Thu, 16 May 2024 19:13:33 -0700WeeblyFri, 17 May 2024 02:04:45 GMThttp://samgroupil.org/film-discussion-group/june-14-once-upon-a-time-in-the-westWhen: June 14 at 1:30
Where: Hybrid meeting with in-person at North Shore Senior Center in Northfield
Movie: Once Upon a Time in the West
 
The film group will meet at 1:30pm on Friday, June 14 to discuss Once Upon A Time in the West, a 1968 film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Claudia Cardinale. The film is considered to be one of the greatest westerns of all time. Because of the Italian background of the director/co-writer, the film often is referred to as a "spaghetti western",
 
The film is available at public libraries and can be streamed on Apple TV, Netfix, Amazon Prime, MGM Plus, fubo, TCM, and YouTube.
 
The film group's new feature (pun intended)
 
Bob Ward has offered to provide periodic written commentaries after we discuss films. Here is the first in this series.
 
During our lively discussion of Paths of Glory at our May meeting, participants discussed important points about the film, including its depiction of war in the trenches in WWI, the incalculable human carnage which ensued, Director Stanley Kubrick's vision of the futility and inhumanity of war, the reckless insensitivity of the military officer class to the needs and safety of the men in their command, the virtuosity of Kubrick, and the star power brought to the screen so effectively by Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, who was forced by ego-driven senior officers to lead a military initiative which could not succeed.
 
Stanley Kubrick made several films before 1956, but his towering reputation as a director rests on a group of 11 films which were released beginning in that year:
 
The Killing, 1956
Paths of Glory, 1957
Spartacus, 1960
Lolita, 1962
Dr. Strangelove, 1964
2001, A Space Odyssey, 1968, 
A Clockwork Orange, 1971
Barry Lyndon, 1975
The Shining, 1980
Full Metal Jacket, 1987
Eyes Wide Shut, 1999
 
Tragically, Kubrick died in his sleep at the age of 70 before the release of Eyes Wide Shut. He is regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time.
 
For additional discussion of Paths of Glory, see the essay at
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1633-paths-of-glory-we-have-met-the-enemy.
 
Thanks to Bob Ward for this first in a series of critiques. Whether you participated in the May discussion or not, we invite you to join in a continuing discussion by responding to Bob and others through the SAM group.
 
Please RSVP here.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82547057039?pwd=ZjM2SjdKaW9lNlV6Z3pYNkx0ajZMQT09

Meeting ID: 825 4705 7039
Passcode: SAM2020
 
Alan Greene, film group facilitator
]]>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:16:54 GMThttp://samgroupil.org/film-discussion-group/may-10-paths-of-gloryWhen: Friday, May 10 at 1:30pm
Where: North Shore Senior Center & Zoom
Movie: Paths of Glory

The film group, along with the Roundtable, had a vigorous and informative discussion of Oppenheimer at our April meeting. Thanks to Bob Ward for leading the discussion and to the staff of the North Shore Senior Center for a seamless hybrid experience.

Our next meeting is at 1:30pm on Friday, May 10. We will continue with the hybrid format.

Our film for May is Paths of Glory, a 1957 film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film is based on a true  episode of trench warfare during fighting between the French and Germans in WWI, emphasizing the insanity of war. The film is included in IMBD's top 100 films and Roger Ebert's Great Movies. The stars of the film are Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou.

Remember our new in-person venue is the North Shore Senior Center,
161 Northfield Rd, Northfield.

Plan to join us on May 10 in person or via Zoom.

Please RSVP here.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82547057039?pwd=ZjM2SjdKaW9lNlV6Z3pYNkx0ajZMQT09

Meeting ID: 825 4705 7039
Passcode: SAM2020

Alan Greene and Bob Ward. co-facilitators of the film group.]]>Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:58:02 GMThttp://samgroupil.org/film-discussion-group/april-12-joint-meeting-of-film-group-and-roundtable-to-discuss-oppenheimerWhen: Friday, April 12 at 1:30pm
Where: North Shore Senior Center & Zoom
Movie: Oppenheimer

​Hybrid meeting at 1:30pm on Friday, April 12. In person at the North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield, and via Zoom.  Please note this meeting is on a Friday.

Thanks to Marc Rosenberg for selecting and leading the discussion of The Day The Earth Stood Still at our March meeting. We agreed the film is excellent and remains relevant today 70 plus years after it was made.

The film and Roundtable groups are meeting together on Friday, April 12 to discuss the 2023 film Oppenheimer, which recently won 7 Academy Awards, including best picture. The film is a biopic about Robert Oppenheimer, who led the research and production of the first nuclear bombs during WWII, and the difficulties he faced after the war. It is an epic treatment of one of the most significant events of modern history.

​Please RSVP here.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82547057039?pwd=ZjM2SjdKaW9lNlV6Z3pYNkx0ajZMQT09

Meeting ID: 825 4705 7039
Passcode: SAM2020]]>Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:24:37 GMThttp://samgroupil.org/film-discussion-group/march-8-the-day-the-earth-stood-stillWhen: March 8
Where: Zoom Only!
Movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still

The film group will discuss The Day the Earth Stood Still (the original 1951 version) at 1:30 on March 8. ZOOM ONLY.

The film is a fable beginning with the arrival in Washington, DC  of an alien, played by Michael Rennie, via UFO. The aliens have been watching the Cold War nuclear proliferation on earth and decide to bring a message of peace and tolerance to earth’s leaders.

The film is available at public libraries and can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu, Disney Plus, Google Play, and Hulu.

Alan Greene and Bob Ward,
co-facilitators

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82547057039?pwd=ZjM2SjdKaW9lNlV6Z3pYNkx0ajZMQT09

Meeting ID: 825 4705 7039
Passcode: SAM2020
]]>Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:12:37 GMThttp://samgroupil.org/film-discussion-group/february-9-reap-the-wild-windWhen: February 9
Where: Zoom Only!
Movie: Reap the Wild Wing

​The film group will begin its 2024 season with "Reap the Wild Wind." This 1942 film stars Paulette Goddard as a salvager in the Florida Keys in the 1840s. Goddard falls in love with a ship-wrecked captain played by John Wayne. The romance becomes more complicated when Ray Milland comes on the scene. Winner of Oscar for best special effects. Directed by Cecil B.  DeMille.

The film is available at public libraries and can be streamed on Amazon Prime.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82547057039?pwd=ZjM2SjdKaW9lNlV6Z3pYNkx0ajZMQT09

Meeting ID: 825 4705 7039
Passcode: SAM2020
]]>