Rudy Ray Moore conquered a genre

Larry Karaszewski, who co-wrote such films as “Ed Wood” with Scott Alexander, is presenting a salute tonight to 1970s blaxploitation legend Rudy Ray Moore, who died last year at the age of 81, at the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre.

Karaszewski will be screening 1975’s “Dolemite” and 1977’s “Petey Wheatstraw.” Between films, there will be a discussion with cast members of “Dolemite” and the recently released homage, “Black Dynamite,” as well as with director Reginald Hudlin.

The Cinematheque’s “Cinema Italian Style” festival continues at the Aero Theatre tonight with the L.A. premieres of “The Sicilian Girl” and “Focaccia Blues.” Screening Friday are two more local premieres: “David’s Birthday” and “Matter of Heart.” Director Marco Bellocchio will be on hand Sunday for his latest film “Win!,” a drama about Mussolini’s illegitimate son.

Monday at the Aero, indie filmmaker Richard Linklater will be on hand to introduce the screening of his new project, “Me and Orson Welles,” based on a true story about a teenager cast in Orson Welles’ 1937 production of “Julius Caesar.” And on Wednesday, critic Kevin Thomas presents the exquisite but rarely seen 1952 William Wyler film “Carrie,” starring Laurence Olivier in one of his most haunting performances, and Jennifer Jones. www.americancinematheque .com

Restored ‘Eternity’

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is presenting a new digital restoration of the landmark 1953 Oscar-winning best picture, “From Here to Eternity,” Wednesday night at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Based on the novel by James Jones, the drama revolves around a group of soldiers and the women in their lives on an Army base in Honolulu just before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, Donna Reed and Ernest Borgnine star. “Eternity” also won other Oscars, including best director for Fred Zinnemann, supporting actor for Sinatra, supporting actress for Reed and screenplay for Daniel Taradash. Borgnine, 92, will be on hand to discuss the film. www.oscars.org

--

[email protected]