More on the Wild Bunch

Bob Cumbow has written an informative and personal reflection on THE WILD BUNCH over at Parallax View.

Read it all here.

Joe Swanberg’s One Shot

On the eve of the SXSW premiere of Joe Swanberg‘s latest film ALEXANDER THE LAST, we thought it would be a good time to roll out Swanberg’s one shot film, shot while he was attending our Local Sightings Film Festival as a juror. Local cinematographer extraordinaire Ben Kasulke (HUMPDAY, NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF LITTLE DIZZLE) does the honors on camera. And that’s Lynn Shelton (HUMPDAY) on sign language in the background.

View our previous one-shots by Andrew Bujalski and Aaron Katz here. Buy Todd Rohal’s THE GUATEMALAN HANDHAKE 2 disc special DVD to see another starring Linas Phillips and a chicken named Star Wars.

Vincent Canby: “Paint Your Wagon” amiable and cool

Read on:

Original 1969 WILD BUNCH review

Unfortunately, this one got a little cut off, but you can read the bulk of the original review by downloading this PDF.

Here’s a clipping:

Film Society Staff Continues To Shrink

Yesterday associate director of programming at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and editor-at-large at Film Comment Kent Jones parted ways with the organization that is often heralded as among the nation’s preeminent film arts organization. Unlike several of his colleagues who lost their jobs last month when the economy lead the Film Society to cut its staff by nearly 25%. Jones intends to continue working on his own filmmaking career. His departure marks the end to his 10 year tenure with the Film Society.

In better times I might suggest that Kent’s departure opens the possibility for the Film Society to infuse itself with fresh blood, a new perspective.  Unfortunately  we all know the economy isn’t looking so well and the Film Society has already laid off 25% of its staff. Instead New Yorkers might view this as a loss and depending on Kent’s future relationship to Film Comment, the nation might also follow suit. That’s one perspective.

I offer another. Consider it a call to arms. Kent’s departure is just another reminder of the tenuousness of the film exhibition community. If you’re one of the many who support the kinds of programs and films that Kent championed, very much akin to the kinds of films that Northwest Film Forum champions, well then bolster your support. Whether that means going out to the cinema more, making donations, or signing up for memberships, remind yourself that like the Newspaper industry we’re only around as long as you, the film goer, appreciate and support what we do.