This year's San Francisco International Film Festival ended nearly a week ago. Either the festival programmers did an excellent job selecting titles or I had exceptional luck picking ones to see. Of the 16 new films I caught this year (two on preview DVDs and 14 at the festival itself), six earned a full A, … Continue reading SFIFF: Summing Up the Festival
Month: May 2011
SFIFF: Closing Night
This year's San Francisco International Film Festival closed last night with a screening of On Tour at the Castro, followed by a party at The Factory. I got to the Castro early--about 6:15 for a 7:00 show--and discovered something that would reasonably upset most moviegoers. Almost the entire middle section of the house was reserved … Continue reading SFIFF: Closing Night
What’s Screening: May 6 – 12
The San Francisco International Film Festival is over. Whew! But the Epidemic Film Festival runs Friday and Saturday, and the Crossroads Festival opens Thursday. In the meantime, the Castro is screening two films on my Very Best Films of All Time list, one of them on a double-bill with something that almost made the list. … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 6 – 12
Asian Movie Madness
I've been so pre-occupied by the SF Film Festival I haven't had a chance to write about Asian Movie Madness, already running at the 4-Star. The first show, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, is about to close its one-week run. Then we've got what look like 12 pretty extreme double-bills running … Continue reading Asian Movie Madness
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
A- Documentary Directed by Werner Herzog Only Werner Herzog would ask a scientist about his dreams. But that’s precisely why Herzog was the perfect choice to make this documentary about very ancient cave paintings—amongst the earliest works of art in existence, and works that show significant talent. Other documentarians would ask about how the paint … Continue reading Cave of Forgotten Dreams
SFIFF: Black Power Mix Tape
Managed to get to one movie at the Kabuki today—the last one I’ll see there at this year’s festival. B+ The Black Power Mixtape 1967–1975. The nature of the civil rights movement changed dramatically in the mid-to-late 1960’s, and this American/Swedish documentary tracks the black power movement from Stokely Carmichael’s heyday until heroin ravaged Harlem. … Continue reading SFIFF: Black Power Mix Tape
SFIFF: Sunday at the Castro
I forsook the Kabuki for two San Francisco International Film Festival events at the Castro today. La Dolce Vita This was my second time seeing what many consider Fellini's masterpiece. The first time--maybe 15 or 20 years ago--was at the UC Theater (of blessed memory). That was also from a new restoration spearheaded by Martin … Continue reading SFIFF: Sunday at the Castro
SFIFF: Films About Teenagers
After the Kanbar Award event, I caught two other films at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Coincidentally, both were about teenagers. Both were also very good. B+ Children of the Princess of Cleves. In France as in every other country, adolescents must deal with ranging hormones, overly-strict parents (in their eyes, at least), tests … Continue reading SFIFF: Films About Teenagers
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