The Stanford and Castro in November

October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector

The Fox Film Corporation played a major role in Hollywood from 1915 through 1935. During those two decades, it turned John Ford into an A-list director, brought F. W. Murnau to America, and followed Warner Brothers closely into the sound era--investing in what proved to be the better and longer-lasting technology. But the depression hit … Continue reading The Stanford and Castro in November

A+ List: The Grapes of Wrath

October 27, 2015December 14, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector

By all logic, the film version of The Grapes of Wrath shouldn't have been made--let alone become a masterpiece. It's a great film based on a great novel--how often does that happen? It was directed by the revered auteurist director John Ford, but it's not really an auteurist film. It's a Hollywood movie from the … Continue reading A+ List: The Grapes of Wrath

My Fair Lady on the big screen

October 25, 2015October 25, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector

This Saturday morning, I finally saw the film version of My Fair Lady on the big screen--specifically, the big screen at the Cerrito. I really enjoyed it. As far as the big, roadshow musicals of the 1950s and '60s go, it's one of the best. Although, in general, those aren't my favorite musicals. I give … Continue reading My Fair Lady on the big screen

Truth tells the story of a disastrous hoax

October 22, 2015October 21, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

B Recent historical drama Written and directed by James Vanderbilt As the 2004 presidential election came to its climax, CBS' 60 Minutes news program covered a story that should have ruined George W. Bush's chance of re-election. But an important piece of evidence turned out to be fake, turning it into a scandal about the … Continue reading Truth tells the story of a disastrous hoax

Searching for the root of all evil: My review of Experimenter

October 21, 2015September 24, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector

A- Biopic Written and directed by Michael Almereyda Why do so many people do what they're told, even when the orders given to them are manifestly immoral? That's what social phycologist Stanley Milgram set out to discover in the early 1960s. His testing methods were controversial, but his results could not be ignored. Michael Almereyda's engaging … Continue reading Searching for the root of all evil: My review of Experimenter

The final day at the Mill Valley (San Rafael) Film Festival

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector

Sunday was the last day of this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. I spent the day at the Rafael, but I didn't stay long enough to catch any of the official closing films or the closing party. Here's what I caught: B Truth I kind of wish I was new to the theater. I would … Continue reading The final day at the Mill Valley (San Rafael) Film Festival

Alex in Venice Review: Father Figures and Mother in Crisis

October 17, 2015October 17, 2015 ~ Lincoln Spector

Note: I wrote this review after seeing this film at the 2014 San Francisco International Film Festival. I assumed, at the time, that it would get a theatrical release. The release never happened, but its coming out on home video next week, so I felt it was time to post my review. A- Contemporary drama Written … Continue reading Alex in Venice Review: Father Figures and Mother in Crisis