The cinetrix first saw one of her all-time favorite movies, Chinatown, at the Brattle in the late 80s. I'm pretty sure I staggered out into the dusk stunned. Gobsmacked, even. In an attempt to recapture that feeling, I try to see this film whenever and wherever it's projected. But I have never seen it in, as Jake Gittes would pronounce it, "Los Angle-leez."
But Angelos can, this Thursday, November 18. And it's an Academy Gold Standard Series screening celebrating the film's 30th anniversary, so the print is reeeallly good.
In the 30 years that have passed since Chinatown was made, its reputation has only increased. And this Academy screening will present a stunning new 35mm print made from the original elements, allowing the audience to experience this classic on the big screen just as it was seen at the time of its release.
The film, a noir-inspired tale of nefarious doings and criminal conspiracies in 1930s Los Angeles (including sexual transgressions and a scam surrounding water rights), follows private eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) into the seamy underbelly of the city and makes it an integral character; in fact, this story could take place nowhere else. With an impressive 11 Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture (Producer Robert Evans), Director (Roman Polanski), Actor (Nicholson) and Actress (Faye Dunaway), the film took home the statuette for Robert Towne’s screenplay. Several of this film’s key cast and crew members will gather for an on-stage reunion preceding this screening.
The event is apparently sold out, but there will be a standby line, beginning at 6 p.m. "Due to attrition, no-shows and cancellations, we expect a certain quantity of seats to become free at the last minute. Please note that the line is strictly on a first-come first served basis; numbered stand-by tickets will be distributed, and patrons will be able to leave the line, but must be back in line by 7:30 p.m." Parking is free. Free parking is tougher to find than water in the desert.
Chinatown
Thursday, November 18, 8 p.m.
$5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members
Samuel Goldwyn Theatre
8949 Wilshire Boulevard [between Robertson and Doheny]
Beverly Hills
Free event parking is located at 8920 Wilshire, 9025 Wilshire and 9100 Wilshire Boulevard.
