52nd City

Thursdays with Jarmusch

Recently, I undertook the arduous task of watching the couple of Jim Jarmusch films that had slipped past me, finding along the way that "Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai" would instantly become one of my favorite 15-20 films, like, ever. Also among that number is "Mystery Train," the languidly-paced Jarmusch signature film, which tracks the ghost of Elvis through late-'80s Memphis. The triple storylines, the subtle changes of lighting and music, the simple presence of Screamin' Jay Hawkins... ah, a modern masterpiece.

A Webster University class on Jarmusch is being offered up this semester, taught by R.D. Zurick. Many of the course's films are getting a special, rush-hour screening at the historic Winifred Moore Auditorium, including tomorrow's 5:30 p.m. offering of "Mystery Train," shown, as it should be, on the big-screen at 470 East Lockwood. Following, in coming weeks, will be: the underrated "Night on Earth"; Johnny Depp's oddball turn as "Dead Man"; the aforementioned "Ghost Dog"; and the Jamusch's most-recent, "Broken Flowers," all playing with the early start time.

Those of you with flex schedules (yea!), take advantage.

And did we mention that the Webster University Film Series, as an organization, is being presented with a Kick Ass Award, this Friday night at Gallery Urbis Orbis? We didn't? Well, then. We'll tell you tomorrow.