The SFFilm Festival (formerly named The San Francisco International Film Festival) didn't happen last year - even in a virtual form. By the time the theaters were closed, SFFilm didn't have time to create a whole new kind of festival. But by the end of 2020, anyone paying attention knew the basics of enjoying a … Continue reading The return of the SFFilm Festival
Category: Festivals
What to see at SF Indiefest (virtual, of course)
SF Indiefest is sort of like the Mill Valley Film Festival, except that none of these films will ever be nominated for Best Picture. Few stars will walk down the red carpet. SF Indiefest focuses on films that will almost certainly not become famous. This festival opened last Thursday. Sorry about that. I've been busy. … Continue reading What to see at SF Indiefest (virtual, of course)
Sundance with the Roxie
The Sundance Film Festival has given San Francisco's Roxie Theater a rare honor. The festival Robert Redford created, which turned into one of the most important film fests in America, has given the Roxie the honor to be a Sundance satellite screen. Sundance this year runs January 28 through February 3. Not that you're going to be … Continue reading Sundance with the Roxie
The Jewish Soul: Yiddish Cinema on Blu-ray
In the 1930s, small studios in Warsaw and New York made low-budget movies for an international market of not-quite-assimilated Jews. These films were mostly in Yiddish. Production costs were low, and the movies tried to have everything. Most of these pictures contain comedy, drama, and people breaking out in song. They were often about young … Continue reading The Jewish Soul: Yiddish Cinema on Blu-ray
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
More on Mill Valley (and DocLands)
Last week I wrote a little bit about the upcoming, and for the first time, Mill Valley Film Festival. Now let's go deeper. This year, the California Film Institute combines two annual festivals, Mill Valley and DocLands. Of course, DocLands focuses on documentaries. As near as I can tell, Mill Valley offers the same documentaries … Continue reading More on Mill Valley (and DocLands)
Virtual festivals and more upcoming in October
Going to the movies is still problematic, but the movies are now coming to you. Here are some festivals and special cinematic events happening in October. Mill Valley Film Festival Website, October 8-18 The virtual version of one of the Bay Area's major festivals will open with the world premiere of a new film version … Continue reading Virtual festivals and more upcoming in October
Non-fiction at home as DocFest goes virtual
We can't go to a theater, but we can still experience a film festival. Maybe someone should make a documentary about that. The San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, better known as SF DocFest, will run virtually from September 3 to 20. During those 18 days, you can screen up to 25 features and 20 shorts, … Continue reading Non-fiction at home as DocFest goes virtual
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