Both Roger Ebert and David Thomson argued that the Godfather films work because we never see the inevitable innocent victims of the Corleones' violence. The only people they kill onscreen are other criminals--usually those bent on killing them. But that argument only works if you assume that young, female sex workers don't count as innocent … Continue reading A+ List: The Godfather Part II
Month: August 2015
What’s Screening: August 28 – September 3
No festivals this week. But a very, very special event happening Sunday: A+ The Crowd, Castro, Sunday, 7:00 If you get to one movie this week, this is the screening you should attend! A young man comes to New York, dreaming of success and wealth. But reality refuses to live up to his dreams–perhaps because … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 28 – September 3
September Preview
A few things to look forward to next month: After a summer recess, the Alameda relaunches its Classic Movie Series on the 15th with the Elvis Presley vehicle Blue Hawaii, which I vaguely remember seeing as a kid. My memories of the other two films--Three Days of the Condor and The Seven Year Itch--are also … Continue reading September Preview
The A+ List: The Godfather
The Godfather tricks you into rooting for some very bad people. You accept the Corleones because they love each other as family, and because they are ruled over by a seemingly fair, loving, generous, and successful patriarch. That patriarch, Don Vito Corleone, helps the community, plays with kittens and his grandchildren, and reminds his reckless … Continue reading The A+ List: The Godfather
What’s Screening: August 21 – 27
Only one small film festival this week, but it looks like a fun one: Ring-a-Ding-Ding: The Movies of Frank Sinatra. A On the Town, Vogue, Saturday, 7:30 Three sailors arrive in New York for a 24-hour leave. That's precious little time to see the sights, drink in the atmosphere, and fall in love. What makes … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 21 – 27
The A+ List: The General
I feel a little uncomfortable praising a Civil War comedy that asks us to root for the Confederates. After all, the South's rebellion was an act of treason committed in defense of slavery. After all, I've been very critical of Gone with the Wind and The Birth of a Nation. And yet, here I am, discussing the genius … Continue reading The A+ List: The General
What’s Screening: August 14 – 20
The Japan Film Festival continues through Sunday. A Apu Trilogy, Lark, various dates throughout the week (details below) Epic in scope, Satyajit Ray's three-film masterwork follows the life of poverty-born Apu from birth through young adulthood. None of the films has a plot in the conventional sense, but they all brim with drama, laughter, joy, … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 14 – 20
The A+ List: The Third Man and its new restoration
I missed the new restoration of the greatest film noir of them all, The Third Man, when it played in my local theaters. But last week I visited family in New York City, and I caught it at the Film Forum. What a great film! It easily belongs on my A+ list of films that … Continue reading The A+ List: The Third Man and its new restoration
What’s Screening: August 7 – 13
The SF Jewish Film Festival finishes up Sunday. And the Japan Film Festival opens today and runs into next week. Jewish Film Festival movies are listed at the bottom of this newsletter. A Manos Sucias, Roxie, Friday & Saturday A rare chance to see an exceptional film not generally available in this country. Two brothers, … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 7 – 13
The Actor’s Voice: My review of Listen to Me Marlon
A documentary Directed by directed by Stevan Riley I've seen a lot of documentaries about movie stars. But I've never before seen one quite like this Marlon Brando biography. By using Brando's own audio recordings in place of the usual voice-of-God narration, it takes us into his head. You won't get as many facts in … Continue reading The Actor’s Voice: My review of Listen to Me Marlon
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