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Thursday, October 28, 2010 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
Film club to discuss the works of del Toro Director’s films rich with mix of fantasy and drama BY CODY MEEK Contributing writer
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hen many people think of foreign films, they tend to think along the lines of a certain type of incomprehensible art film: movies so radically different from our Hollywood tradition that it becomes rather difficult to watch them. These films are the subject of frequent parody in pop culture (“Seinfeld’s” “Rochelle, Rochelle” — a young girl’s strange, erotic journey from Milan to Minsk — comes immediately to Del Toro mind). Today, more than ever before, many foreign films borrow more heavily from our Hollywood productions and tend to look more like a movie made in Los Angeles that happens to be in a different language. Recently, Barnes & Noble film club discussed the Swedish film “Girl with a Dragon Tattoo,” based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, a film that so closely resembles an American film that it doesn’t seem like much of a stretch that it’s being adapted by director David Fincher for a U.S. release, due at the end of next year. In my mind, “Dragon Tattoo” is like a film version of the “CSI” TV show but with reporters and cyberpunks instead of police officers. The film did very well overseas and had a great
Film Club with Cody Meek What: Discussion of the films by director Guillermo del Toro When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. Information: 631-2575
reception here, filling the Fox Theater on the opening night of FLICS. Our next film club discussion topic is Guillermo del Toro, director of the popular “Hellboy” films, “Blade II” and “Pan’s Labyrinth” and producer of many others. The amount of energy he spends on his films is tremendous and can be seen all over the screen. One of my favorite scenes of the last few years is in “Hellboy 2,” when the titular hero and the rest of his team follow a trail to the troll market, a merchant city under the Brooklyn Bridge filled with all manner of monsters. Every creature and every inch of scenery inside is rendered with a love and detail that most films never see. Del Toro utilizes special effects of all kinds in a way that enhances his films, rather than just using CGI as a quick cheap solution. Even if you can’t make next week’s meeting, I recommend watching “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Of all of Del Toro’s movies, I believe it presents the best mix of fantasy and serious drama. — Cody Meek, co-founder of the film club, works at Barnes & Noble
‘Mystery Science’ crew back for evening of ‘Haunted’ riffs Bakersfield 6 schedules two viewings of 2008’s ‘Reckoning’
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f “Paranormal Activity 2” and “Saw 3D” aren’t enough to scare you silly this Halloween weekend, two local theaters are offering something unique. Starplex Cinema’s Bakersfield 6 has scheduled two showings of 2008’s “Midnight Reckoning.” More about the movie, from imdb.com: “While trapped in a Twilight Zonish high desert environment, a hunted rock musician is forced to confront his whole past life when an eccentric prophet tells him he has one night left to live.” The film stars Bruce Michael Hall, Persia White and Tony Longo. And NCM Fathom and the stars of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” are hosting a haunted house party like none you’ve ever experienced tonight at Edwards Cinemas. RiffTrax’s own Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett will be back for an evening of hilarious riffing on the horror classic “House on Haunted Hill.” The guys treat this Vincent Price classic to their sig-
RiffTrax presents ‘House on Haunted Hill’ When: 8 p.m. today Where: Edwards Cinemas, 9000 Ming Ave.
nature brand of rapid-fire comedy. Comedian Paul F. Tompkins will join the guys as a guest riffer on a classic, never-before-seen short. Movie theater audiences will receive free digital goodies after the event. The event will be broadcast at 8 tonight. Classic low-budget, horror B-film “House on Haunted Hill” features eccentric millionaire Fredrick Loren and his fourth wife, Annabelle, who have invited guests to a haunted house party. The deal is, any guest who stays in the house for one night will win $10,000. The only problem: they’re all trapped inside with a bunch of ghosts, murderers, and other terrifying entities! Sound campy? That’s right! Let the riffing begin! — Information taken from media releases and rifftrax.com
Family-Friendly Halloween alternative. FREE hot dogs, cotton candy, bounce house, slide and LOTS OF CANDY!