SF Int. Festival Preview

April 11, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

I've previewed two films that will screen at the San Francisco International Film Festival in coming weeks. I saw both on DVD screeners. Here's what I thought about them: A The Mill and the Cross, SFMOMA, Saturday, April 23, 12:30; Kabuki, Wedesday, April 27, 9:00. Painting with the wide palette that 21st century cinema allows, … Continue reading SF Int. Festival Preview

This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival Announced

March 30, 2011March 30, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

You probably found my notes from the San Francisco International Film Festival press conference impenetrable. Here's the polished version: This year's Festival opens Thursday, April 21 with Beginners and closes May 5 (also a Thursday) with On Tour. Over the course of those 15 days, it will screen 188 films from 48 countries in five … Continue reading This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival Announced

This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival Announced—Raw Version

March 29, 2011March 30, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

These are my unedited notes from the SFIFF press conference. I don’t have Internet access here at the Westin, so I’ll post this as soon as I can. When I get a chance, I will post an edited version. Update: I had that chance. You'll find a more readable version here. I’m not totally comfortable … Continue reading This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival Announced—Raw Version

ILM Animator at Balboa Saturday Night

March 11, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

I would have included this in the weekly newsletter, but I just found out about it this morning. This Saturday, Industrial Light and Magic lead animator Charles Alleneck will appear at the Balboa to discuss his work on Rango and other movies. He'll talk after the 7:00 show and before the 9:10 screening. In addition … Continue reading ILM Animator at Balboa Saturday Night

Cinequest

February 27, 2011February 26, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

With its celebration of technology and independent filmmaking, Cinequest always seemed like a festival I should attend. But San Jose a big schlep for me, and I've yet to make it. But that doesn't mean you should miss it. It runs the first 12 days of March. The festival kicks off this year with Passsione, … Continue reading Cinequest

Oscar Parties

February 24, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

The rule used to be that you watched movies in theaters and TV at home. Today, so many of us watch movies at home that we need to get out once in awhile to watch TV in the theater. And why not do it with the biggest movie night on television: The Academy Awards? Comedy … Continue reading Oscar Parties

Green Film Festival

February 3, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

Last month I explained the three types of film festivals: identity festivals, which focus on ethnic, religious, racial, and gender identities, genre festivals, which look at particular kinds of movies and generic film festivals. There's a fourth kind: Advocacy film festivals. The latest addition to the Bay Area pantheon, the Green Film Festival, falls into … Continue reading Green Film Festival

IndieFest Preview

January 27, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

I've previewed three films coming to IndieFest. Here's what I thought about them. B+ The Drummond Will, Roxie, Friday, February 4, 7:00; Sunday, February 6, 2:30; Monday, February 7, 7:00. No one can make murder funny like the British. In this low-budget comedy, two very different brothers inherent a ramshackle house from the father neither … Continue reading IndieFest Preview

IndieFest 2011

January 17, 2011 ~ Lincoln Spector

I tend to put film festivals into three categories. First, you've got identity festivals, which focus on the many ethnic, religious, racial, and gender ways in which people group themselves (the Jewish Film Festival, Frameline, and so one). Second, you have genre festivals, which look at particular kinds of movies (Noir City, Silent Film Festival). … Continue reading IndieFest 2011