A Teenage comedy/drama Written by Patrick deWitt Directed by Azazel Jacobs Terri (newcomer Jacob Wysocki) has problems well beyond those of your average adolescent. For one thing, he’s extremely overweight. He lives with a mentally-ill uncle. He dresses only in pajamas, and gets to school late almost every day. On the upside, the school’s guidance … Continue reading Terri
Month: July 2011
Blu-ray Review: Beauty and the Beast (1946 version)
I’d be hard-pressed to think of another film that’s anything like Jean Cocteau’s post-war fantasy. It’s a fairytale, told with a charming and often naïve innocence, and contains absolutely no objectionable-for-children content. But its slow pace and quiet magic never panders to unsophisticated viewers. About 30 years ago I saw a very young audience sit … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Beauty and the Beast (1946 version)
What’s Screening: July 8 – 14
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival opens its four-day run on Thursday. The Big Uneasy, Elmwood, opens Friday; Rafael, Monday, 7:15. We associate comedian Harry Shearer with mockumentaries (Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind), but now he’s made the real thing. In his first true documentary (which I haven’t yet seen), Shearer examines the causes of … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 8 – 14
The Red Vic’s Final Days
I just came home from a two-day mini-vacation, and what do I find? The Red Vic will definitely close on July 25—less than three weeks away. This seemed likely back in March, but it’s an absolute fact, now. Among the final films are Babe, Stop Making Sense, Touch of Evil, and The Last Waltz. The … Continue reading The Red Vic’s Final Days
Graham Leggat Steps Down
Graham Leggat, executive director of the San Francisco Film Society (the organization that runs the San Francisco International Film Festival and has just taken over the VIZ Cinema @ New People movie theater) announced this morning that he’s stepping down for health reasons. According to an article by Leah Garchik in this morning’s Chronicle, he … Continue reading Graham Leggat Steps Down
Jewish Film Festival Preview
I’ve managed now to preview four films for the upcoming San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, three of them documentaries. Here’s what I thought about them: A- 100 Voices: A Journey Home, Castro, Thursday, July 28, 8:15 (San Francisco closing night); Oshman Family JCC, Wednesday, August 3, 6:15; Roda, Thursday, August 4, 6:40. In 2009, documentarians … Continue reading Jewish Film Festival Preview
What’s Screening: July 1 – 7
No festivals running this week. Das Boot, VIZ Cinema @ New People, Thursday, 6:00. I haven’t seen Wolfgang Petersen’s breakthrough submarine epic in a very long time, but I remember being very impressed when I saw it. This screening will be the 208-minute director’s cut. Considering Petersen’s effective use of surrounds and the Viz’s sound … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 1 – 7
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