The Cerrito Speakeasy Theater opens for business this week. Built in 1937 and dark for nearly 50 years, the city of El Cerrito has given it's neighborhood theater a restoration and update. Although the city owns the Cerrito, Speakeasy Theaters of Parkway fame will run it. That means we can expect something very much like … Continue reading The Cerrito Opens

We all understand the suspension of disbelief. It allows us to believe in Harry Potter’s magic, sound in the vacuum of space, and the supposedly impromptu dancing of Fred Astaire. If you want to be honest about it, even serious drama requires suspending your disbelief. We know that that working-class gay cowboy is really an … Continue reading Willful Suspension of Morality

It's called the Mill Valley Film Festival, but many of its best events happen in San Rafael. I went to two of them last Sunday. Left to right: Moderator An Tran and cinematographers Daryn Okada, Judy Irola, M. David Mullen, and Elliot Davis photo by Linda Wilkie First there was the Cinematographer Style seminar. Four … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Report

Just a quick note on the Mill Valley Film Festival; something I probably should have pointed out two weeks ago. A large part of this festival's significance comes from its early fall calendar position. For Bay Area film lovers, the MVFF is the beginning of the Oscar season-- your first chance to see any of … Continue reading Oscar Season and the Mill Valley Film Festival