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SACRED HOUSES: STELLA, DUBLIN, IRELAND
In this edition of the “Sacred Houses Series,” we pay homage to Stella Cinema in Dublin, Ireland, as we continue to honor notable movie theaters worldwide. The Stella Cinema opened its doors on January 29, 1923, located on Rathmines Road Lower in Dublin 6. At its opening, it could seat approximately 1,283 patrons, making it…
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LÁSKY JEDNÉ PLAVOLÁSKY aka LOVES OF A BLONDE
“Lásky jedné plavovlásky” aka “Loves of a Blonde” is a 1965 Czechoslovak romantic comedy-drama directed by Miloš Forman, co-written with Jaroslav Papoušek and Václav Šašek. The film stars Hana Brejchová, Vladimír Pucholt, Vladimír Menšík, and Míla Myslíková. It is a bittersweet, sharply observed portrait of youthful longing and disillusionment, emblematic of the Czechoslovak New Wave…
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DIE SPALTE aka MAKING OF A PROSTITUTE (NSFW)
“Die Spalte,” also known as “Making of a Prostitute,” is a film from 1971, written by Gustav Ehmck and Christian Rolf, and directed by Ehmck himself. This film is a notable example of the German New Wave, a movement known for portraying raw and controversial subjects, and “Die Spalte” certainly exemplifies this genre. The film…
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TWENTYNINE PALMS (NSFW)
“Twentynine Palms” is a 2003 psychological drama written and directed by Bruno Dumont, known for his austere, contemplative approach to filmmaking. Set against the stark beauty of the Southern California desert, the film follows an American photographer and his Russian girlfriend as their passionate yet tumultuous relationship spirals into alienation, violence, and despair. With minimal…
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KILL BILL: VOL. 2
“Kill Bill: Vol. 2” is a 2004 film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It serves as both a continuation and conclusion of “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” (2003). While the first volume is characterized by hyper-stylized martial arts and intense vengeance, Vol. 2 shifts focus to a more character-driven and emotional narrative. Rather than emphasizing…
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MASCULIN FÉMININ
“Masculin Féminin,” directed in 1966 by Jean-Luc Godard, is a seminal work of the French New Wave—a playful yet probing exploration of youth, politics, pop culture, and sexual relationships in 1960s Paris. Subtitled “15 faits précis” (“15 precise facts”), the film unfolds as a loose mosaic of vignettes rather than a conventional narrative, capturing the…
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AMERICAN GRAFFITI
“American Graffiti” is a 1973 film directed and co-written by George Lucas, along with Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck. This nostalgic coming-of-age story is set in Modesto, California, in the summer of 1962. It follows a group of teenagers over a single night, filled with cruising, parties, and personal reflection, as they prepare to transition…
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FITZCARRALDO
Werner Herzog’s 1982 film “Fitzcarraldo” tells an epic story of obsession, ambition, and the struggle between man and nature, set in the lush jungles of the Peruvian Amazon at the turn of the 20th century. The narrative follows Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, known as Fitzcarraldo (played by Klaus Kinski), an Irishman residing in South America who…
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THE GRADUATE
“The Graduate” is a 1967 comedy-drama that vividly portrays the feelings of alienation, confusion, and quiet rebellion experienced by postwar American youth. Directed by Mike Nichols, the film follows Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who becomes involved in a love affair with an older married woman, only to eventually fall in love…
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THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE
“The Killing of a Chinese Bookie” is a 1976 character-driven neo-noir film directed by John Cassavetes, who is known for his focus on improvisational realism and deep psychological themes. The story follows Cosmo Vitelli (played by Ben Gazzara), the suave yet weary owner of the “Crazy Horse West,” a small, seedy strip club in Los…
