When it comes to films, I am unforgivably pretentious. I’m a sucker for French New Wave, but have to be lured into a Seth Rogen or Will Ferrell flick. When I lived in the San Francisco Bay the plethora of art house cinemas and the Pacific Film Archive provided plenty of movie-watching opportunities. Since my return to my beloved home state, however, there has been a decided lack of showings that peaked my interest.
Thankfully, I found myself at the Film Bar in downtown Phoenix on a fortunate First Friday. The posh interior has an exotic but tastefully minimal appeal, perfect for a quiet drink and late night conversation.
The true splendor lies hidden in the back. Double doors grant patrons entrance to a magnificent theater complete with old-fashioned seating but drink holders large enough to accommodate selections from the bar’s extensive offerings of beer and wine.
I was so excited to uncover this hidden gem in Phoenix I quickly made plans to return for a showing that very week.
Just a few short days later I was back in the Film Bar for a documentary showing. After selecting a beverage and mingling in the soft lighting, I went into the theater to grab a seat.
My fella was my chosen companion for the evening and he was ready for the documentary on secret collections of art (i.e. Secret Museums). The opening credits began and my gentleman companion starting gesturing to the screen in confusion. It took me a full two minutes to realize what I had done. We were at the wrong movie. I had confused the times. Instead of watching Secret Museums I was about to see Dirty Mind, a film from Belgium about a reserved man who is suddenly transformed after a head injury into the adventurous, oversexed Tony T.
I didn’t have time to stop laughing over my scheduling error before the film had me going. If someone as difficult to please cinematically as myself can walk into some random showing, knowing nothing of the film, and be completely drawn in, the folks of Film Bar have something special going on.
Most, if not all, of the flicks that pass along the Film Bar’s screen warrant viewing. And the bar itself means patrons can make a night on the town of it. Bring a date, grab a bite or a drink, watch a film and hang around afterward in the inviting atmosphere to chitchat. Anyway you plan it, the Film Bar is a great spot to check out.
