MICHAEL SHANNON AND RAMIN BAHRANI AT THE AERO, by Kat Holland

At the Aero Theatre on September 19, audiences were treated to a preview screening of the newest film by writer-director Ramin Bahrani, 99 Homes. Bahrani and actor Michael Shannon were also on hand for a Q&A.

Bahrani revealed his favorite exchange in the script, which poses the question for all of us:

“Is it worth it?"

"As opposed to what?!”

LORD OF THE RINGS MARATHON AT THE AERO, by Gretchen Hustig

Saturday, September 12, 2015 (and into the wee hours of Sunday), the Aero Theatre screened all three films of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  It was an all-day (and much-costumed) affair; in addition to the films, there trivia contests and food trucks; video messages from the likes of Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, and stuntman Sala Baker; an "in memoriam" tribute to Christopher Lee and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie; and Q&As with executive producer Mark Ordesky and actor William Kircher (who played Bifur the dwarf in the Hobbit trilogy). During the first intermission, executive producer Mark Ordesky spoke about his experience making the movies and answered audience questions.  Actor William Kircher, who played Bifur, one of the dwarves, was on stage during the second intermission to speak as well.

THOM ANDERSEN AT THE AERO FOR LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF, by Gretchen Hustig

Sunday, September 6, the Aero screened a consistent favorite: the documentary Los Angeles Plays Itself.  Director and narrator Thom Andersen was on hand to talk about the film, which discusses the depiction of the Los Angeles in movies, and answer audience questions.

BONJOUR PARIS! by Julie Sesnovich

Two weeks ago, I finally realized my dream of going to Paris! In addition to going as a tourist, however, I was also going as a cinephile. Below are some of the relevant highlights.

For much less than the cost of a plane ticket, you can take a mini cinematic journey to France at the Aero on September 23 to see Grand Central and Domestic Life as part of its Young French Cinema series, and check out Paris by way of Hollywood soundstages at the Egyptian's showing of the 1926 film La Boheme on September 26.

  

I hit up the year-old Foundation Jerome Seydoux-Pathe building to see the trippy Soviet silent Aelita, Queen of Mars and peek at some of their artifacts from the early days of cinema. Jerome Seydoux is the current owner of Pathe (a film conglomerate dating back to 1896), as well as the grandfather of Lea Seydoux (star of Grand Central)!



Lumiere brothers cameras

CARL REINER AT THE AERO, by Kim Luperi

This Friday, September 4, 2015, Carl Reiner will appear at the Aero Theatre for a Q&A and book signing in conjunction with a screening of his film Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. But he is no stranger to the Cinematheque; he was also at the Aero last September for a Q&A and signing of a different book, in conjunction with a double feature of his directorial efforts.

Carl Reiner - esteemed actor, writer, director, producer, and all-around funnyman - was on hand at the Aero Theater Saturday night to sign copies of his new book I Just Remembered and reminisce about his legendary career, including the two movies screening that evening, The Comic and Enter Laughing.

 

Reiner, dubbed a "jack of all trades," said that his talents as a writer, director, and performer are connected, though he admitted, "I'm an actor, and I act like all of those things!" In addition to this declaration,  it was also noted that he focuses his gifts on the same subject: show business. When asked why that is, Reiner's answer was simple: it's something Reiner knows a lot about, and it doesn't require any research for him. For instance, he once considered making a character a doctor, but then he thought about everything he would have to learn about medicine to make the character realistic and instead turned the character into a producer. In fact, Reiner admitted that he writes mostly about himself and simply changes the names and the women!