It’s a dark and dirty world out there, filled with people who’d just as soon kill you as look at you…if there was a profit in it. You certainly can’t trust a beautiful dame. Oh, she’ll play with you until your mind turns to mush, take you for everything you got, then throw you over … Continue reading Dark Times for San Francisco (and that’s good news)
Month: December 2009
Movie of the Decade
I’m not doing a Top Ten list this year—I’ve missed too many movies. Nor am I doing a Top Ten of the Decade. But I’d like to honor one film of the past ten years. Not the best film of the decade by a long shot; I would probably give it an A-. But it … Continue reading Movie of the Decade
What’s Screening: December 25 – 31
The Bicycle Thief, Roxie, opens Friday. I haven’t seen Vittorio De Sica’s neo-realism masterpiece in at least 20 years, so I’m officially unqualified to recommend it. But I remember something stunning and moving, and probably relevant to our economically uncertain times. The Roxie will screen a new 35mm print. A- A Christmas Story, California Theater, … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 25 – 31
New Pacific Film Archive Schedule
The Pacific Film Archive’s January/February schedule came in yesterday’s mail. As usual, there’s a lot of great stuff. The PFA may be hoping to actually earn a profit (if I can suggest such a motive) with the series The Kids Are Alright: Post-Fifties Musicals and the Rise of Youth Culture, which does not, in fact, … Continue reading New Pacific Film Archive Schedule
What’s Screening: December 18 – 24
If you’re a Hitchcock fan and live near the Castro, this is your week. I put my microreviews for the Hitch for the Holidays series at the end of the newsletter. A+ It's a Wonderful Life, Stanford, Thursday, 9:00. A here’s a rarely-acknowledged dark side to Frank Capra’s feel-good fable. George Bailey (James Stewart) saves … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 18 – 24
Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
There’s something very exciting about being present at the rediscovery of a classic. I, plus several hundred other people, experienced that excitement Saturday afternoon at the U.S. premiere of the restored J’Accuse, Abel Gance’s 1919 anti-war masterpiece. This was part of the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. You can also read overview of the event. … Continue reading Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
Silent Film Festival Report
I spent all day yesterday at the Castro, attending the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. Could you think of a better way to spend a rainy day? (Okay, I can think of a better way to spend a rainy day, but my wife was unavailable for such things.) The festival got off to a slow … Continue reading Silent Film Festival Report
What’s Screening: December 11 – 17
The Silent Film Festival Winter Event, Castro, Saturday. This is the big event of the week. Four features—one a huge epic—all with live accompaniment. The one I’m most excited about, because I’ve read about it but never seen it, is the French epic J’accuse, screening at 2:00 with famous (at least to silent film enthusiasts) … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 11 – 17
What’s Screening: December 4 – 10
Sorry I’m posting this late. I was out of town for three days, with limited Internet access. And if it’s a bit short—well, I’m rushed. A Century Ago: Films of 1909, Rafael, Sunday, 6:30. It’s great that the art of cinema is now old enough for us to celebrate the centenary of particular films. This … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 4 – 10
Bayflicks 