Race Brook Lodge presents ‘Mr. Toad’s Friday Night Movies: Sultry Sorrows of Paolo Sorrentino’
Sheffield— On Friday, January 12th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., The Race Brook Lodge presents “Mr. Toad’s Friday Night Movies: Sultry Sorrows of Paolo Sorrentino,” featuring two films by the acclaimed contemporary Italian auteur, Paolo Sorrentino, “The Consequences of Love” (2004) and “This Must Be The Place” (2011).
Sorrentino is renowned for his visual opulence, profound thematic exploration, and a unique narrative approach to filmmaking. Rich, surreal, striking, and laden with symbolism, he also has a scorching sense of humor. His storytelling often eschews traditional narrative structures, opting instead for a more fluid and non-linear approach. Sorrentino explores complex themes such as the nature of power, the fragility of human relationships, and the search for meaning in a modern world. He delves into the psyche of his characters, creating deeply nuanced and often flawed individuals. He is known for elaborate graceful camera moves that sometimes defy spatial comprehension.
The first film of the evening will be the 2004 psychological thriller, “The Consequences of Love” (Le Conseguenze dell’Amore) starring Toni Servillo. Servillo would later go on to collaborate with Sorentino on numerous celebrated films. In “The Consequences of Love,” Servillo plays a mysterious hotel resident who falls in love with a bartender – throughout their affair his shocking past is revealed. It is poetic, creepy, humane, and heartbreaking.
The second film of the evening will be the English language film, “This Must Be the Place” from 2011 starring Sean Penn and Frances McDormand. The film deals with a middle-aged wealthy rock star (based on the Cure’s Robert Smith) who becomes bored in his retirement and takes on the quest of finding his father’s tormentor, a Nazi war criminal who is a refugee in the United States. Blending the tragic with the hilarious, and the personal with the historical, this film defies our attempts at categorization.
The event is on Friday, January 12th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Clark Art Institute hosts “New Restorations,” a new film series
Williamstown— Starting today, January 11th (re-scheduled from January 18th) The Clark Art Institute hosts a new film series, “New Restorations,” throughout January and February, featuring a rich group of classic films that have been recently restored to provide an exceptional viewing experience.
On January 11th, (rescheduled from 18) The Clark is showing “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1923) directed by Wallace Worsley. Quasimodo, the inarticulate, deformed bellringer of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, sacrifices his life to save Esmeralda, the girl who befriended him, from his evil master Jehan. This is the film that made Lon Chaney a legend and paved the way for Universal’s enduring legacy of golden-age gothic horror.
On January 25th, The Clark is showing “All That Money Can Buy aka The Devil and Daniel Webster” (1941) directed by William Dieterle. In this Faustian gothic fantasy down-on-his-luck 1840s farmer Jabez Stone (James Craig) makes a deal with the devilish Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston). It brings him a fortune but leads to his life—and his moral center—unraveling. In the meantime, the lauded orator Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) is wooed by Mr. Scratch to sell his soul in exchange for the presidency.
On February 1st, The Clark is showing “Force of Evil” (1949) directed by Abraham Polonsky. Unscrupulous lawyer Joe Morse (John Garfield) consolidates a numbers racket and partners with ruthless gangster Ben Tucker (Roy Roberts). As a fitting backdrop for this noir tale of moral corruption, the production team looked to the stark New York paintings of Edward Hopper.
On February 8th, The Clark is showing “The Bus” (1965) directed by Haskell Wexler. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in the Summer of 1963 was a defining moment of the civil rights movement representing one of the largest human rights rallies ever recorded in the United States. This documentary brings a sociological sample of March participants into sharp focus.
On February 15th, The Clark is showing “Drylongso” (1998) directed by Cauleen Smith. An incisive look at racial injustice is embedded within this lovingly handmade buddy movie/murder mystery/romance. Alarmed by the way young Black men around her are dying, brash art student Pica (Toby Smith) attempts to preserve their existence in Polaroid snapshots. Along the way she befriends a woman in an abusive relationship (April Barnett) and experiences love, heartbreak, and the everyday threat of violence in nineties Oakland, California.
The free screenings are on January 11th and 25th and February 1st, 8th, and 15th. All films are free and screened at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Manton Research Center at The Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. Admission to the Clark is free through March. More information can be found online.
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The Triplex Cinema celebrates Daniel Klein in “I Like It Here” documentary.
Great Barrington— Well-known local writer Daniel Klein is one of the people included in filmmaker Ralph Arlyck’s documentary, “I Like It Here” being shown at the Triplex Cinema today, Thursday, January 11th at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A with Arlyk and Klein.
Arlyck’s film “I Like it Here” is a poetic meditation on getting older, the passing of time, and having no regrets. Arlyck says, “The title of the film can be taken two ways; It’s saying, ‘Hey, I like life’ and it’s also saying, ‘I like where I’m at’.”
Arlyck has produced and directed more than a dozen prize-winning, independent films, which have appeared on PBS, the BBC, and have played festivals worldwide, including Sundance, New York, London, and Rotterdam. His documentary feature, “Following Sean,” played theatrically across the United States and on PBS.
Klein, a Great Barrington resident, is the author with Thomas Cathcart of the international bestseller, “Plato and Platypus Walk into a Bar” and “Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates.” He is the author or coauthor of thirty other books including “The Half Jewish Book,” the Elvis Presley mystery series (“Kill Me Tender”, “Blue Suede Clues”), and the award-winning novel, “The History of Now.”
Known for his keen sense of humor, Klein’s book, “Travels with Epicurus” is currently under consideration to be optioned as a film by Rita Wilson. Klein says, if optioned, Wilson’s husband Tom Hanks might be playing him, which he finds very amusing.
The screening is today, January 11th at 6:30 p.m. at the Triplex Cinema on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. The Q&A will be followed by refreshments in the lobby for folks to pay tribute to Klein and his literary contribution to the community. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents a showing of ‘Funny Girl’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, January 13th at 7 p.m., Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents a showing of ‘Funny Girl’ (1968 | G | 2h | 35min.)
Barbra Streisand plays Fanny Brice, comedian and entertainer in the early 1900s, in William Wyler’s biographical musical comedy-drama from 1968. The film follows Brice’s life and career before and after the first World War.
The showing is on Saturday, January 13th at 7 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $8 and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Card To Culture is accepted. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Crandell Theatre presents ‘Crandell Kid Flicks: The Secret Life of Pets’
Chatham— On Saturday, January 13th at 1 p.m., The Crandell Theatre presents “Crandell Kid Flicks: The Secret Life of Pets” (2016 | PG | 87 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy.)
A spoiled terrier’s life gets turned upside down after his owner adopts a second dog, and an encounter lands them both in a truck that’s bound for the pound. Featuring the voice talents of Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, and Eric Stonestreet, this delightful animated comedy is directed by “The Lorax” and “Despicable Me” franchise director Chris Renaud.
For a chance to see your pet on the big screen, send a picture or video plus a few lines about them to: mail@crandelltheatre.org. Write “Pets” in the subject line.
The showing is on Saturday, January 13th at 1 p.m. at The Crandell Theatre on Main Street in Chatham. Tickets are $5. There will be a pet food and toy collection for Columbia/Greene Humane Society (CGHS) at this event. Tickets and more information can be found online.
