I just realized that a movie I previewed before this year’s Cinequest has just opened in theaters. I should have included the following in this week’s What’s Screening newsletter: C- A Little Help, Opera Plaza Cinemas, CineArts @ Pleasant Hill, opens Friday. This film really helped me appreciate Mike Leigh. It did so by reminding … Continue reading Newsletter Addendum
Month: July 2011
What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival closed its San Francisco run at the Castro last night. It’s taking today (Friday) off, then opening Saturday at Berkeley’s Roda Theatre. Going from Yiddish to British, the From Britain with Love festival opens today at the Balboa. And the Castro is running a tribute to composer Max Steiner … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
B+ Documentary Few filmmakers understood color as well as British cinematographer Jack Cardiff. And those who did understand have Cardiff to thank for it. Early in Craig McCall’s documentary, an aged Cardiff (he died in 2009 at the age of 94) describes his first interview with Technicolor, which had just opened a lab in England. … Continue reading Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Blu-ray Review: High and Low
After his two great action comedies (Yojimbo and Sanjuro) and before his last black and white historical epic (Red Beard), Akira Kurosawa made one of the best crime thrillers of the 1960’s. Now Criterion brings a high-definition copy into your home. Toshiro Mifune (who else?) stars as a successful businessman who thinks he’s off the … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: High and Low
Jewish Film Festival Report: Cemeteries and Gladiators
I attended two San Francisco Jewish Film Festival events at the Castro today. Here’s what I saw: C In Heaven Underground: The Weissensee Jewish Cemetery The last thing you’d expect to find in Berlin is a Jewish cemetery that was consecrated in the 19th century. But Weissensee is just that—a final resting place that the … Continue reading Jewish Film Festival Report: Cemeteries and Gladiators
What’s Screening: July 22 – 28
I’m writing this a week early, so if anything changed at the last minute, it won’t be reflected here. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival plays at the Castro through the week. I’ve listed those screenings at the end of the newsletter. And the Red Vic closes its doors Monday night. Harold and Maude, Red … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 22 – 28
Life, Above All
A drama Written by Dennis Foon and Oliver Schmit Directed by Oliver Schmit Children must often carry greater and more difficult burdens than they should bear. Occasionally, an unusually capable child is up to the task. That's the case with Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka) in this remarkably touching and emotional film from South Africa. Only 12 … Continue reading Life, Above All
Silent Film Festival, Opening Night
I attended both San Francisco Silent Film Festival opening night screenings last night at the Castro. I didn’t attend the party, which conflicted with the second show. That was an easy choice. Upstream The festival opened with a newly discovered John Ford film. Thought lost for decades, a tinted print of Upstlream turned up recently … Continue reading Silent Film Festival, Opening Night
What’s Screening: July 15 – 21
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival continues through Sunday. San Francisco Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday night. Also, this is the Red Vic’s last full week of operation, and they’re going out with a big week. I’m grouping their programs at the end of the newsletter, as if they were a festival. A Terri, Bridge, … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 15 – 21
Blu-ray Review: Buster Keaton, The Short Films Collection
Full disclosure: I’m reviewing a Blu-ray set that I don’t even have. Kino accidentally sent me the DVD set rather than the Blu-ray. In fairness, this may be my fault. When I emailed a request for a review copy, I neglected to specify what format. Luckily, the content of the two sets are identical, so … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Buster Keaton, The Short Films Collection
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