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[bryant]

S. and W. are here, which means it's time to kick off my film club down at the Coolidge. I'm gonna try and run about once a month; it needs to be a weekday night, because it's hard to get the screening room on weekends. Optimal nights for me are Wednesday and Thursday; if you have a preference, express it now.

So the question arises: what's a good kickoff movie? Imma break it down into some categories, and y'all tell me where your yearnings lead you. Or suggest something else.

A non-exhaustive list of things I might do: Hong Kong action, 80s or 90s, maybe John Woo, maybe Johnny To. Classic drama: Noir? Gangsters? Asian art house -- Wong Kar Wai, or something from Korea, or Thailand. J-horror. Yakuza flicks -- either Takashi Miike's transgressive stuff, or maybe something from Kinji Fukasaku's portfolio. I have a slew of old comedies and I'll be tempted to throw a Buster Keaton short in no matter what.

Thoughts?

Comments

[mgrasso.livejournal.com]

I would prefer Thursdays, but I'm guessing with Thursday as mega-gaming night for most folks, Wednesdays will be the choice. I'm okay with either.

I still can't believe you're getting the Coolidge. What will dues be?

[bryant]

It's $50 for a three hour block o' time. If people wanna kick in a couple of bucks, that's fine by me.

[mgrasso.livejournal.com]

It's $50 for a three hour block o' time. If people wanna kick in a couple of bucks, that's fine by me.

Duly noted. And my vote for content is anything you see fit, because everything you listed up there I'd be thrilled to see on a big screen. :)

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

While I doubt I'd be interested in many of the subjects (except Noir really) I was curious so I went and looked at the Coolidge webpage (http://www.coolidge.org/c_rental.html). Are you sure about the $50 rental? Cause on one page it says $150 the other $50 and I'm confused.

Also whats the presentation difference between the Video Screening Room and the MiniMax? Is it a different viewing experience?

[bryant]

Yeah, it's confusing. I asked them, and all you have to do is say "We're a film club" and you get the $50 rate.

I've never actually seen a movie in the MiniMax. The Video Screening Room is a decent but small experience; the chairs are theater style, etc. The MiniMax looks a little less plush, but still decent.

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

Wednesdays are better!

[michele-blue.livejournal.com]

Wednesdays are better for me. And I'll watch whatever you toss up on the screen. I reserve all rights to hide my face during scary bits.

[editswlonghair.livejournal.com]

What time at night are we talking?

I'd be all over a gangsters theme... heist flicks are my serial obsession du jour.

[bryant]

7, 8? Something in there.

[vampyrusgirl.livejournal.com]

Wednesdays are better for me, but I wil probably be a sporadic presence, so don't go by me! :)

[foreign-devilry.livejournal.com]

King Hu.

Early Chen Kai Ge (with Zhang Yimou filming), especially The Big Parade (Da Yue Bing).

Wu Tianming's Old Well (Lao Jing), also with Zhang Yimou as cinematographer.

Zhang Yimou's unknown (in the West) urban classic Keep Cool (You Hua Hao Hao Shuo). Complete with gangsters and the director himself playing a straw-hat-wearing street vendor from rural Shanxi.

[bryant]

*makes notes*

[cityofbeige.livejournal.com]

When I was at Ohio State, they had an Asian Film Club which had free showings in one of the lecture halls with a projector every other week. Some of the films I remember seeing was John Woo's Hard Boiled, Kurosawa's Dursu Uzala, and some sequel of Zatoichi, which really really kicked ass.