Sunday was my last day at this year's SFFilm Festival. It was also the day with the last big event: The Closing Night Show. The Festival will continue through Tuesday, but without me. David Thomson Master Class: Thinking About Cary Grant I started the day not with a movie, but with a lecture. Film historian … Continue reading Cary Grant, harsh South Africa, and leaking top secrets: My last day at the SFFilm Festival

I saw two films yesterday at the SFFilm Festival. One was a disappointment. Both were followed by director Q&As. Over the Rainbow Jeffrey Peixoto takes a unique approach to Scientology in this documentary. Instead of an exposé showing us the corrupt underbelly of this extremely organized religion, he interviews true believers. While he does so, … Continue reading Scientology & Cultural Clashes: Thursday at the SFFilm Festival

I saw two very different movies yesterday at the SFFilm Festival. The Death of Dick Long This very dark comedy works extremely well as a noirish thriller. Or is it a noirish thriller with a deep strain of dark comedy? Three good-old boys party a little too hardy. The next morning, one of them (the … Continue reading A Dark Comedy & LGBTQ Refugees: Wednesday at the SFFilm Festival

Garfield the cat may hate Mondays, but I had a pretty good one at the SFFilm Festival…despite the light rain. I saw yet another amazing documentary, followed by a very strange narrative film. Midnight Family The Ochoa family of Mexico City have a difficult, unusual, and occasionally profitable business. They run a freelance ambulance, spending their … Continue reading Freelance Ambulance & Religious Insanity: Monday at SFFilm Festival