Month: April 2012

SFIFF Report: Vegetarian Restaurants, Hippy Communes, and The Source

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

I closed out the second San Francisco International Film Festival weekend with another documentary. This one wasn't about our horrifying future, but our wild past. B+ The Source You'd expect a documentary about an early 70s LA-based cult and hippy commune, centered around a charismatic leader, to be an exposé--names like Charles Manson and Jim … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Vegetarian Restaurants, Hippy Communes, and The Source

SFIFF: Sobering but Entertaining Water Crisis Documentary: Last Call at the Oasis

~ Lincoln Spector

My first movie today at the San Francisco International Film Festival wasn't exactly fun, but it's arguably the most important film I've seen at this year's festival. B+ Last Call at the Oasis Water covers most of this planet's surface, yet the human race is rapidly running out of safe drinking water. Unless you're deep … Continue reading SFIFF: Sobering but Entertaining Water Crisis Documentary: Last Call at the Oasis

SFIFF Centerpiece: Your Sister’s Sister

~ Lincoln Spector

Last night I attended the San Francisco International Film Festival's Centerpiece presentation, consisting of a movie, a Q&A, and a party. A- Your Sister’s Sister This film kept surprising me. The opening scene, involving a group of young adults memorializing a recently-deceased friend,  felt like The Big Chill. But the movie was about only two … Continue reading SFIFF Centerpiece: Your Sister’s Sister

SFIFF Report: Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present

~ Lincoln Spector

Within minutes of getting out of Unforgiven, I was back in the same auditorium for this documentary. B+ Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present I've never seen the point of performance art (as opposed to the performing arts, which I love), but Matthew Akers' documentary on this particular performing artist won me over. It follows … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present

SFIFF Report: Kanbar Awards: David Webb Peoples & Unforgiven

~ Lincoln Spector

I started the day at the Kanbar Award presentation honoring screenwriter David Webb Peoples. After an introduction and a selection of clips from his films (which include Bladerunner, Unforgiven, Hero, and 12 Monkeys, Peoples was interviewed on stage by novelist James Dalessando, an old friend of his. A few notable Peoples comments: Peoples started out wanting … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Kanbar Awards: David Webb Peoples & Unforgiven

What’s Screening: April 27 – May 3

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

The San Francisco International Film Festival continues through the week, but the Tiburon Intl. Film Festival ends tonight. I've placed my festival recommendations and warnings at the end of this newsletter. Man of Aran, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum (although this is a talkie), Sunday, 4:00. Early documentarian Robert Flaherty's third feature (his first was … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 27 – May 3

SFIFF Report: Buster Keaton and Merrill Garbus

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

Last night I attended the San Francisco International Film Festival silent movie event at the Castro--four Buster Keaton shorts (two of them actually Fatty Arbuckle shorts with Keaton in supporting roles), accompanied by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs along with guitarist Ava Mendoza. This is something of a tradition at the Festival--screening silent films with accompaniment … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Buster Keaton and Merrill Garbus