There will be NO screenings the weekend
of July 4th.
The Brothers
Bloom Thurs.-Fri., July 9th-10th, 8 p.m.
Sun., July 12th, 7 p.m.
Written and Directed by Rian Johnson
USA o 113 min. o 2008
Rated PG-13
The second feature film from director Rian Johnson (Brick) is
a crime caper in the tradition of such films as Paper Moon. Adrien
Brody and Mark Ruffalo star as the titular siblings Bloom and
Stephen, respectively, who have been conmen since childhood. Bloom
is desperate to go legit, while Stephen keeps "pulling him
back" (to coin a phrase). The agree-as many films of this
genre do-to pull "one last job": steal millions from
lonely heiress Penelope (Rachel Weisz) by posing as antique dealers.
Complications arise when Bloom falls in love with the charming
Penelope.... "A screwball comedy for the New Depression,
The Brothers Bloom makes an abundant number of erudite references...."
-John Anderson, Washington Post
(Rated PG-13 for violence, some sensuality, and brief strong
language.)
Sugar Thurs.-Fri., July 16th-17th, 8 p.m.
Sun., July 19th, 7 p.m.
Written and Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
USA o 120 min. o 2008
Rated R
An introspective sports drama from directors Ryan Fleck and Anna
Boden (Half Nelson) tells the story of Miguel "Sugar"
Santos (Algenis Perez Soto), a talented Dominican baseball player
who longs to break into the American major league-and earn the
money needed to support his impoverished family. A talented pitcher,
Sugar has to pay his dues in the minor leagues, including overcoming
the linguistic and cultural barriers in his way as he moves in
with his host family in small-town Iowa. When his once-reliable
pitching arm starts to let him down, the determined pitcher gradually
begins to question the world he lives in and the role he has chosen
to play in it. "In its unhurried fashion, Sugar can take
its place with the best baseball movies. Where most focus on the
grand slam, this one's about the life that surrounds the game
and everything that comes after." -Ty Burr, Boston Globe
(Rated R for language, some sexuality, and brief drug use.)
Rudo
y Cursi Thurs.-Fri., July 23rd-24th, 8 p.m.
Sun., July 26th, 7 p.m.
Written and Directed by Carlos Cuarón
USA/Mexico o 103 min. o 2008
Rated R
In Spanish with English subtitles.
From Dominican baseball players to Mexican soccer players. Carlos
Cuarón-brother of director Alfonso Cuarón (Y tu
mamá también, which Carlos also co-wrote and which
starred Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal)-directs Rudo
y Cursi, the story of two soccer-playing brothers. Beto (Luna)
and Tato (Bernal) Verdusco work at a banana plantation and play
soccer for the village team. Nicknamed "Tough" (Rudo),
Beto dreams of becoming a professional soccer player while Tato,
however, dreams of being a famous singer. Still, they share the
dream of building a house for their mother, Elvira (Dolores Heredia).
Their luck changes when a soccer talent scout discovers them.
Tato moves to the big city and becomes the star of the prestigious
Amaranto Club, although his playing style earns him the nickname
of "Corny" (Cursi). Beto, as you would expect, feels
betrayed and left behind, but soon travels to Mexico City to become
goalkeeper for Atlético Nopaleros. Once in the big leagues,
the brothers must confront their innate rivalry-as well as their
own demons and limitations. "Rudo y Cursi is enjoyable, with
an engaging ensemble cast anchored by the charismatic performances
of Luna and Bernal." -Claudia Puig, USA Today (Rated R
for pervasive language, sexual content, and brief drug use.)
Every
Little Step
Thurs.-Fri., July 30th-31st, 8 p.m.
Sun., August 2nd, 7 p.m.
Directed by Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern
USA o 96 min. o 2008
Rated PG-13 A Chorus Line, which debuted on Broadway in 1975, received
12 Tony Award nominations, and won nine of them, as well as the
1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original production ran for
6,137 performances, becoming the longest-running production in
Broadway history up to that time. It still remains the longest
running Broadway musical originally produced in the United States,
and the fourth longest-running Broadway show ever. It has been
revived several times over the years, most recently in 2005. The
documentary Every Little Step takes musical theater fans behind
the scenes of A Chorus Line, focusing largely on the casting process
for the 2005 revival, but also looking back at the show's many
incarnations-and to the show's original inspiration and 1974 genesis.
Every Little Step takes viewers through the next three decades,
and includes rare footage and fresh interviews that showcase the
show's history set against the backdrop of a world that has changed
dramatically in the past 30 years. "In Every Little Step,
life imitates art, art reflects life, and the distinctions threaten,
quite pleasantly, to blur altogether." -A.O. Scott, New York
Times
(Rated PG-13 for some strong language including sexual references.)
The Saratoga Film Forum is a not-for-profit organization dedicated
to bringing quality films to downtown Saratoga Springs. Our regular
movie programming includes screenings on Thursday and Friday nights
and Sunday afternoons at the Dee Sarno Theater in the Saratoga
County Arts Council building, 320 Broadway at Spring Street. Admission
is $6, or $4 for members.
Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Unless specified
we can not take reservations.
The Film Forum was founded on principles of community involvement
and interaction. So get involved and interact! We always welcome
volunteers and
new members. You can reach us by phone at 584-FILM or by mail
at 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, or email at films@saratogafilmforum.org
The Screenings at the Saratoga Film Forum are made possible with
public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state
agency.
Thank You Metroland!
Best Eclectic Film Series
"The programmers at Saratoga Film Forum likely
reflect the tastes of this particular film society’s membership,
and it must be a diverse membership. Sure, there are the usual lesser-known
documentaries and familiar art-house hits, but SFF screens terrific
films—we’re thinking, this year, of Carroll Ballard’s
Duma and Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang—that no local
theatrical distributor would touch. Bravo."
