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
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.
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
Fauci by Fauci
B+ Documentary Directed by John Hoffman & Janet Tobias Warning: The first few minutes of Fauci, a generally optimistic documentary contains the voice and face of Tucker Carson, along with similar TV clowns. Your blood pressure may go up while people tell us that Anthony Fauci's head belongs on a spike. But this torture is … Continue reading Fauci by Fauci
What’s Screening: September 3 – 9
Since the pandemic shut down theaters, there has been little or no screenings of classic films in real movie theaters. That's why the Cerrito's opening festival seemed so wonderful last May. But now, we're getting more classics on the big screen, thanks to the Balboa, the Roxie, and the Vogue. Festivals & Series The Rose … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 3 – 9
Good movies suddenly available on Criterion
The Criterion Channel added a lot of good movies at the beginning of September. Here are some of the best: Most of these are part of one of more collections – mostly New York Stories. A+ The Crowd (1928), part of the series New York Stories Of all the films in my All-Time Great Films … Continue reading Good movies suddenly available on Criterion
Advertising Broadway
C show business documentary Directed by Directed by Oren Jacoby On Broadway is not so much a documentary, but advertising for New York City's big and flamboyant theater district. But I'm not sure who they're marketing to. Is the film for people who might buy a ticket or two, or those who are considering investing … Continue reading Advertising Broadway
Catch Mr. Rugoff tonight!
Last night I saw Searching for Mr. Rugoff, an important documentary about the business of independent cinema. It will screen tonight, at 6:45, at the Roxie. I don't know when it will screen, or stream, again. If you love independent cinema, you must watch this film. Which is why I am writing a short, and … Continue reading Catch Mr. Rugoff tonight!
What’s Screening: August 27 – September 2
Want to talk about Apocalypse Now? How about young newlyweds exploring sex (even if the groom doesn't seem to care much). No? How about Anthony Hopkins going senile. Or, perhaps, Fellini's personal comic masterpiece or Wong Kar Wai's brilliant film about adultery. But while the Dark Knight goes after the Joker, Carl Th. Dreyer plays … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 27 – September 2
