[photo-3d] "Kiss Me Kate" is too darned hot!

[Tom Deering <photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

*Review*

"Kiss Me Kate"
Film Forum in New York City
Now through July 20
Showtimes: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:40
Running time: 120 minutes (with intermission)
212-727-8110
http://www.filmforum.com/kissme.html


I just saw the spruced-up 3D version of "Kiss Me Kate", and I make 
you this promise:  If you are within 100 miles of New York and you 
miss this movie, you will be kicking yourself for a very long time. 
Please--I'm begging--please see "Kiss Me Kate" at the Film Forum.

The audience was attentive and appreciative, bursting into applause 
after many great dance numbers and songs.  And there were plenty of 
them in this two hour, fully staged vintage Hollywood musical.  I 
can't recall a more enthusiastic house.

And with good reason.  The dialog is witty, the performances solid. 
The multi-layered story-within-a-story adaptation of Shakespeare is 
brisk and clever.  The dance numbers make you wish you could fly. 
Cole Porter's music glitters in this setting.

The film is in perfect condition, because it's brand new.  It's the 
first new print since the movie was released in the 50's. The vintage 
cachet is underlined by the occasional "daddy-o" slang, which almost 
seems out of place, since the movie doesn't *look* 45 years old. The 
color is vibrant and the two projector synchronization spot on.  Did 
I mention the newly re-mastered sound?  The movie is simply mint; 
perfect in many ways.

Make the evening complete: take along your own 3D glasses.  We 
brought our red ones from Green Bay just to show off, but it saved us 
from those crappy reusable ones.  As we entered, I watched an 
attendant carefully smearing each pair he gave out with a paper 
towel.  When I checked inside the tattered paper envelope he gave me, 
I wished I brought fifty pair of new paper glasses to share with the 
rest of the audience.  However, the greasy optics did not dull their 
enthusiasm.

The 3D is done so artfully, with so many clever angles and 
treatments, it's like a textbook of tasteful, dynamic stereoscopic 
composition.  I fully intend to see it several more times so I can 
take notes.  And I noticed four _stereoscopic_ matte paintings! 
Subtle, but impressive.

By the way, when I went, the choicest ortho seats were all empty. 
Otherwise, the place was packed.  Search me.  Pat and I had the best 
seats to ourselves, with elbow room.

Here's a bribe: If you come from out of town, I will see the film 
with you and buy you a drink afterwards.  Save yourself the 
disappointment of missing this gem.  I don't mind seeing it again, I 
have notes to take.



Cheers,

Tom Deering