A- Middle East Culture Clash Drama Written by Noam Fitoussi, Lorraine Levy, and Nathalie Saugeon Directed by Lorraine Levy It's rare treat when I see a new film and have no idea how it's going to end, and this French/Israeli co-production is just such a treat. As I watched it, I could see it ending … Continue reading The Other Son
Month: October 2012
What’s Screening: October 26 – November 1
The Chinese American Film Festival continues through Sunday, while French Cinema Now finishes on Monday. But Not Necessarily Noir keeps going through Halloween, and the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival keeps going through the week and beyond. Finally, the Italian Film Festival pops up again for Saturday night. But not everything is about a film … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 26 – November 1
Saviors in the Night
Here's another "hold review" old review. I saw this drama at a press screening before the 2010 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. At the time, I was told that it would receive a full release sometime after the festival. So I wrote this review and held onto it. Now, after waiting more than two years … Continue reading Saviors in the Night
Love, Friendship, Aging, and Playing by the Rules: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Clive Wynne-Candy is an officer and a gentleman. A career soldier in His Majesty's army, he believes in following the rules of combat--even against an enemy willing to commit atrocities. The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp follows Wynne-Candy through four decades, from his dashing youth to a somewhat foolish old age. Along the way, … Continue reading Love, Friendship, Aging, and Playing by the Rules: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
What’s Screening: October 19 – 25
The Mill Valley Film Festival is over, but both the Petaluma Int'l Film Festival and Not Necessarily Noir open tonight. I only just found out about the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival, which opens Saturday. And French Cinema Now opens its brief run on Thursday. B The House I Live In, Kabuki, Shattuck, opens Friday. … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 19 – 25
The House I Live In
B Documentary Directed by Eugene Jarecki The United States has 5% of the world population, but 25% of the world's incarcerated prisoners. African Americans make up 13% of the country's population, and an estimated 13% of its drug users, yet 90% of those jailed for non-violent drug offenses are black. Those are just some of … Continue reading The House I Live In
Anti-Commie Friday Night at the Pacific Film Archive
I visited the Pacific Film Archive Friday night to catch two very different films, both from 1953, and both part of the series An Army of Phantoms: American Cinema and the Cold War. The first, Invaders from Mars, was all sorts of fun in ways that the filmmakers never intended. The second, Pickup on South … Continue reading Anti-Commie Friday Night at the Pacific Film Archive
What’s Screening: October 12 – 18
The Mill Valley Film Festival continues through Sunday. Taiwan Film Days starts its three day run today, while the Arab Film Festival plays San Jose Saturday and Sunday. A Mary Poppins, Kabuki & various CineMark Theaters, Wednesday. The best live-action movie Walt Disney ever made, and one of the great all-time children’s pictures. Julie Andrews … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 12 – 18
My Day at the Mill Valley Film Festival
I spend Sunday at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Here's what I saw and what I thought about it: New Movies Lab: Industry Panel I started the day not with a movie, but with a panel discussion on how independent filmmakers can promote their films and get people to see them. Much of it concentrated … Continue reading My Day at the Mill Valley Film Festival
What’s Screening: October 5 – 11
The Mill Valley Film Festival continues through the week. My Mill Valley recommendations and warnings are at the end of this newsletter. A Fort Apache, Pacific Film Archive, Sunday, 6:00. Even though it's told entirely from the white man's view, the first and best film in John Ford's cavalry trilogy leaves no doubt who the … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 5 – 11
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