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LOST IN TRANSLATION
“Lost in Translation” is a 2003 comedy-drama written and directed by Sofia Coppola. Set in the vibrant, neon-lit metropolis of Tokyo, the film tells a thoughtful, emotionally resonant story about two lonely Americans who unexpectedly form a bond as they navigate cultural dislocation and personal uncertainty. Bob Harris, played by Bill Murray, is a fading…
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LES FEMMES aka THE WOMEN
“Les Femmes,” or “The Women,” was released in the U.S. as “The Vixen.” This 1969 French-Italian comedy-drama was directed by Jean Aurel, a notable filmmaker of the 1960s. Aurel often explored the relationships between men and women with a light, ironic touch characteristic of the late Nouvelle Vague style of French cinema. The film stars…
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THE GOONIES
“The Goonies” is a beloved adventure-comedy film released in 1985. It was directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, who also provided the story. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus, known for his work on “Home Alone” and the “Harry Potter” series. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Sean Astin,…
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THE HARDER THEY FALL
“The Harder They Fall” is a 2021 Western film written and directed by British filmmaker and musician Jeymes Samuel, also known as The Bullitts, and produced in part by Jay-Z. The film features a predominantly Black cast portraying fictionalized versions of real historical Black figures from the American West, including outlaws, lawmen, and others. It…
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SACRED HOUSES: THE PARAMOUNT THEATER, OAKLAND, CA
In this edition of the “Sacred Houses Series,” we pay homage to The Paramount Theater in Oakland, California, as we continue to honor notable movie theaters worldwide. The Paramount Theatre is a premier example of Art Deco architecture in the United States and a centerpiece of Oakland’s cultural scene. A National Historic Landmark since 1931,…
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LA CHINOISE
“La Chinoise” is a radical political film directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1967, during one of the most turbulent and intellectually vibrant periods of his career. Filmed in the summer of 1967—almost a year before the May 1968 student uprisings that would shake France—the movie is strikingly prophetic. It captures the mood, rhetoric, and internal…
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THE FLAMINGO KID
“The Flamingo Kid” (1984) is a coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Garry Marshall, set in New York during the summer of 1963. The film follows a working-class teenager from Brooklyn who gets a job at an exclusive beach club on Long Island. There, he is captivated by the glamour and easy confidence of a wealthy car…
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THE DEATH OF STALIN
“The Death of Stalin” is a 2017 black political satire directed by Armando Iannucci, based on the French graphic novel by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin. The film portrays the chaotic power struggle that ensued among Soviet leaders immediately after Joseph Stalin’s death in March 1953. Despite its dark subject matter, the film is presented…
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COFFEE & CIGARETTES
“Coffee & Cigarettes” is a 2003 anthology film directed by Jim Jarmusch, consisting of eleven short vignettes filmed in black-and-white. The film is united by a common theme: people sitting at tables, drinking coffee, and smoking cigarettes. It was created over nearly two decades, with some segments originally produced as short films for television in…
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DER AMERIKANISCHE FREUND aka THE AMERICAN FRIEND
“Der amerikanische Freund” aka “The American Friend” is a 1977 neo-noir crime drama directed by Wim Wenders. It is loosely adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novels “Ripley’s Game” and “Ripley Under Ground.” The film combines elements of existential drama and suspense, exploring themes of friendship, moral compromise, and the quiet desperation of ordinary lives. The story…
