Looking at my A+ list alphabetically, we go from The Godfather to The Godfather Part II--epic stories of American organized crime. Next alphabetically: Goodfellas--another epic story of American organized crime. And with Goodfellas, we really get down to the nitty gritty. And believe me, it's gritty. The Godfather was based on a novel; Goodfellas on a … Continue reading A+ List: Goodfellas
Category: Film Noir
Film Noir
Four nights at the movies: The Crowd, Preston Sturges, a Teenage Girl, & 2 Noirs
I managed to see four feature films theatrically in the last four nights--plus another on television. Sunday: The Crowd My wife and I, along with another couple, went to the Castro to see one of the greatest silent films ever made, and arguably the most difficult American masterpiece to see, King Vidor's The Crowd. I've … Continue reading Four nights at the movies: The Crowd, Preston Sturges, a Teenage Girl, & 2 Noirs
The A+ List: The Godfather
The Godfather tricks you into rooting for some very bad people. You accept the Corleones because they love each other as family, and because they are ruled over by a seemingly fair, loving, generous, and successful patriarch. That patriarch, Don Vito Corleone, helps the community, plays with kittens and his grandchildren, and reminds his reckless … Continue reading The A+ List: The Godfather
The A+ List: The Third Man and its new restoration
I missed the new restoration of the greatest film noir of them all, The Third Man, when it played in my local theaters. But last week I visited family in New York City, and I caught it at the Film Forum. What a great film! It easily belongs on my A+ list of films that … Continue reading The A+ List: The Third Man and its new restoration
Marriage and Murder Marathon: Watching five features Saturday at Noir City
I spent Saturday at the Castro for the penultimate day, and the longest day, of this year's Noir City festival. Over the course of nearly 12 hours, the festival screened five feature films about crime, attempted crime, sex, attempted sex, and marriages both nurturing and homicidal. The festival's theme this year is "Til death do … Continue reading Marriage and Murder Marathon: Watching five features Saturday at Noir City
Douglas Sirk Day at Noir City
On Sunday, the Noir City festival screened two potboilers from the late 40s, both directed by Douglas Sirk. Best remembered for his lush, Technicolor melodramas of the 1950's, Sirk made a number of noirs before he broke into the big leagues. Sleep, My Love Claudette Colbert wakes up on a train with no idea how … Continue reading Douglas Sirk Day at Noir City
Joan Fontaine, Poison, Marriage, and Murder: Saturday at Noir City
I spent Saturday at the Castro, where I caught two double bills in the Noir City festival. The theme this year is "'Til death do us part," examining the thin line between marriage and murder. It was a lot of fun. All of the films were in 35mm, and for the most part were excellent … Continue reading Joan Fontaine, Poison, Marriage, and Murder: Saturday at Noir City
The Two Faces of January: The Best Thrillers Take Their Time
A thriller Written by Hossein Amini, from a novel by Patricia Highsmith Directed by Hossein Amini The less you know about The Two Faces of January when you walk into the theater, the more you’re going to enjoy it. So I’m going to try talking about this thriller without giving away much of the plot. … Continue reading The Two Faces of January: The Best Thrillers Take Their Time
Early and Excellent Kubrick at PFA
As I discussed last week, I lost a lot of my love of Stanley Kubrick over the decades. But I didn't lose my love for all of his pictures. And amongst my favorites are his first two Hollywood pictures, The Killing and Paths of Glory. Saturday night, I revisited these favorites at the Pacific Film … Continue reading Early and Excellent Kubrick at PFA
Two Pre-code Crime Flix at Roxie Noir Festival: I Wake Up Dreaming
Saturday afternoon, I made my way to the Roxie to attend a program in the theater's current Film Noir festival, I Wake Up Dreaming. Like most of the 13 programs on the festival's schedule, it was a double bill (the rest are triple bills). It was a fun afternoon, but not an exceptional one. The … Continue reading Two Pre-code Crime Flix at Roxie Noir Festival: I Wake Up Dreaming
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