A still from the documentary 'Kings of Pastry;' image from the film's official YouTube channel
For the past couple of months, I have posted relatively infrequently in the “movies” category of this site because my once-frequent moviegoing habit had dropped off sharply. I still enjoy seeing new releases and staying out of trouble for a few in an air-conditioned environment, but few new releases over the last six months or so caught my attention — especially as the lag between theatrical and DVD release seems to have shrunken to about a month in some cases. By the time I’ve had time to think about seeing a movie, it’s already gone and will be available on Netflix in a couple weeks.
That’s changed, though, with the opening of the new art-house cinemas I’ve posted about here in the recent past, particularly the Coral Gables Art Cinema. O Cinema in Wynwood is in a trendier neighborhood, perhaps, but it has yet to take off with regular programming. Meanwhile the Coral Gables Art Cinema shows something seven days a week, and is situated exactly between my home and my job. The tickets are also slightly less expensive there, so I can see a movie and get parking for the price of just a ticket at the local megaplex.
Because of this, and really because of its geographical proximity, I will be seeing more movies in the theater again. Just as I write this, I greatly enjoyed a new documentary showing there called Kings of Pastry, about an ultra-high-level pastry competition in Lyon, France.
Shockingly (I type that sarcastically), no one wanted to see a largely subtitled documentary about dessert with me, so I went by myself. Sure, I would be one of about five people in the audience. Shockingly to me —not sarcastically — the theater was actually pretty full! In fact, the run of the film has been extended!
It makes me feel somewhat hopeful for cinema culture in this city, especially as O Cinema seems to be gearing up finally. In early December, it hosted the latest installment of the ongoing series “Cinema Sounds,” in which local bands perform and improvise over avant-garde film. Miami is still leagues behind other large cities in the film department, but there’s some hope on the horizon.