As we enter the holiday season, local movie theaters celebrate zombies, killer robots, and violence at a concert. On the other hand, there's Buster Keaton, Quentin Tarantino, Bogart in bandages, and Dolly Parton's best song. And yes, there's a free Christmas movie, too. Festivals & Series The Another Hole in the Head Film Festival continues … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 2 – 8
Author: Lincoln Spector
Lincoln Spector writes about cinema, technology, and cinema technology. From 1986 through 2008, he wrote Gigglebytes, the first technology-oriented humor column. From 1977 through 2016, he wrote PC World's Answer Line column and blog.
Movies I’ve recently seen: Quiet on the Western Front ֍ The Decameron ֍ Lady Chatterley’s Lover ֍ His People ֍ Saving Mr. Banks ֍ The Prisoner of Zenda
Here are six films I hadn't seen before my last Recently Seen article. For the most part, they're about war, sex, family, movies, intrigue, and more sex. A- All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) It's about time the German film industry turned Erich Maria Remarque's powerful anti-war novel into a film. Hollywood did it … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: Quiet on the Western Front ֍ The Decameron ֍ Lady Chatterley’s Lover ֍ His People ֍ Saving Mr. Banks ֍ The Prisoner of Zenda
What’s Screening: Nov 25 – Dec 1
Want more vintage cinema on the big screen? This week in the Bay Area you can go to a theater and see movies directed by David Lean, Jean-Luc Godard, William Wyler, Erich von Stroheim, and more. Festivals & Series The Another Hole in the Head Film Festival opens Thursday Promising events Greed (1924), Niles Essanay … Continue reading What’s Screening: Nov 25 – Dec 1
Much Ado About Shakespeare’s Comedy
Who would you expect to direct the better Shakespeare film: Kenneth Branagh or Joss Whedon? Sounds like a stupid question. Branagh is our generation's Laurence Olivier – the man who turns the bard into flesh and blood. Whedon makes sci-fi and runs a production company called Mutant Enemy Productions. Yet Whedon's film of Much Ado About … Continue reading Much Ado About Shakespeare’s Comedy
Keaton, Coen, and Suzuki: Winter movies at BAMPFA
If you're a Bay Area cinephile, you probably know that the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) doesn't just show movies. It shows series of movies. Here are the series that will keep you cinematically warm over the winter. Camera Man: Buster Keaton (Dec 4-21) Sherlock Jr. How much do I love Buster Keaton? My … Continue reading Keaton, Coen, and Suzuki: Winter movies at BAMPFA
What’s Screening: Nov 18 – 24
Last week, I discovered that the Orinda Theatre did more than just show current movies. It screens vintage ones and even hosts its own festivals. In 1942, The Orinda opened as a full picture palace. I've added the theater to this blog. Inside The Orinda Somehow, most of the pictures screening this week are light … Continue reading What’s Screening: Nov 18 – 24
What’s Screening: Nov 11 – 17
This week in Bay Area cinema, you can see the new Black Panther. You can also see the new Black Panther. And, of course, you can see…the new Black Panther. But there are some other films screening, as well. Festivals & Series The American Indian Film Festival goes through the week and beyond The Arab … Continue reading What’s Screening: Nov 11 – 17
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of November
At the end of every month, the Criterion Channel removes a lot of movies from their streaming service (although some return surprisingly fast). Here are only a few of the films that will go away when November disappears. Full recommendations A Deep Cover (1992) Here's an extraordinary film noir from the early 1990s. Laurence Fishburne … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of November
Movies I’ve recently seen: Deep Cover ֍ Arabesque ֍ Weird: The Al Yankovic Story ֍ Schizopolis
Drug smuggling, espionage, music parodies, and…um…well, whatever it is. Here are four films I've watchaed recently, from the best to the worst. Click the film's title to see how you can watch it. A Deep Cover (1992) Here's an extraordinary film noir from the early 1990s. Laurence Fishburne stars as a police officer who goes … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: Deep Cover ֍ Arabesque ֍ Weird: The Al Yankovic Story ֍ Schizopolis
What’s Screening: Nov 4 – 10
Here's what's happening in Bay Area movie theaters this week: Quentin Tarantino is coming to the Castro. A terrific documentary about George Washington and a controversial mural. Two very different space movies. Masterpieces starring Humphrey Bogart and Bruce Willis (no, not in the same movie). The film that made Schwarzenegger famous. And the New Mission … Continue reading What’s Screening: Nov 4 – 10
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