Cinephilia

"It's sort of a cliche: They don't make independent films like they used to," says local film curator extraordinaire Christopher May. Unfortunately, that cliche is true. That's why May has helped organize the new Classic Arthouse Series every second and fourth Saturday of the month at Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Cafe, 2510 East Colfax Avenue, to showcase 35mm prints of art cinema from the late '70s and early '80s — independent films that were independent. "These films are not directed by Sean Penn and don't have music by Jewel," he says. "They are actually made by the filmmaker themselves with a very small budget and a non-studio orientation."

May's especially pleased to present and discuss the films at Neighborhood Flix, whose on-site cafe is perfect for enjoying dinner before the film or a nightcap afterward: "It is truly an independent art-house theater. Like the films we are going to be showing, it's not part of a major corporation or anything like that." The series starts tonight at 10 p.m. with John Sayles's kooky sci-fi classic The Brother From Another Planet. Tickets are $8.50; for more information, go to www.neighborhoodflix.com or call 303-777-3549.
Second and Fourth Saturday of every month, 10 p.m., 2008