FILM APPRECIATION – CONTEMPLATING LIFE SERIES
FILM APPRECIATION – CONTEMPLATING LIFE SERIES
FILM APPRECIATION – CONTEMPLATING LIFE SERIES
April 26 – Lost Horizon (Released 3/2/1937) directed by Frank Capra, 132 minutes. Five fugitives from a Chinese revolution discover a secluded world of peace and harmony in the Tibetan Himalayas: the mythical world of Shangri-La. Ronald Coleman stars as Robert Conway who find happiness and contentment where the refugees contemplate what’s really important in life.
May 3 – The Razor’s Edge (Released 11/19/1946) directed by Edmond Goulding, 146 minutes. Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney star in this popular film based on the popular novel from W. Somerset Maugham and was nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture. We follow Larry Darrell who, after a traumatic war experience, rejects conventional life and searches for more meaningful experiences.
May 10 – My Dinner with Andre (Released 10/11/1981) directed by Louis Malle, 110 minutes.  Actor/playwright Wallace Shawn has dinner with theatre director Andre Gregory at the Cafe des Artistes in NYC and catch up after five years. There is perhaps no other movie that divides an audience more than this; one of the most loved AND hated films of all time. Come back with us to a time when conversations didn’t involve checking your email every five minutes.
May 17 – The Shawshank Redemption (Released 10/14/1994) directed by Frank Darabont, 144 minutes. Andy Dufresne serves 19 years at Shawshank, but avoids becoming institutionalized. This is an audience favorite that most people have probably already seen, but it fits in with our series and this is a great opportunity to study it closer to examine why it gained its reputation.
May 31 – Amelie (Released 2/08/2002) directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 122 minutes. A beautiful Parisienne waitress with an active imagination devotes her life to making others happy and bringing people joy. The winner of numerous international awards, this uplifting film was a worldwide smash and showcased Jenuet’s versatility in comparison to his earlier darker films like Delicatessen and Alien Resurrection.
Film Appreciation is an ongoing class open to everyone with a love for movies. We examine and discuss in a relaxed atmosphere all aspects of film and filmmaking from how movies are made to each film’s unique place in movie history.
Our class is a dedicated, easy going group of film lovers who have respectful discussions. We talk about what makes a movie great and why some last for decades and others are lost in obscurity. Think of it as a book of the month club for movies.
The class is led by Luke MacCloskey an actor with a degree in Film Studies from the University of North Texas who has experience working on stage and screen all around the country. Please call him at 646-705-4807 or email him at lukedad@gmail.com if you have any questions about Film Appreciation.
