This week's newsletter is a bit thin. I've got two new films, both from England. We also have some of the best of Agnès Varda and Studio Ghibli. Festivals & Series The International Ocean Film Festival plays on April 4 The East International Jewish Film Festival closes on Friday New films opening B+ Wicked Little … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 29 – April 4
What’s Screening: March 22 – 28
This week we have Anna May Wong, Carol Doda, Spider-Man, Buster Keaton, Fritz Lang, and James Dean. I set up this newsletter earlier than usual, so there may be some changes. Festivals & Series The East Bay Jewish Film Festival closes Friday The San Francisco Greek Film Festival closes Saturday Something special Piccadilly (1929), Roxie, … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 22 – 28
A few musings about movies
I've already told you that I'm not doing the usual Friday newsletter. But I have a few things to mention: I attended the Oscar ceremony at the Cerrito Theater. They kept us entertained during the commercial breaks. My favorite winner was Emma Stone. She was incredible! Maybe I should watch Oppenheimer again. As I've written … Continue reading A few musings about movies
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of March
A lot of movies disappear from The Criterion Channel (although some will come back). Here are seven out of the 78 films that will disappear on April Fools' Day. I'm taking a short rest. I won't post my regular Friday newsletter this week. Full recommendations A+ The Third Man (1949) Writer Graham Greene and director … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of March
What’s Screening: March 8 – 14
This Sunday is Oscar night. As far as I can tell, seven Bay Area movie theaters will be playing - not a movie - but a celebration of the concept of movies. Or at least a celebration of ostentatious clothing. Here are the theaters that I know will have a Oscar party: Cerrito New Parkway … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 8 – 14
New movies to the Criterion Channel
Here are seven films that came to the Criterion Channel recently: A Raging Bull (1980)Martin Scorsese put a cap on 70's cinema with this study of boxer Jake La Motta. It isn't an easy film to watch; the experience is akin to a fierce pummeling. But it's worth it. Robert De Niro gives one of … Continue reading New movies to the Criterion Channel
What’s Screening: March 1 – 7
Movie music is central this week. Festivals & Series A Fist of Music, An Ennio Morricone Restrospective, opens today and runs two weeks! The Week's Big Event: A Fistful of Music! Over the next two weeks, the 4-Star will play two films a day scored by the maestro of cinematic music, Ennio Morricone. A A … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 1 – 7
What’s Screening: February 23 – 29
This week in Bay Area cinemas, you can go to two different Jewish film festivals! If you believe in the Auteur Theory, you can watch - on the big screen - films from Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Yasujirô Ozu, Vincente Minnelli, William Wyler, and two very different films from Jonathan Demme. Festivals & Series The … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 23 – 29
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: February 20
Here are five films I've seen since mid-January. They go from wonderful to "Hey, wake up!" Origin Peeping Tom Bell Book and Candle Bob Marley: One Love Love Affair A Origin (2023) Ava DuVernay's exceptional film is like nothing I've even seen. It's a documentary, but it's also a drama, and a lecture about the … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: February 20
What’s Screening: February 16 – 22
Two late Ozu films play in Bay Area theaters this week. There's also The Big Lebowski with a live cast. John Travolta can become very, very fat, but no one has a Spotless Mind! If you don't understand what you just read, don't worry about it. Festivals & Series The Mostly British Film Festival (check … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 16 – 22