Caught two movies after dinner last night: A- Oslo, August 31 Anders, a recovering drug addict living in a halfway house in the country, gets a day's leave to return to Oslo for a job interview. The trip will also give him a chance to catch up with some friends. But he's lost, has no … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Saturday Evening
Month: April 2012
SFIFF Report: Alps
Today, things are crazy at the Kabuki. Japantown is hosting not only the San Francisco International Film Festival, but also the Cherry Blossom Festival. The crowds are insane. But I've managed to get through the crowds and catch a movie: B Alps I'm not exactly sure what to make of Alps. It has just enough … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Alps
17 Girls
Note: Last September, I screened and reviewed this French film prior to its upcoming Bay Area threatrical release. That release never happened, and my review remained unpublished. I just discovered that the film is available streaming on Netflix, so I'm posting my review. B+ Adolescent drama Written and directed by Delphine & Muriel Coulin 17 … Continue reading 17 Girls
SFIFF Report: The Fourth Dimension
I hit the jackpot for my second and last movie on Friday. First, they were giving out free popcorn and free beer. But the beer was only allowed in the balcony (this was in the Kabuki's big Theater 1). I don't like watching movies from the balcony, so I skipped the beer. I also hit … Continue reading SFIFF Report: The Fourth Dimension
SFIFF Report: Robot & Frank
Got off to a bad start with my first movie of the festival: Robot and Frank. They didn't let people into the theater until 5 minutes before the movie was supposed to start. Then they rushed us in and started the film quickly. As far as the movie was concerned C+ Robot & Frank, This … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Robot & Frank
What’s Screening: April 20 -26
Both the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Tiburon International. Film Festival opened last night. I've placed festival entries at the bottom of this newsletter. B Attenberg, Elmwood and one of the Lee Theaters, opens Friday. You have to adjust yourself to the slow pace here. Writer/director Athina Rachel Tsangari examines the life and … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 20 -26
James Bond 50th Anniversary at the Castro
The San Francisco International Film Festival opens Thursday night at the Castro. But then it deserts San Francisco's major revival palace for three days. During that time (Friday through Sunday if you haven't bothered to figure it out), the Castro will screen eight of the first 12 James Bond movies. Next month marks Hollywood's longest … Continue reading James Bond 50th Anniversary at the Castro
Attenberg
B Coming of age drama Written & Directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari You have to adjust yourself to the slow pace of Athina Rachel Tsangari’s story of a young woman simultaneously facing her budding sexuality (at the rather late age of 23) and her father’s mortality. The static and low-key opening scene of two women kissing … Continue reading Attenberg
What’s Screening: April 13 – 19
I somehow missed the Sonoma Film Festival, but you can still catch the last few days; it ends Sunday. So does the Women's Film Festival, but that one opens tonight. The San Francisco International Film Festival opens Thursday. B Farewell, My Queen, Castro, Thursday, 7:00. What was it Versailles like in the final days of … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 13 – 19
SF International Film Festival Preview, Part II
I've previewed three more films that will screen in this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. Here's what I thought about them. In case you missed Part I, you'll find it here. All of these films will likely receive a theatrical release in the near future. So if you miss them at the festival, you'll … Continue reading SF International Film Festival Preview, Part II
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