John, although I didn’t mention it, I’ve seen 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY four times on screen. First in 1988 at the old Biograph Cinema in NYC. Second in 1990 at Cinema Village (a double bill with STAR WARS, no less) and two more times in December 2001 at Loews Astor Plaza. The experience was, to say the least, enthralling!
I keep looking out for an anniversary screening in NYC or Long Island, but so far, no dice!
Justin – I have 2001 on DVD, but I also have a copy of the original MGM/UA VHS tape with the large open flap that you described. I keep it for purely nostolgic purposes and as a collector’s item.
I understand a lot of people do that – collect old formats of media (i.e., Beta, Selectavision, etc.). I can’t see spending my money on an obsolete form of movie-watching, but occasssionally I like to poke around on Ebay and take a look at vintage items like the RCA Selectavision Player and those record album-sized movies that were exclusive for that player. Each disc could only hold two hours worth of material, so 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY took up two discs.
Like I said, an ancient way to watch movies in your home, but I have a deep respect for those who enjoy the nostolgia of it. I suppose I’m the same way in that I still have a working turntable, receiver and a whole lot of records (including the soundtrack to 2001).
Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Blockbuster Movie Awards…give me a break!!!
Fact is, how many of you can actually remember what won best picture for ANY of the awards listed above without looking it up?? It’s the Oscar awards that innevitably goes down in film history, not the others.
If we all know that, say, PLATOON won for best picture of 1986, do we remember what won the Golden Globe for that same year (again, without looking it up)? Do we really care?
Ceasar, the next INDIANA JONES movie presents a mild dilema for me. I swore some time ago that I was through wasting my time and money on sequels, remakes and franchise films. On the other hand, Steven Spielberg carries a great deal of weight with me, so I am likely to weaken this summer and see the movie. I just hope it’s better written and acted than TEMPLE OF DOOM. I hated that one!
I also occurs to me than even some big budget, blockbuster films that have been nominated for best picture in the past (THE EXORCIST, THE TOWERING INFERNO, JAWS, STAR WARS, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, E.T., THE FUGITIVE) I would certainly consider better-written and better-acted motion pictures than what is released on the screen as a blockbuster today.
I stopped watching the Oscars several years ago because I became fed up with its level of cheesy entertainment, which in my opinion, is no better than a vintage episode of the Donny & Marie variety show or a common beauty pageant. Now I only tune in to the last ten minutes to see what wins best picture.
But, to be fair, the films that the Academy often nominates for best picture are intelligently-scripted stories with solid performances by its players. Most people don’t want to bother with films like this in which (heaven forbid!) they might have to use a little bit of their brain to enjoy. Why is only films with no storyline, bad acting and loads of CGI effects can be deemed as “entertaining”. This decade alone, three films that entertained me the most were MEMENTO, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND and SIDEWAYS; all inventive, original scripts with great acting and dialogue. Why is that not entertaining?
I also feel that many people do not see many of the best picture nominees because they don’t have much time between the time a picture is nominated and the night the awards are presented. Remember, the Oscars were once televised in late March. People had about an extra month to get out and see best picture-nominated films. I saw MICHAEL CLAYTON back in October, but since the nominees were released, the only other film I had time to see was NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, which I loved. I’m glad it won best picture of 2007.
Finally, I say this – if people want to see garbage like TRANSFORMERS and SPIDERMAN 3 receive award nominations, they should just watch the People’s Choice Awards or the MTV Movie Awards or something stupid like that. The Academy (thankfully) still chooses films that are (usually) about something.
If any of you are fans of Pink Floyd, you’ve no doubt heard Roger Waters' solo album, RADIO KAOS, released in 1987. It is a strong concept album depicting the phantom destruction of England by a nuclear strike; an illusion manifested by a paraplegic young man who attempts to teach the world a lesson by staging the attack through computer and radio. As we were still in the throws of the cold war with the Soviets at the time, the album had considerable meaning (and it’s pretty darn good music, too.).
As I mentioned, I probably won’t get the chance to catch it’s one-day-screening on March 2nd. If anybody else sees it on screen that day, be sure to let us know what the experience was like.
Remember back in 1983 when they placed an inflatable King Kong atop the Empire State Building and the wind was causing it great trouble? They should give that one another try for the 75th!
The first time I ever saw the original KING KONG was bits and pieces on television in the early ‘70s. The 1976 remake was actually the first PG-rated film I ever saw on screen! By the late '70’s, I finally saw the entire original film on TV when it was broadcasted on the WOR-TV Channel 9 Thanksgiving monster marathon.
I have only seen KING KONG on screen once; in 1992 at the 8th Street Playhouse in New York City (when it was still open) as a double feature with CITIZEN KANE.
The Film Forum will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the original KING KONG for one day only on Sunday March 2, 2008, with two shows only. There will be a Fay Wray scream-alike contest following the first show.
For me, I try to go to the movies at the oddest hour possible, when there will be fewer people in the theater. Example: Summer 2005, my wife and I went to see Spielberg’s WAR OF THE WORLDS on a beautiful sunny Saturday, first show of the day. While others were outdoors on the beach or whatever, we were the only ones in the theater – a private screening to ourselves! That never happened before and it will probably never happen again. Oh, but it was so fantastic!
Yes, if the boorish behavior did not exist, I WOULD frequent my choice of films at multiplexes more often. I mean, come on, what’s not to like about stadium-stytle seating and cup holders?
But, alas, life is not that kind. So I settle for cheap, uncomfortable seats for a little peace and quiet.
Despite the fact that it’s a huge place, I’ve found that people are generally well-behaved and considerate at the Ziegfeld. Perhaps it’s something about the history and the “grandioso” of the place. Who knows? It’s a phenomenal screen, though! I saw the final cut of BLADE RUNNER there last October. Wow!
John, although I didn’t mention it, I’ve seen 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY four times on screen. First in 1988 at the old Biograph Cinema in NYC. Second in 1990 at Cinema Village (a double bill with STAR WARS, no less) and two more times in December 2001 at Loews Astor Plaza. The experience was, to say the least, enthralling!
I keep looking out for an anniversary screening in NYC or Long Island, but so far, no dice!
Justin – I have 2001 on DVD, but I also have a copy of the original MGM/UA VHS tape with the large open flap that you described. I keep it for purely nostolgic purposes and as a collector’s item.
I understand a lot of people do that – collect old formats of media (i.e., Beta, Selectavision, etc.). I can’t see spending my money on an obsolete form of movie-watching, but occasssionally I like to poke around on Ebay and take a look at vintage items like the RCA Selectavision Player and those record album-sized movies that were exclusive for that player. Each disc could only hold two hours worth of material, so 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY took up two discs.
Like I said, an ancient way to watch movies in your home, but I have a deep respect for those who enjoy the nostolgia of it. I suppose I’m the same way in that I still have a working turntable, receiver and a whole lot of records (including the soundtrack to 2001).
Rest in peace, Arthur C. Clarke. Died March 19, 2008, age 90.
This is the dumbest idea I ever heard of! But hey, I suppose if disco could make a comeback in the early ‘90s, then this kind of crap was inevitable.
I’d love to see this film on screen just once!
I am not one of those people. In 2007, I went to only ten (10) movies. This year, I’ve only been to one.
I’ve given my reasons many times over.
I watched Steven Spielberg’s EMPIRE OF THE SUN on dvd.
Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Blockbuster Movie Awards…give me a break!!!
Fact is, how many of you can actually remember what won best picture for ANY of the awards listed above without looking it up?? It’s the Oscar awards that innevitably goes down in film history, not the others.
If we all know that, say, PLATOON won for best picture of 1986, do we remember what won the Golden Globe for that same year (again, without looking it up)? Do we really care?
I say just four (4) awards shows, period…
…and that’s it!
Ceasar, the next INDIANA JONES movie presents a mild dilema for me. I swore some time ago that I was through wasting my time and money on sequels, remakes and franchise films. On the other hand, Steven Spielberg carries a great deal of weight with me, so I am likely to weaken this summer and see the movie. I just hope it’s better written and acted than TEMPLE OF DOOM. I hated that one!
I also occurs to me than even some big budget, blockbuster films that have been nominated for best picture in the past (THE EXORCIST, THE TOWERING INFERNO, JAWS, STAR WARS, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, E.T., THE FUGITIVE) I would certainly consider better-written and better-acted motion pictures than what is released on the screen as a blockbuster today.
I stopped watching the Oscars several years ago because I became fed up with its level of cheesy entertainment, which in my opinion, is no better than a vintage episode of the Donny & Marie variety show or a common beauty pageant. Now I only tune in to the last ten minutes to see what wins best picture.
But, to be fair, the films that the Academy often nominates for best picture are intelligently-scripted stories with solid performances by its players. Most people don’t want to bother with films like this in which (heaven forbid!) they might have to use a little bit of their brain to enjoy. Why is only films with no storyline, bad acting and loads of CGI effects can be deemed as “entertaining”. This decade alone, three films that entertained me the most were MEMENTO, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND and SIDEWAYS; all inventive, original scripts with great acting and dialogue. Why is that not entertaining?
I also feel that many people do not see many of the best picture nominees because they don’t have much time between the time a picture is nominated and the night the awards are presented. Remember, the Oscars were once televised in late March. People had about an extra month to get out and see best picture-nominated films. I saw MICHAEL CLAYTON back in October, but since the nominees were released, the only other film I had time to see was NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, which I loved. I’m glad it won best picture of 2007.
Finally, I say this – if people want to see garbage like TRANSFORMERS and SPIDERMAN 3 receive award nominations, they should just watch the People’s Choice Awards or the MTV Movie Awards or something stupid like that. The Academy (thankfully) still chooses films that are (usually) about something.
It would seem the year 1983 was the year for nuclear threat in films. Let’s not forget WARGAMES, released that summer.
If any of you are fans of Pink Floyd, you’ve no doubt heard Roger Waters' solo album, RADIO KAOS, released in 1987. It is a strong concept album depicting the phantom destruction of England by a nuclear strike; an illusion manifested by a paraplegic young man who attempts to teach the world a lesson by staging the attack through computer and radio. As we were still in the throws of the cold war with the Soviets at the time, the album had considerable meaning (and it’s pretty darn good music, too.).
I remember in one of my high school classes the next day, a classroom discussion of THE DAY AFTER, which it seems everyone in class had watched.
That dream sequence from TERMINATOR 2 where Los Angeles and Sarah Connor erupts into flames still gives me the chills!
I’m listening to the 1976 John Barry soundtrack right now. Cool!
Amen, Bill!
As I mentioned, I probably won’t get the chance to catch it’s one-day-screening on March 2nd. If anybody else sees it on screen that day, be sure to let us know what the experience was like.
Remember back in 1983 when they placed an inflatable King Kong atop the Empire State Building and the wind was causing it great trouble? They should give that one another try for the 75th!
Bill, I don’t think you have to prove it. I believe I read that about that somewhere myself.
The first time I ever saw the original KING KONG was bits and pieces on television in the early ‘70s. The 1976 remake was actually the first PG-rated film I ever saw on screen! By the late '70’s, I finally saw the entire original film on TV when it was broadcasted on the WOR-TV Channel 9 Thanksgiving monster marathon.
I have only seen KING KONG on screen once; in 1992 at the 8th Street Playhouse in New York City (when it was still open) as a double feature with CITIZEN KANE.
Thanks, Warren! That’s a great clipping – very sharp!
It was a sincere pleasure to write this!
The Film Forum will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the original KING KONG for one day only on Sunday March 2, 2008, with two shows only. There will be a Fay Wray scream-alike contest following the first show.
1 pm and 4 pm.
For me, I try to go to the movies at the oddest hour possible, when there will be fewer people in the theater. Example: Summer 2005, my wife and I went to see Spielberg’s WAR OF THE WORLDS on a beautiful sunny Saturday, first show of the day. While others were outdoors on the beach or whatever, we were the only ones in the theater – a private screening to ourselves! That never happened before and it will probably never happen again. Oh, but it was so fantastic!
Yes, if the boorish behavior did not exist, I WOULD frequent my choice of films at multiplexes more often. I mean, come on, what’s not to like about stadium-stytle seating and cup holders?
But, alas, life is not that kind. So I settle for cheap, uncomfortable seats for a little peace and quiet.
Despite the fact that it’s a huge place, I’ve found that people are generally well-behaved and considerate at the Ziegfeld. Perhaps it’s something about the history and the “grandioso” of the place. Who knows? It’s a phenomenal screen, though! I saw the final cut of BLADE RUNNER there last October. Wow!