Getting back to the diary after a long break. I watched Stray Dog Sunday night, continuing my project of watching all of Akira Kurosawa's films (at least those available) in chronological order. I had seen Stray Dog once before, long ago, on VHS. The Criterion DVD was a big improvement. As I've noted before, in … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 5: Stray Dog
Month: April 2009
Test
This is a test. Is my first attempt to write a post on my phone. Please excuse all typos.
Coming to Niles
Good stuff coming to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. On Saturday, May 16, they're screening Wings, the 1927 WWI fighter pilot story best remembered as winner of the first Best Picture Oscar (except that the award wasn't called Best Picture at the time). But the event is much more than the Silent Film Museum … Continue reading Coming to Niles
Paths to Paradise in Niles
My wife and I drove to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum to catch a screening of Paths to Paradise last night. As I suspected, big fun. As is Niles' custom, the evening started with speakers, introductions, and two short comedies--in this case Harold Lloyd's "Chop Suey & Co." and Monty Banks' "Chasing Choo Choos." … Continue reading Paths to Paradise in Niles
What’s Screening: April 10 – 16
Stagecoach, Stanford, Wednesday, 7:30. Nine very different people must cross dangerous territory in the titular vehicle–a journey that forces them to confront their prejudices as well as angry Apaches. A young, impossibly handsome John Wayne made the leap from B pictures to A-list star with his performance of an escaped convict, but it’s Thomas Mitchell’s … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 10 – 16
Coppola and SFIFF
I wish I could figure out a way to maintain this blog, see movies, raise a family, and earn a living. I've had to let the blog slip, recently. In fact, for the first time in years, I didn't attend the press conference for the San Francisco International Film Festival. In case you haven't heard, … Continue reading Coppola and SFIFF
What’s Screening: April 3 – 9
The Sonoma International Film Festival continues through Sunday. Michael Ondaatje & David Thomson: Dialogues on Film, Rafael, Friday through Sunday. The novelist (also a poet) and the film critic (also a novelist) get together to screen Last of the Mohicans, Point Blank, The Grifters, Who'll Stop the Rain, and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 3 – 9
The Edge of Love
Period Drama Written by Sharman MacDonald Directed by John Maybury The Edge of Love is very lovely to look at, and not only because three of its four stars are exceptionally good-looking. Director John Maybury has clearly fallen in love with the look of war-time London (or his imaginary equivalent), and gives us every bit … Continue reading The Edge of Love
Bayflicks 