Author: Tom Stockman

COMRADES: ALMOST A LOVE STORY Screening at Webster University Thursday September 5th

Peter Chan’s COMRADES: ALMOST A LOVE STORY (1996) Screening at Webster University Thursday September 5th at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). The Film starts at 7pm. There will be a post-film discussion by Dr. Yongzhen (Joy) Shu Curtin, adjunct lecturer on Chinese cinema and culture studies at Washington University. The film is sponsored by the Confucius Institute at Webster University . A Facebook invite can be found HERE

Cantopop star-turned-actor Leon Lai (Fallen Angels) stars as a cute but helpless bumpkin from Mainland China trying to get accustomed to his new life in Hong Kong in Comrades: Almost a Love Story. As the title suggests, Lai’s Li Xiao-jun quickly falls in with the helpful and acclimated Li Qiao (Maggie Cheung, of Police Story and In the Mood for Love), who is remarkably good at the hustle of day-to-day life in Hong Kong. Featuring a supporting turn by the legendary cinematographer Christopher Doyle (in a rare acting role, here seemingly playing some version of himself) and a strong sense of place in Hong Kong between the 1985 Joint Declaration signing and the 1997 handover, Comrades is ripe for (re)discovery by an American audience.

In Cantonese with English subtitles.

Admission is:

$7 for the general public
$6 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$5 for Webster University staff and faculty

Free for Webster students with proper I.D.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Midnights This Weekend at The Tivoli

” It’s my first day as a woman, already it’s that time of the month.”

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH screens midnights this weekend (September 6th and 7th) at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar) as part of their ‘Reel Late at The Tivoli’ Midnight Series. A Facebook invite for the screening can be found HERE

The winner of numerous awards including the Audience and Director awards at Sundance, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001) is the film of an original stage musical comedy that played off Broadway for over two years. It centers on Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell, not to be confused with Cameron Mitchell, who would also have been good in the role),whose only way of escaping from East Berlin is to undergo a sex-change and assume his mother’s identity. Unfortunately the operation goes wrong and he is left with an `angry inch’. Escaping to America, he forms a rock band whilst seeking the soul partner that will fulfill his destiny. Loaded with songs that you will be humming all the way out of the Tivoli, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is the funniest, most outrageously entertaining movie of its kind since ROCKY HORROR. Unlike that classic, it does have some more serious philosophical reflections built into it (mostly via the songs), but it rocks and injects some seriously funny pizzaz into the transgender scene. A must-see movie this weekend at The Tivoli!

Here’s the upcoming line-up for Reel-late at The Tivoli:

Sept. 13-14        FRIDAY THE 13TH 

Sept. 20-21        SPIRITED AWAY 

                             Friday and Saturday midnight subtitled; Saturday 11:30am in English

Sept. 27-28        REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA 

Oct. 4-5               THE LOST BOYS  New 2K DCP remaster!

Oct. 11-12          HALLOWEEN (1978)

Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26

                             THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with live shadow cast, Samurai Electricians!

Cinema St. Louis’ Golden Anniversaries: Films of 1969 Series Continues With THE LEARNING TREE Sunday September 7th at 1:30pm

“It’s the place where you come to learn what life is all about.”

Golden Anniversaries: Films of 1969 features 6 classic films celebrating their 50th anniversaries. This second edition focuses on 1969 and features a half-dozen films, all screening for free at the St. Louis Public Library (1301 Olive Street St. Louis) over 3 weekends in late summer.  (This series kicks off this Saturday August 31st at 1:30pm with MIDNIGHT COWBOY). On Saturday September 7th at 1:0pm the ’69 film will be THE LEARNING TREE directed by Gordon Parks and based on his novel. .There will be an intro and post-film Q&A with Kenya Vaughn, entertainment and website editor for the St. Louis American. Admission is FREE. A Facebook invite can be found HERE

It’s sometime during the 1920s in the town of Cherokee Flats, Kansas. Stemming from their differing backgrounds, black mid-teens Newt Winger and Marcus Savage take different approaches to life, especially in coexisting in town with white neighbors, many who are inherently racist, something largely taught to them by their parents and their parents before them. From a loving, supportive family, Newt would like to do the right thing to have a good life, but is often scared to do so. Newt ultimately wants to attend college despite one of his white teachers constantly devaluing him and the other black students in believing they will amount to nothing more than laborers at best. He has to deal with an issue indirectly involving race differences concerning his black girlfriend, Arcella Jefferson, his first love. And he wants to make amends for stealing apples from the white Kliners’ orchard with some other boys, regardless of Mr. Kliner’s initial reaction in and of itself being excessive, probably because black boys were involved. Conversely, Marcus, who has never been shown real love in his life, not even from his abusive widowed father Booker Savage, believes the world, especially the white world, is out to get him, he whose reaction is twice as excessive as any excessive action taken against him. Marcus even believes that Newt is out to get him in quietly not agreeing with the way Marcus deals with his troubles. Newt and Marcus’ relationship has the potential to come to an explosive head when Newt clandestinely witnesses a murder, the truth, contrary to the circumstantial evidence, coming to light which could be the match that lights the powder keg of tense race relations in general in town. As such, Newt has to decide whether to come forward with what he saw. (synopsis from IMDB)

Here is the rest of the schedule for Cinema St. Louis’ Golden Anniversaries: Films of 1969 Series

Easy Rider Sunday, Sep. 8 at 1:00pm

The Wild Bunch Saturday, Sep. 14 at 1:00pm

Women in Love Sunday, Sep. 15 at 1:00pm

DAYBREAKERS 4K arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital) and Digital September 10th

It is the distant future of 2019, and a plague has turned almost every human being into a vampire. With the population of humanity on the verge of extinction, a brave scientist, Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Boyhood, The Magnificent Seven), starts to develop a cure that could possibly convert vampires back into their original human selves. Also stars Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project, Spider-Man, John Wick, American Psycho) and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Hunt for the Wilderpeople). Daybreakers4K, coming to 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray™ and Digital) and Digital September 10 from Lionsgate. 

The modern, genre-bending sci-fi thriller Daybreakers arrives on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray™ and Digital) and Digital 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever September 10 from Lionsgate. From visionary writer-directors Michael and Peter Spierig (Predestination, Jigsaw), the action-packed futuristic vampire film stars four-time Oscar® nominee Ethan Hawke (2014, Best Supporting Actor, Boyhood), four-time Oscar® nominee Willem Dafoe (2018, Best Actor, At Eternity’s Gate), and Sam Neill. Experience four times the resolution of full HD with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which includes Dolby Vision®, bringing entertainment to life through ultra-vivid picture quality. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on a screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. Additionally, the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack and Blu-ray feature Dolby Atmos® immersive audio mixed specifically for the home, to place and move audio anywhere in the room. Available for the very first time in this absolutely stunning format, the Daybreakers 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack will include an audio commentary, multi-part making-of documentary, and the Spierig Brothers short film, The Big Picture, and will be available for the suggested retail price of $22.99.

Four-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a researcher in the year 2019, when an unknown plague has transformed the world’s population into vampires. As the human population nears extinction, vampires must capture and farm every remaining human, or find a blood substitute before time runs out. However, a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race.

4K ULTRA HD / BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

  • “Making of Daybreakers” Multi-Part Documentary
  • The Big Picture (Spierig Brothers Short Film)
  • Audio Commentary with Co-Directors Peter and Michael Spierig and Creature Designer Steven Boyle
  • Theatrical Trailer

 
CAST                                                 
Ethan Hawke              Training Day, Boyhood, The Magnificent Seven
Willem Dafoe              The Florida Project, Spider-Man, John Wick, American Psycho
Sam Neill                    Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Hunt for the Wilderpeople

CURIOUS GEORGE: ROYAL MONKEY Available on DVD and Streaming September 19th

Curious George makes his royal debut in the new feature-length animated movie, Curious George: Royal Monkey, arriving on Digital, DVD and streaming on Hulu on September 10, 2019 from Universal 1440 Entertainment, the original content production arm of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Imagine Entertainment. Filled with delightful antics, gentle humor and heartfelt emotion that have captivated the hearts of families around the world, the majestic film follows George as he trades places with the royal monkey of Simiana by mistake! Taking audiences on a colorful grand adventure with exciting new locations and a fresh cast of adorable characters, CuriousGeorge: Royal Monkey features returning voice cast Emmy Award® winners Frank Welker (Scooby-Doo! franchise) and Jeff Bennett (“Johnny Bravo” TV series) and showcases five original songs including a single by award-winning recording artist and songwriter Andy Grammer. For a limited time only,Curious George: Royal Monkey on DVD also comes with an exclusive sticker sheet, available at all retailers nationwide.

Join your favorite monkey as he takes on his most regal role yet in Curious George: Royal Monkey. After disrupting a meeting with a stuffy royal family, George accidentally trades places with the king’s snooty monkey, Philippe. While Philippe puzzles Ted with his flawless manners, George travels to the castle where his fun-loving antics raise eyebrows and bring shy Princess Isabel out of her shell. Featuring all-new music from Andy Grammer, this king-sized adventure reminds us all that doing what you love is the key to happiness.

Curious George is a timeless character that was first introduced to the world of children’s literacy over 75 years ago. Created by Margret and H.A. Rey in 1941, Curious George remains one of the most beloved classics in children’s literature, television and film with more than 108 episodes of the Emmy® award-winning animated series on PBS and over 80 million books in print worldwide in 26 languages. In addition, Curious George has provided the inspiration for a flourishing line of educational and entertaining properties, an original live musical stage show, interactive games and toys, national touring museum exhibits, and an interactive attraction at the Universal Studio Japan theme park.

FILMMAKERS 
Voice Cast: Frank Welker, Jeff Bennett
Voice Direction and Casting By: Wes Gleason
Based on the Books By: Margret & H.A. Rey
Music By: Germaine Franco
Executive Producers: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer
Executive Producers: David Kirschner, Jon Shapiro
Produced By: Deirdre Brenner
Story By: Dan & Nuria Wicksman
Screenplay By: Dan & Nuria Wicksman, and Cliff Ruby & Elana Lesser, and Joe Stillman
Directed By: Doug Murphy

Bette Davis in JEZEBEL Available on Blu-ray From Warner Archive

Great news for fans of Bette Davis! JEZEBEL (1938) is Available on Blu-ray From Warner Archive

While movie fans were abuzz over who might play Scarlett O’Hara in the upcoming Gone with the Wind, Bette Davis got another Southern-belle role – and gave a fiery performance that won the 1938 Best Actress Academy Award®. Davis plays Julie, a New Orleans beauty whose constant attempts to goad fiance? Pres Dillard(Henry Fonda) to jealousy backfire. Angry and disgraced, Pres breaks their engagement and leaves town. Julie endures a year of remorse until Pres comes home – married. Then her vengeance explodes. Jezebel is also noted for its sumptuous sets and costumes, Fay Bainter’s Oscar®-winning* performance and William Wyler’s vivid direction, highlighted by a horrifying re-creation of a yellow fever epidemic. But the film’s greatest strength is Davis, whose titanic talent has never been better displayed than in Jezebel.

In one of her most acclaimed performances, Bette Davis personifies a woman scorned in William Wyler’s unforgettable portrait of a Southern belle whose charms are only equaled by her viciousness. Henry Fonda plays the man that defies and drives her. Davis plays Julie, whose constant attempts to make her fiancé Preston Dillard (Fonda) jealous spectacularly backfires, and Dillard breaks the engagement and leaves town. His return sparks an explosion of jealousy and vengeance. Painstakingly restored to a pristine print in glorious Black and White, Jezebel’s sumptuous sets and costumes, Wyler’s vivid direction and, most of all, Davis’ truly stunning performance are seen as never before in this 1080p HD transfer for Blu-ray Disc. Special Features: Commentary by Film Historian Jeanine Basinger; Featurette “Jezebel: Legend of the South”; Vintage Musical Short “Melody Masters: Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra”; Classic Cartoon ” Daffy Duck in Hollywood”(HD); Rarely-seen promo-teaser “Ramblin ‘Round the Hollywood Studio with the Candid Cameraman”; Theatrical Reissue trailer (HD)

George Lazenby in the 1972 Giallo WHO SAW HER DIE? Available on Blu-ray September 17th From Arrow Video

Former Bond star George Lazenby (On Her Majesty s Secret Service, The Man from Hong Kong) headlines this classic giallo directed by Aldo Lado (Short Night of Glass Dolls, Night Train Murders) as compelling for its haunting atmosphere, twists and turns as for its parallels with another great Venetian horror/thriller Nicolas Roeg s Don t Look Now.

Sculptor Franco Serpieri (Lazenby) welcomes Roberta (Nicoletta Elmi, Deep Red) his young daughter from a failed marriage to Venice, unaware that a disturbed child-killer is stalking the city s canals. When Roberta s body is found floating face-down in the river, the lives of Franco and his estranged wife Elizabeth (Anita Strindberg, The Case of the Scorpion s Tail) are ripped asunder. Desperate for vengeance, Franco turns detective in a bid to track down his daughter s killer, and in the process unearths shocking evidence of depravity and corruption which implicates some of the most respected figures in Venetian society.

Released at the height of the giallo boom, this gripping mystery thriller boasts some of the most iconic names associated with the genre on both sides of the camera. Co-starring Dominique Boschero (The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire) and Adolfo Celi (Thunderball), and featuring one of the all-time greatest scores from maestro Ennio Morricone (What Have You Done to Solange?), Who Saw Her Die?thrills anew in its high definition debut.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

·  Brand new 2K restoration of the full-length Italian version of the film from the original 35mm camera negative

·  High Definition Blu-rayTM (1080p) presentation

·  Uncompressed mono 1.0 LPCM audio

·  Original English and Italian soundtracks, titles and credits

·  Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack

·  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack

·  New audio commentary by author and critic Troy Howarth

·  I Saw Her Die, a new video interview with director Aldo Lado

·  Nicoletta, Child of Darkness, a new video interview with actress Nicoletta Elmi

·  Once Upon a Time in Venice, a new video interview with co-writer Francesco Barilli

·  Giallo in Venice, a new video interview with author and critic Michael Mackenzie

·  Original Italian and English theatrical trailers

·  Poster and fotobusta gallery

·  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Haunt Love

Cinema St. Louis’ Golden Anniversaries: Films of 1969 Series Continues With BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE Sunday September 1st

” First, we’ll have an orgy. Then we’ll go see Tony Bennett. “

Golden Anniversaries: Films of 1969 features 6 classic films celebrating their 50th anniversaries. This second edition focuses on 1969 and features a half-dozen films, all screening for free at the St. Louis Public Library (1301 Olive Street St. Louis) over 3 weekends in late summer.  (This series kicks off this Saturday August 31st at 1pm with MIDNIGHT COWBOY). On Sunday September 1st at 1pm e ’69 film will be BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE. There will be an intro and post-film Q&A with  Joshua Ray, film critic for Cinema St. Louis‘ The Lens. Admission is FREE. A Facebook invite can be found HERE

Documentary-filmmaker Bob Sanders (Robert Culp) and his wife Carol (Natalie Wood) attend a group-therapy session that serves as the backdrop for the film’s opening scenes. Returning to their Los Angeles home, the newly “enlightened” couple chastise their closest friends, Ted (Elliott Gould) and Alice (Dyan Cannon), for not coming to grips with their true feelings. Bob insists that everyone “feel” rather than intellectualize their emotions, and Carol pronounces “that’s beautiful” after anyone says anything even remotely personal. Ted and Alice humor their friends, but a good-natured sexual tension is obviously at work among the foursome.

Here is the rest of the schedule for Cinema St. Louis’ Golden Anniversaries: Films of 1969 Series

The Learning Tree Saturday, Sep. 7 at 1:00pm

Easy Rider Sunday, Sep. 8 at 1:00pm

The Wild Bunch Saturday, Sep. 14 at 1:00pm

Women in Love Sunday, Sep. 15 at 1:00pm



The Remote Has No Control in THE DRONE Coming to Digital and DVD October 15th

From the producer of Unfriended and Searching comes the satirical horror film The Drone, arriving on DVD, Digital, and On Demand October 15 from Lionsgate. Written and directed by TV comedy writer Jordan Rubin (TV’s “Last Call with Carson Daly” and various MTV Movie Award specials) alongside co-writers Al Kaplan and Jon Kaplan – and in the vein of Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, and Snakes on a Plane, The Drone stars John Brotherton, Alex Essoe, Rex Linn, Anita Briem, and Simon Rex, and will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

Check out this trailer!

This terrifying, outrageous tale takes flight as a serial killer is struck by lightning while holding his precious drone. Weeks later, the drone shows up at the home of newlywed couple Chris (John Brotherton, The Conjuring) and Rachel (Alex Essoe, Starry Eyes). Without them realizing it, the drone films the couple and takes control of their TV, computer, security system, and car. Soon Chris and Rachel fear that the device may be connected to them… and is out for horrific, hovering revenge.

Fall ‘CLASSICS IN THE LOOP’ – Monday Film Series at The Tivoli Begins October 7th With A CLOCKWORK ORANGE

Classics on the Loop returns to The Tivoli this summer! Screenings happen on Mondays at 4 pm and 7 pm starting October 7th! Admission is just $7. The Tivoli is located at 6350 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130

I understand plenty of people don’t want to go to a theater, spend a fortune on tickets, popcorn, and a drink just to see the glow of cell phones and hear people rudely talking while someone kicks your seat from behind, but that’s not the experience you’ll get at Landmark theaters affordable  ‘CLASSICS IN THE LOOP’ film series. St. Louis movie buffs are in for a treat as Landmark’s The Tivoli Theater every Monday beginning October 7th. Screenings will be at 4pm and 7pm. The Tivoli will screen, on their big screen (which seats 320 btw), eight  masterpiece that need to be seen in a theater with an audience. Admission is only $7. Look for more coverage of these great films here at We Are Movie Geeks

Here’s the line-up:

Oct. 7                  A CLOCKWORK ORANGE 

 Oct. 14                BEETLEJUICE 

Oct. 21                WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?  

Oct. 28                THE THING (1982)