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There are only a few more days until the Dietrich Theater’s Spring Film Festival. Did you pick out the movies you want to see yet? I have, and I am glad there is a third week added to festival so I have extra time to fit them all in.
Here are my picks: “Cake,” “Big Eyes,” “Foxcatcher,” “Hermitage Revealed,” “The Homesman,” “The Imitation Game,” “Matisse From Tate Modern and MoMA,” “A Most Violent Year,” “Mr. Turner,” “Still Alice,” “The Theory of Everything,” “Two Days One Night,” “Whiplash” and “Wild Tales.”
See? With 15 films on my list, I really do need that third week.
“Cake,” starring Jennifer Aniston looks so powerful, and she received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in it. I usually think of her for her role on “Friends” and other light comedies, so I look forward to seeing her in a drama.
“Still Alice” also appears to be a thoughtful drama. It’s about a woman and her family’s struggle with her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Julianne Moore was awarded an Oscar for her portrayal of Alice Howland in the movie. Diane Salsman, one of the Dietrich’s volunteers and board members, read the book “Still Alice” and said she was captivated by the story and finished it in no time at all.
“Foxcatcher” also seems riveting. This movie is based on the true story of champion wrestlers and brothers Mark and David Schultz and their relationship with wealthy heir John du Pont. Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo all garnered acclaim for their work in this movie.
“The Imitation Game” and “The Theory of Everything” were also standouts during Hollywood’s award season. I didn’t get a chance to see them when they originally played at the Dietrich, so I am thrilled that they are returning for festival. I have been told they are must-see movies and can’t wait to see them on the big screen.
There are also a variety of films focused on art that look good. The documentary “Hermitage Revealed” brings to life the human stories behind one of the world’s greatest art collections which is housed in the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Dietrich will also show “Matisse From Tate Modern and MoMA.” Through this film, we will get to look behind the scenes at the breathtaking Matisse exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art and Tate Gallery of London and hear from people who knew Matisse, as well as expert curators and historians. I gained a great appreciation for Matisse when I went on the Dietrich bus trip to the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia and saw his work in person.
It is breathtaking.
The dramas about real life artists also look fascinating. “Mr. Turner” is about the brilliant and eccentric 19th century painter J.M.W. Turner, and “Big Eyes” is the true story of painter Margaret Keane played by Amy Adams.
So many of the festival selections have amazing casts. “The Homesman” stars Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. J.K. Simmons gives a standout performance as a relentless music teacher in “Whiplash.” One of my favorite actresses Marion Cotillard plays the lead in “Two Days, One Night.”
Finally, some of the festival films I want to see have story lines that just sound interesting to me. “Wild Tales” is a dark comedy containing six short stories that throw characters into outrageous and unbelievable circumstances. And “A Most Violent Year” takes place in the winter of 1981 in New York City and is about a businessman and his family as they attempt to capitalize on the American Dream and protect their success.
They all sound good, right? So join us for the festival from April 10 through 30.
There are still a few gala tickets remaining, so if you would like to join us this Friday, April 10 for opening night, give us a call at 570-996-1500.
As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies.