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
Category: Silent Films
J’Accuse! finally comes to Blu-ray
I've yet to see a dramatic feature made before 1920 that's anywhere near as good as Abel Gance's J'Accuse! The three main characters are complex and believable, and performed by actors capable of bringing subtle and realistic emotions to the screen. The camerawork and editing don't just record the performances; they highlight the emotions and … Continue reading J’Accuse! finally comes to Blu-ray
My Report on The Day of Silents
I spent more than 13 hours in the Castro Theatre Saturday, watching six programs of silent films. I discovered two great comedies (one short, one feature), revisited a romantic epic, and listened to a lot of great, live music. I noticed an interesting programming choice involving the music. The Festival hired piano players to accompany … Continue reading My Report on The Day of Silents
A celebration of The Great Buster
B+ Showbiz documentary Directed by Peter Bogdanovich There's no question in my mind that film historian and filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show) considers Buster Keaton to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, physical comedian since the invention of the movies. I agree completely. I'm such a big fan of the … Continue reading A celebration of The Great Buster
Greatest Hits with the Club Foot Orchestra
I spent most of Saturday at the Castro, where The Club Foot Orchestra accompanied a selection of silent features and shorts. The event was run by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. The Club Foot Orchestra - ten musicians in its current form - calls itself "pioneers of modern music for silent films." They seem to … Continue reading Greatest Hits with the Club Foot Orchestra
Chaplin Diary, Part 15: Modern Times
When you think about it, Modern Times seems a strange name for such an old-fashioned movie. No one in America, or Europe, was making silent films 1936. Of course, it wasn't really silent. It had a recorded musical score (composed by Chaplin) and a great many sound effects (much more than City Lights). It even … Continue reading Chaplin Diary, Part 15: Modern Times
Two More Silent Film Festivals Coming Up
You don't have to wait long to watch a movie with live accompaniment these days - and I'm not talking about Star Wars with the San Francisco Symphony. Here are two local silent film festivals coming up, from the two major silent film organizations in the Bay Area. Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival Niles Essanay … Continue reading Two More Silent Film Festivals Coming Up
