A- Documentary Directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn From the book by Jonathan Safran Foer Warning: This documentary contains many horribly gruesome images. And unlike the gore in horror movies, you know that it's all real. Considering the film's title and the involvement of outspoken vegan (and movie star) Natalie Portman, one would assume that Eating … Continue reading Eating Animals: Knowing what you consume
Category: Social Issues
Black Powers coming to Modern Cinema
Black filmmakers illuminate the African-American experience in SFFILM and SFMOMA's latest Modern Cinema series, Black Powers: Reframing Hollywood. The series/festival runs from July 12–29. As with all Modern Cinema series, this one takes place at SFMOMA's Phyllis Wattis Theater. Neither organization is calling this a festival, but I think the title fits, because you can … Continue reading Black Powers coming to Modern Cinema
The Insult has consequences
A Drama Written by Ziad Doueiri and Joelle Touma Directed by Ziad Doueiri Two men of different ethnicities, religions, and political parties meet, and one almost unconsciously insults the other. Neither will back down, and the situation escalates. Sounds like a promising satire, with comic hijinks building on top of each other until everything collapses in … Continue reading The Insult has consequences
The Final Year captures Obama administration
A- Political documentary Directed by Greg Barker What's it like to work for the commander of the deadliest military in the world, even if your job is keeping the peace? Greg Barker's documentary, The Final Year, follows Barak Obama's foreign policy team over the year 2016. The film introduces you to two important but relatively … Continue reading The Final Year captures Obama administration
The Other Side of Hope has its moments, but…
C+ Drama with comic elements Written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki This Finnish film about refugees and those that help and hinder them runs along two very different story threads. Both of them have their good points, but they conflict so badly with each other that they don't really work together. The strongest thread follows … Continue reading The Other Side of Hope has its moments, but…
Sexual Abuse: The filmgoer’s Dilemma
Sexual predators in the movie business (and elsewhere) are finally getting the attention they deserve…as opposed to the attention they want. The Harvey Weinstein scandal has punched a hole in the culture and let some light in. For the moment at least, the entertainment industry isn't safe for sexual predators. In addition to Weinstein, Kevin … Continue reading Sexual Abuse: The filmgoer’s Dilemma
LA 92 looks at Rodney King trial and riots
B Documentary Directed by Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin I watched and reviewed two films about the Robert King riots in less than three months. Of the two, this is the one worth catching. On the other hand, when you're comparing it to the very disappointing Gook, that's not much of a compliment. In 1991, … Continue reading LA 92 looks at Rodney King trial and riots
Doc Stories Report: Obama’s team in The Final Year
My wife and I attended the Doc Stories festival Saturday afternoon at the Vogue. The movie in question was an inspiring but also deeply sad documentary about Obama's foreign policy team, The Final Year. Director Greg Barker introduced the film, promising us that "For the next 90 minutes, Donald Trump will not be president." If … Continue reading Doc Stories Report: Obama’s team in The Final Year
Human Flow: The big and small of the refuge crisis
A Documentary Directed by Ai Weiwei If you keep up with international news to any serious degree, very few of the facts in this haunting documentary will surprise you (although some just might). But director Ai Weiwei isn't really trying to make you know more. He wants to make you feel more. But I'll start … Continue reading Human Flow: The big and small of the refuge crisis
The Florida Project brings you not quite to Disney World
A- Slice of life Written by Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch Directed by Sean Baker Cheap motels and tourist traps abound on the edge of Florida's Disney World. Some, such as The Magic Castle, have become unofficial residency motels, filled with desperate people - mostly single mothers. Tourists are few and far between. Sean Baker's … Continue reading The Florida Project brings you not quite to Disney World
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