When was the last time you watched a beloved classic the way it should be seen? And by that, I mean in a theater with a large screen and an audience. I don't think I've had that experience since 2019. The Cerrito celebrates its reopening this Friday with the Cerrito Classics Festival. Here are the … Continue reading The Cerrito opens with a classic fest
What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Godzilla wakes up Bay Area classic cinema after more than a year's slumber. Also, Danish action, kids against guns, Melvin Van Peebles' first film, World War II, and rodents of unusual size. Festivals The DocLands Documentary Film Festival closes on Sunday CAAMFest continues through the week and beyond Godzilla's Monster Bash opens today, and with … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Berlin & Beyond previews: Sisters Apart | Cocoon | Walchensee Forever
The Berlin & Beyond Film Festival opens May 25 and closes May 30. Here are three of the 25 films being shown through streaming, at a drive-in, and - believe it or not - in an actual hard-top movie theater. A- Sisters Apart Opening night! The fog of war feels thick when Rojda, a soldier … Continue reading Berlin & Beyond previews: Sisters Apart | Cocoon | Walchensee Forever
Riders of Justice out for revenge
B Crime Thriller Written by Anders Thomas Jensen from an idea by Nikolaj Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen You know those "dad thrillers" that usually star Liam Neeson? Well, here's the Danish version, and silly as it is, it's fun - if you can stand the violence. A passenger train … Continue reading Riders of Justice out for revenge
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of May
A lot of laughter will be leaving the Criterion Channel when May turns into June. The Preston Sturges flicks will disappear, along with comedies by Melvin Van Peebles, Elaine May, and John Sayles. Even a few great dramas will also leave the Channel. A+ The Lady Eve (1941) Like all great screwballs, The Lady Eve … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of May
What’s Screening: May 7 – 13
This week in Bay Area cinema: Harry Potter on the big screen. A discussion with film preservationist/showman Serge Bromberg. Ousmane Sembene's satire on wealth and ego. Going down river with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Also, three film festivals. And next week, the Roxie will open its doors and show us some movies. Festivals The … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 7 – 13
Weird, German, or both: Two different festivals coming up
I just discovered a small, hopefully frightening film festival happening over this weekend. I've also got some information about the upcoming Berlin & Beyond festival later this month. As I write this, I haven't yet seen a single film in either of these festivals. Horror over Zoom Over the last weekend, SF IndieFest scared us … Continue reading Weird, German, or both: Two different festivals coming up
Great films, strange streams: The Crowd, Lone Star, & Sparticus
Not all great films get the home theater treatment they deserve. Here are three terrific films getting better home presentations…although they still need improvement. The Crowd (1928) Last year, I wrote an article about great films not available at home, and I put The Crowd first. This isn't a lost work, but a masterpiece kept … Continue reading Great films, strange streams: The Crowd, Lone Star, & Sparticus
What’s Screening: April 30 – May 6
This week in Bay Area movies: A Castro opening on the horizon. $5 Tuesdays. A serious art film that should be shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000. The Octopus documentary on the big screen. And classics from Orson Welles, the Coen brothers, and New Zealand. And one virtual film festival. Festivals The Livable Planet Film … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 30 – May 6
Movies I’ve recently seen: Chloé Zhao’s first feature, James Whale’s haunted house, Hannah Arendt, & Dr. No
Another selection of movies that no one asked me to watch. I just wanted to see them (or see them again). A- Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) Chloé Zhao's first feature isn't quite as good as the two she made since, but it's still very much watching. Like The Rider, it's set on a … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: Chloé Zhao’s first feature, James Whale’s haunted house, Hannah Arendt, & Dr. No
