EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – There is nothing like spending the day watching movie classics, but it is even better watching them on the big screen. The Plaza Classic Film Festival shows the world’s greatest classics at the Plaza Theater and Felipa Solis is here to give us some of her favourite picks.
Felipa’s Plaza Classic Film Festival Preview
We have all seen films like Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” but imagine seeing it on the big screen. It’s time for the Plaza Classic Film Festival and here are some of my movie favorites.
The festival kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday with the incomparable Charlie Chaplin and
“The Great Dictator.” This film was his first “talkie,” or sound film, and was made as America was about to enter World War II. The film is now referred to as a political satire that was written, produced, directed and starring Chaplin himself. The historically significant film is considered one of his greatest comedic works. He plays a ruthless fascist Dictator and a persecuted Jewish Barber, who is mistaken for the Dictator. The final monologue is possibly one of the most poignant in film history, with a cry for peace.
It goes without saying that La Bamba and Zoot Suit, are the most incredible examples of award-winning Chicano Cinema, and one of its founders, Director Luis Valdez will be on hand to introduce his two monumental films that helped to define Chicano film making. La Bamba is the story of Ricardo Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, whose family of farmworkers supported their teenage son with dreams of music making and stardom. Lou Diamond Phillips is tremendous as the young Latino rock star and the film was a sensation when it was released in 1987. “Zoot Suit,” highlighting the Zoot Suit riots and a lifestyle of the Pachuco in the early 1940’s in Los Angeles, stars Edward James Olmos and will be introduced by the Director himself.
The Academy Award winning “Godfather Two,” starring Al Pacino, who visited the Festival in 2012 and Robert De Niro will be presented this Sunday. Michael Corleone has indeed become “The Godfather,” and we get a little history about his Father in Sicily and his arrival to America. Young Vito Corleone figures out how to make a living for his young family, the olive oil business and a life of crime. Considered one of the greatest epics of the 20th century, this film has to be appreciated on the big screen.
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films and the stuff of big-time nightmares, “The Birds,” can be seen at the Plaza with the actress who played young Cathy Brenner, the child who is so incredible as she has to maintain fear and survival, Veronica Cartwright will be on hand next Saturday to introduce the epic motion picture.
Unforgettable films like Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List,” “Life is Beautiful,” with Academy Award winning actor Robert Benini, “The Way We Were,” with Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford, not to mention “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” action with the fabulous music of John Williams will fill the Plaza Theater through next weekend. Lots of Harrison Ford satisfaction. A couple of other fabulous favorites include “Notting Hill,” “The Birdcage,” and of course the iconic coming of age film “Say Anything,” starring John Cusack will also be featured.
Movie lovers can also enjoy films at the Mexican American Cultural Center, the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, plus Concerts on Oregon Street will fill the air in beautiful Downtown El Paso. For more information go to plazaclassic.com
Remember, bring your clear bags for all Plaza Theater and Philanthropy Theater events.
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