I recently satisfied eight years of curiosity and watched Mel Gibson's controversial religious epic, The Passion of the Christ. I missed it in theaters back in '04 because I didn't want Gibson to get any of my money. (Although if I had been writing this blog at the time, I probably would have seen it.) … Continue reading My Thoughts on The Passion of the Christ
Category: First-person Report
The Dark Knight Rises…and Falls
In Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan rebooted and revitalized a tired franchise, turning Bruce Wayne and his alter ego into an interesting character. In The Dark Knight, he turned the wealthy superhero into a mythic figure and created one of the screen's great villains. In the third and final chapter of his trilogy, the filmmaker succeeds … Continue reading The Dark Knight Rises…and Falls
Hava Nagila & Opening Night of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Opening night of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival got off to a slow start, but when the movie finally started--nearly 45 minutes late--it was worth the wait. No, there weren't crowd or (as far as I know) technical problems. The show started on time. It was just that the first part of the show … Continue reading Hava Nagila & Opening Night of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
SF Silent Film Festival Report, Day 4
The Mark of ZorroBig fun. I don't think I've seen this theatrically before, and certainly never with so big and enthusiastic a crowd. People cheered, hissed, and laughed on cue. Dennis James kept things lively on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, and Fairbanks' antics and stunts were stunning.One thing I noticed about the story: Zorro is, … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival Report, Day 4
SF Silent Film Festival, Day 3
The Irrepressible Felix the CatThis may have been the first theatrical, 35mm presentation of multiple Felix the Cat cartoons ever. The shorts were wild, crazy, bizarre, surreal, and hilarious. The accompaniment added much to the festivities. Donald Soosan and a drummer who's name I didn't get accompanied some of the shorts. Toychestra--a sextet playing toy … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival, Day 3
SF Silent Film Festival, Day 2
Amazing Tales From the Vault This year's technical talk concentrated on digital restorations and distribution by major studios, with experts from Paramount and Sony (Columbia). I didn't take notes, so I'll just give you a quick overview: Wings was projected off a DCP Friday night. Paramount has made a 35mm negative and prints of the … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival, Day 2
This is not a Film & Always for Pleasure at the PFA
I attended two separate, and very different events at the Pacific Film Archive last night. This Is Not a Film You really want something this important, this courageous, and this amazing in its very existence to also be exceptionally great. Unfortunately, This is Not a Film doesn't live up artistically to the filmmakers' courage. Iranian … Continue reading This is not a Film & Always for Pleasure at the PFA
Thoughts on Take This Waltz
Love brings sacrifice, long-lasting guilt, and only temporary happiness in Sarah Polley's exceptional love triangle drama, Take This Waltz. Loving your spouse won't stop you from falling madly in love with someone else, and no matter what you do with those feelings, someone will get hurt. There are no simple answers.My wife and I saw … Continue reading Thoughts on Take This Waltz
Thoughts on Bernie
I caught Richard Linklater's Bernie this evening at Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas. You probably already know that it's based on the true story of Bernie Tiede, a popular assistant funeral director in a small Texas town. He befriended, possibly seduced, and definitely murdered the richest and meanest widow in the area. You've also probably heard that … Continue reading Thoughts on Bernie
Czech & Peck: Czech New Wave and Gregory Peck Films at the Pacific Film Archive
Last night I visited the Pacific Film Archive to see two different movies. The first, Fruit of Paradise, opened the series Three Czech New Wave Classics. The second, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, was for the series Gregory Peck: An Agreeable Gentleman.Fruit of ParadiseThis isn't the real title, or even an accurate translation. Other sources, including … Continue reading Czech & Peck: Czech New Wave and Gregory Peck Films at the Pacific Film Archive
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