Still no festivals this week. But you can watch a lot of Robin Williams (not all of which I list here). A+ Lawrence of Arabia, Castro, Saturday through Monday; Rafael, Sunday. 4K digital projection at the Castro. Lawrence isn’t just the best big historical epic of the 70mm roadshow era, it’s one of the greatest … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 29 – September 4
Month: August 2014
September at the Castro
Have you checked out the Castro's Coming Soon page? Here you'll find the September schedule--sans links to more details. A few events worth noting: The month begins with the end of a three-day run for Lawrence of Arabia, which should look wonderful with the Castro's new 4K projector. August 30-September 1. Not surprisingly, Robin Williams … Continue reading September at the Castro
What’s Screening: August 22-28
Still no film festivals. We'll get some in September. B+ To Be Takei, Kabuki, opens Friday; Rafael, Thursday, 7:00 (one screening, only). Who would have guessed that, almost 50 years after Star Trek first premiered, George Takei would be the most beloved member of the original cast. And why not? A childhood in a World … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 22-28
To be a Gay Japanese-American Sci-Fi Actor and the Subject of To Be Takei
B+ Documentary Directed by Jennifer M. Kroot Who would have guessed that, almost 50 years after Star Trek first premiered on NBC, George Takei would be the most beloved member of the original cast. But why not. He has a warm, upbeat personality and a great sense of humor. He's been a political activist for … Continue reading To be a Gay Japanese-American Sci-Fi Actor and the Subject of To Be Takei
What’s Screening: August 15 – 21
No film festivals this week. In fact, no more Bay Area film festivals this month. But we still have movies. A Monty Python Live (Mostly), Cerrito, Tuesday, 7:00. I know this isn't technically a movie, but it's screening in movie theaters and that's what counts. The five surviving members of Monty Python, along with a … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 15 – 21
What’s Screening: August 8 – 14
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival closes Sunday, and that's the festival until September. I put the SFJFF listings at the end of this newsletter. A Before Sunrise, Castro, Thursday. Richard Linklater's Before trilogy starts with one of the most romantic films ever made. After meeting on a train, a young man and woman (Ethan … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 8 – 14
SF Silent Film Festival Makes a September Appearance
We get another day this year of massive silent movie overload. It's coming September 20, when the San Francisco Silent Film Festival takes over the Castro for their first Silent Autumn event. According to a festival press release, "We've moved our annual winter event to fall ," although September in my book counts more like … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival Makes a September Appearance
Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes, and the Strange Case of the Stereotyped Detective
Racism clouds old Hollywood movies. Even films intended in their time to be progressive and tolerant can look shockingly bigoted today. Consider Charlie Chan at the Opera, which the Stanford will screen Thursday and Friday. And that's just the beginning. The theater will screen Charlie Chan mysteries every Thursday and Friday through October 10, each … Continue reading Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes, and the Strange Case of the Stereotyped Detective
What’s Screening: August 1 – 7
For personal reasons, I'm writing this newsletter early--nine days before it goes live. So please forgive me if it's incomplete. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival continues through this week and into next, moving from San Francisco itself to other parts of the Bay Area. You'll find festival screenings at the bottom of this newsletter. … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 1 – 7
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