And so we come to the end of our survey of Charlie Chaplin's work as a director. His last movie, A Countess from Hong Kong, made in 1966 and released in 1967, is easily his worst. Countess stands out among Chaplin's films in several ways. It's his only color film, and the only one financed … Continue reading Chaplin Diary, Part 20: We end with A Countess from Hong Kong
Month: December 2018
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shoplifters, Green Book, & The Favourite
After all that FilmStruck binge watching, it was time to get back into movie theaters. A A Midsummer Night's Dream (1959), BAMPFA It's amazing how deeply puppets can emote, even with fixed, painted faces. It takes a great artist to those dolls into life, and the Czech animator Jirí Trnka fits the bill. His work here … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shoplifters, Green Book, & The Favourite
What’s Screening: December 14 – 20
This week in Bay Area movie theaters: War and rebellion from Warner Brothers, dystopian future fiction, messed-up religion, German expressionism, Japanese masters, and horny youth. But no film festivals. Promising events Balboa Holiday Party, Balboa, Sunday, 5:00 I don't know much about this event, but it will involve vintage holiday-oriented cartoons, live music, and a … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 14 – 20
J’Accuse! finally comes to Blu-ray
I've yet to see a dramatic feature made before 1920 that's anywhere near as good as Abel Gance's J'Accuse! The three main characters are complex and believable, and performed by actors capable of bringing subtle and realistic emotions to the screen. The camerawork and editing don't just record the performances; they highlight the emotions and … Continue reading J’Accuse! finally comes to Blu-ray
San Francisco Film Critics Circle 2018 Awards
The San Francisco Film Critics Circle - an organization to which I do not belong - announced Sunday its 2018 awards. Here they are, with my commentary in purple. Not all of these films have yet played in Bay Area theaters outside of festivals, but they all will play before December 31. Best Picture Roma … Continue reading San Francisco Film Critics Circle 2018 Awards
Kanopy: The free FilmStruck alternative
In last week's article about FilmStruck alternatives, I didn't go into detail about Kanopy - the free streaming service you can access through your library card. The problem was that my card is with the Alameda Public Library, which doesn't qualify. Soon after I posted that article, I discovered that I can get a library … Continue reading Kanopy: The free FilmStruck alternative
What’s Screening: December 7 – 13
This week on Bay Area movie screens: Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, a Peter Sellers masterpiece double bill, and some animated Shakespeare. Also, your last chance to attend a film festival in 2018. Festivals When Another Hole in the Head Film Festival closes Wednesday, it will also close Bay Area Film Festivals for 2018. Read my … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 7 – 13
Some Like It Hot: The Criterion Blu-ray
I'm not sure if Some Like It Hot really is, as the American Film Institute declared in 2000, the best American film comedy of all time. It certainly belongs in the top 10. There are comedies with a higher laugh-to-minute ratio, and others that have more to say about the human condition. But I doubt you could find … Continue reading Some Like It Hot: The Criterion Blu-ray
What to Watch Between FilmStruck and the Criterion Channel
FilmStruck is dead. It's replacement, The Criterion Channel, won't go online until spring. And when you consider the problems of developing a complex website, that may mean October. So how will you stream classic films in the coming months? Here are some alternatives to keep you going until The Criterion Channel goes live. All of … Continue reading What to Watch Between FilmStruck and the Criterion Channel
My Report on The Day of Silents
I spent more than 13 hours in the Castro Theatre Saturday, watching six programs of silent films. I discovered two great comedies (one short, one feature), revisited a romantic epic, and listened to a lot of great, live music. I noticed an interesting programming choice involving the music. The Festival hired piano players to accompany … Continue reading My Report on The Day of Silents
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