👋 Sam here. The best thing I did this week was renew my membership to the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.
Why it matters: The Cinematheque is nirvana for local film buffs. It's one of the nation's best repertory movie theaters and the only place to see curated foreign, arthouse and independent releases on the big screen.
State of play: I'd let my membership slide, but coughed up the $35 annual fee when I saw Troy mention that it's hosting a special screening of the Oscar-nominated "Sentimental Value" Feb. 12.
Zoom in: The big recurring perk for members is $3 off the standard admission price ($12), so if you go monthly, the membership pays for itself.
Yes, but: You also feel part of the larger local cinephile community.
I always get a kick out of circling movies I'm interested in on the bi-monthly paper schedule, which members receive in the mail.
Invariably, there are titles I've never heard of alongside forgotten classics and new work from exciting young filmmakers.
The latest: The Cinematheque is in good hands with its new director — Bilgesu Sisman, who took over in 2024 after John Ewing's four decades of stewardship.
What's next: I'm looking forward to the screening of the Oscar-nominated "It Was Just an Accident" Feb. 5, and the post-film discussion with critic A.S. Hamrah.
