Beacons Of Light - New York Illuminated

Before dark when the sun is on its way down is commonly known as the "magic hour." This might be because of the feeling that comes with nightfall. This time of the day is also known as the "children's hour." It is the last hour young kids are awake and for older children, it is the last hour of play before they are called home by their mothers. In New York this hour of day/night holds a different meaning. Here the lights come on and take over the night. This short film takes us into this ritual of light in the coming darkness with over 80 illuminated locations within the five boroughs. During the 20 minutes as we loose the sun Miss Dominic had her camera ready to capture this "magic." Different here in NYC then anywhere else on earth.
Beacons Of Light - New York Illuminated
http://www.beaconsoflightthefilm.com/

Fat City (1972) Film Forum

This gritty boxing movie from the early 70's is in its second week at the Film Forum. Based on a novel by the same name this is a story of the down and out and the up and coming. The book and screenplay were both written by Leonard Gardner. This flick is directed by John Huston and is said to be one of his best. Filmed in and around Stockton California, one can see the economics of the time in every frame. Stacy Keach plays Tully an out of shape fighter with a drinking problem trying for a comeback. A young Jeff Bridges is the new man found by Tully and encouraged to use his talent. The scenes in the gym with the fighters and mangers are almost as exciting as the fights. Tully earning money as a field worker drinks all the time. The sleazy bars and dodgy hotel rooms are proof that he is a failure. This film has fun showing all the daytime drinkers and winos. Oma played by Susan Tyrrell is a drunk, a mean but sometimes sweet drunk. She tells it like it is and it ain't all that good. Tyrrell received an Oscar nomination for this interpretation of a man eating alcoholic. The story is not all on the surface, the background tells it own story. Roger Ebert said "this movie's edges are filled with small, perfect character performances." Movies from the 70's seem more real then most films written today. This is one not to miss playing only till Oct.1 on the big screen. If you don't get downtown to see it, rent it and watch at home, but you might be driven to have a little drink.

Henry Darger's Realms of the Unreal

When it comes to real outsiders doing outsider art this strange old man is the new "classic" example. Henry Darger lived alone in a small room in Chicago for over forty years, but in this room he crafted his own universe out of trash from the streets. This world he pieced together was it an escape from reality, or his anchor to the real world? Using several hundred drawings and watercolor paintings he tells the "Story of the Vivian Girls." This 15,000 page tale is about a long war and the Vivian Girls are a fighting force of sweet looking children. This manuscript and the art that goes with it were not made for others to see. Henry taught himself several different artistic tricks to make what he saw in his mind, but never showed this effort to anyone. Only after his death when his landlord cleaned out the room did anyone even realize that he was an artist. A great documentary was made in 2004. "The Realms of the Unreal" it shows all the hardship he went through, losing both parents and being institutionalized before his sixteenth birthday. Then getting a life long job in a church gave him a chance to take care of himself and live in his own home. Living as a recluse he spent his time stenciling, drawing, and putting together the collages that make his art so different from what was seen before. Now for a short time you can see this world for yourself on display at the American Museum of Folk Art in Midtown for under ten dollars. (till the 6th of Sept.) Try to check out the DVD of "The Realms of the Unreal" or watch it on netflix (you can stream it over you computer) before you take in this man's madness.