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
What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, although out of San Francisco, continues around the Bay Area through Monday. Festival films are at the end of the newsletter. Days of Heaven, Cerrito, Thursday, 7:00. I was blown away by this movie when it first opened–Nestor Almendros’ atmospheric cinematography turned the simple story of lovers posing as … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
