All Quiet on the Western FrontThink Oliver Stone and all those commie-lovin’ hippie filmmakers of the ’70s and ’80s were the first to make anti-war movies? Think again. This 1930 classic, set during the first World War, is about a German kid who soon figures out that war is indeed hell. So why should you see it again? Because the version the Cinematheque is showing this week is a newly discovered European silent print. It’s longer than the film you’re used to, but no less poignant. That final scene still resonates. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29. — Michael GallucciGladiatorRussell Crowe unleashes hell on a bunch of sword-wielding Romans in Ridley Scott’s awesome 2000 Oscar-hogger. Crowe’s weapons of choice: blades, lances, and telephones! Cleveland Museum of Art Morley Lecture Hall. At 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 28.
Le Donk & Scor-zay-zeeShane Meadows (who wrote and directed the terrific This Is England) returns with another slice-of-British-life comedy-drama. This one’s about a roadie and his rapping friend. Yeah boyyy!!! Cleveland Museum of Art Morley Lecture Hall. At 7 p.m. Friday, July 30.
The Red ShoesMichael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s luscious 1948 dance movie gets one of those fancy-ass restorations … and it looks even more splendid. It’s a classic fantasy about a ballerina and her totally awesome shoes. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 9:15 p.m. Friday, July 30, and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31.Horse FeathersThe Cinematheque’s Marx Brothers celebration continues with another animal-titled movie from the ’30s. In this one, they … aw, does it really matter? It’s the Marx Brothers! Harpo will play the harp, Chico will do something funny, and Groucho will be a smartass. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29, and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31.
Spring FeverNaked Chinese people alert! A private investigator, hot on the case of somebody doing somebody else wrong, gets involved in a steamy gay-straight love triangle. Yowza! Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 7 p.m. Friday, July 30, and 9:35 p.m. Saturday, July 31.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 3, 2010.
