B+ Documentary Written by Philippe Sands Directed by David Evans How do you go through life with the knowledge that your father, arguably your loving father, was a mass murderer? This unsettling documentary offers two reactions: You can denounce your father for the monster that he was, or you can live in denial. This troubling … Continue reading Sons wrestle with their past in What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy
Category: Documentaries
The Sociopath in the Machine: My review of Alex Gibney’s Steve Jobs documentary
A Biographical documentary Directed by Alex Gibney There's no doubt about it. Steve Jobs changed the world. Even if you don't own a single Apple product, your computer, tablet, and smartphone were influenced by Job's work and inspiration. But Jobs the man was a first-class jerk. At the start of his career, he cheated his friend … Continue reading The Sociopath in the Machine: My review of Alex Gibney’s Steve Jobs documentary
September Preview
A few things to look forward to next month: After a summer recess, the Alameda relaunches its Classic Movie Series on the 15th with the Elvis Presley vehicle Blue Hawaii, which I vaguely remember seeing as a kid. My memories of the other two films--Three Days of the Condor and The Seven Year Itch--are also … Continue reading September Preview
The Actor’s Voice: My review of Listen to Me Marlon
A documentary Directed by directed by Stevan Riley I've seen a lot of documentaries about movie stars. But I've never before seen one quite like this Marlon Brando biography. By using Brando's own audio recordings in place of the usual voice-of-God narration, it takes us into his head. You won't get as many facts in … Continue reading The Actor’s Voice: My review of Listen to Me Marlon
Subject to Debate: My review of Best of Enemies
A- Documentary Directed by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon Today's so-called culture wars burst into existence in 1968, with clashes over Vietnam, racism, and a new sexual freedom. By concentrating on a series of television debates between erudite, east-coast intellectuals, this breezy and entertaining documentary offers a plausible explanation of how our current world came … Continue reading Subject to Debate: My review of Best of Enemies
The Green Film Festival and Bikes vs. Cars
I'm not going to attend this year's Green Film Festival. It runs simultaneously with the biggest and best cinematic orgy of the year--the Silent Film Festival. True, Green runs for an additional two days after Silent, but I won't be in movie-going shape by then. Besides, I'm a bit off-put by what I call advocacy … Continue reading The Green Film Festival and Bikes vs. Cars
Geriatric Starlet: my review of Iris
A- documentary Directed by Albert Maysles You know you’ve seen a really good documentary if it’s about something you couldn’t care less about, but you still enjoyed it. Few things in life bore me like fashion, but there’s nothing boring about Albert Maysles’ last complete film, Iris. Iris Apfel, a fixture and a maverick in … Continue reading Geriatric Starlet: my review of Iris
Marlon Brando at the PFA (and the SFIFF)
Monday night I decided to attend the San Francisco International Film Festival without crossing the Bay to San Francisco. So I caught Listen to Me Marlon at the Pacific Film Archive. I've seen a lot of documentaries about movie stars. But I've never before seen one quite like this. Brando recorded his thoughts and feelings … Continue reading Marlon Brando at the PFA (and the SFIFF)
Fashions and fighting: Sunday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I only caught two films yesterday. A- Iris I started the day with Albert Maysles’ latest film, Iris. What fun! Here's what I thought about it: Iris Apfel, a fixture in the New York fashion scene well in her 90s, dresses herself in loud, bright, and absurd clothes, augmented with even crazier accessories. And yet … Continue reading Fashions and fighting: Sunday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
Alex Gibney, Steve Jobs, and opening night for the San Francisco International Film Festival
The San Francisco International Film Festival opened last night with a mercifully short introduction, an excellent film, and a short but interesting Q&A. But the night started off on the wrong foot. When we entered the Castro, we found that almost all of the seats were "Reserved." Only the front three and back five rows … Continue reading Alex Gibney, Steve Jobs, and opening night for the San Francisco International Film Festival
Bayflicks 