I caught Agora at Berkeley’s Shattuck Theater last night. It was my first experience with one of their newly re-appointed “lounge” theaters. Both the movie and the theater disappointed. The lounges have big, wide loveseats rather than conventional theater seats—great for cuddling, but not of much use when you go to a movie by yourself. … Continue reading Agora and the Shattuck Lounges
Category: Reviews
Everyone Else
B Relationship drama A young German couple, very much in love in a very physical way, deal with relationship issues on vacation in Sardinia. This is actually a working vacation for Chris, an architect hoping to get an assignment fixing up an old villa. He’s a fairly calm, practical person, although insecure. His girlfriend Gitti, … Continue reading Everyone Else
The Newly Restored Metropolis
The latest restoration of Fritz Lang’s silent sci-fi epic Metropolis won’t play the Bay Area until the The San Francisco Silent Film Festival in July. But I’m currently in New York, and I saw it Friday night at the Film Forum. I’m finally willing to call it a true masterpiece. I can no longer say … Continue reading The Newly Restored Metropolis
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: Seducing Charlie Barker
B+ Seducing Charlie Barker Seducing Charlie Barker starts as a comedy and grows serious, a trick few films manage this well. It helps that, even in the early scenes, it’s a pretty serious comedy. Charlie Barker (Stephen Barker Turner) is not a happy man. Wild sex with a young, gorgeous, horny, yet stupid sociopath will … Continue reading SFIFF: Seducing Charlie Barker
SFIFF: A Brand New Life
A A Brand New Life Disclaimer: I've got an economic incentive for praising this movie. It's not a big one, and I don't think it will effect my opinion. I'll explain it at the end. It takes guts to make a feature totally dependent on a child's performance, and writer/director Ounie Lecomte has those guts. … Continue reading SFIFF: A Brand New Life
SFIFF Previews
I've now screened three films that will play this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. Here they are, starting with the best. And speaking of the best, I’m giving a little more than my usual paragraph to the one that most deserves it. A The Day God Walked Away, Clay, Monday, May 3, 6:45; Kabuki, Tuesday, … Continue reading SFIFF Previews
Gumby Dharma
Gumby Dharma will screen Thursday night at 7:00 at the Balboa. In addition to the movie, the evening will include live music and a panel discussion. Gumby--the green, animated, clay boy who has graced children’s television since 1956—is an acquired taste. I can’t honestly say that I acquired the taste; I must have seen some … Continue reading Gumby Dharma
The Sun
D- Historical drama Written by Yuri Arabov Directed by Aleksandr Sokurov Few movie-going experiences are worse than a really bad film about a fascinating subject, and few subjects are as fascinating as Japan’s 1945 transition from imperial power to occupied country. And what a cast of characters! You’ve got a war criminal who thinks he’s … Continue reading The Sun
Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
There’s something very exciting about being present at the rediscovery of a classic. I, plus several hundred other people, experienced that excitement Saturday afternoon at the U.S. premiere of the restored J’Accuse, Abel Gance’s 1919 anti-war masterpiece. This was part of the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. You can also read overview of the event. … Continue reading Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
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