Sunday was an especially spacy day at the San Francisco International Film Festival (also known as the SFFilm Festival), even though my brain was completely clear. Both movies I saw were about outer space. Well, barely outer space; more like low-Earth orbit. One was a documentary. The other was based on a true story that few Americans … Continue reading My Spacy Sunday at SFFILM Fest
Category: Festivals
A Hard-Working African & a Dying Photographer: Saturday at SFFILM Festival
Finally, a day without rain. Even better, a day with two very films. Makala I kept my review of this film to a maximum of 75 words on the Festival's request. Whatever others say, this is not a documentary. But it's a very good film. Makala lives with his family in an isolated hut. But … Continue reading A Hard-Working African & a Dying Photographer: Saturday at SFFILM Festival
Corruption in Iran & Slavery in Ghana: Friday at SFFilm Fest
After such a disappointing Thursday at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, I had a great Friday. I saw two movies, and both were excellent. But outside of the theaters, it was awfully wet. When people tell you that rain is the perfect weather for a film festival, don't believe them. It's horrible. You must … Continue reading Corruption in Iran & Slavery in Ghana: Friday at SFFilm Fest
Miners in Georgia, miners in Iceland, and kids in LA: The First Full Day at SFFilm Fest
I saw three films on Thursday, the first full day of the San Francisco International Film Festival. The first was very good. The other two were deep disappointments. City of the Sun This breathtakingly beautiful documentary examines a small, dying mining town in Georgia (the country, not the state). The people work, struggle, and keep … Continue reading Miners in Georgia, miners in Iceland, and kids in LA: The First Full Day at SFFilm Fest
A Kid Like Jake and Opening Night at SFFilm Fest
This year's San Francisco International Film Festival, also known now as the SFFilm Festival, opened last night at the Castro with a screening of A Kid Like Jake. As opening nights go, it went well. The show began only a few minutes after the official 7:00 starting time. Executive Director Noah Cowan took the stage … Continue reading A Kid Like Jake and Opening Night at SFFilm Fest
SF Silent Film Fest Bigger (and hopefully better)
How much moviegoing can a man in his 60s take in a short period of time? Come late May and early June, I think I'm going to find out. This year's San Francisco Silent Film Festival will last a full four days; five if you include opening night (Wednesday, May 30). That's one more day … Continue reading SF Silent Film Fest Bigger (and hopefully better)
San Francisco Film Festival Preview, Part 3: Funny Nazis, a damaged rodeo rider, Hal Ashby, James Dean, and a pot-selling old man
Here's my last batch of San Francisco International Film Festival mini-reviews before the festival actually gets underway. As usual, they're in order from must-see to must-avoid. A+ To Be or Not To Be (original, 1942 version) The Nazis conquered Poland with frightening speed. But they prove no match for Carol Lombard and Jack Benny in Ernst … Continue reading San Francisco Film Festival Preview, Part 3: Funny Nazis, a damaged rodeo rider, Hal Ashby, James Dean, and a pot-selling old man
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
San Francisco Film Festival Preview, Part 2: Racism, homophobia, war, and children with incarcerated parents
Here's four more film you might want to see at the San Francisco International Film Festival: A The Miseducation of Cameron Post In the 1990s, two high-school girls get caught having sex. One of them (Chloe Grace Moretz), is sent to an ultra-Christian camp intended to cure teenagers of SSA (Same-Sex Attraction). Initially, she views … Continue reading San Francisco Film Festival Preview, Part 2: Racism, homophobia, war, and children with incarcerated parents
San Francisco Film Festival Preview, Part 1
The San Francisco International Film Festival opens two weeks from tonight. Tickets are on sale. Here are four films you might want to see…or want to skip. As usual, they're in order from best to worst. A I Am Not a Witch In an unnamed African country (shot in Zambia), villagers accuse a young girl … Continue reading San Francisco Film Festival Preview, Part 1
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