Notes From The Program Director | Week of December 29th 2023

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Notes From The Program Director

Week of December 29th, 2023

Melissa Tamminga

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Hello, everyone!

This week, instead of my usual newsletter, I have the absolute pleasure of sharing with you our Pickford Staff Favorites of 2023.

It’s been a wonderful year for movies, and the joyful energy at the Pickford in 2023 has been palpable. So many movies to love and such a variety, from Barbie and Oppenheimer to Let the Canary Sing and The Boy and the Heron. But, as always, it’s not just about the movies themselves but the community gathered around them: the packed houses, the collective laughter (or tears) before the bright screen, the happy buzz of conversation in the lobby. It’s people gathering together over a mutual love of film and of the cinematic experience, the thing we cannot get at home by ourselves in front of our individual screens. And so, before I present our staff picks of 2023, I want to say, thank you to you all, for loving movies, for loving the cinema, for loving what the theatrical experience can bring to a community.

We at the Pickford love movies, and we love you, our patrons.

Happy New Year, and we’ll see you at the movies!

Melissa

Pickford Staff Favorites of 2023:

Abby, Box Office Manager, Membership & Development Manager: Barbie

“At the risk of being a cliche, Barbie was my favorite! With the perfect casting and amazing vision and direction by our Patron Saint Greta, Barbiechecks all the boxes for me.”

(Honorable Mentions: Theatre Camp, Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse, May December)

Amanda, Intern: Barbie

“This film was a love letter to female friendships and womanhood.”

(Honorable Mentions: Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse, Past Lives, May December)

Brock, Projectionist: Poor Things

“Among the impressive films released this year, Poor Things stands out as a unique cinematic gem. Yorgos Lanthimos seamlessly navigates genres, turning the film into a captivating juggling act—from comedy to horror, romantic melodrama to a suspenseful thrill ride. The central themes of rebirth and identity adds to a very unique film experience as we see the main character develop in "polite society," while the film's creativity shines in costumes, production design, and editing. What truly sells Poor Things for me is the blend of unsettling yet humorous music, coupled with stellar performances from Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo. It's evident that both the actors and Lanthimos envisioned this as an instant classic. I eagerly await adding this masterpiece to my collection.”

(Honorable Mentions: Anatomy of a Fall, Beau Is Afraid, Talk to Me)

Boone, Projectionist: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

“I saw this film four times on the big screen! What a beautiful display of incredible animation. This was the first film ever to animate different characters at different frame rates and I fell in love with the sheer passion from the artists jumping off the screen. As a transmasculine person I felt a strong connection to Miles Morales' storyline in this film and I know many transfeminine people felt a connection to Gwen Stacy as well.”

(Honorable Mentions: The Boy and the Heron, Poor Things, Beau Is Afraid)

Cassie, Projectionist: Past Lives

“Celine Song perfectly captures that deep, aching feeling of "what if?" that we have all felt at one time or another. I am blown away that this is her first film. I literally can't wait to see what she does next.”

(Honorable Mentions: Strange Way of Life, A Song Film by Kishi Bashi: Omoiyari, Broker)

Gray, Marketing Manager: The Boy and the Heron

"Miyazaki is preparing to die. The Boy and the Heron is a fitting swan (heron?) song for one of cinema's greatest living filmmakers to go out on what I believe to be among his highest notes, and that's just what this film feels like. A powerful song that washes over you and may take years to fully comprehend."

Jane, Doctober Associate Programmer: The Nettle Dress

“From the moment I saw the screener I was captivated. The viewer is encouraged to slow down and honor the grief process of Alan Brown and his family. Who knew that you could harvest the fibers of nettles, which are such vicious plants to touch? Then spin them into yarn and finally weave them into cloth to make a dress to honor his wife. Lovely in every way. Beautifully shot with a perfect musical score.”

(Honorable Mention: Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story)

Jason, Projectionist: Barbie

“So surprising - in a good way. This movie is pure entertainment on many levels, the sights, sounds and feel of the entire movie gave me something completely unexpected. It's like if suddenly they found out that sugar is good for you.”

(Honorable Mentions: Asteroid City, Schindler’s List, Anatomy of a Fall)

Joshua, Janitorial: Barbie

(Honorable Mentions: Past Lives, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)

Katie, Accountant: The Color Purple

“This movie was everything for me. The first screen version changed my life forever and was one of the reasons I love movies! This version exceeded my expectations and left me in a puddle of emotions, from the deepest sadness to the greatest joy this film brought them all. From the story to the music to the casting and cinematography, The Color Purple is a perfect movie.”

Lesley, Education and Outreach Coordinator: May December

“The script, music, performances, and cinematography all blend together with Haynes' pitch-perfect direction to create a film that drips & oozes and is drenched in delicious melodrama.”

(Honorable Mentions: Afire, Past Lives, Anatomy of a Fall)

Mchyla, Projectionist: Past Lives

“This film, with its ambiguous and melancholic exploration of fate, 'In-Yun', and what life paths we were 'meant' to take or not, came out and broke me into pieces in the most exquisite and comforting way. The script, which is so understanding of its characters' complex humanity, and all the performances (but especially the incredible Greta Lee) combined to create an unforgettable story that has stuck with me since its release and made me constantly consider similar themes in my own life. And that is what cinema is all about to me.”

(Honorable Mentions: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Anatomy of a Fall, Talk to Me)

Meghan, House Manager: Asteroid City

Melissa, Program Director: May December

“From Samy Burch’s brilliant script; the stunning performances of the entire cast; that bone-jolting thrilling score; the masterful direction of Todd Haynes -- May December is a film that kept me off-balance narratively, emotionally--making me laugh in one moment and feel utter devastation in the next, layers upon slipping layers. But it’s also a film that amidst that tonal, thematic complexity, is nonetheless a cohesive whole; there’s a strong clarity of vision and purpose. And so it’s a film that I’ll be thinking about and basking in the feelings of, for a long time to come.”

(Honorable Mentions: Close Your Eyes, Afire, Fallen Leaves)

Mica, Projectionist: Maestro

“All movie-loving musicians want is a film that captures the genuine spirit of music making, and Bradley Cooper worked his butt off to give us the performance Bernstein's music deserves. I'm so grateful I was able to experience the music in a surround sound theater, and that I was able to drag a group of my classmates in the WWU music department to see it with me! <3.”

(Honorable Mentions: Past Lives, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)

Miguel, Projectionist: Poor Things

Skyler, Staff and Projection Manager: The Unknown Country

“Director Morrisa Maltz invites us to breathe in the world when the oxygen at home no longer fills our lungs. The Unknown Country captures the singular loneliness of grief wrapped in the uncertain warmth of distant family and total strangers. The film is perfectly paced and cleverly shot, and never have I felt so seen and understood as I did taking in Lily Gladstone’s performance.”

(Honorable Mentions: Barbie, Even Hell Has Its Heroes, Smoking Causes Coughing)

Steve, Projectionist: Asteroid City

“I was thinking Wes Anderson might drift into 'greatest hits' territory which he's earned, but staying vibrant and relevant is certainly preferable. This movie knocked my socks off in every way, it was so cool to see Jason Schwarzman all grown up and anchoring the movie (this and Rushmore are possibly a new favorite double feature) and Tom Hanks took to the Wes Zone like he was born to it. I am half expecting to see TH lurking in the background on that Rushmore rewatch.”

Susie, Executive Director: You Hurt My Feelings

“Nicole Holofcener is a sharp observer of the upper reaches of the Manhattan middle class. She is funny and pointed and also extremely kind to her characters. She loves them and wishes them well. I left this movie feeling good.”

(Honorable Mentions: Brother Horse (Hermano Caballo), Anatomy of a Fall)

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Pickford Film Center

1318 Bay St
Bellingham, WA 98225

Office | 360.647.1300
Movie line | 360.738.0735

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