Here are the last five films I've seen and reviewed for this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. This time, there are two documentaries and three fiction films. They go from excellent to pretty bad. A Town Destroyer This local and very short documentary (55 minutes) does something rare in today's political docs: The filmmakers look … Continue reading More Mill Valley Movies
Category: Mill Valley
The Mill Valley Film Festival is coming
Marin County, 1977, cinematic history was made! That was Star Wars. But a few miles away, in the same year, the first Mill Valley Festival opened. As far as I know, it took place entirely in the valley. By 2015, the festival's growth made me joke that it should be called the "Marin County Film … Continue reading The Mill Valley Film Festival is coming
What’s Screening: December 17 – 23
With Christmas around the corner, plenty of the vintage movies screening this week have a Yuletide theme. For instance, there's that seasonal movie where our hero climbs into a building to separate the naughty and nice. But don't despair, Die Hard isn't the only holiday movie on the big screen this week. But, as usual … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 17 – 23
Dune at the Mill Valley Film Festival
I went to the CinéArts Sequoia for my last 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival event: A screening of Denis Villeneuve's upcoming science fiction epic, Dune. It was not an enjoyable experience. Before the movie, Executive Director Mark Fishkin and Director of Programming Zoë Elton came to the front of the theater and brought up Daniel … Continue reading Dune at the Mill Valley Film Festival
A “hero” and a cartoon at Mill Valley (but not in Mill Valley)
Saturday night, I attended a Mill Valley Film Festival screening at the BAMPFA, of Asghar Farhadi's new film, A Hero. Then, on Sunday, I streamed The Bears' Famous Invasion. I'll start with the more serious film. It's also the one I saw first. A Hero Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi first caught my eye with A … Continue reading A “hero” and a cartoon at Mill Valley (but not in Mill Valley)
Opening Night, Peter Dinklage, & Cyrano
The Mill Valley Film Festival opened Thursday night with Joe Wright's musical retelling of Edmond Rostand's 1897 classic play Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Peter Dinklage. Most actors playing Cyrano wear an extremely long nose - the character's huge snout keeps him from finding love. But Dinklage needs no special makeup; his own shortness sets him … Continue reading Opening Night, Peter Dinklage, & Cyrano
The Mill Valley Film Festival is coming!
You may have noticed that I haven't written anything about The Mill Valley Film Festival, yet. I've been busy. So, let's start. Before I get into the movies, let's answer the big question: Do you really want to go to an indoor film festival during a pandemic? I admit I'm a bit squeamish about it … Continue reading The Mill Valley Film Festival is coming!
More Mill Valley Movies: New Orleans, Laurel Canyon, & the Chicago 7
Since the drive-in experience, I've been watching Mill Valley Film Festival movies from the comfort of my couch. So far, I've seen two musical documentaries and two films about the 1960s - and I only saw three movies. A Take Me to the River New Orleans Here's one documentary that will make you tap your … Continue reading More Mill Valley Movies: New Orleans, Laurel Canyon, & the Chicago 7
The drive-in experience…and a really good movie
Last night (Tuesday), as part of the Mill Valley Film Festival, I went to a drive-in movie for the first time in maybe 50 years. I didn't care for the experience, but I loved the movie - The Evening Hour. You can read more of my Drive-in Memories. Now I remember why I stopped watching … Continue reading The drive-in experience…and a really good movie
Bad technical start at Mill Valley Film Festival…and 2 movies
I have written and lectured on how to enjoy streaming video. Yet trying to watch my first films at this year's virtual Mill Valley Film Festival turned into an annoying problem. But it had a happy ending…sort of. According to the festival's FAQ, Mill Valley supports three different device types for sending streaming video from … Continue reading Bad technical start at Mill Valley Film Festival…and 2 movies
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