It’s not everyday you do a photo shoot with Junior Mints for hands.
Yesterday I was moving house and found a scrap of paper that someone had handed to me in December at the New Beverly. I had believed it had been lost, but instead it had been in a jacket along with a bunch of receipts since before Christmas. I was glad I found it.
On it was William Finley’s e-mail, the great character actor and the star of one of my favourite movies, Brian De Palma’s ‘Phantom Of The Paradise’.
An audience member gave it to me at one of my Wright Stuff shows and said he was a family friend of the Finleys. He told me that William was a fan of my work and especially loved the ‘Phantom’ references in ‘Scott Pilgrim’. That was great to hear, especially since I screened ‘Phantom’ at my very first Wright Stuff double with Paul Williams back in 2007.
I felt a little odd e-mailing him somewhat out of the blue, but I realised I should write, before I lost the scrap of paper forever in my move.
This was my mail.
From: Edgar Wright
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2012 2:42 PM
Subject: From Edgar WrightDear Mister Finley,
A friend of yours gave me your e-mail and said to drop you a line. I trust this is okay.
I am a huge fan, especially of ‘Phantom’ as I am sure you know.
Hope all is well.
Lovely to meet you on here.
Edgar
And the reply just over an hour later.
Subject: Re: From Edgar Wright
Date: 14 April 2012 15:56:40 PDT
To: Edgar WrightDearest Edgar,
Susan Finley here, William’s wife. I guess you must have had a very strong
connection to William. He was ill and just died today at 11:00AM.William was a huge fan of yours and loved the Phantom references in your films.
Especially “Scott Pilgrim.” Our son Dashiell, who is just graduating NYU film and his dad
have been passionate fans since “Shaun of the Dead.”Wish I could have read him your e-mail.
All the best,
Susan
I was, and remain, speechless and heartbroken.
I first saw William Finley in ‘Phantom Of The Paradise’ when I was 12 on British television. It made an indelible mark on me, not least because of Finley’s amazing twin performance as Winslow Leach and the Phantom. It was one of those unique characterisations that absolutely embodies the spirit of the movie.
As well as ‘Phantom’, Finley was also great in a number of other De Palma films, the cult classic ‘Sisters’, the very underrated ‘The Fury’ and most recently in ‘The Black Dahlia’. I actually clapped with delight when I saw him in the latter.
He also provided (uncredited) the voice of ‘Bobbi’ in De Palma’s masterpiece ‘Dressed To Kill’. Anyone who has seen that movie knows just what a truly great part that was.
Other roles included Marshall Brickman’s underseen and underrated comedy ‘Simon’ with Alan Arkin and also grindhouse epics like Tobe Hooper’s ‘Eaten Alive’ and the bonkers ‘Silent Rage’ (also referred to in ‘Hot Fuzz’).
I always wondered if anyone caught the nods to ‘Phantom Of The Paradise’ in my movies and as heartbroken as I am to realise I will never meet him, I am glad he was the person that did.
My thoughts and love go out to the Finley family and I hope that his son Dashiell gets to work on as many weird and wonderful films as his father.
If you’ve never seen ‘Phantom Of The Paradise’, you can pay no better tribute to the great man by watching it tonight.
Here, from that movie, is William Finley singing ‘Faust’ by Paul Williams.
Rest in peace William Finley. Love live Winslow Leach.
E-mails reprinted with permission of Susan Finley.
So here it is, the first episode of ‘The Random Adventures Of Brandon Generator’. Written by me, beautiful art and design by Tommy Lee Edwards, narration by silky voiced Yorkshireman Julian Barratt and music from David Holmes new project. And beautifully animated by Mr Edwards and Scott Benson, as well as Don Cameron, Daryl Bartley & Rodolfo Damaggio.
So a) watch it and b) help me write the next one.
You can submit prose, sketches, ideas and voicemails that we will incorporate in the second, third and fourth instalments.
Watch it right now. I look forward to collaborating with you.
Edgar Wright, Tommy Lee Edwards, Julian Barratt and David Holmes create ground-breaking Internet Explorer Production Is it a film? Is it a game? Is it an animated series?
No it’s Brandon Generator: all the above, none of them, and a lot more besides
12 April, 2012: Award-winning director of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Edgar Wright and renowned Marvel and Lucasfilm illustrator, Tommy Lee Edwards, are creating an innovative animated story with Internet Explorer called The Random Adventures of Brandon Generator. Narrated by Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh) and with music by David Holmes’ new project ‘Unloved’ (a collaboration between David Holmes, Keefus Green and Jade Vincent) this interactive experience puts you centre stage as you help shape this interactive noir-inspired series.
Visit www.brandongenerator.com and influence the unravelling world of the caffeine-fuelled anti-hero – voiced by Julian Barratt – as the would-be writer tries to break the dam in his head and let ideas flood out.
Combining the very best creative talents and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the web, this innovative project is a new approach to storytelling. It has been designed to showcase the most stunning, visually rich and immersive experiences possible using IE9 and web standards-based HTML5 technology. It also takes advantage of the unique functionality that Internet Explorer 9 provides. This includes the benefit of hardware accelerated text, video and graphics for smooth performance and the unique pinning and Jump List functionality in IE9 which will provide notifications for new episodes, direct links to social feeds and unlock future exclusive content. As a result, the story will not only be as beautiful as traditional film but also includes interactive elements and multimedia for a richer, more immersive experience.
Brandon Generator offers a more engaging experience than traditional passive viewing by encouraging the audience to shape Brandon’s world. They will be invited to become an extension of Edgar and Tommy’s creative team by suggesting characters, plot, nemeses and even entire scenes. There are also mini challenges that help move the story along and, for the more eagle-eyed, hidden gems and secret ways to interact within each episode.
In Episode One, there are opportunities to leave messages on Brandon’s phone, sketch on his notepad, submit plot and character ideas on his laptop and listen to random messages on his Dictaphone. To experience Brandon Generator in all its glory, it is best viewed using Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) on a PC. By pinning the site to the Windows 7 taskbar, access to exclusive extras, video content and social media connectivity will be unlocked with direct links to the main interactive apps via Jump Lists.
Edgar Wright says, “What interested me about this project was the chance to work with a mystery co-writer. So I created a character who is creatively stuck and continually looks for random interjections to inspire him. Rapidly it becomes clear that the people who can actually help are the people at home visiting the site. I like the idea of the world forming around Brandon and am excited to connect with people at home in a whole new way, creatively. It’s exciting to know that even though there’s an underlying narrative and set pieces in place, much of the plot is up for grabs. Internet Explorer and various other technical elements make the collaboration possible and the fans will make Brandon’s journey even more interesting.”
“This project combines all of my favourite things about working in film, games, animation and comics,” adds Tommy Lee Edwards. “It’s an ambitious idea to get so much input from fans and tell a story this way; I’m thrilled to be involved, especially working alongside Edgar. Bringing Brandon Generator to life with a filmmaker I hold in such high regard is an honour. A crazy challenging one, but an exciting treat for me.”
Gabby Hegerty, Internet Explorer UK says, “We always wanted to create something truly unique which brings together the best of the creative world and pushes the boundaries of IE9 and HTML5 with all the unique features of pinning, JumpLists and hardware acceleration to create an immersive and visually stunning experience to inspire our users. Edgar and Tommy have thrown themselves into the project and explored the limits of what is currently possible. From the start, we knew that one of the toughest things would be bringing together a dream team with the creative and technical skills necessary to pull off such an ambitious project. Edgar has fantastic experience in crossing the boundaries between film, graphics and animation in his films, and Tommy Lee has a history of creating stunning illustrations across film, games and animation. Both are a perfect fit.”
To watch Episode One and get involved, visit www.brandongenerator.com. There will be four episodes in total between April and June. Use Internet Explorer 9 and pin to your taskbar for the best experience and exclusive updates and content.
Find out more about the project by following Internet Explorer on Facebook.com/InternetExplorerUK and Twitter.com/IE_UK and Brandon Generator on Facebook.com/BrandonGenerator and Twitter.com/Brandon_gen.
So here’s an interesting thing.
A online comic of sorts, written by me, illustrated by the very talented Tommy Lee Edwards, narrated by the one and only Julian Barratt and featuring a new and hypnotic score by the amazing David Holmes.
So, is it a comic? An animation? A little movie? Yes, to all three.
What’s it going to be like? Well that, is rather up to you…
Tommy Lee Edwards, the renowned illustrator for Marvel and Lucasfilm has joined forces with Edgar Wright, award-winning director of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, to create a world first innovative animated story with Internet Explorer called Brandon Generator. The Mighty Boosh and Nathan Barley star Julian Barratt is narrating the story and there is music by David Holmes new project ‘Unloved’ (a collaboration between David Holmes, Keefus Green and Jade Vincent).
Each episode will call on fans to crowd source specific elements of the story, allowing you to help shape this interactive noir-inspired series.
The story, has been developed exclusively in HTML5 to showcase the stunning visual experiences possible in modern web browsers and unique functionality of Internet Explorer; with Pinning used to provide access to exclusive extras and Jump Lists providing direct links to apps and crowd-sourcing options.
To watch the teaser click here brandongenerator.com and find out how you can influence the unraveling world of our caffeine-fuelled anti-hero. To optimise your experience download IE9.
To follow further updates or if you wish to tweet on the story you can check out the hashtag #BrandonGenerator.
Teaser
This weekend in Austin, TX, I am presenting my three films to open the new Alamo Drafthouse on Slaughter Lane. (Of the four shows only the dinner screening of Scott Pilgrim at 7.15 has any tickets left, so snap up those final 15 now).
And those of you who are coming to my triple bill of events , will be able to buy this really quite awesome poster by Kevin Tong. Isn’t it something?
I am the very proud owner of two Empire Awards from last year’s ceremony and now, my good friend Joe Cornish is up for four potential rectangle gongs at this year’s awards. So vote for ‘Attack The Block’ in Best Comedy, Best Horror, Best British Film and for the amazing John Boyega as Best Male Newcomer.
Believe.
The first round of voting for the 2012 Jameson Empire Awards is now complete. We’ve sifted through the virtual sacks of entries and assembled the shortlist of finalists who will be waiting with baited breath on the night itself. It’s not over yet, though. With the gold in sight there’s still time to cast your vote and see your pick of the year’s films and filmmakers lauded on Awards night. Let the final round of voting commence!
- Best Male Newcomer / John Boyega (Moses)
- Best Comedy / Attack The Block
- Best Horror / Attack The Block
- Best British Film / Attack The Block
Voting ends on Friday March 12 2012.
[Via Empire Online]
I loved The Monkees. I love The Monkees. As I kid I wanted to sing like Micky, be as cool as Mike, goof around like Peter and of course, dance like Davy.
Watch one of my favourite clips from the movie ‘HEAD’ and say so long to Mr Jones.
RIP Davy.
You might remember Mike Relm’s incredible Scott Pilgrim Remix from last year.
You might also recall the video had no actual ending. Well now it does!
Thanks to Relm again for this amazing mash up and expertly edited video. It played on Friday in front the New Beverly’s midnight screening of the movie.
Follow Mike Relm here / mikerelm.tumblr.com / twitter.com/mikerelm / facebook.com/mikerelm
Download the full track here. (http://www.mixcrate.com/mix/35026/Scott-Pilgrim-vs-Ludacris)
I was saddened to hear in the news that Twickenham Film Studios might be closing. The nearly 100 year old British studio is the home to such classics as ‘Help’, ‘A Hard Days Night’, ‘Alfie’, ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Repulsion’ and also my beloved desert island movie, ‘An American Werewolf In London’.
But not only that, it was the studio where we shot the very first series of ‘Spaced’. So the original interior for 23 Meteor Street was shot in Twickenham in 1999. In fact the last scene of that series we shot there was the zombie dream sequence from episode 1.3 – ‘Art’.
It’s very sad if this cannot be reversed. I loved shooting there and indeed returned for some scenes in ‘Hot Fuzz’ in 2006. I hope something can be done. It’s a great place to work and has British cinema in its bones.
From the BBC;
Twickenham film studios set to close
Twickenham Film Studios, recently used for The Iron Lady and My Week with Marilyn, has gone into administration.
The renowned studio, which was due to celebrate its centenary next year, will be wound down between now and June.
Gerald Krasner, who is handling the administration, said the the business had lost money over the past three years.
“I doubt it will be retained as a film studio,” he said. Half of the 17 employees have already left.
The remainder are working their notice, Mr Krasner added.
“We are selling it on,” he told the BBC News website. “Everyone will then be paid in full.”
[Via BBC News]
This very scene from ‘An American Werewolf In London’ was shot in Twickenham. One of my favourite scenes of all time.
Set on the site of a former ice-rink, St.Margaret’s Studios was set up in 1913 by Dr. Ralph Jupp.
At the time of construction it was the largest studio in the UK, and its first release was entitled “The House of Temperley”. By 1929 the studio was owned by Julius Hagen and Leslie Hiscott and was renamed Twickenham Film Studios. One of the first titles from the new company was “Call of the Sea”, and a steady roster of films followed from there.
Classic films such as Sherlock Holmes’ The Missing Rembrandt made in the 30′s, and in the 60′s, the Beatles films, Help and A Hard Day’s Night, Roman Polanski’s Repulsion and ground breaking films such as Alfie, and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning were all shot on Twickenham’s stages.
More recently, War Horse and Horrid Henry: The Movie have been made at Twickenham Film Studios. In the field of television, series ranging from Poirot to Horrible Histories have headed up a wide-ranging array of drama, comedy and children’s programmes.
[Via Twickenham Film Studios]
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
Observe.
Uploaded by Snovyda27 on Nov 24, 2011
A little mash-up I made using some of the works of Edgar Wright.
Clips from:
Spaced
Shaun of the Dead
Hot Fuzz
Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World
Song: Mindless Self Indulgence – Straight to Video
No copyright infringement is intended. All rights belong to their respective owners.
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.
Finally on big screens all across North America today is ‘The Adventures Of Tintin: Secret Of The Unicorn’. Treat your eyeballs. You will enjoy!
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.
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)
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.
Paul Robertson, the pixel genius behind the ‘Scott Pilgrim’ Ubisoft game made this little amazebomb just for fun.
I applaud him!
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.

