The San Francisco International Film Festival continues through this week at various locations. My festival-related blurbs are at the bottom of the newsletter. I’m also devoting a special section to the Castro’s Stanley Kubrick section. Roots of Animation, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Saturday night, 7:30. This collection of silent cartoons starts with a short … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 23 – 29
Category: Festivals
SFIFF Previews
I've now screened three films that will play this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. Here they are, starting with the best. And speaking of the best, I’m giving a little more than my usual paragraph to the one that most deserves it. A The Day God Walked Away, Clay, Monday, May 3, 6:45; Kabuki, Tuesday, … Continue reading SFIFF Previews
A Couple of Quick Updates
Totally unconnected to each other: A new, 35mm print of The Red Shoes plays the Castro this Wednesday and Thursday night. I didn’t mention this in the newsletter because I haven’t seen this movie in decades, and didn’t really appreciate it then (I suspect I’d like it more, now). But even if you don’t care … Continue reading A Couple of Quick Updates
SFIFF: James Schamus to Receive Screenwriting Award
I’ve just received a press release regarding the upcoming San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22 - May 6). Frequent Ang Lee collaborator James Schamus will receive this year’s Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting. In addition to writing or co-writing most of Lee’s films, Schamus also runs Focus Features, making him a art-house studio … Continue reading SFIFF: James Schamus to Receive Screenwriting Award
Dark Times for San Francisco (and that’s good news)
It’s a dark and dirty world out there, filled with people who’d just as soon kill you as look at you…if there was a profit in it. You certainly can’t trust a beautiful dame. Oh, she’ll play with you until your mind turns to mush, take you for everything you got, then throw you over … Continue reading Dark Times for San Francisco (and that’s good news)
Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
There’s something very exciting about being present at the rediscovery of a classic. I, plus several hundred other people, experienced that excitement Saturday afternoon at the U.S. premiere of the restored J’Accuse, Abel Gance’s 1919 anti-war masterpiece. This was part of the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. You can also read overview of the event. … Continue reading Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
Silent Film Festival Report
I spent all day yesterday at the Castro, attending the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. Could you think of a better way to spend a rainy day? (Okay, I can think of a better way to spend a rainy day, but my wife was unavailable for such things.) The festival got off to a slow … Continue reading Silent Film Festival Report
San Francisco Silent Film Festival Winter Event
I missed the big, three-day festival in July, and I’m determined to make this one. On Saturday, December 12, the Castro will come alive with crowds, film, and live music with four feature films—one a 162-minute epic—for the 5th annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival Winter Event. It will start at 11:30 with Chang: A … Continue reading San Francisco Silent Film Festival Winter Event
Soul Power
Music Documentary Directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte In 1974, many of the greatest African and African-American musicians alive came together in Zaire for a big all-star concert attached to the legendary Muhammad Ali/George Foreman fight. The fight was delayed, but the concert went on as scheduled. But the film version of the Zaire ‘74 concert was … Continue reading Soul Power
Frameline LGBT Festival
So let's talk about Frameline, the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender--I wish they'd come up with a single word rather than a four-consonant acronym) film festival. It runs June 18 through the 28 at the Castro, the Roxie, the the Victoria, and, in Berkeley, the Elmwood. The opening film, An Englishman In New York, … Continue reading Frameline LGBT Festival
Bayflicks 