The Cerrito theater is halting its monthly Classics series until September. Why? Here's the official explanation: Cerrito Classics are shown by the Friends of the Cerrito Theater, under the auspices of Rialto Cinemas, which operates the Cerrito. Rialto operates as a first-run theater, with special showings of filmed productions of London plays, as well as … Continue reading Cerrito Classics going on hiatus
Category: Theaters
The Shattuck Cinema is in Danger
Landmark's 10-screen Shattuck Cinema is an oasis for Berkeley and Oakland film lovers. Probably the largest multiplex in the East Bay devoted primarily to foreign and independent cinema, it usually offers several films worth seeing. As I write this, It's showing Two Days, One Night, Birdman, Selma, The Theory of Everything, and Wild, and that's … Continue reading The Shattuck Cinema is in Danger
Fort Apache at the Alameda
Tuesday night, I visited the Alameda Theater for the first time, for a screening of John Ford's Fort Apache. This was also my first time seeing this classic on the big screen. The Alameda is a huge, beautiful, art deco theater originally built in 1932. It was, of course, originally built as a single-screen theater. … Continue reading Fort Apache at the Alameda
There’s a new silent movie venue in town
"The 21st century is no place to watch early 20th-century movies." That's the claim of the Excelsior Moveable Movie Palace, which will have its first public screening in Berkeley this coming Sunday night. The idea is to recreate the experience of watching these films when they were new. "When you see the world through the … Continue reading There’s a new silent movie venue in town
The Interview at the New Parkway (Spoiler: The theater didn’t blow up)
I haven't written anything yet about The Interview and its assorted release problems. Why should I? Everyone else has already written about it. Besides, I was on vacation. Now I'm back. Sunday night, my wife and I saw Kim Jong Un's least favorite movie at the New Parkway. Perhaps it was a case of lowered … Continue reading The Interview at the New Parkway (Spoiler: The theater didn’t blow up)
Return to the UC Theatre
Thursday night, I attended an open house at the UC Theatre, once my shrine to the art and joy of cinema. As I mentioned back in April, The Berkeley Music Group plans to reopen the UC next year as a music venue. I was surprised by how much the theater hasn't changed. It was in … Continue reading Return to the UC Theatre
The Magick Lantern–waiting to be reborn
The Magick Lantern, a tiny theater in Point Richmond, opened early this year, showing recent arthouse fare on weekends and classics Thursday night. I added it my Theaters link list immediately, but I never made it there to see a movie. Then, in October, before I had a chance to visit the Magick Latern, it … Continue reading The Magick Lantern–waiting to be reborn
December at the Castro
Have you seen the Castro's Coming Soon page? Some interesting stuff coming up in December. Regular readers know that I disapprove of all the brouhaha over Gone with the Wind's 75th anniversary. I find it upsetting that a film so racist can be a beloved classic in the 21st century, with very little discussion of … Continue reading December at the Castro
September at the Castro
Have you checked out the Castro's Coming Soon page? Here you'll find the September schedule--sans links to more details. A few events worth noting: The month begins with the end of a three-day run for Lawrence of Arabia, which should look wonderful with the Castro's new 4K projector. August 30-September 1. Not surprisingly, Robin Williams … Continue reading September at the Castro
The Castro now has 4K projection
Top technology has been an important part of the Castro's appeal for a long time. The theater was, I believe, the first rep house to get Dolby stereo, digital sound, and DCP-compatible digital projection. I believe it's the only local rep house that can project 70mm film, and one of only two that can handle … Continue reading The Castro now has 4K projection
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