The SFFilm Festival is going to the movies

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

Wednesday morning, I did something I hadn't done in more than two years. I entered the Castro Theater. No, I didn't see a movie. I attended the press conference for this year's SFFilm Festival. They could have used Zoom, but I think they were making a point: It's time to go to the movies. Photo … Continue reading The SFFilm Festival is going to the movies

Movies I’ve recently seen: The Birdcage ֍ Cyrano De Begerac ֍ 5 Fingers ֍ Doughboys

March 30, 2022March 29, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

Another four movies I've seen for the first time. None of them are masterpieces, and none of them are awful. They were all made in the 20th century. Click a film's title to find how to stream the movie. As usual, I'm going from best to worst. B+ The Birdcage (1996) The American movie version … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: The Birdcage ֍ Cyrano De Begerac ֍ 5 Fingers ֍ Doughboys

The Oscars got a slapdown!

March 29, 2022March 29, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

I was planning to open this article by writing about why I didn't watch this year's Oscar show. But Will Smith's slap stole the show. If you didn't watch it, here it is. As I write this, I don't know if Smith will have to return his Best Actor Oscar. Benedict Cumberbatch gave a better … Continue reading The Oscars got a slapdown!

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival is coming back

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

I love silent movies - especially with live music. I also love the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. You can hear various musical ensembles. People dress for the occasion (well, I don't). You can take a seat for the whole day, usually next to people you know. Between movies, you can talk to important preservationists … Continue reading The San Francisco Silent Film Festival is coming back

My Noir City 2022 experience

March 27, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector ~ 2 Comments

Sad to say, I've only seen one double bill in this year's Noir City festival - Saturday's matinee. And it looks like I won't be able to attend anything Sunday. So here are the two films I'm able to see this year: The Accused and The Killer That Stalked New York. Hopefully, you may be … Continue reading My Noir City 2022 experience

What’s Screening: March 25 – 31

March 25, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

Come Sunday night, we'll finally know what's the best movie of 2022…if you agree with the members of the Academy. I'm not even sure if I'll be watching the show. But if you prefer older films to new ones, Bay Area theaters will be screening quite a few classics this week. Festivals & Series The … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 25 – 31

Doc Week at the New Parkway

March 21, 2022March 18, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

April Fool's Day seems like a strange time to start a documentary film festival. It would be more appropriate for a mockumentary fest. Nevertheless, Doc Week 2022 opens on Friday, April 1, and ends on April 7. It happens at the New Parkway in downtown Oakland. Unlike most documentary festivals, this one doesn't focus on … Continue reading Doc Week at the New Parkway

What’s leaving Criterion at the end of March

March 16, 2022March 15, 2022 ~ Lincoln Spector

At the end of every month, The Criterion Channel removes a considerable number of films from their streaming platform. Here are some I suggest catching before April Fool's Day. Full recommendations A The Killing (1956) Stanley Kubrick started his Hollywood career with this crackerjack noir heist thriller. A career criminal (Sterling Hayden) orchestrates a complex racetrack robbery … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of March