MoMA is presenting You Are Now One of Us: Film at Club 57 Through Feb 2018. La decima vittima (The 10th Victim), by Elio Petri, Italy, 1965, stars Marcello Mastroianni, a popular Italian  film actor, who made many wonderful films, but this one is not one of them, and Ursula Andress, a voluptuous actress. It is a story about hunting and killing the victim. It takes place in the future, where the winner/survivor appears on television in a commercial and wins a million dollars. The film is silly, but the two stars are pleasant to watch.

 

Also, in the same series is Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, by Russ Meyer, USA, 1970, about a three female Rock band and their male manager who graduate from high school, and head to Hollywood to find fame and fortune. Instead they find drugs, sex, violence and bloody murders. There are many attractive young ladies in the film, but the plot is ridiculous, and most of the scenes are unbelievable.

The 53rd Street Library presented Sunset Boulevard, by Billy Wilder, USA, 1950. It is, without doubt, one of the finest films that Hollywood produced. The tale about a silent film star (Gloria Swanson in a remarkable performance), living in retirement and wanting to return to the screen, is totally absorbing and realistic. The dialogue is intelligent, and the acting by the entire cast, which includes William Holden, Erich von Stroheim and Nancy Olson, is superb. What a joy to see a brilliant film! Why can't today's filmmakers learn to follow the example of wonderful filmmakers of the past.
 

Columbus Library, 742 10th Avenue, presented Destry Rides Again, by George Marshall, USA, 1939, a delightful western, starring Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. The two stars are magnificent, with a host of fine supporting players. The plot is the usual about a new sheriff who comes to a small wild  town and restores it to law and order. Dietrich sings one of her memorable songs The Boys in the Back Room and Stewart, as always, is charming. The dialogue is witty. I enjoyed every minute watching it.

 

Film Forum presented a press preview of Song of Granite, by Pat Collins, Ireland/Canada, 2017. It is the story of Irish folk singer Joe Heaney, 1919-1984, acted by three actors at various stages of his life. Colm Seoighe is young Joe Heaney. We see him singing in gaelic in school, dancing outside his home, assisting his father catching lobsters and roaming the countryside of picturesque Carna, County Galway. These scenes are the highlight of the film. Micheal O Chonfhaola is Joe in his 40s. He abandoned his wife and children to go to Glasgow, and then to New York, where he found employment as a doorman. He attended the Newport Folk Festival in 1966, where his fame began as a singer of sean nos which mean old style. It's sung in gaelic, and recalls ancient history and myths about ancient times in Ireland. Throughout the film, we listen to these traditional songs. Macdara O Farharta is Joe in his 60s being interviewed twice and returning to Carna, because he does not want to die among strangers. Although the press notes say he died in Seattle. It's  the official entry from Ireland for the 2018 Academy Awards.

The Metropolitan Museum presented a press preview of Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman & Designer, November 13, 2017-February 12, 2018. It is a superb exhibition of mainly his drawings, some of his copies of revered masters like Masaccio. There are 133 drawings and three sculptures by the the magnificent artist. The highlight is the ceiling at The Sistine Chapel shown in a brightly lit one room, which is a beautiful copy of the original. It will save you a visit to Rome. Do not miss this exhibition.

 

Monday night is always a frustrating night. I was invited to four galas. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend three. It began at Cipriani 42nd Street at the Prostate Cancer Foundation's 2017 New York Dinner, featuring host Whoopi Goldberg, and musical performance by Jennifer Hudson, honoring Peter and Laurie Grauer.