Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn

OTBKB Movies: Freaky Cats at BAM

 OTBKB is thrilled to present  a semi-infrequent series of pieces to be contributed about film and written by Pops Corn. He writes: "Thanks for allowing me on your screen.  I promise not to always cover weird horror.  It's seasonal."

BAM gets real loose consistently every year at Halloween.  A few years back, they shocked me by busting out the truly (and unjustly) unloved Halloween III: Season of the Witch. 

Screening a much maligned sequel in a typical arthouse setting wasn't enough - they dedicated a day to it. I'm a bit obsessed with this film in part because of the song that plays frequently in a commercial throughout the film.  So, God--scratch that,Satan, as per the holiday--bless them for that wonderful Halloween a few years back that was enjoyed by me and about 7 other people. 

BAM strikes again this Halloween with the miniature dual film series beautifully titled Freaky Cats. 

 

It's honorable enough to show Sleepwalkers for a day, a true B-movie Stephen King adaptation with character actress Alice Krige at her most unhinged (and incestuous).  

But the don't-miss item appears to be a 1977 Japanese film called House (Hausu).  I have yet to see this one, but I was introduced to the mind-blowing trailer  If the trailer is at all indicative of the movie, it is certain to be a masterpiece of the bizarre.  One day only - October 31st.

--Pops Corn

This Weekend: Red Hook Film Festival Dedicated to Robert Guskind

The Third Annual Red Hook International Film Festival will be dedicated to Robert Guskind, the legendary blogger who created the much missed blog Gowanus Lounge. Guskind died in February.

The festival's opening film will be Blue Barn Picture's special tribute to Guskind.  According to festival planners, "the entire festival is dedicated to Robert Guskind, to The Gowanus Lounge, and to local storytelling."

The Red Hook Film Festival takes place on October 3rd and 4th at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition screening room at 499 Van Brunt Street.  The screenings begin at 1pm on Saturday Oct. 3rd, with "Robert Guskind: 1958-2009" by Blue Barn Pictures, followed by a special 10th anniversary screening of the seminal Brooklyn documentary "Lavendar Lake: Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal" directed by Alison Prete.

The rest of the weekend will feature short film gems from neighborhoods around Brooklyn, including pieces about a Bushwick tailor, rooftop farms in Greenpoint, the Atlantic Yards boondoggle, Coney Island's lost roller coaster, Williamsburg industry, and a whole program of films about Red Hook!

The screening schedule can be seen online at www.redhookfilmfest.com and at www.myspace.com/redhookfilmfestival

web: www.redhookfilmfest.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/redhookfilmfestival
facebook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165019430983

Nursery University: The Movie

Nursery University is a feature documentary that is described by the filmakers "a film which reveals the oddly competitive, yet often humorous, world of nursery school admissions." The film will be at Cobble Hill Cinema on May 1, 2009. For more information go to the film's website.

Ah, yes. A subject close to home to many in Park Slope.

 The film tells the story of five families – each with different backgrounds and economic circumstances – attempting to place their toddlers in prestigious Manhattan preschools that have limited spaces and high price tags.

NURSERY UNIVERSITY follows the families’ journeys while also going behind the scenes with the experts that advise them and the school directors who must determine which “applicants” to allow through their doors. Enjoy the insanity in this sweeter look at the social issues, and the little darlings at the center of all the fuss.

Film Set in Coney Island at Anthology Film Archives (With Rip Torn)

Coming up tomorrow, Saturday March 14 at 7:15pm at Anthology Film Archives in the East Village, NYC

 Anthology Film Archives is thrilled to present a special sneak-preview of the new film by Angelica and Tony Torn, a Coney Island-set drama featuring a special appearance by the filmmakers’ father, Rip. A chance encounter with her childhood sweetheart leads Virginia (Angelica Torn) to discover hidden truths about her boyfriend and her neighborhood that she has chosen to ignore.

Over the last explosive weekend of the summer she must decide whether to abandon everything she’s ever known to the wolf-pack of developers buying up and tearing down the Coney Island boardwalk, or to sacrifice herself to the world that’s been created for her. Angelica Torn’s luminescent performance beautifully carries the film, which casts a beguiling spell in the manner of Alan Rudolph’s early work. (2008, 103 minutes, video.

 With Angelica Torn, Federico Castelluccio, Luke Zarzecki, Will Patton and Tony Torn.) Directions: Anthology is at 32 Second Ave. at 2nd St. Subway: F or V to 2nd Ave; 6 to Bleecker. Tickets: $9 general; $8 Essential Cinema (free for members); $7 for students, seniors, & children (12 & under); $6 AFA members.

Feb 10-12: Silent Films With Live Music at the World Financial Center

Three nights this week. Three silent films at the World Financial Center. Sponsored by WNYC's New Sounds Live with John Schaefer He was on 2008's Park Slope 100.

Sounds of the Surreal - Tuesday, February 10th at 7PM
The Golem -Wednesday, February 11th at 7PM
Man With A Movie Camera - Thursday, February 12th at 7PM

World Financial Center
220 Vesey Street
Battery Park City Directions
Admission FREE

» New Sounds Live 2008-2009 Concert Season

The long-awaited annual winter film series returns to the World Financial Center featuring classic silent films set to innovative and energetic scores by Gary Lucas, the BQE Ensemble, and The Cinematic Orchestra.

Each night, starting at 7PM, experience a different film and its inventive new music score.

On Tuesday night, Feb. 10, Gary Lucas performs ghostly improvisational solo guitar for three surrealist films: "Entr’acte", "Ballet Mecanique", and "The Cameraman’s Revenge."

Wednesday evening, Feb. 11, the BQE Project’s palette of exotic instruments from Middle Eastern drums to mandolin accompanies “The Golem.”

And on Thursday night, Feb. 12, the Cinematic Orchestra’s moody, electronica-tinged jazz-funk follows "Man with a Movie Camera." And it's all FREE!

All performances will be taped for later broadcast on New Sounds, airs 11pm-midnight every night on WNYC 93.9 FM (these will probably air March or April).