Curated by Elvis Mitchell, Film Independent at LACMA is the new, inclusive film series that is produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the LA Film Festival, and The LACMA. All events start at 7:30P. Visit www.lacma.org for updates and special guests.
Film Independent at LACMA concludes its centennial salute to Paramount Pictures Thursday, May 17 with two stylish crime classics starring the ever likable, Michael Caine. The always dashing actor appears at his beguiling best as a high end heist conspirator in The Italian Job, and a cunning special agent in Funeral in Berlin. These two films show Caine at his smoldering best, and demonstrate the true personification of British cool.
First up at 7:30P is the 1969 version of The Italian Job (not the Mark Wahlberg one). The dapper Caine leads a band of Cockney hoods in their attempt to pull off an armored car heist in the busy streets of Turin, Italy. Consider by many to represent the height of 1960‘s caper films, the movie also stars Noel Coward, Rossano Brazzi and Benny Hill, scheming their way to the suave melodies of a Quincy Jones soundtrack. Then at 9:10P Caine reprises his role as British spy Harry Palmer in the espionage thriller, Funeral in Berlin. Caine keeps his cool as he wrangles his way through a complicated series of agency cover-ups and international conspiracies in a city in the thick of the cold war.
With more than a hundred and fifty credits to his name, Michael Caine is one of the most prolific actors of his, or any other generation. Many of those films are classics (Alfie, Sleuth, The Man Who Would Be King) while many others are absolute rubbish (Blame It On Rio, Jaws: The Revenge). Regardless of the film or its quality, Caine himself has never given a bad performance. In fact, Caine is often the saving grace or highlight of a film. And as good as The Italian Job and Funeral in Berlin are, they are all that much better for his presence. Be sure not to miss your opportunity to see an entertaining double feature with one of the greatest talents cinema has known for more than 60 years.
$10 for the general public, $7 for LACMA members, seniors (62+) and students with valid ID. Tickets are $5 for Film Independent members, as well as LACMA Film Club and New York Times Film Club Members. Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase by calling 323 857-6010 or by going to www.lacma.org. If you purchase discounted tickets, be sure to bring proof of membership when retrieving your tickets. And New York Times Film Club members must RSVP to www.nytfilmclub.com for all Members Only free screenings.