• THE ELEPHANT MAN

    THE ELEPHANT MAN

    “The Elephant Man” is a biographical drama released in 1980, directed by David Lynch. The film features John Hurt in the role of John Merrick, known as the “Elephant Man.” Anthony Hopkins plays Dr. Frederick Treves, while Anne Bancroft portrays Mrs. Kendal. The cast also includes John Gielgud as Mr. Carr Gomm, Wendy Hiller as…

  • SHORT FILM: WILD SUMMON

    SHORT FILM: WILD SUMMON

    “Wild Summon” is a 2023 natural history fantasy film directed by Karni (Arieli) and Saul (Freed), which reimagines the life cycle of a wild salmon through the lens of human experience. The film follows a female salmon who, upon reaching maturity, embarks on a perilous journey from the river to the open sea and back…

  • 5 BAMBOLE PER LA LUNA D’AGOSTO aka FIVE DOLLS FOR THE AUGUST MOON

    5 BAMBOLE PER LA LUNA D’AGOSTO aka FIVE DOLLS FOR THE AUGUST MOON

    “5 bambole per la luna d’agosto,” aka “Five Dolls for the August Moon,” is a 1970 surreal giallo (Italian thriller) written by Mario di Nardo, based on a story by Mario Bava, who also directed the film. The film unfolds on a secluded Mediterranean island, where a group of wealthy industrialists, their wives, and companions…

  • DANCER IN THE DARK

    DANCER IN THE DARK

    “Dancer in the Dark” is a 2000 musical drama and the final installment of Lars von Trier’s unofficial “Golden Heart Trilogy” (following Breaking the Waves and The Idiots). Set in 1960s rural America but filmed with a stark, Dogme 95–-influenced realism, the film follows a Czech immigrant named Selma, who is slowly going blind and…

  • BONNIE AND CLYDE

    BONNIE AND CLYDE

    “Bonnie and Clyde” is a 1967 landmark American crime film directed by Arthur Penn. Set during the Great Depression, the film follows the real-life story of Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty), a small-time ex-con, and Bonnie Parker ( Faye Dunaway), a restless waitress, who fall in love and embark on a violent crime spree across the…

  • SACRED HOUSES: THE ORINDA THEATRE, ORINDA, CALIFORNIA

    SACRED HOUSES: THE ORINDA THEATRE, ORINDA, CALIFORNIA

    In this edition of the “Sacred Houses Series,” we pay homage to The Orinda Theatre in Orinda, California, East of Berkley, as we continue to honor notable movie theaters worldwide. The Orinda Theatre, located in Orinda, California, is a landmark Cinema known for its rich history and distinctive Streamline Moderne architecture. The theatre opened its…

  • FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN or ANDY WARHOL’S FRANKENSTEIN (NSFW)

    FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN or ANDY WARHOL’S FRANKENSTEIN (NSFW)

    “Flesh for Frankenstein” (often referred to as Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein) is a 1973 surreal and darkly comedic horror film directed by Paul Morrissey, known for his collaborations with Andy Warhol. Although often associated with Warhol due to its branding, the film was helmed creatively and visually by Morrissey. It was initially released in 3D and…

  • IF…. (NSFW)

    IF…. (NSFW)

    “if….” is a 1968 British satirical drama directed by Lindsay Anderson and is regarded as one of the defining films of 1960s British cinema. Blending realism with surrealism, the film is a scathing critique of institutional authority, class privilege, and societal repression, set against the rigid backdrop of an English public (private) boys’ school. It…

  • FOXCATCHER

    FOXCATCHER

    “Foxcatcher” is a 2014 psychological drama and true crime biopic directed by Bennett Miller and written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman, based on the harrowing real-life events involving Olympic wrestlers Mark and David Schultz, as well as eccentric millionaire John du Pont. The film explores themes of power, manipulation, loneliness, and the toxic…

  • SCANNERS

    SCANNERS

    “Scanners” is a 1981 science fiction horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg, known for his signature blend of body horror and cerebral storytelling. The film explores the dark side of psychic power, corporate espionage, and medical experimentation through a dystopian lens. It is primarily remembered for its practical effects, particularly a now-iconic head…