Here's what's happening in Bay Area movie theaters during what feels like the last week of American democracy. Festivals SF Sketchfest continues through this week and beyond Three double features over the course of three days isn't quite a festival, but this is as good a place as any to mention the Roxie's Paul Verhoeven … Continue reading What’s Screening: Jan 13 – 19
Month: January 2017
IndieFest brings films you’ll probably never see again
IndieFest is a difficult film festival to categorize. It doesn't focus on an identifiable group of people, such as the Jewish Film Festival or Frameline. It doesn't stick to one genre, such as noir or horror. And it doesn't get the potential art house hits that San Francisco International and Mill Valley enjoy. Instead, IndieFest … Continue reading IndieFest brings films you’ll probably never see again
The Salesman: Arthur Miller & Sexual Assault in Iran
A Drama Written & directed by Asghar Farhadi An intruder assaults a woman in her own bathtub. As she slowly recovers physically and tries to recover emotionally, her husband's obsession with finding and punishing the perpetrator only makes things worse. In The Salesman, all points of view, and all emotional reactions, are understandable and believable--even when … Continue reading The Salesman: Arthur Miller & Sexual Assault in Iran
Upcoming at the Pacific Film Archive
After a three-week hiatus, the Pacific Film Archive opens its second year at the Center St. location on Wednesday, January 18. Here are some of the series that I'm looking forward to: In Focus: Hollywood Outsiders January 18 - March 1: The always interesting David Thomson not only curated this series on directers who fought … Continue reading Upcoming at the Pacific Film Archive
My thoughts on the Golden Globes, La La Land, and the Musical/Comedy category
The Golden Globes turned into a big party for La La Land. I liked the movie, but not as much as most people did. As you probably already know, La La Land won seven awards, including Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. I loved the first part of La La Land. The opening song, … Continue reading My thoughts on the Golden Globes, La La Land, and the Musical/Comedy category
What’s Screening: Jan 6 – 12
Almodovar, Von Sternberg, Kazan, and a talking pig grace Bay Area screens this week. Also, the first film festivals of 2017. Festivals For Your Consideration opens Friday and runs through Thursday SF Sketchfest opens Thursday New films opening A Julieta, Clay, opens Friday; Rafael, Saturday, 7:30 Middle-aged Julieta (Emma Suárez) runs into an old friend … Continue reading What’s Screening: Jan 6 – 12
Fences and the Theatrical Adaptation Question
Screenwriters must rethink novels entirely to turn them into movies, because cinema and prose fiction are entirely different beasts. But a stage play, like a movie, consists of dialog and action, requires actors, and must fit into an evening's entertainment. Screenwriters need only find excuses to "open up" the play to more locations. And yet, … Continue reading Fences and the Theatrical Adaptation Question
Julieta: A sad yet sexy tale of love and loss
A drama Written by Pedro Almodovar; adapted from three stories by Alice Munro Directed by Pedro Almodovar The opening credits appear over what looks like deep-red curtains. We know we're in for a lush, romantic story with high emotions. When we meet the middle-aged Julieta (Emma Suárez), she seems to have everything she could want: a … Continue reading Julieta: A sad yet sexy tale of love and loss
Top ten movie-going experiences of 2016
I don't list my top ten films of the year. Instead, I list my top 12 best moving-going experiences. The quality of the film itself is only one part of the equation. I also consider the projection, any discussion before or after the movie, and the enthusiasm of the audience. And that audience had to … Continue reading Top ten movie-going experiences of 2016
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