A- Crime drama Written and directed by Zhangke Jia At first you think this is going to be a gangster movie. At one point you decide it's becoming a revenge flick. Slowly, you realize it's something very different; something much more subtle. For most of Ash Is Purest White's long runtime, there's no conventional plotline. … Continue reading Ash Is Purest White but love is for the worthy
Category: Film Noir
Film Noir
This Holiday isn’t much fun
D- Not really quite a thriller Written by Johanne Algren and Isabella Eklöf Directed by Isabella Eklöf The setup feels like a thriller: A beautiful, spoiled, not-too-bright blonde belongs to a gang of drug dealers, and they're all vacationing on the Turkish Riviera. Will a deal go down badly? Will a rival gang attack? Will … Continue reading This Holiday isn’t much fun
German Expressionism & Marvel Superheroes: How I spent my Sunday
I saw two movies on the big screen Sunday, and they couldn't have been more different. First, at BAMPFA, a late silent noir from Germany. Second, at the United Artists Berkeley 7, a new animated take on Spider-Man. I have to say that Spider-Man was the better movie. Asphalt at the BAMPFA Alas, Louise Brooks … Continue reading German Expressionism & Marvel Superheroes: How I spent my Sunday
Last Day at Noir City
The Castro was nearly empty for the last double bill of this year's Noir City - a stark contrast to Saturday night's packed house. I think there was some sort of ball game going on. Sunday had only one double bill, but the show went all day. You could start watching the whole double bill … Continue reading Last Day at Noir City
Saturday at Noir City…plus Laurel and Hardy
Saturday was a crazy day of moviegoing. Not only did I watch four Noir City feature films at the Castro, but I also caught four Laurel and Hardy shorts on the other side of the bay. And the crazy thing is I had previously seen seven of the eight films. With some of them, I … Continue reading Saturday at Noir City…plus Laurel and Hardy
Saturday at Noir City
This article was supposed to be about Saturday and Sunday at the Castro for the Noir City film festival. But after writing what's below on Sunday morning, and then realizing that I was under the weather, I stayed home. This year's theme is the 1950s, with each double bill representing a single year. What I … Continue reading Saturday at Noir City
M & Not Wanted at BAMPFA
I spent Sunday afternoon at the BAMPFA, where I watched a recognized masterpiece and a lesser-known disappointment. M It had been a long time since I'd seen Fritz Lang's first talkie on the big screen, and it was as wonderful as I expected. Maybe more. Lang shows us a Germany sinking into corruption, depression, and … Continue reading M & Not Wanted at BAMPFA
