Category Archives: History

Charles Crichton’s Classic Caper Comedy THE LAVENDER HILL MOB New 4K Restoration

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THE-LAVENDER-HILL-MOBCharles Crichton’s THE LAVENDER HILL MOB (1951), a classic heist comedy starring Alec Guinness, will run in a new 4K restoration at Film Forum from Friday, May 10 through Thursday, May 16.

“It’s a good job we’re both honest men,” remarks seedy Cockney knickknack manufacturer and hustler Stanley Holloway (13 years later, My Fair Lady’s Alfred Doolittle) as he gets the gist of fastidious bank clerk Guinness’ scheme: to smuggle Bank of England gold bullion out of the country by melting them down into seemingly tacky Eiffel Tower souvenirs.

One of the highlights of the golden years of British comedies from Britain’s famed Ealing Studios, THE LAVENDER HILL MOB was an international smash hit that won screenwriter T.E.B. Clarke an Oscar for Best Writing and a Best Actor nomination for Guinness, as well as a BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Its dénouement atop the real (filmed on location) Eiffel Tower features the most dizzying comedy chase ever.
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Oscar Micheaux and the Birth of Black Independent Cinema 15-Film Festival Opens May 3 at Film Forum

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Oscar-Micheaux-and-the-Birth-of-Black-Independent-CinemaOscar Micheaux and the Birth of Black Independent Cinema, an 18-film festival, including 7 new restorations, of work by the prolific independent director whose pioneering explorations of contemporary Black life paved the way for generations, will run at Film Forum from Friday, May 3 through Thursday, May 9.

Operating on shoestring budgets, Oscar Micheaux (1884-1951) directed and produced more than 40 films between 1919 and 1948, shifting from silent to talkies, and depicting such complex and taboo subjects as religious hypocrisy, interracial marriage, police violence, and lynching, often with all-Black casts and producers. His work explored the Black experience with nuance and depth, often challenging the negative stereotypes so commonly portrayed in films of the era. Micheaux’s films were the first made by a Black filmmaker to be shown in white cinemas, and they were often hugely successful, with Micheaux working directly with theater owners to finance, distribute, and market them.
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New Trailer for HBO’s “The Sympathizer” Released

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The-SympathizerFresh off the Supporting Actor win at the Oscars, Robert Downey Jr. star in the upcoming HBO series The Sympathizer alongside Hoa Xuande.

Set in 1975 and revolves around the Vietnam War and a Vietnamese spy Captain (played by Xuande), a North Vietnamese spy spying in South Vietnam. Also in the miniseries are Sandra Oh, Toan Le, and Fred Nguyen.

Here’s the official synopsis for “The Sympathizer:

Near the end of the Vietnam War, a plant who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community, where he continues to secretly spy and report back to the Viet Cong.

“The Sympathizer” is set to premiere April 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. See the trailer below.

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An Explosive Look at “3 Days In Malay” Starring Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson

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“3 Days In Malay” tells the story of a small group who must defend an airfield for three days against the Japanese assault during the fight for Malay in World War II.

The film stars Quinton Rampage Jackson, Louis Mandylor, and Donald Cerrone.

The world war 2 action war film is directed by Louis Mandylor and from the screenplay by Brandon Slagle and producer Damon Hillin.

The film is from Altitude Film Entertainment Ltd.

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Trailer For Eva Langoria Directerd Film “Flamin’ Hot” Released

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Eva-Langoria-Flamin-HotThe film is the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) who as a Frito Lay janitor disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican American heritage to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.

The biographical comedy-drama film is directed by Eva Longoria, and stars Sons of Anarchy’s Jesse Garcia as Montañez while Annie Gonzalez is playing his wife, Judy.

Also in the film are Emilio Rivera, Dennis Haysbert, Pepe Serna, Tony Shalhoub, and TikTok star Brice Gonzalez.

“Flamin’ Hot” premiered this year at the South By Southwest, and is set for release by by Hulu and Disney+ on June 9, 2023

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