These are my unedited notes from the SFIFF press conference. I don’t have Internet access here at the Westin, so I’ll post this as soon as I can. When I get a chance, I will post an edited version. Update: I had that chance. You'll find a more readable version here. I’m not totally comfortable … Continue reading This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival Announced—Raw Version
Category: SFFilm (San Francisco International Film Festival)
Early News on the San Francisco International Film Festival
The press conference isn't until next Tuesday, but the San Francisco Film Society has been sending out select announcements for weeks now. Here's what I know: The festival opens with Beginners, starring Ewan McGregor as a man recalling the life of his recently-deceased, gay father (Christopher Plummer). Christine Vachon, producer of Kids, Happiness and Boys … Continue reading Early News on the San Francisco International Film Festival
My Top 10 Movie-Going Experiences of 2010
I didn't see enough new movies last year to do a top ten list. And I didn't cover enough festivals to do a Festival Top 10, either. So instead, here are my top 10 movie-going experiences of 2010. Half of these were silent film screenings. This was a great year for silents--dominated by Metropolis and … Continue reading My Top 10 Movie-Going Experiences of 2010
Marwencol
A Documentary, opening Friday. Five men attacked Mark Hogancamp with such viciousness he lost his entire memory and considerable brain function. As a form of self-therapy, he has used Barbie Dolls, GI Joe-type action figures, and models to create a fantasy world of his own. That world centers on a town, Marwencol, in World War … Continue reading Marwencol
Speaking in Tongues on KQED
I know this blog is supposed to be about theatrical presentations of movies, but I’m about to recommend something on TV. But hey, at least it’s PBS. The wonderful documentary Speaking In Tongues will play on KQED (channel 9) on Sunday, September 26, at 6:00. It will play five other times over the next few … Continue reading Speaking in Tongues on KQED
SFIFF: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Stephin Merritt
I saw 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Stephin Merritt last night (Tuesday night). It will probably be my last event at this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival. What a disappointing way to end an otherwise enjoyable festival! Coincidentally, this was the third silent film event I’ve attended in the last two months where … Continue reading SFIFF: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Stephin Merritt
SFIFF: Marwencol
A Marwencol I saw three films at the Festival on Sunday, all documentaries. And two of them were about people living in fantasy worlds. Marwencol was the best of the three. Five men attacked Mark Hogancamp with such viciousness he lost his entire memory and considerable brain function. As a form of self-therapy, he has … Continue reading SFIFF: Marwencol
SFIFF: Presumed Guilty
A- Presumed Guilty In Mexico, the accused are guilty until proven innocent, and the courts really aren’t interested in who’s innocent. That José Antonio Zúñiga was arrested and convicted of murder with bad evidence against him and ignored evidence in his favor is hardly unique. What was unique is that lawyers-turned-documentary-filmmakers Roberto Hernández and Layda … Continue reading SFIFF: Presumed Guilty
SFIFF: Life 2.0
B+ Life 2.0 I came into Life 2.0 knowing nothing about Second Life, the online virtual world that’s the subject of Jason Spingarn-Koff’s documentary. I came out knowing a little bit about how it works, and a good deal about how it effects its more fanatical (one’s tempted to say “more addicted”) citizens. The film … Continue reading SFIFF: Life 2.0
SFIFF: Roger Ebert
I may have to tell some of my readers who James Schamus is, but Roger Ebert needs no introduction. First film critic to win a Pulitzer. Co-star of the longest-running, most successful film-related television show in history. Champion of independent, foreign, and classic cinema who never lost his deep appreciation of Hollywood entertainment. Victim of … Continue reading SFIFF: Roger Ebert
Bayflicks 