Call it nostalgia but the idea of attending a live taping being recorded directly to VHS for screening on public access television sounds like a damn good time. Especially if it’s free! This Thursday at the New Museum catch special guest Diamond Terrifier (Sam Hillmer’s electronic, saxophone solo project) performing with live green-screen manipulation, while interviews, a how-to demonstration and other activities occur simultaneously.
E.S.P. TV uses a mobile analog television studio to mix experimental music, video art and live performance into one, for broadcast first on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) every Tuesday at 10 p.m., and then at esptvnyc.com.
Here’s what else we’re Reel Psyched about this week.
WEDNESDAY
Arrested Development Season 2 Bingo
Season by season, Videology has been tackling every episode of Arrested Development with a game of bingo that offers contestants free drinks or frozen bananas. Show up “dressed” as a “never nude” and win prizes at the end of the night (you must be “nude” all night to win).
Videology, 308 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg; 8:30 p.m.; Free
FRIDAY
The Funhouse
From the director of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist: a group of teenagers hit up a carnival, smoke a little weed, check out a strip show, harass a fortune teller and accept a dare to spend a night in the spooky funhouse after the park closes down. They’re suddenly being hunted by a man of few words in a Frankenstein suit, who they witness murder the fortune teller they harassed earlier.
Videology, 308 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg; 8:30 p.m.; Free
Rockaway Civic’s Beach Flix: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
After finding a golden ticket in his Wonka chocolate bar Charlie Bucket and four other lucky ticket finders get a tour of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and a free lifetime supply of chocolate. Inside the factory are rivers of chocolate, giant edible mushrooms and, of course, Oompa-Loompas. And we can’t forget Veruca Salt, the inspiration behind the ‘90s alterna band of the same name.
Rockaway Beach, Beach 86th St., Rockaway Beach; 7:20p.m.; Free
Greatest Hits
After a 15-year absence Emilio unexpectedly returns to his wife and 28-year-old son, who sells greatest hits CDs in the subway to make ends meet. After some time the wife and son decide they want Emilio to leave, but find out he has already left. This is not exactly your straightforward plot-driven narrative: director Nicolás Pereda creates a world where actors interact with the characters they play, and where his uncle replaces a character halfway through the movie.
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave., East Village; 6:45 p.m.; $10
Populaire
It’s 1958 and Rose’s life seems destined for disaster. But after interviewing for a secretary job in Normandy, which she completely bombs, she reveals her special talent for typing at extraordinary speeds. Her new boss will enter her into speed typing competitions, but his role as trainer is put to the test as sparks begin to fly between the two.
Village East Cinema, 189 Second Ave., East Village; $14
Red Obsession + Q&A with filmmakers Warwick Ross and David Roach.
This documentary explores the sudden high demand for Bordeaux in China. Wine has always been a status symbol all over the world, and China’s new rich are beginning to deplete the market.
Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St., Greenwich Village; 7:10 p.m.; $11
Salinger
This inside look at the life of J.D. Salinger (Catcher in the Rye, duh!) includes interviews with close friends and colleagues of the reclusive author. Who knows why celebrities like Ed Norton, Danny DeVito and Philip Seymour Hoffman are included — the documentary looks interesting nonetheless. Maybe we’ll get a little more info about the five new Salinger novels rumored for release in the next couple of years.
Angelika Film Center, 18 W. Houston, SoHo; $14
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