must be considered films

written on the wind

rock hudson lauren bacall written on the wind

all this talk about films and we haven’t said a word about the recent passing of perhaps the last surviving old hollywood starlet, lauren bacall. known to her friends as betty, ms. bacall’s career spanned decades. a tough, no-nonsense, downright lady with that immersing, smoky voice and carnal gaze. going through the archives, i finally watched written on the wind, douglas sirk’s film starring bacall and rock hudson, the satirically pleasing look at big business and the destructive families oftentimes behind them. the film is playing at the museum of the moving image’s see it big!: hollywood melodrama series tonight, if you’re in the new york city area. if not, you can read more about it here. by sv

CATEGORIES: lovely, must be considered films

simon del desierto

simon of the desert still 001

simon of the fesert still 002

silvia penal sits at the bottom of the pillar, taunting simon of the desert, temptress that she is! bunuel’s succinct mockery of religion (one amongst many) is a must-see for all you i-don’t-know-what-i-believe-rs. learn a lesson from the surrealist master! by sv

CATEGORIES: must be considered films

blonde venus

marlene dietrich smoking shanghai express

starting this evening, our wonderful friends at BAM will feature a retrospective of the seven collaborations between director josef von sternberg and the german goddess marlene dietrich. the series begins with morocco and shanghai express (which i am fortunate enough to be attending) and will continue through the next week. if you’re in the new york area, do yourself a favor this week and pay a visit. by sv

CATEGORIES: must be considered films, ny places

shirley–visions of reality

shirley visions of reality film 001

thirteen edward hopper paintings are brought to life through various eras in american history in gustav deutsch’s extraordinary film. follow shirley’s journey through myriad social and political crises as she remains a strong and determined woman. this was internationally released last year, i am crossing my fingers and toes for a united states release in the nearest future. read more about the film here. by sv

CATEGORIES: art, must be considered films

ms. 45

zoe tamerlis lund ms 45

here’s the trailer from abel ferrara’s 1981 exploitation film about a beautiful mute girl, and the tumultuous events surrounding her over the course of a few days in the pre-Giuliani-sex-ridden new york city. starring the late zoe tamerlis-lund, she gives a hilariously awkward and sexy performance. ferrara can be a bit too gritty for me sometimes, but having the pleasure of seeing this over the weekend with great company was certainly a night of joy. by sv

CATEGORIES: clips, must be considered films