As you probably know, Gene Wilder passed away Tuesday. I didn't love every movie he made, but I always loved his performance. Now the good news: On Friday, September 23, the Balboa will host a three-movie Madeline Kahn-a-thon. It will include Gene Winder in Blazing Saddles. Here's some other good news: Castro The really big … Continue reading Coming Attractions: What you can soon see in Bay Area Theaters
Month: August 2016
Café Society and the Woody Allen Problem
My wife and I saw Café Society Saturday night. We both enjoyed it quite a bit. Of course, these days, whenever you watch a Woody Allen film, part of the problem is that it's a Woody Allen film. More on that later. Café Society is an entertaining but unsubstantial romantic (and unromantic) comedy set in … Continue reading Café Society and the Woody Allen Problem
What’s Screening: August 26 – September 1
Two relationship movies open this week--one of them about the Obamas. Also Preston Sturges, Ray Harryhausen, Alfred Hitchcock, and a Mexican film festival. Festivals The Hola Mexico Film Festival opens tonight and runs through Sunday, screening ten Mexican films over the weekend. New films opening B+ The Intervention, Roxie, opens Friday Over a weekend getaway, a … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 26 – September 1
Chimes at Midnight Blu-ray Review
Orson Welles boiled down five related Shakespeare plays, found the comic tragedy at their core, and created a masterpiece. Chimes at Midnight, also known as Falstaff: Chimes at Midnight, has been unavailable in anything like a complete version for decades. With the recent theatrical restoration, and Criterion's new Blu-ray based on that restoration, it's finally … Continue reading Chimes at Midnight Blu-ray Review
Love, romance, and a whole lot of problems bubble up in The Intervention
B+ Comedy-drama, but mostly drama Written and directed by Clea DuVall All romantic relationships have problems, and those problems provide fodder for this very funny relationship drama (or maybe it's a very serious comedy). But according to Annie (Melanie Lynskey), only one couple is supposed to have problems here, and everyone else is supposed to … Continue reading Love, romance, and a whole lot of problems bubble up in The Intervention
Before the White House: My review of Southside with You
C Romantic meander Written and directed by Richard Tanne The movie starts like a commercial. The camera moves smoothly over an impossibly clean residential street filled with smiling people. Upbeat, happy music plays over the opening credits. The message is clear: This is going to be a feel-good movie about two people falling in love. … Continue reading Before the White House: My review of Southside with You
What’s Screening: August 19 – 25
I'm back from the longest vacation I've had in years, and there are still no film festivals in the Bay Area. But we do have great comedy, great dancing, and pods turning into real people. New films opening B Lo and Behold, Reveries of The Connected World, Clay, Rafael, opens Friday Werner Herzog tries–and to … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 19 – 25
Lo and Behold! Werner Herzog brings us the Internet
B Documentary Directed by Werner Herzog Even those of us who grew up, married, and had kids before dial-up modems were common now take the Internet for granted. We socialize, work, play, read, find restaurants, and enjoy movies and music through this decentralized network. Werner Herzog tries--and to some extent succeeds--in providing an overview of the … Continue reading Lo and Behold! Werner Herzog brings us the Internet
What’s Screening: August 12 – 18
Short films, funny films, scary films, but no film festivals in the Bay Area this week. Last week, I confessed that I wrote the newsletter a bit early, and therefore it might not be entirely accurate. This one is even earlier. I wrote it on August 2. I promise that next week the newsletter will … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 12 – 18
What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
This week's Bay Area screenings include a Burt Reynolds marathon, a monster-in-the-museum double bill, and the happy feet of Fred and Ginger. But be advised: For personal reasons, I prepared this newsletter on Monday, August 2. Parts of it may be out of date. Festivals Of the five film festivals that graced the Bay Area … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
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