The Problem With Hollywood Today

July 28, 2013July 28, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

I don't like talking about "The Good Old Days." Things change, and in the cinematic art--so heavily dependent on technology and money--they change a lot. In some ways, things are always improving. In others, they're inevitably getting worse. But consider these films: The Crowd Citizen Kane Bonnie and Clyde 2001: A Space Odyssey Midnight Cowboy … Continue reading The Problem With Hollywood Today

Rethinking Dial M for Murder

July 26, 2013July 26, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

The last time I saw Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder on the big screen, or in 3D, was the first time any paying audience had seen it in decades. That was in 1980, at San Francisco's York Theater. I finally experienced the film properly again Thursday night at the Rafael, and it's a much … Continue reading Rethinking Dial M for Murder

Coming Soon to the Castro

July 24, 2013July 24, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

I just clicked on the Castro's Coming Soon page. It's not complete, and lacks a lot of information, but it appears to have some cool films--as well as some really strange choices. Some of the more interesting dates: August 9: The classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, on a double bill with the famously embarrassing … Continue reading Coming Soon to the Castro

Silent Film Festival Report: Sunday

July 21, 2013July 22, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

Kings of (Silent) Comedy Of course it was funny. There was really no question about it. This was my first chance seeing "Mighty Like a Moose" and "The Immigrant" on the big screen, and both were wonderful that way. The cartoon, "Felix Goes West," wasn't of the same quality, but it delivered enough laugh to … Continue reading Silent Film Festival Report: Sunday

SF Silent Film Festival Report: Saturday

July 20, 2013July 20, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

This was an exceptionally exhausting day at the festival. I saw five programs, and lacked the stamina for a sixth. Windsor McCay, His Life and Art Animation historian John Canemaker narrated this entertaining lecture/film presentation on the work of the brilliant cartoonist, vaudeville performer, and animation pioneer Windsor McCay. The presentation covered his ground-breaking comic … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival Report: Saturday

SF Silent Film Festival, Saturday Report

July 19, 2013July 19, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

Amazing Tales from the Archive First, Robert Byrne of the Festival discussed the restoration of The Half Breed, the 1916 Douglas Fairbanks feature that will have its restoration premiere Saturday. He and his team had to work with three different, incomplete prints, most from questionable sources. Byrne divided his talk into three categories: Continuity: Trying … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival, Saturday Report

Prix de Beaute: Silent Film Festival Opening Night

July 18, 2013July 18, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

This year's San Francisco Silent Film Festival opened at the Castro Thursday night with Louise Brooks' last starring role, Prix de Beaute (The Price of Beauty). I wouldn't put this French feature quite in the same category as Pandora's Box, but I liked it very much. Brooks plays a working girl who enters and wins … Continue reading Prix de Beaute: Silent Film Festival Opening Night

The Big Trail: A Big Western Shot on Big Film

July 14, 2013July 15, 2013 ~ Lincoln Spector

Raoul Walsh's The Big Trail is not by any stretch of the imagination a great film. But it's fascinating, historically unique, and beautiful to look at. I caught it Sunday night at the Pacific Film Archive. I'd seen it before--on Turner Classic Movies--but this was my first Big Trail big screen experience. It deserves the … Continue reading The Big Trail: A Big Western Shot on Big Film