One man conceives of the perfect crime, then brings three hardened criminals in on it. Everything goes smoothly, with an innocent bystander taking the wrap. But when that bystander is released for lack of evidence, he has business to attend to.I just watched Kansas City Confidential, at home, on Blu-ray. I found it to be … Continue reading Kansas City Confidential
Month: June 2012
What’s Screening: June 29 – July 5
The Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival opens tonight and runs through the weekend. Other than that, it's a slow week. Enjoy the fireworks. C+ Pink Ribbons, Inc., Opera Plaza, Shattuck, Rafael, opens Friday. Breast Cancer kills nearly 60,000 North Americans a year. Yet organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure have turned it into … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 29 – July 5
Thoughts on Bernie
I caught Richard Linklater's Bernie this evening at Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas. You probably already know that it's based on the true story of Bernie Tiede, a popular assistant funeral director in a small Texas town. He befriended, possibly seduced, and definitely murdered the richest and meanest widow in the area. You've also probably heard that … Continue reading Thoughts on Bernie
Pink Ribbons, Inc.
C+ Documentary Directed by Léa Pool Breast Cancer kills nearly 60,000 North Americans a year. Even if yours is discovered early, and you do everything you're supposed to do, it could still kill you. Yet organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure have turned it into an upbeat campaign, heavily themed on the color … Continue reading Pink Ribbons, Inc.
What’s Screening: June 22 – 28
In festival news, Frameline LGBT continues through Sunday. A- Oslo, August 31, Kabuki, Embarcadero, Rafael, opens Friday. Anders, a recovering drug addict living in a clinic 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. … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 22 – 28
Oslo, August 31
A- drama Written by Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier Directed by Joachim Trier Early in Oslo, August 31, a young man leaves the home of a beautiful woman he has just slept with, and attempts suicide. We know this is not going to be a happy picture. The young man is Anders (Anders Danielsen Lie), … Continue reading Oslo, August 31
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
This morning, one month before opening night, I attended the press conference announcing this year's San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. It will run in seven different venues around the Bay Area from July 19 through August 6. The largest runs will be at the Castro and Berkeley's Roda Theater. A few noteworthy items: A lot … Continue reading San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Blu-ray Review: Love and Anarchy
The political is personal in Lina Wertmüller's moving tragicomedy about a country bumpkin who comes to Rome to assassinate Mussolini, and finds love in an upscale whorehouse. The story starts out funny, becomes surprisingly romantic, but never strays from an intense sadness. If you were too young in the 70s to watch R-rated, subtitled films, … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Love and Anarchy
Czech & Peck: Czech New Wave and Gregory Peck Films at the Pacific Film Archive
Last night I visited the Pacific Film Archive to see two different movies. The first, Fruit of Paradise, opened the series Three Czech New Wave Classics. The second, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, was for the series Gregory Peck: An Agreeable Gentleman.Fruit of ParadiseThis isn't the real title, or even an accurate translation. Other sources, including … Continue reading Czech & Peck: Czech New Wave and Gregory Peck Films at the Pacific Film Archive
French Cancan
I finished French Cancan last night. I say "finished" because I started it Tuesday night, streaming on Hulu Plus. About 25 minutes before the ending, when the big opening night stage show begins, either Hulu or my Internet connectionI started giving me trouble. It would freeze, start, freeze, start, and so on. Forty minutes later … Continue reading French Cancan
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