FILM&TV: “The Breaking
Point”
Based on Hemingway’s famous novel “To Have and Have
Not”, Michael Curtiz’s drama about a debt-ridden boat
captain sticks to the original text closer than Howard Hawks’
better-known version starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
And while history might prefer Hawks’ earlier version,
Alexander Payne (“Election,” “Sideways”)
chose to screen Curtiz’s film as part of the UCLA Film &
Television Archive’s long-lived series aptly titled
“The Movie that Inspired Me.” In addition to a
screening of the movie, you’ll have the opportunity to be a
part of an informal conversation between Payne and Curtis Hanson,
the archive’s chairman. Missing this opportunity to see one
of the coolest filmmakers of our time sharing his personal
inspirations could be as foolish as not giving Payne this
year’s Oscar for best director, which he more than definitely
deserves.
For more info, go to www.cinema.ucla.edu
Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. James Bridges TheatER;
$8
MUSIC: Lincoln center jazz orchestra
Letting the opportunity to see trumpeter extraordinaire Wynton
Marsalis on the UCLA campus pass you by should be considered a
tragedy. Marsalis’ career boasts over 30 albums and nine
Grammys, not to mention the extensive list of collaborations and
the impressive feat of being the first jazz musician to win a
Pulitzer Prize in music. However, when Marsalis isn’t busy
composing his award-winning records or furthering his personal
career, he’s spending his time directing and playing with the
members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The group has 15 of
the most talented soloists and ensemble players in the world,
making it arguably the greatest large jazz ensemble in existence.
So, head over to Royce Hall this Saturday to join the crowd that
will be enthusiastically humming and tapping their toes along to
this program of distinctly American music.
For more info, go to www.uclalive.org.
Saturday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. Royce Hall; $20
THEATER: David Mamet
It’s arguable whether David Mamet is better known as a
playwright or a filmmaker at this point, but either way, he never
fails to provide something interesting to say. After writing
high-intensity stage dramas like “Glengarry Glen Ross”
(1984), “American Buffalo” (1977) and
“Speed-the-Plow” (1988), Mamet took his now-famous
staccato writing tone to the screen, penning movies like “Wag
the Dog” (1997), “State and Main” (2000) and
“Heist” (2001). But regardless of the medium,
Mamet’s writing always retains its rhythms and specific
cadences; there’s a reason words like
“˜Mamet-speak’ and “˜Mametesque’ have been
used to describe others’ works. Recently, Mamet has started
to direct his own films as well, ensuring that the dialogue leaves
the page exactly how it entered it. And while it’s unlikely
he’ll speak all night in that fast-paced rhythm, there is a
pretty good chance you’ll hear part of it ““ after
writing it for so long himself, some of it must have seeped into
his subconscious.
For more info, go to www.uclalive.org.
Tonight at 8 p.m. Royce Hall; $15 for
students