Flying high, then down to earth: dance at LAX
A highlight of “Everywhere Nowhere,” choreographer Sarah Elgart’s rich installation presented this weekend in a courtyard at Los Angeles International Airport, was the dance maker in a Hitchcockian cameo-role. Dressed as a peasant, a field laborer, in hobbled Elgart, her back bent beneath the weight of a huge thatch of wheat, a vision of pathos ...
Koehler on Cinema: Clips
Two of the year’s most interesting film series are either underway or just about to launch, and for no clear reason, the local Los Angeles arts media is ignoring both. Already underway since last weekend is LACMA’s “The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema,” a 13-film survey of the work of the great Mexican cinematographer Gabriel ...
Koehler on Cinema: Porn Yesterday
I’m told that Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s 2009 short, “Sparks,” based on Elmore Leonard’s brilliant short story of cat-and-mouse-as-dialogue, is terrific and sharply cast. Gordon-Levitt’s feature debut, “Don Jon,” (The Landmark, Laemmle NoHo 7, Laemmle Claremont 5) lacks a writer of Leonard’s mastery (because the director made the mistake of writing his own script) but confirms that ...
Koehler on Cinema: The Big Idea Movie, Robert Reich Edition
When it comes to big ideas, movies are usually a poor substitute for books. A few movies are able to put them across in new and meaningful ways; the best in the past decade are David Barison’s and Daniel Ross’ astounding essay film, “The Ister,” on the cultural and intellectual history of the Danube river, ...
George Chakiris honored @ UCLA Film & Television Archive 1
UCLA Film & Television Archive salutes the extraordinary career of actor, singer and dancer in “An Evening with George Chakiris,” an exciting screening and discussion on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Trained in Los Angeles, Chakiris first distinguished himself as a dancer in Hollywood films, displaying an athleticism and grace that helped bring renown to West Coast ...
Pasadena modern home to host Museum of California Design event
Sep
25
2013
A beautiful and much anticipated event in the design and architecture communities is Bill Stern’s annual Award Benefit event for the Museum of California Design. It’s a traveling party that’s invariably blessed with the best of autumnal afternoon weather. The event is open to the public and ticketed. It’s a cool crowd and supporting this ...
In last night’s “Emmys” dance number, gloved arms by Jack Cole 1
Sep
23
2013
In last night’s Emmy broadcast, dance maker Spencer Liff opened his “Number in the Middle of the Show,” with a filip right out of Jack Cole’s playbook: black opera-length gloved arms reaching through holes in a wall … a distinctive design element that Cole used repeatedly. Below, he uses it in “Tars & Spars” (1946) ...
3-D Wizard of Oz at the Chinese 1
Sep
22
2013
We’re pleased to re-publish this wonderful essay by guest writer, Jan-Christopher Horak, Director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive, who first wrote it for his blog at the Archive. * * * Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. is an iconic landmark of the studio era. Any day of the week you can find ...
Koehler on Cinema: Clips
A week’s run of the deliriously cataclysmic and violent “Drug War” by Johnnie To is simply not enough. But Cinefamily, bless ‘em, has it through Sept. 26. It’s easily the best of the week’s new releases—and certainly one of the year’s most essential movies. To’s incredible achievement in action mise-en-scene must be seen to be ...
‘Round and ’round with Jacaranda
Sep
21
2013
Santa Monica’s Glow, the all-night cultural experience, will include classical music with “The Rest Is Noise: A Carousel Ride Through 20th Century Music,” produced by Jacaranda, the classical music series known for rarely heard, new and modern music. The project, conceived by Jacaranda’s artistic director, Patrick Scott, will take place in the historic Santa Monica carousel building ...