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Tench’s Topics
This space features current and recent articles and posts by Naro co-owner Tench Phillips. Tench is a regular columnist for Veer Magazine where he often expands on subjects he is passionate about: social justice, environmental protection, and peace. This page will feature both his Veer columns and additional articles. Please feel free to comment on films or offer your own opinion on posted topics. Please note that comments are moderated for relevancy and civility.
The Crawleys Are Back! Everything you Need to Know About “Downton Abbey: A New Era”
The following excerpts are taken from an article in Vogue magazine by Hayley Maitland about Downtown Abbey: A New Era which opens at The Naro with an early access presentation on May 18th and a full run starting on Friday, May 20th.
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Genre Mix Extraordinaire
There are some interesting back stories behind the surprise smash Everything Everywhere All at Once. It seems that iconic martial arts start Jackie Chan was going to be in the lead role, but the feeling of the directors to pay homage to the strong women in their lives won out, and Michelle Yeoh was casted as the everywoman thrust into a dazzling multiverse of parallel lives.
An Homage to 70s Era B-Movie Making
The following is an open letter to movie-goers from filmmaker Ti West, the writer, director, editor and producer of X, currently playing at The Naro. In it he discusses his inspiration for and general thoughts about this unusual film. It is reprinted in its entirety from distributor A24’s website. For more about Ti West’s background, see his Wikipedia entry here.
Best-Ever Review of The Godfather?
The 50th anniversary of The Godfather recalls to us that the double-feature of Godfathers I and II were the very first films presented by the new Naro Expanded Cinema in 1977. (45 years ago.) Arguably one of cinema’s most iconic works, we’re pleased to participate in its re-release for a new generation to enjoy on the big screen with the latest in digital projection and sound. (We naturally expect many fellow old-timers to come out too!)
The late great film critic for The New Yorker Pauline Kael reviewed the film back in 1972 and her piece retains its brilliance for its superlative writing and in-depth analysis of various aspects of the film – music, cinematography, themes, and even some of the underlying sociological messages it contains – now more relevant than ever:
Portrait of an Everywoman as work-in-progress
In her review of "The Worst Person in the World", Washington Post film critic has glowing praise for this Oscar-nominated film and Cannes "Best Actress" winner Renate Reinsve. "Julie’s a bit of a mess. When we meet her, she has no sooner enrolled in pre-med courses at...
Why Isn’t The Naro Playing “West Side Story?”
Spielberg’s 2021 acclaimed remake of West Side Story would definitely be an audience favorite during Oscar season at The Naro, but alas, we are unable to present this film during this period. Here’s why:
Mal Vincent Has Left the Screening Room
The following essay/ tribute to the late Mal Vincent, long-time cinema and arts critic for The Virginian-Pilot and the producer and host of the Naro’s summer classics series for 17 years, was submitted to us by Ron Stokes, founder of Norfolk’s Generic Theatre, expanding on earlier remarks he had posted on this site soon after Mal’s death.
Presenting ‘Nightmare Alley’ in Black and White Splendor
Washington Post columnist Sonny Bunch posted an interesting commentary about how Nightmare Alley has been able to rise above the fray through a very smart re-distribution of the film in a black and white version.
‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ Enters Oscar Race with Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington
The following article by Anne Thompson is reprinted from IndieWire.com. Joel Coen's Shakespeare adaptation is a contender: Best Picture, actor Denzel Washington, actress Frances McDormand, Director, and more. Anne Thompson Sep 24, 2021 7:30 pm @akstanwyck On the...
“A Perfect Slice of 70’s Nostalgia”
REPRINTED FROM INDIEWIRE ‘Licorice Pizza’ Review: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Coming-of-Age Comedy Is a Perfect Slice of ’70s Nostalgia Cooper Hoffman, Alana Haim, and Bradley Cooper all join the pantheon of PTA's greatest performances in a euphorically hilarious ode to...