Good comedies come rarely these days. But 20 years ago, as the 20th century came to a close, the American film industry made and released a lot of very funny movies. Some of them were overlooked. Others did well, but bad sequels tarnished their reputations. Many are still loved. One is among the most beloved … Continue reading Comedies at the end of the century
Month: June 2019
Hong Kong and Jewish Film Festivals in July
I can't properly cover all Bay Area's film festivals - especially now that I'm taking a few weeks off the blog. But I can tell you a little bit about two July festivals, even though I don't really know much about them yet. Hong Kong Cinema New People Cinema and Roxie, July 12 - 14 … Continue reading Hong Kong and Jewish Film Festivals in July
What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
I'm writing this very long newsletter on June 11, just before taking a few weeks off Bayflicks. I thought I'd let you know about at least some of what's coming up while I'm off. And because I wrote this early, I'm missing a lot of things. For instance, I know nothing about what will screen … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
Be Natural: The Untold Story Of Alice Guy-Blaché
A Cinema history documentary Directed by Pamela B. Green When I review a biographical documentary, I look for more than an interesting life conventionally told. I want a new way to tell the story, with innovations that help rather than distract. Pamela B. Green does all that in this telling of the first woman film … Continue reading Be Natural: The Untold Story Of Alice Guy-Blaché
Taking a break from Bayflicks & Movies I’ve recently seen
I'm taking a few weeks off Bayflicks. I should be back in July. In the meantime, this is the first of a few articles I pre-posted so you can get your Bayflicks fixes without me. A- Chungking Express (1994), Criterion Channel A strange and inexplicable movie...mostly in a good way. It contains two separate boy-meets-girl … Continue reading Taking a break from Bayflicks & Movies I’ve recently seen
What’s Screening: June 14 – 20
Orson Welles revealed, the first movie director gets her due, Chaplin comes to America, and Frank Capra goes to Washington. Also, Hollywood's best western and one big festival. All this and more on Bay Area movie screens this week. Festivals Frameline opens Thursday The Week's Big Event A+ Stagecoach (original, 1939 version), New Mission, Sunday, … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 14 – 20
What’s Screening: June 7 – 13
In Bay Area movie theaters this week: Martin Scorsese rolls out Bob Dylan's thunder, Orson Welles raises Kane, Mike Nichols graduates to the big leagues, and Anthony Mann mans up James Stewart. Also, a continuing documentary festival. Festivals SF DOCFEST continues through this week and beyond New films opening C+ The Fall of The American … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 7 – 13
The Waldheim Waltz dances with two left feet
C Documentary Directed by Ruth Beckermann I saw this documentary before its screening in last year's San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. I then wrote this review, but held it back, waiting until the film had a theatrical run in the Bay Area. That has not yet happened. But I have just discovered that it's streaming … Continue reading The Waldheim Waltz dances with two left feet
The American Empire falls with a dull thud
C+ Crime thriller Written & directed by Denys Arcand The movie gets off to a great start. Pierre-Paul (Alexandre Landry) explains to his soon-be-ex why, with a PhD in Philosophy, he's driving a delivery truck. He argues that dumb people do better in capitalism than smart people. His points and his examples (yes, Trump is one … Continue reading The American Empire falls with a dull thud
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Biggest Little Farm, Booksmart, & Drive a Crooked Road
It seems I've been visiting the Shattuck Theater a lot lately. Anyway, here are three movies I've seen for the very first time, in order of quality. A The Biggest Little Farm (2018), Shattuck John and Molly Chester did something seemingly impossible. They left the big city, and after years of hard work, created a … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Biggest Little Farm, Booksmart, & Drive a Crooked Road
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