Interview: TPR's Nathan Cone, Part 2

(Here's Part 1)

CINEMA TUESDAYS

What is your favorite Cinema Tuesdays memory?

I hate to not properly answer a question, but can I name three? And these are not necessarily my favorite movies, but great moments. (My favorite movie is probably "Singin' in the Rain.")

1. In 2002, we screened a special edition print of "Elvis: That's The Way It Is," and had peanut and banana sandwiches to go along with the screening, provided by Madhatter's Tea. That was pretty awesome, and it was great to see a concert movie with the sound cranked loud. [sidebar: for those who think Elvis' Vegas period sucked hard, I challenge you to see this concert movie and come away with the same opinion. Elvis is in excellent voice, he has a crackerjack band, and a 34" waist.]

2. In 2001, we tried to screen "Goldfinger," but that happened to be September 11, so we called off the show. I re-scheduled the film for 2002, but a thunderstorn knocked out power to the building literally 30 seconds before we were to roll film. I'm going to try one more time in 2010 for "Goldfinger."

3. Each time someone comes up to me after a show and says "Thank you for doing this." That's the best compliment we could ever receive.


What would you say has been the most controversial Cinema Tuesdays film, in terms of feedback from your San Antonio audience?

Hands down, "Au hasard Balthazar," directed by Robert Bresson. I scheduled the classic French film based on the availability of a new 35mm print, and Roger Ebert's glowing praise in his Great Movies essay about the film. The movie is an allegory. It traces the parallel lives of a young girl and her pet donkey, Balthazar, both of whom are often treated cruelly throughout their lives. But about 30 minutes in, I could feel the audience collectively wincing every time that donkey brayed in pain. It was awful. Most people told me afterward that they either hated it or didn't understand it, but one gentleman came up to me and quite earnestly thanked me for showing it. And another person I know saw the movie as reflecting his own life.


If you could have any of this summer's Cinema Tuesdays film directors do a post-show Q&A, who would it be and why?

Martin Scorsese, because of his enthusiasm for classic cinema. I highly recommend his documentaries, "My Voyage to Italy" and "A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies." Scorsese also seems like he'd be a great conversationalist. Shameless plug: TPR screens "Taxi Driver" on August 4!


Is there a film you've always wanted to acquire for Cinema Tuesdays, but haven't been able to get hold of it for any reason?

Last year I finally scored "Brief Encounter," which had eluded me for years. Now that I've checked that one off, I'd have to say "A Thousand Clowns," starring Jason Robards, Barbara Harris, and William Daniels. Martin Balsam won an Oscar for his role in the film. It's a great, gently subversive film from 1965.


I noticed there were no Danish Golden Age of Music CDs in your latest door-prize drawing. Did you successfully give them all away?

We did! The last Danish Golden Age of Music CD was given away last year, appropriately on the evening we screened the Danish Oscar-winning film, "Babette's Feast."


AND SINCE I HAVE YOU HERE...

Did you cry during the first 10 minutes of UP? (If not, Nathan Fillion says you're probably a robot.)

Like a baby.


When talking about any carbonated beverage, do you say "soda", "pop", or "coke"?

Hmmm. I used to say "coke" all the time, but now I find myself saying "soda." So, "soda." Despite my being from Texas.


And finally, what is your favorite flavor of pie?

My mom's blackberry cobbler is the best!

[Mine's strawberry-rhubarb, if anyone wants to make me some. Just saying.]


Wow, thanks, Nathan -- for being a great interviewee, and for everything you do at TPR!


You can follow Nathan on Twitter (@TPRCinema), listen to his Cinema Tuesday film reviews, and even sign up for the CT newsletter. Of course, don't forget to tune in to (and support) Texas Public Radio.

And don't miss tonight's CT film: A Streetcar Named Desire. You can reserve your tickets online, even. Box office opens at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm.

Actually, the "STELLAAAAA!!!!" scream-off starts at 7:30, so find your seats and order your pizza and Shiner before that.

And there's always a door-prize giveaway.

And then there's a cool animated short of Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart.

And then Streetcar.

What a bargain!

See you there...

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