Funny. I saw two films at the San Francisco International Film Festival on Friday—a Danish documentary and a Greek drama. They both concerned themselves with a grown but immature woman too dependent on a parent, and they both had a scene of a loved one’s ashes being scattered into the sea. One big difference: Attenberg’s … Continue reading SFIFF: Attenberg
Month: April 2011
SFIFF: The Good Life
What a way to start this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival! Waiting in line at the Kabuki, a volunteer comes out to split the line between those looking for Irresistible Impulses and those who came for The Good Life. Doesn’t that just sum up the human condition? I was there for The Good Life. … Continue reading SFIFF: The Good Life
What’s Screening: April 22 – 28
The San Francisco International Film Festival opened last night. I'm hoping to spend some serious time there over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to devote much time to it before opening, so my festival discussion at the end of this newsletter is brief. A Valley Girl, Red Vic, Tuesday and Wednesday. Was … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 22 – 28
What’s Screening: April 15- 21
The Tiburon and Oakland International Film Festivals closes today (Friday). But you'll have almost a week to cross the bay, where the San Francisco International Film Festival opens on Thursday. And The San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival, Victoria Theater, Friday, 7:30. Hosted by Peaches Christ. Should be unusual and fun. Oddly, this seems to … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 15- 21
SF Int. Festival Preview
I've previewed two films that will screen at the San Francisco International Film Festival in coming weeks. I saw both on DVD screeners. Here's what I thought about them: A The Mill and the Cross, SFMOMA, Saturday, April 23, 12:30; Kabuki, Wedesday, April 27, 9:00. Painting with the wide palette that 21st century cinema allows, … Continue reading SF Int. Festival Preview
Oliver Stone to Receive Director’s Award
I'm writing this on my phone so I'll keep it brief. I received the press release yesterday afternoon: Oliver Stone will receive the Founder's Directing Award at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. He will be honored Wednesday, April 27 at the Kabuki. A film of his will be screened. Which one has yet … Continue reading Oliver Stone to Receive Director’s Award
What’s Screening: April 8 – 14
The Sonoma Film Festival and the Women's Film Festival both run through Sunday. The Oakland and Tiburon International Film Festivals both continue through this week. A- Play It Again Sam, Cerrito, Thursday. Five years before Annie Hall, Woody Allen proved that he could write, if not yet direct, a real story about real people, and … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 8 – 14
Blu-ray Review: Taxi Driver
When I think of the 1970s as a golden age of Hollywood-financed serious cinema, the first image to come into my mind is a lonely Robert De Niro walking the dark, mean streets of New York, slowly turning into a psychopath. Three young geniuses--writer Paul Schrader, director Martin Scorsese, and actor Robert De Niro--came together … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Taxi Driver
Changes at the Roxie
The Roxie is undergoing more organizational changes. The biggest change: They'll be mixing more live theater with films. On weekends, you'll get a half hour of live entertainment before the movie. I don't have time to really evaluate the announcement, so I'll just do something horribly unprofessional. I'll just pass on their press release, unedited: … Continue reading Changes at the Roxie
Youtube 1911
I'm sure this is an April Fool's bit, and I suspect it will go away very soon. So check it out now. Go to Youtube and click on any video. In the lower-right corner, where you would usually see an HD button, there's a sepia label reading 1911. Press it for a return to older … Continue reading Youtube 1911
Bayflicks 