Now that the weather’s getting a wee bit warmer, the Goldsmith Cinema doesn’t seem that far, does it? Plus, you’re not going to want to miss what’s in store for you this week at the Film Series: abounding in movie magic from a very wide spectrum, all four slated programs are very different but wonderful in their own ways.
Also, Lilly here: I just wanted to say a quick farewell. After this week I have a different job for the Film Board. Luckily for you all, Andreas is staying on and the talented Joseph Eusebio is taking over for me. It has been a pleasure enthusing about film with you week after week, and I’ll see you at the Goldsmith!
Nebraska
2013. USA. Dir: Alexander Payne. With Bruce Dern, Will Forte. 115 min.
Wednesday, April 2. 8 p.m. $5.
Alexander Payne’s work reveals a general fixation with Midwestern American life, a deep-seated interest surely rooted in his Omaha upbringing. With “Nebraska,” Payne created what stands as his most visually accomplished work to date, Phedon Papamichael’s gorgeous black and white cinematography creating a distinctive sense of place that captures the vastness of rural America with rich, elegiac undertones. Much has been made of the film’s performances, and deservingly so: Dern’s and Squibb’s performances in particular tread an unforgettable balance between hilarity and verisimilitude, proving that, at the ages of 77 and 84 respectively, they haven’t lost their touch. “Nebraska” is the second of four incredible releases from the past year on the latest Film Series calendar, and it’s a movie you will most assuredly want to catch on the big screen.
Tanta Agua
2013. Uruguay/Mexico. Dir: Ana Guevara, Leticia Jorge. With Néstor Guzzini. 102 min.
Thursday, April 3rd. 8 p.m. Free.
All this rain got you down? Well, have we got a film for you! Our next film in the Spanish language series is called “Tanta Agua,” or “So Much Water.” It tells the story of a divorced dad trying to connect with his kids as their vacation is rained out. It has won awards at film festivals across the country and is a beautiful exploration of family and coming of age.
Ghostbusters
1984. USA. Dir: Ivan Reitman. With Bill Murray, Harold Ramis. 105 min.
Friday, April 4th. 8 p.m. $5.
We do not condone eating in the Goldsmith Family Cinema, but we encourage all of you to raise a Twinkie (they’re back!) before Friday’s screen of “Ghostbusters” in honor of the late great Harold Ramis. Both on screen and off, he was a smart, dedicated man just trying to do his job. On screen, it was to capture ghosts. Off screen, it was to make you laugh. Luckily for us all, he succeeded at both. So don’t cross the streams, please let us know if you are the gatekeeper (or the keymaster), and say it with me, “Who ya going to call?” I’ll leave it to you to find out.
“George Kuchar’s Clean & Dirty Shorts”
A program of experimental films 1959-1973. Approximately 42 min.
Saturday, April 5. 8 p.m. Free.
How many opportunities do you get to see avant-garde, experimental filmmaking? In the Goldsmith? Probably not many, which is a shame considering it is an oft-overlooked but nonetheless vital realm of moviemaking that surely deserves wider attention. This Saturday, come se the ever-prolific Kuchar’s visceral, dynamic experiments with film form that are as fun as they are virtuosic. What’s more, the program of six short films only lasts 42 minutes, making it an ideal way to kick off your Saturday night.