What's going on, Albuquerque?

Guild Cinema = endless downer

Don't get me wrong, I love the guild, or rather I WANT to . . . I was raised going to funky little old theaters, doing the Rocky Horror thing (before the military chants and stupid pre-shows; in my day only the film had a staring role-but I digress). Tonight I went out with my husband; great meal at the Korean Barbecue House, we went to the guild. I had seen in the Alibi they were playing a Hammer film with Oliver Reed (William Shatner wishes he could over-act so perfectly) in a biker gang.

I thought the film was a fun campy one I remember seeing on tv (Chanel 5 Southern California) in the 70's, something about British kids in a gang that make a deal with Satan, if they kill themselves they become youthful undead.
Should have known better, the film I remember (anyone know the title?) though a horror film it was FUN, the guild films I have seen over the last eighteen years are without exception an endless f-----g downer. Why? Someone explain to me why every film has to be endless misery with a dash of misogyny thrown in? How about one night a week a film that is not as depressing as a presidential address. . . . a Bollywood night? Fun Asian fairytales? Why do I have to give my money to netflix when I can't find it at the local library? The Guild has never been filled when I have been there, so obviously the endless misery theme is not bringing out the neighborhood.

Please Guild folks, the country is in a bad place, perhaps one night a week without the doom and gloom, or just a little joy in films? Tuesdays?

Tags: Albuquerque, Cinema, Guild, burque, city, duke, hammer, hill, horror, movies, More…nob

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Comment by hettie on October 30, 2008 at 1:16am: maybe you should go more often. we've seen as many uplifting movies as downers there. a recent one off the top of my head is "the cats of mirikitani." there was the asian film about a flubbery-like toy that was really an alien (can't remember what it was called, but it had initials and numbers in the title). then there was the doc "girls rock" those are just a couple from the last 6 months or year that pop into my head. we also loved the breakdance movie and the local zombie flick necroville.

the guild shows tons of movies that aren't "endless misery with a dash of misogyny thrown in," you just have to make an effort to know what's playing there. for instance, tonight's movie was a "halloween horror classic," part of their lead up to friday, which you can find out by checking their website or picking up a monthly movie calendar at the theater. you can also check the alibi website for movie summaries.

I, for one, am grateful that abq still has a theater that shows films and docs none of the national chains will pick up because they're too busy showing hollywood's latest superhero/disney/romcom crap to make a greasy dollar (or $10). (I do wish the lobo theater was still a going concern. I have so many great memories of misbehaving in the balcony.....)

Comment by the hand model on October 30, 2008 at 8:13am: I think this is a misguided slam on The Guild.
Why not Netflix yourself some Disney movies?
Although, Bambi can be a bit of a downer, too.

Comment by slamwagon on October 30, 2008 at 8:16am: Hey, you're trying right?

Keep at it! You'll catch an uplifting film. :)

Comment by SteveJ on October 30, 2008 at 8:20am: I like the Guild also, but my wife thinks it smells bad in there. I am willing to look past it, but maybe something could be done to get rid of the musty smell to bring more folks in.

Comment by secret squirrel on October 30, 2008 at 9:01am: You must not get to the guild very often, I've seen some of the most amazing and beautiful films there. Most recently Werner' Hertzog's "Encounters at the End of the World" and "Man on Wire". Where else would you see such memorable films on the big screen?

Comment by Brendan on October 30, 2008 at 10:25am: Have to agree with Celine.

It's not that the movies the Guild is showing are bad, but they often explore man's inhumanity to man, as it were. We all know Hollywood movies are generally crap because they're shooting for mass appeal, but that's not what Celine is talking about. As am example, the stereotypical Bollywood movie has a central theme of love, not pain. How about some love, Guild?

the cats of mirikitani: "ighty-year-old Jimmy Mirikitani survived the trauma of WWII internment camps, Hiroshima, and homelessness by creating art. But when 9/11 threatens his life on the New York City streets and a local filmmaker brings him to her home, the two embark on a journey to confront Jimmy's painful past..." I'm sure this is a good film, has depth, insight and so forth. But the description is also strongly rooted in suffering!

girls rock: Hey, that might be pretty good. It sounds like people are loving the documentaries at the Guild more than fictional stories.

Comment by Celine on October 30, 2008 at 10:49am: Perhaps it is just that I am too old for the guild, I outgrew Disney films 30 years ago, Felini films 20 years ago. Believe that I have seen enough independent films outlining mankind's imperfections to last a lifetime.

I was a film student in California a bit over 20 years ago. After years and years of harsher looks at life, you realize it is hope that makes you able to keep your head up and your eyes open. I don' think that the guild should take anything away, just add a bit . . . . something for us older folk who already know that man is flawed and eternal diligence is mandatory.

I don't see many movies these days, I am not interested in being sold the latest plastic lifestyle; the last film I saw in a commercial theater was Religulous and while it had much to recommended it, there was nothing new in it for ME, all of the arguments I have been putting forth myself for most of my life.

I am in the choir and been preached to, now I would like something more hopeful.

Oh, and I totally agree about the documentaries, King Corn was excellent.

Comment by Celine on October 30, 2008 at 10:53am: Oh, and BTW this is my blog, written to express my opinion, you need not agree, but try to keep perspective. Blogs are supposed to be unfettered, I am not witting anything I have not suggested (very politely) in person ;)

Comment by Bart Conway on October 30, 2008 at 11:24am: The funky smell which sometimes pops up in the theater may now improve greatly, as the next door neighbors, Il Vicino, just did a big sewer repair. Thank goodness. (Now, if they can just make their swamp cooler stop vibrating the entire theater during the summer.......)

Comment by Mark on October 30, 2008 at 12:19pm: I hear where Celine is coming from. And I think that too many people can be offended when someone looks for ways to improve an ABQ landmark. Maybe it is because we have so few of them, that the teeth come out. I love going to the Guild when the flick is right. I wish that happened more often too.