After a three-week hiatus, the Pacific Film Archive opens its second year at the Center St. location on Wednesday, January 18. Here are some of the series that I'm looking forward to: In Focus: Hollywood Outsiders January 18 - March 1: The always interesting David Thomson not only curated this series on directers who fought … Continue reading Upcoming at the Pacific Film Archive
Category: Upcoming & Local
2017’s first film festivals
I'm pretty sure the Bay Area won't see any more film festivals this year. December is generally a festival-free month. But come January and February, we'll see plenty of festivals. Here are four that have already announced their line-ups: For Your Consideration January 6 - 12 Rafael Not every subtitled movie can qualify for the … Continue reading 2017’s first film festivals
Upcoming Events
Happy Halloween, even if I'm not really into it this year. The election is scary enough. Nevertheless, I thought it would be a good time to discuss a few events coming up in November…and even a bit of December. The Castro starts the month with films still playing in first run: Nate Parker's The Birth … Continue reading Upcoming Events
Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 2
Here are five more films (mostly documentaries) that will screen at this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. As usual, they're in order from best to worst. A Circus Kid Lorenzo Pisoni grew up as part of the Pickle Family Circus--the son of Pickle founder and director Larry Pisoni. It was not a happy childhood. In … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 2
Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 1
Over the course of this last week, I caught six films that will enjoy their Bay Area premieres at the Mill Valley Film Festival. I list them here from best to worst. None of them are really bad, and most of them are very good. All six will have theatrical releases after the Festival, so … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 1
New haunted series at SFMOMA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) recently gave its Phyllis Wattis Theater an upgrade. And now they're combining forces with the San Francisco Film Society for a three-weekend series of Modern Cinema, with an emphasis on films both haunted and haunting. SFMOMA and SFFS aren't the only organizations involved. The festival will focus … Continue reading New haunted series at SFMOMA
Mill Valley Film Festival program announced
Monday night, the California Film Institute introduced this year's Mill Valley Film Festival--the 39th edition. Now comes your chance to see this year's Oscar bait early--and probably with the filmmakers ready to answer questions. I mean it about Oscar bait. Since 2010, every Best Picture Oscar winner (whether it deserved it or not) had its … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival program announced
Coming Attractions: What you can soon see in Bay Area Theaters
As you probably know, Gene Wilder passed away Tuesday. I didn't love every movie he made, but I always loved his performance. Now the good news: On Friday, September 23, the Balboa will host a three-movie Madeline Kahn-a-thon. It will include Gene Winder in Blazing Saddles. Here's some other good news: Castro The really big … Continue reading Coming Attractions: What you can soon see in Bay Area Theaters
Jewish Film Festival Preview, Part 1
Here are four films I've already seen that are coming to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. A Indignation Already screened at San Francisco International Film Festival. Most coming of age movies are essentially optimistic. You know that the protagonist will come out alright. But in Indignation, you slowly begin to realize that, in the … Continue reading Jewish Film Festival Preview, Part 1
The SF Jewish Film Festival turns 36 (double chai)
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival turns 36 this year with 68 films (more than 50 of them features) from 16 countries. The films and presentations include comedies from Argentina and California, several coming-of-age dramas--including one about an Iranian family in Israel, a new TV series from the creator of Arab Labor, a Freedom of … Continue reading The SF Jewish Film Festival turns 36 (double chai)
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