- If you were like, “Hey, do you want to hear Alex and Pete have a conversation,” I’d probably respond “Nah, I’m not that into jazz or libertarianism.” But we’re talking about director Alexander Payne and Peter Becker, the Criterion Collection President. On Saturday, June 2 at 5 pm, the two are going to chat about film culture and the role that Janus Films and the Criterion Collection has played in its preservation. Tickets are $15 general admission or $12.50. Of all the Alexs and Petes you could hear chat about movies, these legendary cinephiles are the ones I’d pick.
- In the spirit of everyone’s favorite sweater-wearing imagination-huffer, Alamo Drafthouse is being extra kind to Won’t You Be My Neighbor. Starting June 22, $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to our local PBS affiliate. Actually, throughout June, you can use the Alamo app to add an optional PBS donation to the purchase of any ticket. Not only is that downright neighborly, it furthers the chance that the educational broadcast outlet will find someone to fill the hug-sized hole left in our hearts ever since Mr. Rodgers took a make-believe train back to wherever he was on loan from. If ever we have needed an heir to pick up Fred’s cozy cardigan, it’s in this darkest timeline.
- It’s that time of year again, and I don’t just mean when mosquito fornication makes setting foot outside profoundly stupid! I am talking about how it’s time for you to get your film submitted to Film Streams’ 2018 Local Filmmakers Showcase, sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. The window is now open—I mean that only metaphorically because of the aforementioned mosquito orgy. From now until July 27, 2018, residents of Nebraska or Iowa can head to filmstreams.org, print off a submission form and send a DVD or flash drive of up to three films that should be no longer than 40 minutes in length. Films from elementary, middle and high-school students will also be considered, but I hope nobody in those first two groups regularly reads this column… The showcase will take place in October, and there is even an honorarium, which is classy nonprofit theater speak for money! You have no excuses not to get your submissions in! Well, Lyme disease. If the horny mosquitos got you, we’ll all understand.
- Although he probably doesn’t wear as flattering a costume, “international cinema crusader” Serge Bromberg is the superhero celluloid needs. On Monday, June 11 at 7 pm, Film Streams will host the renowned pianist and film collector for an evening of silence. Well, an evening of silent short films, which will be presented with live music. Both A Journey to the Moon and Robinson Crusoe from 1902 will be screened, along with the Laurel and Hardy films The Battle of Century and Detained. You’ll remember Laurel of Laurel and Hardy from his recent inclusion in a weird audio sample that briefly distracted everyone from the constant hellfire and damnation that is the news around us. For tickets to the show, which will include a few “surprises” from Bromberg’s vault, head to filmstreams.org. It’s sure to be explosive, as those early prints were literally made of highly combustible materials.
Cutting Room provides breaking local and national movie news … complete with added sarcasm. Send any relevant information to film@thereader.com. Check out Ryan on Movieha!, a weekly podcast, catch him on the radio on CD 105.9 on Fridays at around 7:40 a.m. and on KVNO 90.7 on Wednesdays and follow him on Twitter.