Special Guests at THE DEER HUNTER Screening March 1st

Since our calendar went to print, Actor John Savage and original story co-writer Quinn Redeker have confirmed that they will be available to introduce the screening at the Egyptian on March 1st.

Sunday, March 1 – 7:30 PM

THE DEER HUNTER, 1978, Universal, 183 min. From the opening scenes of hunter Robert De Niro and friends Christopher Walken, John Savage and John Cazale stalking deer in the mist-shrouded Pennsylvania hills, to the shattering prisoner-of-war games in the Vietnam jungles, director Michael Cimino's masterwork is a sprawling, ambitious epic of men wounded by pride, country and friendship, struggling to drag each other back to a place of safety. Co-starring Meryl Streep. Winner of five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Walken). "Its feelings for time, place and blue collar people are genuine, and its vision is that of an original, major new filmmaker." -- Vincent Canby, The New York Times

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Meet Oscar Nominees

The Cinematheque's annual round table discussions with the Academy-Award Nominees for Film Editing and Art Direction are this weekend at the Egyptian. This annual event is a chance to touch Oscar greatness and its free to attend. As free as the jewels loaned out to the starlets hitting the red carpet. The only difference is, you get to take the experience of attending the seminar with you for the rest of your life, whereas Harry Winston expects to get the goods back the next morning.

Come early because the Editors Seminar does sell out AND a bake sale helmed by editor Matt Chesse (Quantum of Solace).

But, what's really charming about these seminars is that you get to hear from folks who are normally so far behind the camera... doing their creative thing deep in a world away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood that they'll tell you candidly about the making of the movie. Every year a few have traveled to LA for the Oscars from a distant land, far, far from Hollywood Boulevard... where Oscar is but a dream. Some are veterans, but many are first-timers, sharing their emotions about being a nominee.

So here is who you'll get to meet:

Achievement in Film Editing:

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• "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall

• "The Dark Knight" (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
• "Frost/Nixon" (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
• "Milk" (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
• "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Achievement in Art Direction:

• “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

And after listening to fabulous tales of creating a Duke's palace in the 1700's or cutting together the DARK KNIGHT, you get to root for these people on Oscar night -- and when one of them climbs on stage to accept the little gold men for being Best in their Craft -- you can poke the person sitting on the couch next to you to say, "I saw that editor (or art director) in person yesterday at the Egyptian Theatre!"

Details

Movie Poster Auction

Support the Cinematheque... Own a Celebrity Signed Movie Poster of Your Favorite Film!
The Cinematheque is auctioning off our collection of movie posters signed by celebrity guests at the Aero & Egyptian Theatres over the past MANY years. Funds raised will support the on-going programs of the American Cinematheque. The auction ends February 27th so don't delay. Posters are being auctioned by category week by week. Go to the e-bay auction now!

Join the Cinematheque during the OSCAR-WINNING FAVORITES Series

New Members will receive a glamorous SCHWAG BAG

It's Award Season in Hollywood and the stars are being treated to all kinds of special gifts from luxury goods companies. Want a little of that glamour in your life? Join The AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE at the DUAL level or above during the Oscar Winning Favorites series at either the Aero or Egyptian Theatres and receive a bag with glam schwag...including one of several assorted DVD's, 2 CD's, an American Cinematheque luggage tag, a bottle of vodka, a t-shirt, hair care products & more. Inquire about joining at the Egyptian and Aero Theatre box offices between February 13 and March 1 (or as long as the supply lasts). Details about joining the Cinematheque.

KPCC Oscar Preview to Air Friday, February 20 at 11 AM

If you were at the Egyptian last Sunday to hear the KPCC FilmWeek Film Critics discuss their Oscar picks, predictions and omissions live onstage, you'll want to tune in to see if your chuckle or cough made it on-air for the broadcast. And if you missed the taping all together, then you will definitely want to tune in to hear why Andy Klein feels IN BRUGES has everything going for it and why Henry Sheehan feels its nothing more than derivative of countless other films!

One thing you want get to experience via the radio broadcast, if you weren't there in person, is the groovy set for the show, complete with white furry couches. Well, there is always next year. You also get to interact with the critics and give your Oscar opinions. Tune in Friday, February 20 at 11 AM and then let us know what you think!

Photos: (top left) Jean Oppenheimer. (top right) FilmWeek & AirTalk host Larry Mantle. (L-R) Critics Claudia Puig, Wade Major and Lael Lowenstein

Taste A Cheremoya - Take A Valentines Day Tour

Valentines Day Tours of the Egyptian Theatre on Feb. 14 at 10:30 AM
Taste a Cheremoya! A popular fruit crop of the early 20th Century!
The Cinematheque's monthly behind-the-scenes tours of the Egyptian Theatre take a romantic bent on Saturday, February 14th (Valentines Day) with a special emphasis on Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, some chocolate and an opportunity to taste a Cheremoya fruit (also known as a custard apple) which was a popular crop in the Hollywood area in the early 20th century. Cheremoya Street and School are named for this unusual fruit that came to North America from Spain via Mexico. Our Cheremoyas are from the Hollywood Farmers Market and were picked fresh in 2009 (these are not actual vintage fruits). The Cheremoya never gained the popularity of say, the Pineapple (which was also grown in the Hollywood area when this was an agrarian community). I'll be anxious to hear what people think of the Cheremoya. I am ripening them now in anticipation of Saturday's tours. Hey, this might be our first notice about a fruit, not a film! Join us for a tour and cheremoya tasting! Tour Details.

Your Guide to Street Closures in Hollywood

The Hollywood Business Improvement District (BID) does its best to ensure that your visit to Hollywood is as hassle free as possible (it is the hub of LA nightlife and premieres afterall!), so they have created a website and e-mail alert service to inform you of street closures that might effect your visit. If you want to know what streets to avoid enroute the Egyptian Theatre, check out this website: www.navigatehollywood.com

The American Cinematheque Finally Has a Blog!

Many things are abundant in the world of the American Cinematheque. We have over 1000 seats in the Aero and Egyptian Theatres combined, we start the month with 1000's of printed film schedules, we have a fair share of sprocket holes and ticket stubs, there is no shortage of popcorn around our theatres, we always have a ton of paper clips lying around the office, and of course, there is a steady stream of critically acclaimed, often rare and unusual movies flickering across our screens.

The two things we are always short on are time and staff. Fortunately, through the wonders of the digital age, we are able to use computers as additional staff members and great volunteers to type on them. And voila, between staff and the good graces of some of our fine unpaid staffers, the Cinematheque at long last, has a blog!

This week Mexican Wrestling comes to the Egyptian Theatre with Champions of Mexican Wrestling on February 5th.

And at the Aero, check out the films the country was watching during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Movie tickets may not be 15 cents anymore, but the spirit of what Roosevelt said, remains the same.

"During the Depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that for just 15 cents an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles."

-President Franklin Roosevelt