Something New, Something Old

Dear Friends,

We’re not picking a film that opens this weekend, but rather are heading to the theater for The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde, now in its eighth week of release. It’s been popular so I can’t say exactly why I didn’t go earlier in the summer. At this point screening options are minimal because, as of last week, it is available to rent on the main streaming platforms. In Brooklyn, thankfully, the neighborhood Cobble Hill Cinema is playing it every evening for the next week at 8pm. Cinema for grown-ups lives on!

Although I’ve made it my mission to support new releases over repertory cinema in the theater, as well as women filmmakers, Tuesday evening we’re planning to see the re-release of Michael Mann’s 1986 film Manhunter at the Paris Theater. I’ve never seen the film, which apparently has had quite an impact as a progenitor to many detective and serial killer movies and tv shows. That’s not the real reason I’m going, though.

Just out of college, I worked for the producer of the film, Richard Roth, who, notably, in the old-school way of Hollywood back then, is the only listed producer. Also, notably, Richard told me the other day that he originally optioned the novel for David Lynch to adapt and direct. It’s bonkers to imagine what the Lynch version would have been. As it is, even though it’s not really my kind of movie, I feel drawn to finally see the Mann version and think it’ll be a worthwhile big-screen experience.

To the pleasure of films and the discussions they spark,

Josh

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Here’s links to the trailers for both films:

The Invite

Manhunter