The newly refurbished Quad on 13th Street may well have taken over poll position of the most discerning Big Apple cineastes.
by Sam Juliano
The Allan Fish Online Film Festival has proven a great success, and special kudos are in order for the impassioned writers who have brought creativity and film scholarship to the highest levels of appreciation. Allan is no doubt watching down with pride. The noble venture -conceived, scheduled and designed by Jamie Uhler- will continue until next weekend, when Yours Truly will compose the wind up post. I have since received a request from a treasured U.K. blogger to add on, so it appears we will be running over a day or so. I will discuss this later today with Jamie. To all those who have read and placed comments the site’s inner circle offers up its deepest appreciation. God willing we will move forward next year with the second installment of this enriching enterprise.
Meanwhile, the Top 60 Greatest Television series countdown project is now officially underway with the opening group e mail sent out earlier in the week. At least eight ballots have been sent back in with a good many more before the deadline of June 15th, at which point Voting Tabulator Extraordinaire Angelo A. D’Arminio Jr. will tabulate. The countdown will then launch on July 1st and will run everyday until the planned end of August unveiling of the #1 selection.
Lucille and I saw three films in theaters this past week. Included was our first appearance at the newly renovated and refurbished Quad Cinemas on 13th Street, which is truly the dream establishment for discerning cineastes, and a mandatory stop from here on in for Big Apple tourists. I dare say it may have surpassed the Film Forum now in programming, special events and diversity, and the entire experience is state-of-the-art.
We saw:
Maurice (1987) ***** (Quad Cinemas) Sunday night
Their Finest **** 1/2 (Montclair Bellevue) Wednesday evening
3 Generations **** (Angelika Film Center) Saturday night
I well understand the nature of the critical disdain for “3 Generations” in some quarters, featuring Naomi Watts, Susan Sarandon and young Elle Fanning as a girl transitioning to a boy despite splendid performances, and of why some would feel the veering drama is occasionally contrived, but this all-too-human and poignant story for me was considerably better than that, and I’d say it is a solid 4 of 5. However I was beside myself for missing out on an appearance by iconic director James Ivory who visited the Quad Saturday night after a screening of the masterpiece “Maurice.” I’ve seen the film numerous times, but having Ivory there was a rare opportunity I will never live down. I will see “Maurice” later this week. (since revised to having seen it on Sunday night with Lucille; it remains a masterpiece and one of the best Merchant-Ivory works). The Quad now may be the most formidable repertory house in the city, or at least on par with the Film Forum. They have some really fantastic stuff lined up for the coming weeks!
On Wednesday evening Lucille, Sammy and I took in the charming British film “Their Finest” at the Bellevue in Montclair. Our friend Pat Perry had this called right. The film’s fusion of comedy and war time drama in the context of making propaganda films provided the best film of its type since John Boorman’s “Hope and Glory” back in 1987. I wouldn’t call it an absolute masterpiece, but nonetheless a very strong piece of work that for me rates 4.5 of 5.0 and presently stands as one of the best films of 2017.
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Can’t wait to visit the Quad Sam. That photo has me salivating. Nice touch with all those mini movie screens, but I have to say the decor is something right out of Kubrick.
Great call on the decor Frank! Oh I’m sure you will love the place! Have a great week my friend!
I don’t know how we can sit here on Monday morning and not mention the FILM (yes, I said FILM – and I think others from here might agree, that though aired on television in parts…this is, indeed, as Lynch has even said…an 18 hr film)…the FILM EVENT of the year. Twin Peaks: The Return. I will be posting thoughts and musings every Sunday night (there will be Spoilers so click carefully). I’m still in awe from the first two hours last night…
Musings before the Premiere: https://theschleicherspin.com/2017/05/19/life-is-very-very-complicated-and-were-ready-for-our-mirror-mr-lynch/
Musings after the Premiere: https://theschleicherspin.com/2017/05/21/twin-peaks-the-return-two-hour-premiere/
Alas David, you are 100% right. Our friend Joel Bocko -who has been writing about TWIN PEAKS for the better part of three years now would find my failure to acknowledge here on the MMD as blasphemy. Mind you it wasn’t intentional, just being obsessed with the projects at the site that are underway and the opening of the Quad. My wife Lucille is a big fan of the show, and plans to follow all the new installments. i will get to them as well. I will play catch up finally at THE SCHLEICHER SPIN today my friend. Many thanks and have a great week!
I checked out Joel’s stuff at Lost in the Movies – great, studious stuff! Love reading the thoughts of other bloggers on what will indeed be a wonderful and strange summer watching Twin Peaks!
David, Joel’s stuff is superlative indeed. Lucille and I (with two of my boys) met up with Jorl, Maurizio and Bob Clark last night to take in the new Alien film in Manhattan, and an awesome talk afterwards at a nearby eatery!
Sam – what the consensus on the Alien flick? I just saw it last night…and I was none too impressed.
David, it appears from our post mortem that the esteemed Bob Clark and Joel Bocko liked it at least to a passable level, but both Maurizio Roca and myself were not at all impressed. So we are in agreement here.
Oh, and wow – the Quad looks amazing!!!
Indeed David! Time to celebrate!
Golly, the Quad looks pretty appetizing; as Frank says, the first thought that strikes one on sight of the photo is: “Kubrick!”
Glad to hear that 3 Generations is better than many have said; I’ll have to look out for it. Many thanks.
Aye John, definitely a feast for the eyes, and like you I and Frank I agree it has the specter of the iconic Mr. K. written all over it. I hope you’ll agree with me on 3 GENERATIONS, which is due out on DVD and blu-ray in less than two weeks. The many attributes outweigh a few flaws handily. Have a great week my friend!
Sam — I learned a new word today, “cineastes” (an enthusiast for or devotee of movies or filmmaking), and the photo you shared of the lobby of the Quad Cinema is amazing! So much so, I looked it up on line and found this cool article in The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/movies/charles-s-cohen-interview-quad-cinema.html?_r=0
Laurie, thanks a million for adding that utterly fabulous article! I love it and read it slowly and with a resonant degree of appreciation and adoration! It is indeed quite a place! And yes, cineaste is a favorite term for the discerning film lover!! Have a terrific week my friend!