Here is my last set of Mill Valley Film Festival previews. No bad ones this time. I won't be posting any MVFF reviews until after opening night. A The Rescue, USA/UK, documentary, directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin Now here's a documentary as suspenseful as anything from Alfred Hitchcock. But then, nothing's more … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 2
Month: September 2021
National Silent Movie Day…at home
This coming Wednesday is National Silent Movie Day, which makes it a perfect day to start exploring silent cinema. Here are eight of my nine favorite silent feature films. (The other, Napoleon is too big for most theaters, let alone your living room.) I'm not listing them best to worst, as I usually do. They're … Continue reading National Silent Movie Day…at home
What’s Screening: Sept 24 – 30
You may have noticed that I'm moving away from virtual cinema. That's because more classic films are popping up in Bay Area theaters. These include Chungking Express, The Man with a Movie Camera, Parasite, Knives Out, and even Creature from the Black Lagoon. Festivals & Series The Oakland International Film Festival continues through Saturday The … Continue reading What’s Screening: Sept 24 – 30
Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 1
Here's my first set of capsule movie reviews of films playing at this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. Some of these capsules are unusually short; the festival requires many of the films to be reviewed in 50 words or less. You'll probably guess which ones. A- Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 1
On the 29th, we celebrate silents
September 29 is the first National Silent Movie Day, when we celebrate the years when movies didn't have soundtracks. To celebrate the day, watch silent films, read about their history, and marvel at the glorious restorations of hundred-year-old films. This is not a Bay Area thing. As the name tells us, it's national. However, since … Continue reading On the 29th, we celebrate silents
The Mill Valley Film Festival is coming!
You may have noticed that I haven't written anything about The Mill Valley Film Festival, yet. I've been busy. So, let's start. Before I get into the movies, let's answer the big question: Do you really want to go to an indoor film festival during a pandemic? I admit I'm a bit squeamish about it … Continue reading The Mill Valley Film Festival is coming!
What’s Screening: September 17 – 23
What's happening in Bay Area cinema? Four theaters are opening up! We've also got a documentary about a little-known but important activist. There's found footage at the BAMPFA. And you can see Citizen Kane in a big, indoor theater. You can also see Putney Swope or The Force Awakens on big screens. And one more … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 17 – 23
My Name Is Pauli Murray
B Historical documentary Directed by Julie Cohen & Betsy West I hadn't even heard of Pauli Murray until very recently. Either I'm the only person who missed one of the most important people of 20th-century America, or almost everyone else has missed her, too. Either way, documentarians Julie Cohen and Betsy West are trying to … Continue reading My Name Is Pauli Murray
What’s Screening: September 10 – 16
What's happening this week in Bay Area cinema? We've got three new movies coming to theaters: one about a budding drag queen, another about America's doctor, and finally an environmental activist who seriously talks to elves. You can also find out what happens when David Byrne mixes up with Spike Lee. Festivals & Series The … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 10 – 16
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
B+ Musical comedy Written by Tom MacRae & Dan Gillespie Sells Jonathan Butterell Have you noticed that with Hamilton, In the Heights, The Prom (unfortunately overlooked), and Spielberg's upcoming remake of West Side Story, musicals seem to be a thing, again. Now we've got another one, this time from Britain, and if it's no masterpiece, … Continue reading Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
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