The From Britain with Love festival continues at the Rafael. This is a silent film-heavy week. Leap Year, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Saturday, 7:30. I have a good reason to have never seen Roscue “Fatty” Arbuckle’s last starring feature; this will be only its second public screening in the Bay Area. A major box … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 26–September 1
Month: August 2011
Cowboys, Aliens, and Original Blockbusters
I wanted to see Cowboys and Aliens as soon as I saw the advertising. Partly, it struck me as a cool idea. I also wanted to support any big-budget Hollywood summer movie that wasn’t a sequel, prequel, remake, or adaptation from a TV show, best-selling novel, or comic book. Besides, a new western is a … Continue reading Cowboys, Aliens, and Original Blockbusters
What’s Screening: August 19 – 25
From Britain with Love continues at the Rafael. The Sausalito Film Festival opens today for a three-day run. And since Buddhists and us Jews get our own festivals, it’s only right that the Roxie devote one day (Sunday) to the Atheist Film Festival. A- Special Harold Lloyd evening with presentation & Girl Shy, Niles Essanay … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 19 – 25
Cracks
I wrote this review after seeing Cracks at the 2010 San Francisco International Film Festival. I was under the impression it would receive a theatrical release and therefore held back the full-length review. As it turns out, it did get a theatrical release, but it didn't spread to the Bay Area. Since it's available on … Continue reading Cracks
The UC Theatre: A Memory
I’ve seen a lot of movie theaters close. It always hurts. But none hurt as much as Berkeley’s UC Theatre. There were years when I went there three or four times a week. Even more than the Castro, the UC was my shrine to the art and joy of cinema. It closed its doors for … Continue reading The UC Theatre: A Memory
Days of Heaven At the Cerrito
I first saw Terrence Malick’s historical, visually poetic epic, Days of Heaven, in 1978. It was brand new back then, and I saw it in 70mm, at San Francisco’s now-defunct Regency II. I saw it a second time last night at the Cerrito. I’m pleased to report that it is still a great film. Which … Continue reading Days of Heaven At the Cerrito
What’s Screening: August 12 – 18
I missed this earlier, but From Britain with Love has moved across the Golden Gate to be Rafael. And over the weekend, VIZ Cinema @ New People presents An Asian American Film Retrospective. No other festivals this week. A+ Ikiru, VIZ Cinema @ New People, Friday, 7:00. One of Akira Kurosawa’s best, and one of … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 12 – 18