Films
"Planet of the Apes at the Old Redford"
It's well known that the late Charleston Heston has scores of devoted fans for his portryal of Moses and Judah Ben-Hur. However, there is a group of movie-goers who prefer his short lived sci-fi era which, in addition to
this week's feature, includes the funky, be-glittered zombies of The Omega Man (1971) and the unwitting cannibals from Soylent Green (1973).
Planet of the Apes begins as astronauts crash on a mysterious world where, according to the movie trailer, “man is the lowest order
of living things.” The planet is inhabited by strangely anthropomorphic apes who dress in bondage themed outfits and brandish Mauser type rifles (despite the fact their civilization appears to
be held in medieval/pre-industrial stasis). Nevertheless, the apes spend a great deal of time reflecting on the greatness
of ape culture and conducting experimental brain surgery techniques on humans. Read the full story.
"Hedwig and
the Angry Inch: An anatomically incorrect rock odyssey"
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
is the
Citizen Kane of botched sex-change musicals. It also happens to be the
Main Art Theatre’s midnight movie this Friday and Saturday.
Hedwig begins his life by listening to
David Bowie on US Armed Forces radio from his mother’s terrifyingly small apartment in East Berlin. It’s clear from a young
age that Hedwig isn’t like the other kids. He has a knack for fashion that borders on the supernatural and his
songs are catchy enough to listen to on the ride home from the theater. Unfortunately, Hedwig’s life is far from perfect and his dream of having
a sex change goes seriously awry; leaving him with only an “
Angry Inch” remaining of his original member.
Read the full story.
Theatre Reviews
The Old Redford Theatre is one of Detroit’s best kept entertainment secrets. Built in the 1920s, The Old Redford has
been painstakingly restored to its former glory. It has a “Chinese Theatre” motif that sharply contrasts its authentic
Barton theater pipe-organ (which is played before every film and during each intermission).
The standard films played at the Old Redford include classic movies
such as “Double Indemnity” and “The Maltese Falcon”, but recently they’ve begun showing more
contemporary films such as “The Terminator” and “The Blues Brothers.” “Lawrence
of Arabia” played in full Panavision 70 mm to a packed house this past weekend.
Occasionally
vaudeville shows and other special events take place at the Old Redford. Nevertheless, films run regularly every other Friday
and Saturday night at 8:00 and also on Saturday for the 2:00 matinee. An organ overture begins one half hour prior to each
movie.
Although the neighborhood
it’s located in can be a bit dicey, the Old Redford district is making a comeback, with a coffeehouses and music venues
popping up near the theatre. Cautious movie goers can rest assured knowing there is guarded parking in the theatre lot.
Other features which draw film goers include their award winning concession stand where a bag of popcorn and a soda
can be bought for $2.50. Tickets prices remain at 1980s levels ($4.00 for all regular features). Thus, the entire Old Redford
experience (organ overture, cartoon, film, popcorn and a drink) can be had for less than a ticket at the multiplex.
The Old Redford Theatre is located at 17360 Lasher, Detroit MI 48219
