Hudson Valley Crucial Viewing: November 21- December 5

Hello everyone, Bel here. Just wanted to pop in at the top to say hi. It’s a bit of a lighter week for repertory films in the Hudson Valley but I think we could all use a little levity given the state of the world. If you’ve been doom scrolling (like me and everyone else) a little too much, maybe take a break this week and go out to support your local cinemas. There’s some really fun second-run movies that I’ll briefly comment on below, and Brian’s going to give you a run down on a fun Nic Cage program at Tinker Street Cinema. I’m gonna keep it pretty short and sweet this week for most of these, but I’m giving you a long spiel about why I love On the Waterfront to satisfy any desire for my rambling. There’s also some really fun contemporary films in theaters right now that I’d recommend going to see if you want to turn your brain off. We obviously often focus on more of the art-house oriented second run screenings in the area with “Crucial Viewing”, but it’s nice to remember that cinema is also there for pure joy, not just to challenge us. Give yourself permission to have some fun okay? Anyway, here’s the list for this week.

Elia Kazan's ON THE WATERFRONT
Bardavon, Poughkeepsie – Thursday, November 21, 7:30pm

It’s really hard for me to be succinct about On the Waterfront. This was one of those seminal film school movies for me. I remember watching East of Eden and A Streetcar Named Desire as a teenager on TCM, but I never really registered Kazan as the voice behind those movies. I knew they were good, I knew they were “important” but they didn’t really stick for me. But damn, when I saw On the Waterfront for the first time it clicked. There’s this scene, you know the one, the glove scene. There’s enough in this scene for probably 4 different film lectures. It’s often talked about in relation to Brando’s acting, the difference between the naturalistic, Stanislavski-style method and Eva Marie Saint’s classic, old-Hollywood pomp. But it’s also a masterclass in blocking, in shooting conversation, in framing. 

Kazan is obviously a controversial figure and I often joke this is my only favorite anti-union film. I’m not gonna rail against a long dead director for his misdeeds here (you can read the wikipedia page) but know that I know what he did and who he was. In spite of that though, you really can’t say that he didn’t understand how to make you feel. His films are deeply humanist, they are emotive and open and intimate. I think a lot about how the men of Kazan’s films are given space to move beyond the strictures of Hollywood archetypes of the time. It’s all helped along here, of course, with Brando’s performance, which stands forever as my absolute favorite. There’s something about Brando here that’s almost less Brando even though it’s so distinctly, indivisibly him. 

It’s hard for me to really keep going about this movie, because I think if I keep writing I won’t really be able to stop. If you want to keep reading some more academic (and more edited, ha) writing about it, Criterion has a ton of literature on it on their website. I particularly love this feature from Michael Almereyda. I know it’s showing the day that you’re going to get this newsletter but really, seriously. Think about going, even though it’s last minute. If I could be there I would. Watch it on a big screen. It’s worth it. (1954, 108min)

SECRET NICOLAS CAGE MOVIE
Tinker St. Cinema, Woodstock – Friday, November 22, 8:00pm

Brian here. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a movie without knowing what it is, but I’m happy to make an exception for any movie starring Nicolas Cage. The thing that’s great about him as an actor is that he’s always completely committed to any role, no matter if it’s serious or funny, or for that matter, well written or not well written. On the right creative project, Cage is an absolute master (Raising Arizona, Wild at Heart, Pig) and in less ideal circumstances, he still proves incredibly entertaining (Next, Ghost Rider, the infamous Wicker Man.) You cannot go wrong, whether big budget action movie or indie character study. I just rewatched Rumble Fish, which I believe is his only collaboration with his uncle Francis Ford Coppola (Megalopolis would have been so much better with his nephew.) A great film and a chance to see young Nic developing the skillset that will serve him so well in his career to come. No matter what Tinker Street chooses, prepare to be entertained. (1982-present, ???mins)

John Hughes' PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES
Story Screen Cinema, Hudson – Sunday, November 24, 7:00pm

There’s not a lot of real “Thanksgiving” movies out there, but if you’re the kind of person who likes to watch certain movies every year around the holidays, this is the one for you. I’ve got such a soft spot for this movie too, mostly because a) I love Steve Martin and b) it reminds me very much of my grandfather, who is a huge part of why I love movies so much. It’s a heart-warmer. What I want to highlight specifically about this screening though is the series it’s a part of at Story Screen. Their pasta night is a series of screenings highlighting the “VHS” era and it supports tons of local creators and vendors in and around the film community. It’s going to be a really sweet local event, and who doesn’t love dinner and a show. If you can’t make it to this one I’d suggest keeping your eyes on what else is coming up in series and trying to go out and support. (1987, 92min)

John D. Hancock's PRANCER
The Moviehouse, Millerton – Friday, November 29, 10:30am

Speaking of “movies to watch every year during the holidays” Prancer was the peak of Christmas cinema for me as a kid. We watched this every year (probably because my mom had a crush on Sam Elliott) and I hadn’t thought about it in ages until we put together the calendar for this week. I also have a lifelong crush on Sam Elliott that easily originates with this movie. I kinda feel like this movie got lost in the annals of time. I remember watching this and all the Rankin/Bass stop motion films every year, and if we didn’t it didn’t quite feel like Christmas. You gotta love a kids movie that has enough adult themes to keep the parents engaged. I also feel like this movie is kinda ET: Christmas Edition, in a lot of ways. If you’ve got kids, why not take them for an late 80s holiday flick, or if you’re like me and forgot this movie existed, why not rewatch it? I did and, I’ll tell you what, I maybe even got a little misty eyed. (1989, 103min)

Mary Wharton's JIMMY CARTER: ROCK & ROLL PRESIDENT
Orpheum, Saugerties – Monday, December 2, 7:00pm

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending a really fantastic talk by Eric Isaacson, the co-founder of Mississippi Records (shout out to Monument for hosting and organizing!). Most of what Isaacson spoke about was the role popular music has on politics. While his talk certainly hit some of the darker notes of this relationship, lingering on AI and co-optation of counterculture by the dominant class, it also left me thinking about the role music plays in organizing, in political movements, and in our moment. I don’t know that we’re really getting much good protest music these days (but I’ve got my fingers crossed for the next 4 years), but it is a time when it feels relevant to look back on moments in American history that have generated those kinds of culture shifts. Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President takes a lighthearted look on Carter’s relationship to music, and how he used it to help his relationship to the country during his presidency. This is what I like to think of as the “PBS doc” at its finest (and I mean that with all love.) I grew up watching PBS talking-head music documentaries with my dad and they’re often what I fall back on as comfort watches. You’ll definitely learn something you didn’t know and have a good time doing it. Plus this features some pretty amazing interviews. It’s a fun romp for culture buffs. (2020, 95min)

A QUICK BONUS SCREENING ANNOUNCEMENT! One departure from our normal repertory screening schedule to alert you to a screening of horror shorts by Hudson Valley filmmakers this Saturday, November 23, at the Phoenicia Playhouse. The evening is curated and presented by Friend of the Foundation, filmmaker Jack Warren. It should prove to be an exciting look at some exciting and talented filmmakers from our own community. Don’t miss it!