What’s leaving Criterion at the end of November

November 21, 2021November 21, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

A lot of very good films will disappear from The Criterion Channel on December 1. If you want to see any of the movies listed below, stream them before December. And if you don't subscribe, you can start a 14-day free trial. Full recommendations A+ The Crowd (1927) If you can only stream one of … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of November

Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 2

September 30, 2021September 29, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

Here is my last set of Mill Valley Film Festival previews. No bad ones this time. I won't be posting any MVFF reviews until after opening night. A The Rescue, USA/UK, documentary, directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin Now here's a documentary as suspenseful as anything from Alfred Hitchcock. But then, nothing's more … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Fest: Preview 2

What’s leaving Criterion at the end of August

August 15, 2021August 15, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

Come September, Charlie Chaplin's best shorts and Georges Méliès' colorful fairy tales will disappear from the Criterion Channel. And along with them, are a lot of very good feature-length films. I don't want to discuss all of these shorts (although, among the Chaplins, the best are The Immigrant, Easy Street, and best of all, The … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of August

Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Gray Flannel Suit | Charming Bourgeoise | The Blue Dahlia | Crossfire

July 29, 2021December 21, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

There's a theme going through this list of theoretically random movies - they're all listed at the bottom of my last Criterion article. A- The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956) This is much more than an attack on 1950's conformity. Gregory Peck stars as a father, husband, and breadwinner, and doing all that … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Gray Flannel Suit | Charming Bourgeoise | The Blue Dahlia | Crossfire

Movies on the big screen – in Berkeley!

March 18, 2021March 17, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

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!

Is it a movie or a play…or a word?

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

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

September 11, 2020September 10, 2020 ~ Lincoln Spector

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

April 13, 2020 ~ Lincoln Spector

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

April 6, 2020 ~ Lincoln Spector

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