by Sam Juliano
Oscar night 2016 will again be celebrated in an annual party at Fairview’s Tiger Hose Firehouse on Sunday evening, February 26th from 6:00 until midnight. Dante’s Italian Market will again be called upon to provide the hot and cold buffet for the open house event. Roast beef, eggplant and mozarella, turkey and swiss and salami, ham and provolone sandwiches will be offered along with an array of hot food trays: chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, meatballs, sausage and peppers, cavatelli and broccoli, pasta with marinara sauce, salads and desert. Anyone in the area is urged to stop in. As always a big screen television will be carrying the events, and we will be conducting out annual Oscar pool.
Spring weather has suddenly replaced the cold of the past month, though it is far too early for this meteorological adjustment. But for those who appreciate temperatures in the mid 60’s to low 70’s this is ideal.
Lucille, a few of the kids and I have had a busy week hopping for theater to theater catching the last of the unseen 2016 films and the new 2017 crop. We saw:
Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts *** 1/2 (Saturday night) Montclair Bow-Tie Cinemas
A United Kingdom *** 1/2 (Friday night) Montclair Bow-Tie Cinemas
The Red Turtle **** 1/2 (Sunday afternoon) Landmark Cinemas
Hester Street (1975) **** 1/2 (Sunday afternoon) Film Forum
The screening of HESTER STREET included a fascinating Q & A with 81 year-old director Joan Micklin Silver, and appearance from actor Peter Riegert (“Boon” in ANIMAL HOUSE) who appeared in Silver’s CHASING DELANCEY.
Once again I must revise my list to include the glorious meditative animated work THE RED TURTLE. I have also broken my #1 tie to allow for INDIGNATION to claim the top position.
I also saw the powerfully disturbing KRISHA (2016) on Amazon Prime. The film is a haunting and shattering story of a family torn asunder by an estranged older woman who has long suffered from substance abuse. Her Thanksgiving visit reveals long time secrets and a telling strain of verisimilitude. Though stylistically it is audaciously etched, in a narrative sense it in some measure recalls the work of the Scandinavian Tomas Vinterberg. A brilliant debut from Trey Shults, and Krisha Fairchild is extraordinary in the titular lead. It now goes into my Top 20.
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Quite a week at the theaters Sam. Your kids are so lucky. That “Red Turtle” is one I really would like to see. Count me in (tentatively) for the Oscar bash! Wow, that is some food spread. Dante’s are the best.
Thank you Ricky! As you know the party was a great success!
Oh what fun you’ve had this week, Sam! I’m particularly looking forward to seeing The Red Turtle at some stage.
The Oscar Night bash looks fun, as always. Lemme consult with Her Nibs . . .
Was so thrilled to have you and Pam there! Will never forget that! You will surely adore THE RED TURTLE my friend!
We finally watched Kubo last night, and I’d go along with Dennis and yourself: it’s stunning.
Indeed John!! It is better that ZOOTOPIA by quite a distance and certainly in a league with THE RED TURTLE!
An incredible week Sam! And soon another one of your great Oscar parties. I wonder how many you might be expecting this year?
Thanks so much Frank. I did report that we had 36.
Sam — You’re going to have a blast at Tiger Hose Firehouse celebrating the Oscars; the menu has my mouth watering!
Your weather sounds fantastic. My rustic, undisclosed sabbatical location is still Cold with a capital C. But that’s good because it keeps me indoors working on the task at home—my next book.
Love the photo of the boys, it’s always good to see them.
Aye Laurie, it was a great spread. And sad in a sense, because that wonderful Italian Deli shockingly closed their doors on Tuesday after 31 years. Thanks so much for the kind words. I know you have been in seclusion, but your reason couldn’t be greater! Looking forward to the release my friend!
You’ve seen all these animated films and given us reviews. However, I don’t recall you seeing or reviewing the astounding KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS.
Did you see it?
If so, what were your thoughts?
Its my No. 5 film of 2016
Dennis, it is a lovely film without a doubt! Can’t blame you for having it high on your list!
Thanks for a great party, Sam and Lucille! It was truly a splendid night out.
So, who won the pool?
Jon, I am almost ashamed to admit it, but my daughter Jillian got 18 of 23 to win the pool. Having you and Pam there was a real joy!
The Red Turtle exists in a realm outside of buzzing phones and text message alerts. It is a quiet, contemplative, poetic study of the patterns of life, told in a dreamlike style. Some films are a speeding train. This one is a hammock on a Saturday afternoon.
Hello my friend. I at first thought this comment was from Carey herself, but fair enough,I am still grateful. We had the great fortune to meet Carey and briefly speak with her during her run in the play THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY in Manhattan. My wife and are are such big fans of her, and I’ll be adding a link to your site on my timeline! So true what you say about THE RED TURTLE!