Like almost everyone else, I haven't seen a movie in the theater in more than a year. But come Friday, that will change. Berkeley's Shattuck Cinema opens tomorrow with eleven films from this year and last. I've seen seven of these films, but only at home. And yes, I know that other theaters have been … Continue reading Movies on the big screen – in Berkeley!
Category: Uncategorized
Is it a movie or a play…or a word?
When I wrote my Golden Globe nominees article, I hit on something that forced me to think about what is a movie in 2021. When I saw that Hamilton was nominated for Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, my first thought was: This isn't a movie; it's a filmed stage play. Which isn't a bad … Continue reading Is it a movie or a play…or a word?
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: September 11 – 17
This week in Bay Area virtual cinema: A celebration of 1962 (and I don't mean American Graffiti), rockin' Jimmy Carter, unions Bangladesh-style, and a return to burning Paradise. Virtual Festivals SF DocFest continues through this week and beyond. Read my preview. Special online events Cinema '62: The Greatest Year At the Movies, Rafael, Thursday, 7:30 … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: September 11 – 17
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Beanpole, What’s Up Doc, Extra Ordinary, and Angels Over Broadway
Two new movies that, if it were not for COVID-19, would be playing in theaters, along with two pictures that were made before films streamed on the Internet. As usual, they're in order from best to last. A- Beanpole (2019), helping the Balboa or Rafael Within minutes after this Russian film starts, the extremely tall title character (Viktoria … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Beanpole, What’s Up Doc, Extra Ordinary, and Angels Over Broadway
Streaming services and the pandemic
As we're stuck at home, streaming television services help keep us sane. Some of these services are making it easier or cheaper to stream during the pandemic. Kanopy If you haven't yet discovered Kanopy, it's about time. Supported by your local library, it's free and contains no advertising. But your library can limit how many … Continue reading Streaming services and the pandemic
Depressing but necessary: Sorry We Missed You
A- Drama Written by Paul Laverty Directed by Ken Loach With a title like Sorry We Missed You, you'd expect a light, romantic comedy. Instead, you get something entirely different. Imagine a food that you absolutely hate, but you eat it anyway because it's good for you. That's like the experience of seeing Ken Loach's … Continue reading Depressing but necessary: Sorry We Missed You
What’s Screening: February 28 – March 5
Robbie Robertson ignores his Band. Kurosawa goes '60s noir. Hitchcock becomes stranger on a train. And a giant mutant predator hits South Korea (and no, it's not Donald Trump). All this, plus three film festivals and more this week in Bay Area arthouse cinemas. Festivals The East Bay International Jewish Film Festival opens Friday and … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 28 – March 5
The Last of Star Wars
For the first time in most of my adult lifetime, I don't have another Star Wars movie in my future. That doesn't bother me. I'm glad the story is finished. I just hope Disney doesn't decide to do a fourth trilogy; which they'll probably do just for the money. I have seen every Star Wars … Continue reading The Last of Star Wars
Something going wrong on Bayflicks
I don't know how this happened, but several old drafts of tests and rewrites went on line July 4 (and I hope no more). I have since deleted them. Sorry for the confusion.
The Cameraman & Opening Night at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival
I'm going to try to cover the San Francisco Silent Film Festival day by day, which isn't easy when the days are so long. So please excuse me if my grammar and spelling aren't the best. So lets get going with the opening night screening of Buster Keaton's The Cameraman. But before the movie, the … Continue reading The Cameraman & Opening Night at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival
