Three of these five films were set in Europe but made in and around Hollywood. Another was set and shot in England. And the last one starred a young unknown named Steve McQueen (it was shot and set in a small American town). Curiously, the three black-and-white movies were better than the two color ones. … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Green Valley | Mortal Storm | This Paris | David Copperfield & The Blob
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.
The Dry: Murder and draught in Australia
B+ Mystery Written By Robert Connolly & Harry Cripps, from a novel by Jane Harper Directed By Robert Connolly Not all cinematic small towns look like something out of Frank Capra's imagination. Set in the Australian outback, Kiewarra is ugly, and suffering from a horrendous drought. Even worse, no one trusts anyone else. Fists fly … Continue reading The Dry: Murder and draught in Australia
The Cerrito opens with a classic fest
When was the last time you watched a beloved classic the way it should be seen? And by that, I mean in a theater with a large screen and an audience. I don't think I've had that experience since 2019. The Cerrito celebrates its reopening this Friday with the Cerrito Classics Festival. Here are the … Continue reading The Cerrito opens with a classic fest
What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Godzilla wakes up Bay Area classic cinema after more than a year's slumber. Also, Danish action, kids against guns, Melvin Van Peebles' first film, World War II, and rodents of unusual size. Festivals The DocLands Documentary Film Festival closes on Sunday CAAMFest continues through the week and beyond Godzilla's Monster Bash opens today, and with … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Berlin & Beyond previews: Sisters Apart | Cocoon | Walchensee Forever
The Berlin & Beyond Film Festival opens May 25 and closes May 30. Here are three of the 25 films being shown through streaming, at a drive-in, and - believe it or not - in an actual hard-top movie theater. A- Sisters Apart Opening night! The fog of war feels thick when Rojda, a soldier … Continue reading Berlin & Beyond previews: Sisters Apart | Cocoon | Walchensee Forever
Riders of Justice out for revenge
B Crime Thriller Written by Anders Thomas Jensen from an idea by Nikolaj Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen You know those "dad thrillers" that usually star Liam Neeson? Well, here's the Danish version, and silly as it is, it's fun - if you can stand the violence. A passenger train … Continue reading Riders of Justice out for revenge
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of May
A lot of laughter will be leaving the Criterion Channel when May turns into June. The Preston Sturges flicks will disappear, along with comedies by Melvin Van Peebles, Elaine May, and John Sayles. Even a few great dramas will also leave the Channel. A+ The Lady Eve (1941) Like all great screwballs, The Lady Eve … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of May
What’s Screening: May 7 – 13
This week in Bay Area cinema: Harry Potter on the big screen. A discussion with film preservationist/showman Serge Bromberg. Ousmane Sembene's satire on wealth and ego. Going down river with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Also, three film festivals. And next week, the Roxie will open its doors and show us some movies. Festivals The … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 7 – 13
Weird, German, or both: Two different festivals coming up
I just discovered a small, hopefully frightening film festival happening over this weekend. I've also got some information about the upcoming Berlin & Beyond festival later this month. As I write this, I haven't yet seen a single film in either of these festivals. Horror over Zoom Over the last weekend, SF IndieFest scared us … Continue reading Weird, German, or both: Two different festivals coming up
Great films, strange streams: The Crowd, Lone Star, & Sparticus
Not all great films get the home theater treatment they deserve. Here are three terrific films getting better home presentations…although they still need improvement. The Crowd (1928) Last year, I wrote an article about great films not available at home, and I put The Crowd first. This isn't a lost work, but a masterpiece kept … Continue reading Great films, strange streams: The Crowd, Lone Star, & Sparticus
