Jean-Luc Godard's BREATHLESS - TOMORROW (Thu) Cinema at the Station

Pardon the short notice, but TOMORROW NIGHT, Thursday 9/15, Huron SubStation and your favorite independent DVD store in South Pasadena, Videothèque, will present another installment of Cinema at the Station, our twice-monthly "movie and drinks" nights.

This time, we present Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film Breathless. Renowned for its groundbreaking use of handheld photography and unorthodox editing, Breathless stands as possibly the most quintessential piece in the Nouvelle Vague (French New Wave) genre.

Originally titled À bout de souffle, Breathless stars Jean Seberg as sexy Patricia Franchini, an American student and aspiring journalist who gets caught up with Michel Poiccard (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a Bogart-esque fugitive on the run from the law after stealing a car and killing a policeman. Frantic car chases and passionate lovemaking accent the duo's amoral odyssey through the streets of Paris trying to collect money he's owed so the two can escape to Italy.

Don't miss our presentation of Breathless tomorrow night, projected in large-scale, full digital quality. Beer and wine will be served at our donation-based bar (with ID), or BYOB! Come early and socialize over drinks to the sounds of our lounge DJ. Here's where it all takes place:

Huron SubStation
2640 Huron St.
Los Angeles (Highland Park), CA 90065
And here's a map!

Music & drinks starting at 7:30pm.
The movie begins at 9:00pm.
$7 entry cover keeps these events happening.

For more information, please visit the Videothèque website or the Huron SubStation website.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To make things a little easier on the 9-to-5ers, the showtime for all other future Cinema at the Station events is being changed to 8:30 PM. (This does not affect the Breathless screening.)

Also, don't miss our ongoing Videothèque @ Chouinard World Film Series held twice monthly at the Chouinard School of Art in South Pasadena.

09:06 (say yes say yes)

Hey all

Phwew! Certainly you've noticed that there has been a lack of expression here (via blog blogging), and it's no fault of our own except it is. Simply said, we've been lazy. So for that you will have to forgive us. Chances are though, you too were out fubbling about, throwing fits in other video stores. (Pssh, I'll let you in on a little secret: you know we love you when we let you sign your credit card slip with the blue pen, not the red). Anyways, to get yourself over these summertime blues, here are the latest of plastic round things:

Easy does it:

Crash: No it's not the Cronenberg picture, but the latest from first time director/verteran writer Paul Haggis. Featuring a flurry of characters (not having sex in the backseat) on a hot summer day in Los Angeles throwing around words and bigotry like it's Paris Hilton. Definitely a hot ticket item that will always be checked out. Come early!

The Holy Girl: I checked this out over the weekend and tried sooooo hard to watch it, but alas never got to. Now I'm jealous of all those who will watch it and like it, thinking that they are privy to something special. When they ain't. See? Anyways, Lucrecia Martel brings us her follow up to La Cienega (which you should see). Think an Argentinian bastard child of Claire Denis and Catherine Breillat. Spectacular.

Lost: Second to only that of Desperate Housewives, ABC's new series features people running around in circles, wondering where the hell they are. No, I know it's not that simple, but come on, they're on an island. Will someone build a damn hut already?

Punk Attitude: One day I went out to the mall and bought all the studs that Hot Topic could legally sell me, spiked my hair, laced up my twenty eyes, threw on some safety pins and put on my "vanity is a punk attitude" t-shirt and went the movies. Cuz you know, that's what punks do. I'm sorry, I just don't see the connection of punk ideals and staring at the mirror wondering if you look punk enough. As the title stipulates, it's certainly all about the attitude, not the look. So when you see some dude in a polo, don't think you can walk all over him, he just might stick his boot up yer arse. Oh yeah, this is a documentary about punk and it's music.

TaDa!

Some new staff recs!

Paul: Vengeance as Therapy: Over time you begin to notice liitle nuances that make you think about the psychological state of your fellow co-workers. If "sweet relief" didn't make you question, certainly this one will. I'm sure Paul's fine, but the characters in his section may need a bit of shackles.
Andy: Survival 101: School's back in and for some, `it ain't easy. School sucks, but it's even worse when you have to watch out for the guns, drugs and fellow class members. Not everything is Bayside high.
Meg: Edith's big Head: Yup, the film fashion guru finally gets her do, thanks to megs. Check out her collection of Hitch pictures, Hepburn and even 10 commandments. "Thou shall be dress by thee known as Head!"

a wonderful return to grace. Oh yeah! Come say hello to new girl Grace! She's friendly and full on smiles, tattoos and piercings! she'll gladly entertain your questions.

see ya!

www.vidtheque.com

Secretary screening tomorrow night! Movie and drinks anyone?

TOMORROW NIGHT...
Come enjoy a movie and drinks as Videothèque and Huron SubStation present the cult film favorite Secretary (2002) starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader, directed by Steven Shainberg. It's a dark comedy about typos, obedience, pain and pleasure. If you thought Maggie Gyllenhaal was just your average, good little girl next door, this movie will surely change that perception forever. James Spader reprises his regular role as the creepy weirdo.

Get snockered! Beer and wine will be served at our donation-based bar (with ID), or you may feel free to "BYOB" with no problem. However, donations to the bar are strongly encouraged, as they will keep these events happening.

The screening takes place TOMORROW NIGHT, yes... THURSDAY THIS WEEK, August 18 at 9PM SHARP. Doors open at 7:30. The event location is as follows:

Huron Substation
2640 Huron St.
Los Angeles (Highland Park), CA 90065
And here's a map!

For more information, please visit the Videothèque website, or the Huron SubStation website.

Put this event on your calendar NOW so you won't forget.... I said NOW!

08:16 (enough already)

Hey

We are back and with a vengeance! Well, as it turns out, the gods are against us this week, as our store has been full of calamity, enough to rival that of Mr. Chaplin. So when you come in, forgive our mess, watch your step, and nevermind the bullocks. Just know that we are still up and running, just kinda with a black eye. And if by chance you come at a bad time, and our clerks are trying to get through a line like the Greeks through the Turks--please kindle yourself with patience, look up and enjoy the ambiguously homo-erotic He-Man. He's waiting for you with pusling muscles:

Oh Skeletor!

The Ballad of Jack and Rose: It's not just coincidence that this title comes off a bit poetic. This littly ditty is directed by Rebecca Miller daughter (and spouse of Daniel Day Lewis) of playwright great, Artie Miller. Jack and Rose lives on an island. Jack is sick and his lady-friend and her two sons visit him. Jack is preoccupied with you know what and Rose is curious about boys, sexually curious (not just a clever name!). The bond between Jack and Rose is strong, but how strong? Since I haven't seen it I can't tell you, but I do know they're not suckin on a chili dog.

The Brown Bunny: O Vincent Gallo O Vincent Gallo. What troubles you bring yourself. This is indeed that Brown Bunny. Or as a customer of ours likes to call it, "the blowjob movie." Booed at Cannes, panned by Roger Ebert (then revered), and torn by a dozen others alike, this is easily the most controversial blah blah out of the past couple of years. Heavy in European ethos and American ego, Brown Bunny wins our hearts. And here's why we love the staunt Republican. Regardless of others, he does his own shit the way he wants. Plain and simple. I dare you check it out, and see how there's more to the picture than bad press and a little felatio.

Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth: Well, apparently nothing. Dave's gone MAD! After splitting off to Africa for a "spiritual healing" session, who knows what's happening to Chappello. Anyways, before he went nutty, he filmed this live stand at the Fillmore. So watch it and think back nostaglically how cool he was before he took a long walk off a short pier.

The Office (US) Season 1: I think this is more than NBC trying to capitalize on the BBC success. It's actually a little funny. My main man Steve Carrell brings em in like trash to trailers with the funny. His awkward persona and receding headline alone should be worth the price of the rental. C'mon! You're going to be paying beau coup bucks for 40 Year Old Virgin, why not this? Exactly.

Sin City: I tried so hard to figure out if this was set in Las Vegas, till about half way through the film I realized that Vegas is just as seedy, but not that violent. Anywho, a gang of actors star in this action packed, not-for-kids comic book tale. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller and even little appearance by Quentin Taratino, Sin City is actually tons o fun. Art direction, plenty of stunts and worthwhile storytelling make this a better comic adaptation than say, DaredevilHulkFantasticFouretc. Think if Pulp Fiction was drawn and half naked women.

Wedding Date: Grace meets her man.
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New Staff Recs! Yes!
Jules: 24 Little Hours: Need more help figuring this one out? That's sad, but it's about little movies when the heat goes down in a day's rotation.
Paul: Junk in the Trunk: Yay, Baby Got BACK! Huh? Oh no, my bad. This is not a section about big asses, but rather actual items in auto trunks. Sometimes this little nuance proves to be an important point in the plot. Inform yourself.
Andy: Out from behind the camera: Who says directors can't act! Tell that to those ten who star in Andy's section this month. Featuring the little known acting talents of Jim Jarmusch, Werner Herzog as well as the well-known spoils of Woody Allen and Roman Polanski.
Meg: I want to ride my bicycle: Inspired by her recent mode of transportation, meg's pix features all that is on bikes! I think she's quietly saying that we should stop killing the earth and emptying our wallets and pedal away!

soooo, not bad eh? Good, a job well done I say.

au revoir!

www.vidtheque.com

08:02 (spinless head)

Sup Y'all

On a hot, summery day, in the vast streets of Pomona,kids-willingly mind you-play a wild game of wiffle ball. They meet and gather around a juice-filled cooler with dreams of hitting that one ball that would bring the crowds to their tireless feet. On this very day, many hearts were broken and others were rejoicing in tears as the game was edge out 15-14, tenth inning. Yes, in wiffle ball they surpass the ninth inning. So next time you drive by a park and see those ghostly kids swinging away, give them a honk and say "pinch me a winner!" They'll nod their heads in unison, with a smirky smile to send you right off.

I'm losing you:

Alexander: alexander! - our older brother! - set out for! - a great adventure! -
he tore our images - out of his pictures! - he tore our names out - of
all his letters! No dummy, not that alexander! This one is Oliver Stone's! Not Win Butler's! Hated and dragged through every critic's mud, and even GLAAD's, Stone's Alex finally (and possibly shamefully) hits the dvd circuit. What I don't seem to understand is, if this movie really is this bad, why doesn't the studio or hell, Stone himself, hire a designer to design a cover that we can stomach. I don't need to know how many cavities Colin Farrell has, nor what's floating around in those wide nostrils of his. Just sayin is all. Come on Alex, you can do it! There's nothing to it!

Downfall: No this isn't a metaphor for what happened to Stone's career or Alexander's box-office intake, it's a movie about Hitler fool! The last hours are chronicled in this near 3hour critic's darling. Bruno Ganz stars as the Fuhrer himself, even that ittybiity mustache makes an appearance. I'm gonna go ahead and say this aint the midnight movie or hot date movie you're going after. I doubt this will solve the neverending mystery as to his death, but it sure will rejuvinate your interest, or at least your curiousity. But we all know what curiosity did to the cat...

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what! you mean that's it? I do. I'm sorry, I know you probably think I'm a liar, and you're right, but I know good things are coming, I CAN FEEL IT!

anywho, next week I'll bring you our spanking new pix, as well as some goodies.

au revoir!

www.vidtheque.com

07:26 (where o where)

Hey all

Back to my usual self, I lay here sweating and waiting for something wonderful to come and treat me to a nice day here at vt. Alas, nothing comes it's way, and with the onslaught of high degree molecules, I begin to hallucinate little vt oompas who vaguely resemble a past employee. Friends, something tells me summer's here. While I go commit myself, here's your dinner for tonight, quality notwithstanding:

mmm mmm good (kinda):

Errol Morris/DVD Collection/First Person: Two whopping sets from documentarian extradonaire finally hits the plastic this week! First we have a few that nerds have been waiting for eons: Brief History of Time, Thin Blue Line, Vernon Florida, and Gates of Heaven. the other is a fairly new series where Morris interrogates those who inhabit this world. From about 5 years ago. Five years ago, Errol Morris coulda been making a kick ass documentary about me while I was attempting to take my SATs, throw my mack on, and chug down some coolies. Pssh, hell of a lot better than some dude with a robot voice.

The Jerk: See above.

Steamboy: Katsuhiro Otomo gives Miyazaki a run for his money in Steamboy. It's up to you whether or not Miyazaki gets spanked, but regardless of your masochism, you can deny the great talent of Otomo. The plot is about dwindling energy, and the deadly possibility of steam! Hmmm, sound familiar Kevin Costner? Maybe a little bit like WATERWORLD!

The Upside of Anger: Hey! Look who it is, it's Kevin P. Costner! I don't mean to single him out, JFK is the shizznit, but still I must. It's in the Videotheque handbook. He and Joan Allen star opposite each other, in this fiml about "adults." What's so more adult about this than any other R-rated film-I don't know- but I hear it's this year's Sideways. Just without the wine and stuff. So if you prefer your's sober, and I know you do, it's here waiting...on the shelf...with no one to pity it.

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A slow week, I know, but that's not our fault. Next week is better I promise. Also, come get Bit Part soon, we are getting down to the last ones! And And, also new staff recs next week!

my time is over, my pension is due. ciao bella.

www.vidtheque.com

07:12

Hey

As I stand here, my energy drains out through my toes like hoses and circles this computer endangering it and myself of electrocution. I fear this death and tend to run away when such a threat arises. Which is what happened last week, so I'm sorry. Usually when I'm pooped, I talk like this (unlike that) and make no sense or cents about it. So while you're forgiving me, here, chew on this:

lord help me:

Cry Baby: When folks used to come up to the counter and ask for this, I would say: "oh, sorry, it's only on video." And then they would perform the titular task and run away as such. Now, when they ask if it's finally available, I in turn, begin to sob repeatedly and bitch how there's no Cop and a Half DVD.

Ichi-1: When my pal told me this was out, I screamed with glee and thought how great it was that Matt Groening made an Itchy and Scratchy DVD, but felt extremely confused as to why he would leave out Scratchy? It just didn't make sense. Who would Itchy commit bodily harm to? Certainly not himself, that's absurd!
I went on and on until finally Rick took out his double barrel (whoa, not that one!) and let me have it (not that either!).

Million Dollar Baby: Winner of last year's best picture Oscar (as well as Actress, Supporting Actor and something else) Clint is back. Aside from it's slightly unbelievable plot and confused political ideology, Baby ain't terrible. Certainly made to schlep the academy, I bet you'll want to see it too. Just don't call this the best boxing film eva, that belongs to Marty. You go boy!

Sexo Por Compasion: My life's goal.

A Very Long Engagement: [And slightly long title] Jean-Pierre Jeunet's latest, and France's most expensive, features Jodie Foster, Duckman(!), and of course Audrey Tautou. Audrey's Mathilde goes on the hunt of tracking down her beau, after it is noted that he has gone missing. Featuring gorgeous art direction, costumes, cool little gadgets and widgets, and the ever slightly charming Tautau, this will hit your romantic side. Invite your other over, I'll bring the Barry White.
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New Staff Recs!
Mark: Holidays in the Sun: Mark's getting into the summer lovin'. If you're feeling the heat (and lord knows I aint), then get sweltering with these puppies: Hot Summer, Gidget(!), and See the Sea.
Jules: Send Me An Angel: Movies with angels. Duh.
Rick: The Phone's Ringing Dude: The other day I got pestering phone calls starting at 4am. No one was on the other line, so I figured someone was being a dickhead. And they were, but Rick's picks don't feature dickheads. Well unless you count that voice from Ringu. Featuring Dial M for Murder, Lady from Shanghai and formerly La Cienega.
Andy: Noir is the New Black: Andy's latest features a sampling of what is called Neo-Noir pictures. Take a dash of Blood Simple, a pinch of Band of Outsiders and gobble of L.A. Confidential and you get MURDER!
Jessie: Suburbmania: The best of the worst possible place. Suburbs. Jessie's genius reveals the odd, the bored and at times, the viscious. Featuring lots of track houses.
Meg: Groove is in the Heart: When you are watching one her picks, get on the table and dance your white heart away! You can jam along to Dance Craze, alleged molestor Jacko, or the classic Saturday Night Fever. And don't worry, nobody's watching.
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And lastly, a big thanks to those of you who have picked up a copy Bit Part. We appreciate the support, let us know how you like it. If you haven't yet, we got tons more, so stop by and get yours.

ok, my drainage is makin a mess. Get outta here.

www.vidtheque.com