Hal Ashby, Paul Greengrass, Rafael Sabatini, Mel Brooks, The Beatles, Ingmar Bergman, and a bunch of smart kids - along with six (count 'em, six!) film festivals - in Bay Area movie theaters this week. Festivals The San Francisco Latino Film Festival closes Sunday Hong Kong Cinema opens today and runs through Sunday The Japan … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 28 – October 4
Month: September 2018
Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 3
I thought this final Mill Valley Film Festival preview would be exceptionally large. But two films I requested never arrived, and another lacked subtitles. So, I'm only reviewing three movies, one of which you've probably already seen. And, of course, they're in order from best to worst. A Coco In Spanish version with English subtitles. I … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 3
Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman at the Castro
Tuesday evening, my wife and I attended a special Tribute to Spike Lee at the Castro. First, David Thomson interviewed Lee on the Castro stage. Then, after an intermission, they screened Lee's latest film, BlacKkKlansman. As so often happens at these big events, a huge chunk of the house was reserved. If you're not some … Continue reading Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman at the Castro
Free Tickets at the New Parkway (if you have the right job)
I should have written about this a month ago. My apologies, but I've been busy. Oakland's New Parkway is giving out free movie tickets based on the recipients' professions. In September (or what's left of it), people who work in the nonprofit sector get in free. Come October, media workers such as myself get the … Continue reading Free Tickets at the New Parkway (if you have the right job)
Bisbee ’17: Small town with a cruel past
B+ Documentary Directed by Robert Greene Special screening at New Mission, Monday, 7:00 Opens Friday Written text on a red background tells us the story before the movie really starts. In 1917, Bisbee, Arizona was a prosperous mining town. But many of the miners wanted a part of that prosperity and joined the International Workers of … Continue reading Bisbee ’17: Small town with a cruel past
Complex moral issues go to court in The Children Act
A- Courtroom drama Written by Ian McEwan, adapted from his novel Directed by Richard Eyre Note: I saw this film at this year's SFFILM Festival, and wrote this review soon afterwards. Since then, I've been holding this review, waiting for the Bay Area theatrical run. That run has not yet happened, but the film is … Continue reading Complex moral issues go to court in The Children Act
What’s Screening: September 21 – 27
Spike Lee, Gilda Radner, Ingmar Bergman, Laurel and Hardy, James Dean, and a young girl accused of witchcraft. Add three film festivals and there's plenty to see in Bay Area movie theaters this week. Festivals The SF Latino Film Festival continues through this week and beyond The Homage to Marcello Mastroianni takes over the Castro … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 21 – 27
A Love Letter to Gilda Radner
A Documentary Directed by Lisa D'Apolito You'll laugh a lot in Lisa D'Apolito's documentary on comedian Gilda Radner. The clips, from the early seasons of Saturday Night Live, Second City, her Broadway show, and elsewhere, are abundant and hilarious. It might feel strange to laugh so much over the life of a great and troubled … Continue reading A Love Letter to Gilda Radner
Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 2
Here's another crop of movies coming to this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. This selection, unfortunately, isn't as good as the last one. You can follow my Mill Valley coverage. B+ Destroyer Crime and grime penetrate the city in this very dark noir. Nicole Kidman (in a brilliant performance) plays Officer Bell, the hard-drinking, tough, unreliable … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 2
Greatest Hits with the Club Foot Orchestra
I spent most of Saturday at the Castro, where The Club Foot Orchestra accompanied a selection of silent features and shorts. The event was run by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. The Club Foot Orchestra - ten musicians in its current form - calls itself "pioneers of modern music for silent films." They seem to … Continue reading Greatest Hits with the Club Foot Orchestra
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