ready to go on DVD, but I want to see it on the big screen. Ditto for Akira Kurosawa, a director I love, but whose films want to fully immerse myself in. I own them both on disc, but they will sit in their boxes until I have seen them on 35mm. Hit me.
Evening screening hosted by Edgar Wright & Rian Johnson.
Wednesday, Dec. 14: FAREWELL JOHN, HELLO SAM
7:30 pm / The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
1962, USA, 123 minutes, 35mm, Paramount Pictures
Directed by John Ford
Starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O’Brien,
Woody Strode, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Lee Van Cleef
IMDB
10:00 pm / Ride the High Country
1962, USA, 94 minutes, 35mm, Warner Bros. (of an MGM release)
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Starring Joel McCrea, Randolph Scott, Mariette Hartley, Ron Starr, Edgar Buchanan
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance’ suggested by John Landis’ | ‘Ride The High Country’ suggested by Joe Dante)
John Ford is another director whose big canvases I try to see on the big screen. I have vivid memories of watching ‘My Darling Clementine’ on a 18 inch TV at art college in a stuffy portacabin and the entire class being asleep by the end. Not the way to see it. I have better memories of watching ‘The Searchers’ projected big and bold at the cinema, so again this is my dream idea of watching of this for the first time. ‘Liberty Valance’ was released in 1962 at the tail end of John Ford’s six-decade career. The same year, Sam Peckinpah made his breakthrough with his second feature. I am a huge fan of this director and have seen ‘Wild Bunch’, ‘Straw Dogs’, Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia’ and ‘The Getaway’ all on the big screen. But I have never seen this and am excited to change that.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Peter Bogdanovich & Joe Carnahan.
Thursday, Dec. 15: HANGDOG & UNDERDOG
7:30 pm / To Be or Not to Be
1942, USA, 99 minutes, 35mm
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack
IMDB
9:40 pm / The Bad News Bears
1976, USA, 102 minutes, 35mm, Paramount Pictures
Directed by Michael Ritchie
Starring Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neal, Chris Barnes, Vic Morrow,
Jackie Earle Haley, Joyce Van Patten, Quinn Smith
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘To Be Or Not To Be’ (Suggested by John Landis & Joe Dante) | ‘The Bad New Bears’ suggested by Bill Hader & Doug Benson)
So what do these movies have in common? Aside from the fact I haven’t seen them. Well, both are classic comedies. Both were remade later, one in the 80’s, one in the 00’s. Both feature untalented misfits rising to the occasion. Both star famous comic actors of Jewish immigrant descent. And both deserve to be seen on a big screen with a packed house. See you there.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Leonard Maltin, Larry Karaszewski & Doug Benson.
Friday, Dec. 16: NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK
7:30 pm / Hickey & Boggs
1972, USA, 111 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Robert Culp
Written by Walter Hill
Starring Bill Cosby, Robert Culp, Ta-Ronce Allen, Rosalind Cash, Isabel Sanford, Lou Frizzell
IMDB
9:50 pm / Cutter’s Way
1981, USA, 105 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by Ivan Passer
Starring Jeff Bridges, John Heard, Lisa Eichhorn, Ann Dusenberry
IMDB

Edgar says: (‘Hickey And Boggs’ suggested by Quentin Tarantino , Elvis Mitchell & Daniel Waters | ‘Cutter’s Way’ suggested by Daniel Waters)
How about some hardboiled gems to finish off my season? ‘Hickey & Boggs’ & ‘Cutter’s Way’ is some real LA noir. The former reunites Robert Culp & Bill Cosby, the stars of ‘I Spy’, in a gritty detective movie written by first time screenwriter Walter Hill. Culp also directed what has become a highly regarded nugget of noir over the years. ‘Cutter’s Way’ AKA ‘Cutter & Bone’, starring John Heard and Jeff Bridges, was more of a cult darling on its initial release and was featured only two years after it opened in the 2nd volume of Danny Peary’s Cult Movies. I say you come down to see Cliff Huxtable and The Dude get rough.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright, Elvis Mitchell & Josh Olson.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984, USA, 103 minutes, 35mm, MGM Repertory
Directed by W. D. Richter
Starring Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum,
Christopher Lloyd, Lewis Smith, Rosalind Cash
IMDB
Edgar says: (‘Buckaroo Banzai’ suggested by Kevin Smith)
I end my special season with a film that inspired the whole endeavor. A few months ago, a Twitter follower was aghast – aghast – that I had never seen ‘Buckaroo Banzai’. He asked ‘How is that even possible?’. Well the answer is thus; it was barely released in the UK. It certainly played nowhere near me. I was also in a VHS less household for the whole of the eighties (cue violins). And finally I did not have cable either. So my exposed contact to ‘Buckaroo’ was nil. That is finally about to change. And super fan Kevin Smith has decided to come and hold my hand for my first watch. The perfect midnight movie to end on? I can’t wait to find out.
Screening hosted by Edgar Wright & Kevin Smith.

