You know what's the most difficult part of setting up these newsletters? It's writing the intro. So let's get it over with. Reader, meet newsletter. Newsletter, meet reader. Okay, I'll tell you more. There's a new, sexy film from France and a documentary about Jewish settlements in Eastern Europe. There are three films about African … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 3 – 9
The last weekend…of this year’s Noir City
I spent most of the weekend at the Grand Lake enjoying the Noir City festival, watching dark crime movies. Here's what I saw: Saturday Matinée B+ Night Has a Thousand Eyes Do you want to know the future? In this dark fantasy, Edward G. Robinson can see the future, and he wishes he couldn't. He … Continue reading The last weekend…of this year’s Noir City
What’s Screening: January 27 – February 2
Only Fathom Events seems to realize that this week contains Groundhog Day. Anyway, I'm giving you some previews for the upcoming SF IndieFest. After that, there's music from Singin' in the Rain, My Fair Lady, and The Who's Tommy. Other than that, there's a family film about the human brain. Also the best sports movie … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 27 – February 2
Coen ‘n’ Noir
With Joel Coen and Frances McDormand at the BAMPFA, and Noir City at the Grand Lake, the East Bay was popping with cinephilia. I couldn't have seen everything. Here's what I caught. Friday night: Noir City Opening Night Does any other film festival open with a double feature? But then, Noir City may be the … Continue reading Coen ‘n’ Noir
What’s Screening: January 20 – 26
Last week we were walloped by massive waterfalls from the sky. And this week? You must pick between noirs from the year of 1948 or half of the Coen brothers. Along with one of the brothers, Bay Area cinemas will be showing vintage movies from Martin Scorsese, F. W. Murnau, Jacques Tati, David Lynch, Howard … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 20 – 26
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of January
At the end of every month, The Criterion Channel drops a lot of movies from its streaming service to make room for other pictures. Here are just a few of the films that will disappear from the Channel on February 1st. Full recommendations A Broken Blossoms (1919) We're not supposed to say good things about … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of January
Movies I’ve recently seen: Tár ֍ Ball of Fire ֍ Rules of the Game ֍ Nope
Here are two movies that I recently saw in theaters, and two others that were made decades before I was born. And all of them are worth watching. A- Tár (2022) Cate Blanchett seems capable of doing anything. In this drama, she conducts a symphony, plays piano, speaks German, and, of course, acts. She plays … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: Tár ֍ Ball of Fire ֍ Rules of the Game ֍ Nope
What’s Screening: January 13 – 19
Don't worry about it being Friday the 13th. The movies playing around here this week seem to be generating good vibes. You can see Harold Lloyd, with the movie that made me fall in love with silent comedy. But if you prefer your slapstick with dialog, there's a full weekend of Jackie Chan. Also, there … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 13 – 19
What’s Screening: January 6 – 12
If you love Indiana Jones movies, this is a great week for you. The 4-Star will screen the first three pictures, and you can watch them on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. But if you prefer more serious cinema, there's a great film about climate change that is neither a documentary nor science fiction. There are … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 6 – 12
Movies I’ve recently seen: Wildcat ֍ KIMI ֍ Glass Onion ֍ Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife ֍ Babylon ֍ This Place Rules
A lot of good films, or at least interesting ones, pop up at the end of the year. In this selection of Movies I've Recently Seen, there's only one vintage movie, along with five new pictures. Unfortunately, I've seen only one in a theater; there are fewer and fewer cinemas where I live. A Wildcat … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: Wildcat ֍ KIMI ֍ Glass Onion ֍ Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife ֍ Babylon ֍ This Place Rules
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