October Newsletter

October 2023 - Blow Out

This Monday, October 16th we will be screening Brian de Palma's 1981 crime mystery/thriller Blow Out - an audio twist on the classic "ordinary person witnesses a crime and is put in danger" theme. A young John Travolta plays Jack, an audio technician for B movies who records something unexpected.

Cinema Club meets in the Aspen Drive Library Meeting Room in Vernon Hills. No registration is required. Add it to your calendar so you don't forget!

Here's a few articles to skim beforehand...

American Scream

This Criterion essay by movie critic Michael Sragow is a good read. It contextualizes Blow Out and provides a lot of background information on Brian de Palma's style and influence.

"Many of De Palma’s previous films, including Carrie (1976) and Dressed to Kill (1980), had started to erase the line between pop art and just plain art. By the time he made Blow Out, he had erased that line completely, crafting a political conspiracy film that was as personal and intricate as any piece of high culture—and zestier to boot, using popular, ultracontemporary ingredients, including slasher films and coed comedies."

Validated Over Time

Blow Out is one of those movies that was not a hit upon release, but over the years has gained love from film critics and movie fans alike. In this interview Fred Hirsch, the film's editor, talks about Blow Out as a milestone collaboration with de Palma and touches on other interesting things about the movie's making and why it is a special piece of work.

"Blow Out earned its reputation on many bases: the assurance of De Palma’s direction, the novelty of its plot and the appeal of Travolta’s and Allen’s performances. But among them is the now-outdated means by which Jack does his investigative work."

Reminder: No Cinema Club November & December

We will send another newsletter later announcing our January title.