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APOCALYPSE NOW: THE FINAL CUT 45th Anniversary Screening Sunday, March 3.

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Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series present a screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic Vietnam War movie, ‘Apocalypse Now,’ in the director’s approved version restored in 2019: ‘Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut.’ When it was originally released in 1979, it scored at the box office and earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It won two Oscars, for the striking cinematography by Vittorio Storaro and for Best Sound.

The screening is at the Royal on Sunday, March 3, and will start promptly at 6:00 PM with an introduction by actress Colleen Camp, who played Miss May in the film. Afterward we’ll have a special Q&A with Ms. Camp and author Sam Wasson, who just published The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story. He will also be selling and signing copies of his book.

Loosely inspired by Joseph Conrad’s enthralling novel ‘Heart of Darkness,’ the ‘Apocalypse Now‘ screenplay was by Coppola, John Milius, and Michael Herr (a journalist who wrote the acclaimed book about the war, ‘Dispatches’). The main character, Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen), is ordered to travel through Vietnam and track down Colonel Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando), who has gone rogue and established his own savage regime in Cambodia. Willard’s orders are to assassinate Kurtz to save the military from disgrace.

The supporting cast includes Robert Duvall (who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the surf-loving Colonel Kilgore), Laurence Fishburne, Frederic Forrest, Scott Glenn, Sam Bottoms, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, and Colleen Camp. Although the troubled production went way over budget on location in the Philippines, it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1979 and earned strong reviews from many critics. Kathleen Carroll of the New York Daily News wrote, “Certainly no movie in history has ever presented stronger proof that war is living hell.” Amy Taubin of the Village Voice added, “’Apocalypse‘ has the expressive extravagance of a Wagner opera—and not merely because the swooping helicopter scene is set to the ‘Ride of the Valkyries.’” Roger Ebert considered it one of the greatest films ever made.

Author Sam Wasson did extensive research, with special access to Coppola’s private papers, to write his new book, ‘The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story.’ The New York Times praised it as “a marvel of unshowy reportage,” and Publishers Weekly declared, “Movie buffs won’t want to miss this.” Wasson has also written the acclaimed books, ‘The Big Goodbye’ (about the making of ‘Chinatown’), ‘Fifth Avenue 5 AM’ (about ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’) and ‘Fosse.’ He will be selling and signing his book at the screening.

Colleen Camp has an extensive list of credits over the last 50 years, including ‘Valley Girl,’ ‘Clue,’ ‘Wayne’s World,’ ‘Die Hard With a Vengeance,’ Peter Bogdanovich’s ‘They All Laughed,’ Alexander Payne’s ‘Election,’ David O. Russell’s ‘American Hustle’ and ‘Joy,’ and many TV series as well.

DRUGSTORE JUNE Q&A schedule.

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Drugstore June Q&A at the Laemmle Noho: 3/2 – 7:10PM Moderator, Nick Rutherford, Nicholaus Goossen, Jenn McClaren and Jordan Ellner; 3/5 – 7:10PM Moderator, Jonnie “Dumbfounded” Park, Nick Rutherford, Brandon Wardell, Britany Furlan, Nicholaus Goossen, and Jordan Ellner; 3/7 – 7:10PM Moderator, Jon Gabrus, Nicholaus Goossen, and Jordan Ellner

 

In-Person Wim Wenders Q&A for ANSELM 3D Saturday in Glendale; 2D runs this week at other venues; MUST END SOON!

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If you haven’t yet seen Wim Wenders’ 3D documentary Anselm in Glendale, there’s still time! We’ll have this fascinating portrait of painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer in 3D for at least one more week in the Jewell City and we’ll open 2D engagements this Friday in Santa Monica, Encino, Claremont and Newhall. What’s more the director will participate in an in-person Q&A following the Saturday, January 13 1 pm screening in Glendale. Matt Carey will moderate.

“Anselm offers both a thrilling portrait of the artist at work and, with the aid of terrific archival footage, lets us see what infuses his work with such intensity.” ~ John Powers, NPR

“The director [Wim Wenders] has fashioned a mesmerizing engagement with Kiefer’s art, including just enough face time with the subject to elevate the work’s immersive, bleak majesty, rather than give it an aggrandizing spin.” ~ Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

“This is a superbly controlled and expressed film and its high seriousness about the nature and purpose of art really is invigorating.” Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

“The meditative experience is heightened by Wenders’s innovative use of sound: indistinct whispers flutter like bats through the cavernous spaces.” ~ Wendy Ide, Guardian

REVOLUTION ON CANVAS Q&As at the Royal

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Revolution on Canvas Q&A schedule:

THURSDAY DEC 7 • 7:00 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A hosted by Houman Sarshar & Farhang Foundation

FRI DEC 8 • 7:20 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A

SAT DEC 9 • 4:20 & 7:20 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A moderated by Marjan Safinia

Reception & Art Opening of Nicky Nodjoumi’s work to follow at ADVOCARTSY West Hollywood
434 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

MON Dec 10 • 7:20 PM

Directors Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder and protagonist Nicky Nodjoumi

in-person for Q&A moderated by Freida Lee Mock

Documentary classic THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL 20th Anniversary Release with the Filmmaker in Person for Q&As.

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An uncommon bond between man and nature is the focus of Judy Irving’s wonderful and informative documentary, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. The film follows Mark Bittner, an unemployed aging hippie, who lives off the kindness of strangers in the titular San Francisco neighborhood. His life takes on new meaning when he starts feeding a flock of wild Conures, a breed of parrot noted for its green body and cherry-red head. Native to Argentina, the birds soon feel comfortable enough to feed while perched all over Mr. Bittner. Being outcasts who yearn to remain free, a mutual respect is born between them. Daily routine soon leads to growing crowds of curious passersby, as Bittner becomes something of a local celebrity. Based on his up-close observations, Bittner gains some keen insight into the behavior of individual birds, giving them names. The resulting portraits of Connor, Mingus, Olive, Pushkin, Picasso, Sophie, and Tupelo prove that these amazing creatures deserve star credit in their own right.

Wild Parrots features some incredible close-ups, rare in-depth glimpses into the unique and often amusing habits and activities of one flock of parrots, and also a surprise ending.

 

We’re screening the film tonight at the NoHo, tomorrow at the Royal, and December 1-7 in Glendale. Irving will participate in Q&As tonight at the NoHo, tomorrow at the Royal, and after the December 2 & 3 screenings at the Glendale. Joe Lindner, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Preservation Officer, will moderate the Q&As on Nov. 29th and 30th. Screenwriter Elliott DiGuiseppi will moderate the Q&As on Dec. 2 and 3.

Irving recently wrote a piece about her film for Talkhouse. A key passage about her method:

“When I go out to shoot a place or a person or an animal, I think of it as a “rendezvous with destiny” – I do not control what will happen. The real world dictates what to shoot, how to shoot, whether I get to shoot at all. I like stories that keep unfolding in the present, not historical topics that have already closed their doors to time.”

THE GOOD GIRL (2002) Screening November 15 with the Filmmakers in Person.

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Guest Speakers: Director Miguel Arteta, Producers Carol Baum and Matthew Greenfield and Casting Director Joanna Colbert Wednesday, November 15, at 7 PM at Laemmle’s Royal Theatre.

Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series present a screening of the indie hit ‘The Good Girl‘ starring ‘Friends’ megastar Jennifer Aniston and Oscar nominees Jake Gyllenhaal and John C. Reilly. It was written by Mike White, the Emmy-winning creator of the smash hit series ‘The White Lotus,’ and directed by Miguel Arteta, who collaborated with White on ‘Chuck & Buck’ and ‘Beatriz at Dinner’ in addition to this movie.

‘Friends,’ the most successful sitcom in television history, was still going strong when Aniston demonstrated her versatility by starring as a dissatisfied store clerk in a small Texas town. She is unhappily married to Reilly when she begins a dangerous affair with a younger, mentally unstable coworker played by Gyllenhaal. The strong supporting cast includes a bevy of gifted performers, including Tim Blake Nelson, Zooey Deschanel, John Carroll Lynch, Deborah Rush, and White himself.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002 and later won an Independent Spirit award for best screenplay of the year. Critics appreciated Aniston’s determination to branch out and tackle a more complex role. As Ella Taylor wrote in L.A. Weekly, “it is especially gratifying to see her playing a woman who’s had it up to here with making nice and making do.” Roger Ebert praised the movie as “an independent film of satiric fire and emotional turmoil.” Writing in the Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington called the film “a dark comedy about false dreams and lost illusions—and, thanks to a fine cast and a smart script, it’s an effective one.” The Village Voice’s J. Hoberman acclaimed “a droll, well-acted character-driven comedy with unexpected deposits of feeling.”

Miguel Arteta’s other films include ‘Star Maps,’ ‘Youth in Revolt,’ ‘Duck Butter,’ and ‘Cedar Rapids.’ He has also directed for some of the most acclaimed TV series of recent years, including ‘Freaks and Geeks,’ ‘Six Feet Under,’ ‘American Horror Story,’ ‘Succession,’ and Aniston’s current hit, ‘The Morning Show.’

Matthew Greenfield produced Arteta’s films ‘Star Maps,’ ‘Chuck & Buck,’ and ‘The Good Girl.’ He is currently president of Searchlight Pictures, the company that has produced Oscar-winning hits ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ ’12 Years a Slave,’ ‘The Shape of Water,’ and ‘Nomadland.’

Joanna Colbert has cast over 50 films and was head of casting at Universal Pictures. She produced the HBO documentary ‘Casting By,’ which called attention to the frequently underestimated but crucial role that casting directors play in creating successful movies.

Carol Baum has produced 34 movies, including ‘Father of the Bride’ with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, ‘I.Q.’ with Walter Matthau and Meg Ryan, ‘Dead Ringers’ with Jeremy Irons and Genevieve Bujold, ‘Jacknife’ with Robert De Niro and Ed Harris, ‘Straight Talk’ with Dolly Parton, Noah Baumbach’s directorial debut, ‘Kicking and Screaming,’ and the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt.’ She will be discussing, selling and signing her new book, ‘Creative Producing: A Pitch-to-Picture Guide to Movie Development,’ written with her husband, screenwriter Tom Baum. The book offers practical tips into all the stages of movie production, along with candid anecdotes about her many movies and the stars and filmmakers she encountered. Mike White called Baum “one of the most astute, wise, kind, funny, and indefatigable producers in our business.”

HAYSEED Q&A schedule.

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11/7 – Laemmle Royal: Please join the filmmakers and cast members for a special Q&A after the screening! Moderated by Billy Raftery. Featuring: Jack Falahee, Caitlin Carver and Writer/Director Travis Burgess.
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11/8 Laemmle NoHo: Please join the filmmakers and cast members for a special Q&A after the screening! Moderated by Liz Manashil, Featuring: Kathryn Morris, Mart Piekarz, and Writer/Director Travis Burgess.
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As recipients of the SAG interim agreement, promotion for Hayseed has been approved by SAG.

HOUSE CALLS 45th Anniversary Screening Wednesday, November 8 at Laemmle’s Royal Theatre with Actor Richard Benjamin in Person!

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Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series pay tribute to the late, great Glenda Jackson with a screening of one of her most successful movies, ‘House Calls‘ from 1978. Over the course of her long acting career, before she chose to segue to politics as a member of the British Parliament, Jackson triumphed in many different genres. She won two Oscars—one for the dramatic adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Women in Love’ (1970) and a second for the romantic comedy ‘A Touch of Class (1973).’ She also earned Oscar nominations for the groundbreaking 1971 drama ‘Sunday, Bloody Sunday’ and for the 1975 film ‘Hedda,’ adapted from Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, ‘Hedda Gabler,’ a role that Jackson had also played on stage. Other outstanding performances include ‘The Music Lovers,’ ‘Stevie,’ ‘The Romantic Englishwoman,’ ‘Nasty Habits,’ and ‘The Rainbow.’

‘House Calls‘ teamed her with fellow Oscar winners Walter Matthau and Art Carney, along with our special guest at this screening, Richard Benjamin. Matthau plays a doctor at a poorly run urban hospital who is still grieving the death of his wife as he explores the dating world with fairly disastrous results. When he meets Jackson, a patient at the hospital, he begins to form a more meaningful connection. Carney plays the increasingly senile chief of staff at the hospital, whose ineptitude contributes to the pressures on the entire beleaguered staff. Benjamin plays a fellow doctor who tries to aid Matthau with his professional and romantic challenges.

Howard Zieff (‘Hearts of the West,’ ‘Private Benjamin’) directed the script by Alan Mandel and Charles Shyer, from a story written by veterans Julius J. Epstein and Max Shulman. Candice Azzara co-stars as a widow who also has her eye on Matthau. Multiple Oscar winner Henry Mancini composed the score.

Leonard Maltin called ‘House Calls‘ a “laughing-out-loud contemporary comedy” and added, “Carney is hilarious as the addle-brained head of surgery at Matthau’s hospital.” The movie was successful enough to spawn a TV series that ran for three seasons on CBS. And Matthau and Jackson re-teamed for the comedy adventure film, ‘Hopscotch,’ in 1980.

Richard Benjamin has been one of the most frequent and generous supporters of our Anniversary Classics Series over the last several years. He joined us to reminisce about ‘The Sunshine Boys,’ ‘Goodbye, Columbus,’ ‘The Last of Sheila,’ and his highly acclaimed directorial debut, ‘My Favorite Year.’ His other films as an actor include ‘Diary of a Mad Housewife,’ ‘Westworld,’ ‘Catch-22,’ ‘Love at First Bite,’ and ‘How to Beat the High Cost of Living.’ He also directed ‘Racing with the Moon’ (starring Sean Penn, Elizabeth McGovern, and Nicolas Cage), ‘The Money Pit’ with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long, ‘Mermaids’ with Cher and Winona Ryder, and ‘Little Nikita’ with Sidney Poitier and River Phoenix. Mr. Benjamin will join us for a Q&A before the screening on November 8.