Documentary Produced and directed by Gary Hustwit Director Gary Hustwit clearly feels passionate about typefaces. So do the graphic designers he interviews. Some consider the ubiquitous san serif font for which the movie is named to be brilliant and almost sacred--the perfect choice for everything. Another, only half joking, blames Helvetica for the Iraq war. … Continue reading Helvetica
Month: December 2007
The Savages
A Family drama/comedy Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins In Slums of Beverly Hills, Tamara Jenkins explored adolescence and the beginning of adult responsibility. In her new film, The Savages, she explores its end. More specifically, The Savages concerns itself with two siblings in early middle-age confronting that very difficult moment in life when a … Continue reading The Savages
Atonement
Historical, romantic drama Written by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Ian McEwan Directed by Joe Wright Sweeping historical epics sweep by a lot faster, these days. According to the Internet Movie Database, the very British World War II love story Atonement runs only 130 minutes. It felt like only about 120 to me. And … Continue reading Atonement
Top Ten Preparation–Part II
Click here for Part I. Last year around this time, I wrote a post about the best festival-only films I'd seen that year. Not a very practical list, as none of these films were readily available to American audiences, but I thought an interesting one. And perhaps, I told myself, my praise might get some … Continue reading Top Ten Preparation–Part II
All In These Recommendations and Warnings
All In This Tea, Cerrito, Sunday. Documentarian extraordinaire Les Blank lives in El Cerrito, so it's no surprise that the local theater gets his new film's East Bay premiere. Blank will appear in person at both shows. All In This Tea is also opening Friday at the Rafael and the Roxie. Double Bill: Follow the … Continue reading All In These Recommendations and Warnings
Top Ten Preparation–Part I
It's December, when movie critics' minds turn to their annual Top Ten lists. We don't actually publish the list until January, but we think about it now. At least I do. and I thought I'd share my thoughts on the subject with you . So let's get started with the rules. To qualify for my … Continue reading Top Ten Preparation–Part I
Youth Without Youth
Arty fantasy thriller Written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola Stylistically, it’s an art film, with slow pacing, a mix of muted and striking colors, and unusual camera angles. Yet the plot sounds like a superhero comic-book movie: Lightning strikes a 70-year-old college professor, but instead of killing him, it recovers his youth and gives … Continue reading Youth Without Youth
No Country for Old Men
Thriller Written and directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen Based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy The Coen brothers haven't quite topped themselves with their latest crime-gone-wrong thriller; Fargo is still their best picture. But they never before made anything so dark and depressing as No Country for Old Men. Or so bereft of … Continue reading No Country for Old Men
Chaplin and Other Recommendations & Warnings
Things aren't as silent-movie heavy as last week, but the Chaplin festival continues at the Castro and the Pacific Film Archive, and that dominates this week's recommendations (and warnings). A Dog's Life, The Idle Class, and Shoulder Arms, Pacific Film Archive, Saturday, 2:30. Charlie Chaplin made far more shorts than features (hundreds as opposed to … Continue reading Chaplin and Other Recommendations & Warnings
San Francisco Silent Film Festival Winter Edition Report
I couldn't attend the entire San Francisco Silent Film Festival--Winter Edition yesterday, but I caught the 8:00 screening of Flesh and the Devil. Good show. The show started with a very short, and very odd 1906 Danish one-reeler call "Rivalinder." I'm not sure to what extent this story of adultery and its cost was meant … Continue reading San Francisco Silent Film Festival Winter Edition Report
Bayflicks 