I generally like to cleanse my cinematic palate after the SFFilm Festival with an escapist Hollywood movie. But since I've only seen four of the 21 blockbusters that came before Avengers: Endgame, I decided to watch two newly-restored Hong Kong action flicks. Of course, those weren't all I've seen after the festival. B+ Police Story … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Police Story 1 & 2, Human Desire, & Cool Hand Luke
Month: April 2019
What’s Screening: April 26 – May 2
SFFilm left me with a lot of reviews to write and post. Here are the first three. Also in Bay Area theaters, Satan, assumed witches, another Satan, a Wim Wenders double bill, deep loneliness in the inner city, Maori feminism, Monty Python, and early Hitchcock. Just remember that "Life's a banquet and most poor suckers … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 26 – May 2
Red Joan: Giving away state secrets
B Espionage drama Written by Lindsay Shapero, from the novel by Jennie Rooney Directed by Trevor Nunn If you go to this British espionage drama hoping to see Judi Dench in a starring role, Red Joan will disappoint you. Yes, Dench gets top billing, and she does play the main character, but only in a … Continue reading Red Joan: Giving away state secrets
Satan is rebellious, but not always interesting
C+ Activist documentary Directed by Penny Lane Like the Satanic Temple itself, this documentary has a message to preach, and does so tongue in cheek. The message is a good one, but you get almost the whole point in the first 15 minutes. Then it's mostly repetition speckled with occasional interesting bits. Most members of … Continue reading Satan is rebellious, but not always interesting
Ramen Shop: Finding family history through food
A- Foodie drama Written by Tan Fong Cheng, Wong Kim Hoh Directed by Eric Khoo As a rule, I hate foodie movies. I have a hard time caring that the chef hero can find the perfect ingredients and techniques to get his work of art a Michelin rating. Which makes Ramen Shop all the more … Continue reading Ramen Shop: Finding family history through food
Cary Grant, harsh South Africa, and leaking top secrets: My last day at the SFFilm Festival
Sunday was my last day at this year's SFFilm Festival. It was also the day with the last big event: The Closing Night Show. The Festival will continue through Tuesday, but without me. David Thomson Master Class: Thinking About Cary Grant I started the day not with a movie, but with a lecture. Film historian … Continue reading Cary Grant, harsh South Africa, and leaking top secrets: My last day at the SFFilm Festival
Scientology & Cultural Clashes: Thursday at the SFFilm Festival
I saw two films yesterday at the SFFilm Festival. One was a disappointment. Both were followed by director Q&As. Over the Rainbow Jeffrey Peixoto takes a unique approach to Scientology in this documentary. Instead of an exposé showing us the corrupt underbelly of this extremely organized religion, he interviews true believers. While he does so, … Continue reading Scientology & Cultural Clashes: Thursday at the SFFilm Festival
What’s Screening: April 19 – 25
This week in Bay Area movie theaters: Jackie Chan and Orson Welles, plus Mike Nichols directing Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Hitchcock directing Doris Day, and Martin Scorsese directing The Rolling Stones. Also soldiers, bowlers, showgirls, and two film festivals closing. Festivals The Tiburon International Film Festival closes Sunday. The SFFilm Festival officially closes Sunday…but continues through … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 19 – 25
A Dark Comedy & LGBTQ Refugees: Wednesday at the SFFilm Festival
I saw two very different movies yesterday at the SFFilm Festival. The Death of Dick Long This very dark comedy works extremely well as a noirish thriller. Or is it a noirish thriller with a deep strain of dark comedy? Three good-old boys party a little too hardy. The next morning, one of them (the … Continue reading A Dark Comedy & LGBTQ Refugees: Wednesday at the SFFilm Festival
Freelance Ambulance & Religious Insanity: Monday at SFFilm Festival
Garfield the cat may hate Mondays, but I had a pretty good one at the SFFilm Festival…despite the light rain. I saw yet another amazing documentary, followed by a very strange narrative film. Midnight Family The Ochoa family of Mexico City have a difficult, unusual, and occasionally profitable business. They run a freelance ambulance, spending their … Continue reading Freelance Ambulance & Religious Insanity: Monday at SFFilm Festival
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