Popcorn & Candy is DCist’s selective and subjective guide to some of the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.
(Janus Films)
An elder teaches his student the best way to taste ramen. A truck driver helps a chef improve her craft. Young lovers hunger for food and each other’s bodies—at the same time. These are the intersecting characters of director Jûzô Itami’s charming, episodic classic, originally released in 1985 and returning to theaters in a new digital restoration. The film’s references are unapologetically Western, including Rocky, sketch comedy, and, well, Westerns. But this cultural layering seems to have anticipated the rise of foodie culture. Tampopo will make you run, not walk, to your nearest ramen shop.
Watch the trailer.
Opens tomorrow at Landmark E Street Cinema
Caitlin FitzGerald and Mackenzie Davis (Oscilloscope Films)
Anna (Mackenzie Davis) and Beth (Caitlin FitzGerald) are best friends and aspiring actresses. On a weekend trip to Big Sur, their attempts to reconnect turn volatile through mutual resentments and lack of communication. Director Sophia Takal’s second feature is a psychological thriller that shares much in common with last year’s two-hander Queen of Earth (and a little with Persona) in its observation of a disintegrating friendship. But these actresses have better chemistry, and Davis is particularly strong as the best-friend-from-Hell, her demeanor threatening to become unhinged at any moment. Disorienting editing and sound design turns this friendship into something original and unsettling, if a little self-conscious.
Watch the trailer.
Friday through Sunday at the Avalon Theatre.
My series of films starring David Bowie and Prince wraps up at the Library of Congress this week with a 35mm print of Prince’s 1987 concert movie, which is currently unavailable on domestic DVD. Shot during three performances in Rotterdam, Prince meant the film to substitute for an American tour; other than a handful of surprise dates in small clubs, Prince didn’t support the album Sign o’ the Times at home. Which is too bad, since some critics consider the sprawling double album his finest hour. Free tickets to this screening are sold out, but seats have been available at every show. Standbys are encouraged to line up starting at 6:30 p.m. as available seats will be released five minutes before show time. For more information, call 202-707-5502. Learn more about the Library of Congress’ 2016-17 concert season here.
Watch the trailer.
Friday, December 2 at 7 p.m at the Mary Pickford Theatre, third floor of the Madison Building, Library of Congress. Free. Tickets are sold out. but a standby line forms at 6:30 p.m.
(The Criterion Collection)
A disfigured man agrees to participate be the subject of an experimental and highly dangerous operation for a new face. But along with this new face comes a new identity. Director Hiroshi Teshigahara’s 1966 film has inspired everything from the Nicolas Cage/John Travolta ham-fest Face/Off to Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In, but the film was itself inspired by the work of sculptor Isamu Noguchi, whose work is currently on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The movie is available in a handsome Criterion edition, but the museum will be showing a 35mm print, preceded by director Marie Menken’s avant-garde short film about Noguchi.
Watch the trailer.
Saturday, December 10 at 4 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium. Free.
In these troubled times, the Washington Psychotronic Film Society gives us what we need: ’60s exploitation movies. Leslie McRay stars as Michele, who quits her job as a waitress to move to Los Angeles with the hopes of becoming a go-go dancing star. Director Ted V. Mikels is also responsible for the Psychotronic classic The Astro-Zombies, but it’s Gold Boots that made it to MST3K.
Watch the trailer.
Monday, December 5 at 8 p.m. at Smoke and Barrel
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Don’t forget to check out our coverage of this year’s European Union Showcase at the AFI Silver.
