S.S.A.S.C festival - Week 1
The S.S.A.S.C (Seldom Seen American Seventies Cinema) festival kicked off Thursday night at the Hooverpad in distinguishing fashion with the screening of the 1974 noir classic Chinatown - A multi-layered, confidently made and superbly written and acted film. Nicholson is beyond brilliant as the private detective Jake Gittes and ranks up there as one of his best performances. Probably not my favourite Polanski movie (That honor going to Rosemary’s Baby) but he makes excellent use of the 2:35:1 aspect ratio. The nose cutting cameo was classic.
If I had one minor complaint, it would be the pacing which is quite slow even for a 70’s film. Perhaps not the best film to kick off the festival, despite it being a universally praised motion picture. I can’t give it a full review either because conversations started to flow once the beer kicked in so I think I’ll need to set aside a couple of hours on a Sunday arvo to get this classic firmly under my skin.
Finally Rod you are now the home film festival champion making it to the greatest number of screenings. Give yourself a gold star mate!
Next week is Terrence Malick’s debut movie Badlands which Martin Sheen has gone on record as saying is his best film (better than Apocalypse Now?). Should be interesting.
2 Responses to “S.S.A.S.C festival - Week 1”
Nice summation of Chinatown, Kitty Cat. Looking forward to the Malick.
Definately. And I think I hear Lyn stepping on the plane now…