Quality cinema? Look to alternative programs

Wow. Just, wow! Between Rob Zombie's pointless sequel to his remake of the horror movie "Halloween," the insipid kids film "Shorts" and the obnoxious "All About Steve," which is probably the worst movie in Sandra Bullock's career, this has to be one of the most brutal, weeks-long stretches in movie releases in quite some time.

Of course, it's hardly unexpected.

Late summer and early fall period is the time of year that usually includes quite a few studio cast-offs and other undesirable projects.

But don't despair. There will certainly be better movies in the weeks to come. The films "9," "Surrogates," "Love Happens," "Where the Wild Things Are" and "The Informant!" all have good buzz. And until then, there are some alternative movie programs to whet your appetites for quality cinema.

For one thing, Edison Street's Organ Loft kicks off its 2009 fall season Sept. 10 and 11, with showings of the 1917 comedy-western "Wild and Woolly," starring Douglas Fairbanks.

The "season" will also feature two other Fairbanks films, 1917's "A Modern Musketeer" (Oct. 8 and 9) and 1919's "When the Clouds Roll By" (Nov. 19 and 20).

And as always, the Organ Loft is bringing back the 1925 version of "The Phantom of the Opera" starring Lon Chaney (Oct. 21-23).

The silent-movie house will not be open this year over Halloween weekend, but it will reopen for screenings of a rarely-seen, 3D version of F.W. Murnau's 1922 vampire classic "Nosferatu" (Nov. 5-7).

Showings at the Organ Loft, 3331 Edison, start at 7:30 p.m. and include musical accompaniment by Blaine Gale.

Tickets for Organ Loft programs are $5, though the "Nosferatu" screenings will include a $1 charge for 3D glasses. For more information, browse www.organloftslc.com or call 801-485-9265.

ELSEWHERE …

The Broadway Centre Cinemas, 111 E. 300 South, is hosting Global Lens 2009, a touring event that showcases narrative features from Third World countries and from Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

This year's program, which consists of 10 films, will play for a week, starting Sept. 11.

Ticket packages are $10 for all 10 films, though individual film tickets are also available.

For more information visit either www.globalfilm.org or www.saltlakefilmsociety.org, or call 801-746-0037.

The 2009 Sundance Institute Film Series continues this month with a Sept. 10 showing of the human-rights documentary "Mrs. Goundo's Daughter." The film will screen at the Park City Library, 1255 Park Ave., at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Sundance Institute Film Series programs include "The Cove" (Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Park City Library), "Don't Let Me Drown" (Nov. 4, 7 p.m., Rose Wagner Center) and "We Live in Public" (Dec. 2, 7 p.m., Park City Library).

All films in the series are free. Information on the series and on other Sundance Institute programs can be found at www.sundance.org.

e-mail: jeff@desnews.com