Flick picks for the NY Film Fest
Last year’s New York Film Festival turned out to be an awards-season bonanza. The opening-night world premiere, “The Favourite,” went on to earn 10 Oscar nods, winning for Best Actress (Olivia Colman). Plus, we got an early look at Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” and “At Eternity’s Gate,” starring Willem Dafoe. This year’s Upper West Side fest promises more thrilling and adventurous flicks than ever. Here are a few we’re looking forward to.
“The Irishman” (Friday, Saturday)
Martin Scorsese’s latest brings together Robert De Niro, Al Pacino (his first Scorsese collaboration) and Joe Pesci to tell the story of mob hitman Frank Sheeran, and the disappearance and murder of Jimmy Hoffa. The big-budget crime drama was still in production during the Toronto and Cannes film festivals, meaning New York gets the first look at the hotly anticipated title. To drive home his epic vision, Scorsese uses movie magic to de-age his legendary actors by 30 years. Scorsese will give a separately ticketed talk Saturday.
“Marriage Story” (Oct. 4)
While critics tend to get a bit gushy at the Venice Film Festival — the risotto! the canals! — early buzz for Noah Baumbach’s film has been bellissimo, especially for Adam Driver as a film director who endures a turbulent divorce with an actress (Scarlett Johansson). It’s said to be based on Baumbach’s own divorce from Jennifer Jason Leigh.
“Motherless Brooklyn” (Oct. 11)
Filmed in Brooklyn-less Harlem, director/star Edward Norton’s drama is based on Jonathan Lethem’s novel of the same name, about a man with Tourette syndrome trying to solve the murder of his boss. It’s one of the starriest movies of the festival, also featuring Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Cannavale and Cherry Jones.
“Parasite” (Oct. 5, 7)
From Bong Joon-ho, the director of “Okja” and “Snowpiercer,” “Parasite” has been rapturously received on its festival tour, winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Simply stated, it’s about a wealthy South Korean family that collides with a low-class clan, but its many narrative twists ain’t so simple. Bong will chat with audiences Oct. 8.
“The Cotton Club Encore” (Oct. 5)
Francis Ford Coppola loves nothing more than a recut (see: “Apocalypse Now”). With “The Cotton Club Encore,” however, he’s done so with noble intentions. The director says that in 1984, producers told him the 1930s-era film was too long and featured “too many black people.” This newly cut version bolsters Gregory Hines’ character, and includes more dancing and a new ending. The screening includes a talk with Coppola.