Category: Festivals

SFIFF The Rest of Saturday. A French Bad Marriage and American Shakespeare

~ Lincoln Spector

I caught two pictures yesterday after Steven Soderbergh’s State of the Cinema Address. Both were shown in the Kabuki's large main theater. I liked both. B+ Thérèse In the late 1920s, Thérèse (Audrey Tautou of Amélie) marries the rich and conservative Bernard, who cares mostly about money and family honor. It's a good match economically, … Continue reading SFIFF The Rest of Saturday. A French Bad Marriage and American Shakespeare

SFIFF Friday: Chilean Black Comedy, Russian Whodoneit, and American Rockumentary

~ Lincoln Spector

Here's what I saw at my first almost-full day at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. I caught all of these films at the Kabuki. B- Night Across the Street Writer/director Raúl Ruiz was dying of cancer when he made this strange, surreal comedy. Not surprising that it's all about death. A moderately elderly … Continue reading SFIFF Friday: Chilean Black Comedy, Russian Whodoneit, and American Rockumentary

San Francisco International Film Festival Preview, Part 2

~ Lincoln Spector

For all sorts of reasons--including my home network and the US Post Office--I've only been able to preview two more films that will screen at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Here's what I thought of them. Oddly, they're both about young people in the sixties and that decade's immediate aftermath. B Something in the … Continue reading San Francisco International Film Festival Preview, Part 2

SFIFF: Kanbar Award Recipient Announced

~ Lincoln Spector

The San Francisco International Film Festival announced the recipient of this year's Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting: Eric Roth. I didn't recognize the name either. But then, screenwriters are rarely celebrated--at least as screenwriters. His best-known film is probably Forrest Gump, a big commercial and critical hit (and Oscar winner) that's no longer as … Continue reading SFIFF: Kanbar Award Recipient Announced

San Francisco International Film Festival Preview

~ Lincoln Spector

I've now viewed four films that will get their local premiere at the San Francisco International. Film Festival. Here's what I thought of them, starting with the best: A- What Maisie Knew, Castro, Thursday, April 25, 7:00. Opening night. This family drama follows the aftereffects of a very angry, messy, and vindictive divorce--as seen through … Continue reading San Francisco International Film Festival Preview