I saw two movies on the big screen Sunday, and they couldn't have been more different. First, at BAMPFA, a late silent noir from Germany. Second, at the United Artists Berkeley 7, a new animated take on Spider-Man. I have to say that Spider-Man was the better movie. Asphalt at the BAMPFA Alas, Louise Brooks … Continue reading German Expressionism & Marvel Superheroes: How I spent my Sunday
Category: Animation
Animation
Tito and the Birds tells us to love courage and pigeons
C+ Animated family fantasy Written by Eduardo Benaim, Gustavo Steinberg Directed by Gabriel Bitar, André Catoto, Gustavo Steinberg This Brazilian cartoon has two important messages for young children: We need to overcome our pointless fears, and we should listen to the birds - especially the wild pigeons that both beautify our cities and make a … Continue reading Tito and the Birds tells us to love courage and pigeons
Animation Week at the Parkway
San Francisco International isn't the only film festival launching next week. The New Parkway is running Animation Week from Friday, April 6 through the following Thursday, April 12. The selection includes the traditional kiddie fare, as well as movies that would probably send your young child into therapy. Movies I've seen and reviewed In order … Continue reading Animation Week at the Parkway
Have a Nice Day
D+ Animated crime film Written and directed by Jian Liu Imagine Pulp Fiction, done in limited animation, but without the clever dialog, the wit, or the sense of redemption. That's pretty much what you get with Jian Liu's cartoon noir, Have a Nice Day. And frankly, it's not enough. The movie starts with a quote … Continue reading Have a Nice Day
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Murder on the Orient Express, The Learning Tree, Finding Oscar, The Leopard Man, & Loving Vincent
Just another selection of random movies I've finally got around to seeing. A- Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Grand Lake Theatre Much better than the stagey 1974 version, and a whole lot more fun - even if it does take considerable liberties with period details and basic plausibility. Director and star Kenneth Branagh turns Hercule … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Murder on the Orient Express, The Learning Tree, Finding Oscar, The Leopard Man, & Loving Vincent
The Red Turtle: A movie beyond words
A- Animated fantasy Written by Pascale Ferran & Michael Dudok de Wit Directed by Michael Dudok de Wit A man marooned on a deserted island struggles to survive, escape, and ward off loneliness in this strange, beautiful, and effecting animated tale. And in a strange way, he will find almost everything he wants. Although essentially … Continue reading The Red Turtle: A movie beyond words
To Pixar and Beyond: Animating the business end of filmmaking
You'd expect a book on the history of Pixar to include lots of drawings, models, and frame blowups. But you'll find only words in Lawrence Levy's To Pixar and Beyond: My Unlikely Journey with Steve Jobs to Make Entertainment History. But then, To Pixar and Beyond is not about animation, design, or storytelling. It's not even … Continue reading To Pixar and Beyond: Animating the business end of filmmaking
Closing the Mill Valley Film Festival with 3D and Disney Animation
Yes, I know. This year's Mill Valley Film Festival closes with several screenings of Loving. But I'm not able to attend any of them. So I finished my Mill Valley Film Festival with two special presentations at the Rafael. Both events were family friendly, and had quite a few children present. The 3D Sideshow As … Continue reading Closing the Mill Valley Film Festival with 3D and Disney Animation
The Phantom Boy doesn’t quite come together
C+ Animated family-oriented fantasy crime thriller Written by Alain Gagnol Directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli Eleven-year-old Leo is very sick. He's in the hospital, will be for months, and he may not survive. But he has a superpower. His spirit can leave his body, fly through walls, and see and hear everything around … Continue reading The Phantom Boy doesn’t quite come together
Steampunk at its best: April and the Extraordinary World
A- Animated fantasy Written by Franck Ekinci and Benjamin Legrand, from the graphic novel by Jacques Tardi Directed by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci This charming, French, animated alternative history takes place in Europe, 1941. But it's not the 1941 we know. If you look quickly, you'll get a glimpse of Adolf Hitler, drawing caricatures of … Continue reading Steampunk at its best: April and the Extraordinary World
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