-
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a 1975 musical, comedy, and horror film written by Richard O’Brien and directed by Jim Sharman, who also co-wrote it. The film, based on O’Brien’s 1973 stage play of the same name, has become a cultural phenomenon despite initially being a box office flop upon its release. The film…
-
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: THE FABULOUS STAINS
“Ladies and Gentlemen: The Fabulous Stains” is a 1982 (although filmed in 1980) Musical drama and coming-of-age punk rock drama directed by Lou Adler, set against the gritty backdrop of the early 1980s punk scene. “Ladies and Gentlemen: The Fabulous Stains” tells the story of Corinne Burns (played by Diane Lane), a disaffected teenager from…
-
THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER
“The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” is a 1968 drama directed by Robert Ellis Miller; the film is a touching, melancholic character study about isolation, empathy, and the human need for connection. Set in a small Southern town during the 1930s, the film centers on John Singer, a deaf and mute man who becomes an…
-
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
“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,” 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” 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” 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
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” (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…
The Other Cinema 