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
Category: SFFilm (San Francisco International Film Festival)
San Francisco International Film Festival announced
The Bay Area's Big Kahuna of film festivals (or at least one of of the two Big Kahunas--the other being Mill Valley), announced most of its line-up today. The 56th Annual San Francisco International Film Festival opens April 25 and runs through May 9. As usual, the heart of the festivities will be at the … Continue reading San Francisco International Film Festival announced
Alps
B Indescribable Written by Giorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou Directed by Giorgos Lanthimos I'm not exactly sure what to make of Alps. It has just enough continuity to make you try and follow the story, but there's no story to follow. Many of the characters (primarily the female ones) seem sympathetic, yet their motivations and … Continue reading Alps
Oslo, August 31
A- drama Written by Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier Directed by Joachim Trier Early in Oslo, August 31, a young man leaves the home of a beautiful woman he has just slept with, and attempts suicide. We know this is not going to be a happy picture. The young man is Anders (Anders Danielsen Lie), … Continue reading Oslo, August 31
Your Sister’s Sister
A- Romantic comedy Written and directed by Lynn Shelton Let's start with the title. Your Sister's Sister seems like a clumsy way of say your other sister or you. But since two of the three characters that dominate this movie are sisters who have to work out a close but problematic relationship, the title is … Continue reading Your Sister’s Sister
Life 2.0
When I saw this documentary at the 2010 San Francisco Film Festival, I was informed that it would likely receive a theatrical run. It never did--at least in the San Francisco Bay Area (I understand that it had brief runs in LA and NY). Since it's available on DVD and download through various outlets, I … Continue reading Life 2.0
Last Call at the Oasis
B+ Documentary Directed by Jessica Yu How do you judge a political documentary? Artistic and technical merit? How well it argues its case? Is it entertaining? How important is the subject? Do you agree with what it says? Jessica Yu's examination of the water crisis looming over the human race does reasonably well on all … Continue reading Last Call at the Oasis
Summing Up This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival
It's over. Two weeks of very heavy, mostly serious cinema in San Francisco--and none of it even near a BART station. Over those weeks, I saw 15 new feature films. If you include the three I saw at press screenings before the festival, and the two on screeners (DVDs sent to press), the total was … Continue reading Summing Up This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival
SFIFF Closing Night: Don’t Stop Believin’
This year's San Francisco International Film Festival ended with a blast of rock and roll. B+ Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey I've never been a fan of Journey, but this music documentary made me a fan of the band's new lead singer, Arnel Pineda. He's charismatic, energetic, down-to-earth, and funny. He also has a great … Continue reading SFIFF Closing Night: Don’t Stop Believin’
May Day at the SFIFF: A Sobering Documentary and a Boring Swashbuckler
I got a surprise when I stepped out of the Montgomery BART station on my way to the San Francisco International Film Festival. I ran into a Occupy-themed May Day protest blocking Market St. That provided two dilemmas. First, should I go to the festival, or take part in the protest? Second, when I decided … Continue reading May Day at the SFIFF: A Sobering Documentary and a Boring Swashbuckler
Bayflicks 