We launch the new year with Jack Nicholson, a pajama party, the Mercury astronauts, and stunningly beautiful images. Promising events Pajama Movie Night, Alameda, Saturday Close a truly horrific year with a multiplex movie party. For the regular price of a single movie, you get to watch anything and everything at the Alameda. Also included: … Continue reading What’s Screening: Dec 30 – Jan 5
Month: December 2016
How Many Films are Still Shot on Film: The 2016 Edition
How many theatrical features are still shot on physical film? Judging from my own survey, about a third of them. Back in 2012, my first survey found 14 films shot digitally and 13 shot on film. By 2015, 20 films were shot digitally, and eight - a little more than a third - on film. … Continue reading How Many Films are Still Shot on Film: The 2016 Edition
What’s Screening: Dec 23 – 29
Terry Gilliam, Billy Wilder, Powell & Pressburger, and Satyajit Ray direct classic films screened this week in the Bay Area. But still no film festivals. New films opening B+ Hidden Figures, AMC Metreon, opens Sunday Here's a feel-good movie that actually has something to feel good about. If you remember anything about the early American … Continue reading What’s Screening: Dec 23 – 29
Hidden Figures: Prepare to Cheer
B+ Historical drama Written by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi From a non-fiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly Directed by Theodore Melfi When you think about the people who put the first Americans into space, you probably imagine a bunch of white men. You might occasionally remember an astronaut's wife, but her job was limited … Continue reading Hidden Figures: Prepare to Cheer
Film Festivals of 2016
Just how many film festivals grace the Bay Area over a year? At the beginning of 2016, I decided to find out. Every time a new festival opened in the Bay Area, I added it to a list. And now that it's clear that we're not going to see any other film festivals this year, … Continue reading Film Festivals of 2016
Hidden Figures wins Sloan Science Prize & a B+ from me
I attended a special preview screening of Hidden Figures Saturday afternoon at the Castro. It was more than just a screening. The drama, about African-American women who played major roles in the early days of NASA, won this year's Sloan Science in Cinema Prize, and the event celebrated that win. San Francisco Film Society Executive … Continue reading Hidden Figures wins Sloan Science Prize & a B+ from me
2017’s first film festivals
I'm pretty sure the Bay Area won't see any more film festivals this year. December is generally a festival-free month. But come January and February, we'll see plenty of festivals. Here are four that have already announced their line-ups: For Your Consideration January 6 - 12 Rafael Not every subtitled movie can qualify for the … Continue reading 2017’s first film festivals
What’s Screening: Dec 16 – 22
This week in Bay Area theaters we have Charlie Kaufman, Fred and Ginger, horny nuns, silent shorts, and a whole Brand New Testament. But no film festivals. New films opening A The Brand New Testament, Opera Plaza, Shattuck, Rafael, opens Friday This funny, silly, sacrilegious, and surprisingly touching comedy from Belgium pictures God as a … Continue reading What’s Screening: Dec 16 – 22
National Film Registry picks another 25
Every year, the Library of Congress' The National Film Registry creates a list of 25 films worthy of preservation. And then, more importantly, the organization preserves them. The films are chosen for "their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance." In other words, they're not all masterpieces, but they're all important. This year's selection includes popular classics, … Continue reading National Film Registry picks another 25
The Brand New Testament takes God down several notches
A Comedy Written by Thomas Gunzig & Jaco Van Dormael Directed by Jaco Van Dormael In this funny, silly, sacrilegious, and surprisingly touching comedy from Belgium, God proves to be a real asshole. He finds great joy is making innocent people suffer. He pronounces new rules for the universe, such as the one that requires … Continue reading The Brand New Testament takes God down several notches
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