I started the day at the Kanbar Award presentation honoring screenwriter David Webb Peoples. After an introduction and a selection of clips from his films (which include Bladerunner, Unforgiven, Hero, and 12 Monkeys, Peoples was interviewed on stage by novelist James Dalessando, an old friend of his. A few notable Peoples comments: Peoples started out wanting … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Kanbar Awards: David Webb Peoples & Unforgiven
Category: Festivals
SFIFF Thursday: French Comedy and Irish Animation
I didn't hit two jackpots at the San Francisco International Film Festival yesterday, as I did on Wednesday. But I enjoyed what I saw. B The Intouchables I can't really complain about France's latest big commercial hit. As you'd expect, it's a crowd pleaser. Based on a true story, it follows the thorny but eventually … Continue reading SFIFF Thursday: French Comedy and Irish Animation
SFIFF Report: Two Frightening Films on Wednesday
I saw two excellent films yesterday at the San Francisco International Film Festival. They had a lot in common. They were both European. Each was told entirely from the protagonist's point of view, with the lead actor in every scene, and the audience knowing nothing that he doesn't know. And I do mean he; both … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Two Frightening Films on Wednesday
SFIFF Report: Buster Keaton and Merrill Garbus
Last night I attended the San Francisco International Film Festival silent movie event at the Castro--four Buster Keaton shorts (two of them actually Fatty Arbuckle shorts with Keaton in supporting roles), accompanied by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs along with guitarist Ava Mendoza. This is something of a tradition at the Festival--screening silent films with accompaniment … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Buster Keaton and Merrill Garbus
SFIFF Report: Jacque Tati & Barbara Kopple
It's been an unusual day at the festival. Here's what I've seen: Master Class: Malcolm Turvey: Tati, Chaplin and the Democratization of Comedy I started the day with professor Malcolm Turvey, lecturing on Jacque Tati and how his comedy related to what he described as the "classical comedy" of Chaplin, Keaton, and other silent clowns. … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Jacque Tati & Barbara Kopple
SFIFF Report: Saturday Evening
Caught two movies after dinner last night: A- Oslo, August 31 Anders, a recovering drug addict living in a halfway house in the country, gets a day's leave to return to Oslo for a job interview. The trip will also give him a chance to catch up with some friends. But he's lost, has no … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Saturday Evening
SFIFF Report: Alps
Today, things are crazy at the Kabuki. Japantown is hosting not only the San Francisco International Film Festival, but also the Cherry Blossom Festival. The crowds are insane. But I've managed to get through the crowds and catch a movie: B Alps I'm not exactly sure what to make of Alps. It has just enough … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Alps
SFIFF Report: The Fourth Dimension
I hit the jackpot for my second and last movie on Friday. First, they were giving out free popcorn and free beer. But the beer was only allowed in the balcony (this was in the Kabuki's big Theater 1). I don't like watching movies from the balcony, so I skipped the beer. I also hit … Continue reading SFIFF Report: The Fourth Dimension
SFIFF Report: Robot & Frank
Got off to a bad start with my first movie of the festival: Robot and Frank. They didn't let people into the theater until 5 minutes before the movie was supposed to start. Then they rushed us in and started the film quickly. As far as the movie was concerned C+ Robot & Frank, This … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Robot & Frank
What’s Screening: April 20 -26
Both the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Tiburon International. Film Festival opened last night. I've placed festival entries at the bottom of this newsletter. B Attenberg, Elmwood and one of the Lee Theaters, opens Friday. You have to adjust yourself to the slow pace here. Writer/director Athina Rachel Tsangari examines the life and … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 20 -26
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