This week on Bay Area movie screens: A new look at Woodstock, a zoot suited messiah, a really bad symptom of PTSD, and another chance to see War and Peace. Also, a documentary film festival. Festivals SF DOCFEST continues through this week and beyond The Week's Big Event A- War and Peace, BAMPFA, dates and … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 31 – June 6
Month: May 2019
Another Woodstock Documentary?
B Historical documentary Directed by Barak Goodman Do we really need another documentary about a certain 1969 music festival? After all, Michael Wadleigh's epic film became one of the most beloved documentaries of all time - at least for people in my generation. Well, yes, we do. Wadleigh's combination of concert film and celebration of … Continue reading Another Woodstock Documentary?
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: War of the Worlds, Dinner at Eight, Non-Fiction
Between film festivals, revival theaters, reviewing films before their release, and streaming classics, it's been months since I simply went to a regular multiplex to see a new movie. I finally managed to do it last night. And it was a disappointment. See below. B War of the Worlds (1953), Kanopy The first invasion-from-space picture … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: War of the Worlds, Dinner at Eight, Non-Fiction
War and Peace on the big screen
Like almost every literate person on the planet, I never read War and Peace. But I've now seen Sergey Bondarchuk's massive film version. Last Saturday, Russia took over the Castro. The large theater was packed to the gills with people wanting to see this massive, rarely projected epic. But is this film version of War … Continue reading War and Peace on the big screen
What’s Screening: May 24 – 30
This week in Bay Area movie theaters: Two very different opera movies, three silent films with live accompaniment (in three different theaters), lesbian love in Kenya, dancing about death, thrillers by Hitchcock and Malle, and the biggest epic of all time. Also, a documentary festival opens. Festivals SF DOCFEST opens Wednesday The Week's Big Event … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 24 – 30
James Stewart at the Stanford
Starting this Friday, the Stanford will run a six-week series of James Stewart movies. A lot of very good films, and a few masterpieces, are on the schedule. At this point, I'm supposed to tell you why James Stewart deserves a series. But if you like movies enough to read this blog, you probably know … Continue reading James Stewart at the Stanford
Rafiki: Forbidden love in Kenya
B+ Coming of age drama Written by Jenna Cato Bass & Wanuri Kahiu Directed by Wanuri Kahiu Gay coming-of-age movies are common in the independent film scene. But Rafiki is different. It's set in a small Kenyan village, which brings bright colors and exciting music. But that setting also brings a threat of violent homophobia. … Continue reading Rafiki: Forbidden love in Kenya
Something evil lurks in Hungary in Budapest Noir
B+ Mystery Written by András Szekér, from the novel by Vilmos Kondor Directed by Éva Gárdos Note: I wrote this review last summer, after seeing the movie at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. My intention was to post the review shortly before the film's Bay Area theatrical run. Last night I discovered that it's … Continue reading Something evil lurks in Hungary in Budapest Noir
What’s Screening: May 17 – 23
Here's what's in Bay Area movie theaters this week: New movies about spaceflight, Shakespeare, and fascism. Old movies about kidnapping and adultery. You can spend your weekend at an Asian-American film festival, then on Monday watch Tarantino's Holocaust revenge fantasy. Festivals CAAMFest (The Center for Asian American Media Festival) continues through Sunday New films opening … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 17 – 23
Aniara: It’s a long trip to nowhere, but it’s worth it
A Science Fiction Written and directed by Pella Kågerman, Hugo Lilja This slow, frightful, depressing space movie from Sweden carries a heavy charge. Unless you watch nothing but Hollywood movies, you know almost from the start how it's going to end, and it isn't going to be good. And yet there are moments of transcendent … Continue reading Aniara: It’s a long trip to nowhere, but it’s worth it
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