"Classic" films in cinemas

johnny_ultimate

I know there is a similiar thread on the Cineworld screenings, but the choice of films really makes me slightly irritated that there isn't a cinema that specialises in classic films.

And I don't mean showings of relatively recent pop culture films like Pulp Fiction or Jurassic Park, although there is certainly a place for seeing childhood favourites on the big screen (e.g. the recent Goonies showing in IMC). It just seems to be irritating that films which are truly meant to be savoured on the big screen - the Kurosawas or Kubricks, for example - aren't being shown in their original format. And simply upscaling the DVD isn't a solution either - it would be terrific to get original or restored prints of these films: even with scratches, it makes the experience seem more authentic.

Even though home cinema systems are improving, no matter how big the screen or projecter in your living room is, it never beats the cinema experience. But sadly the IFI is the only place that seems to make any sort of effort to put the odd film on: the current showings of the Conformist is a good example. However, even there classic showings are often relegated to useless hours during the day for a one off screening. The Cineworld films are a step in the right direction, but more than once a month, and with a less 'safe' selection of films would be preferrable.

It really seems a shame that an old school cinema doesn't exist anywhere around the place, as I can only imagine there are younger generations who still want to see foreign, independent, arthouse and Hollywood classics on a big screen rather than the reluctant compromise of DVD? Many directors often preach about how they discovered their love of cinema through matinees of classics in their local theatres, and to me it just seems a shame that we are missing out on that experience.

Galvasean

Pff, IFI, last time I had a gander at their 'classic' screening it was Zardoz. :rolleyes:

johnny_ultimate

Galvasean wrote: »

Pff, IFI, last time I had a gander at their 'classic' screening it was Zardoz. :rolleyes:

A classic in its own right

Rhyme

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

A classic in its own right

I'll never look at Sean Connery in the same way again.

ztoical

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Many directors often preach about how they discovered their love of cinema through matinees of classics in their local theatres, and to me it just seems a shame that we are missing out on that experience.

While I agree theres nothing like seeing really classic films on the big screen there is the reality of living in a small country with a small demand for such a thing.

Alot of those directors you mention would be american or at least american based and even then you need to be living in a major city like New York or LA - live even a little bit out of the way and you'd be lucky to see major films let alone classic screenings. There's one theatre in new york, Sunshine down near Soho, that have a regular "classic section" Midnight every friday and saturday but the other small indie cinemas in the city only show classic films very randomly.

The main place to see classic films in new york isn't actually via the local cineams at all but at MOMA - the museum of modern art has a long tradition for showing classic films [Luis Buñuel use to work at the Museum] They show all the oscar nominated short films and animated short films each year and own original prints of Citizen Kane and Vertigo. Maybe rather then looking at the cinemas we should annoy the irish museum of modern art to start holding regular film screenings.

Futurism

When was Jurassic Park shown?

Galvasean

Futurism wrote: »

When was Jurassic Park shown?

It wasn't (AFAIK), but it seems to be the one that gets the most nods in the Cineworld thread.

Futurism

Galvasean wrote: »

It wasn't (AFAIK), but it seems to be the one that gets the most nods in the Cineworld thread.

Great,it's yet to be shown.I'd love to see it.:D