Got another festival coming up. The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, now in its 27th year, opens March 12 and runs through March 22 at twelve locations in San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose. Like most festivals with the words "San Francisco" in its name, it opens at the Castro, although the festival's … Continue reading Asian American Film Festival Coming Right Up

Now here's something odd: Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel was one of the first German talkies. As was common in the days before dubbing and subtitles, the movie was shot twice--once in German, and once in English. The German version is widely considered a classic. (Personally, I find it interesting, and Marlene Dietrich wonderful--it … Continue reading Blue Angels

Worried that October doesn't have enough film festivals? Here's another. The 11th United Nations Association Film Festival runs October 19-26 in various Bay Area location. It will screen 41 films from assorted countries. This year's theme is Blue Planet, Green Planet. I have not seen any of the films listed, and between other festivals, Jewish … Continue reading United Nations Film Festival

I've been able to preview two films screening at the upcoming Arab Film Festival. One of them is also playing at Mill Valley. Captain Abu Raed, Mill Valley: Sequoia, Friday, October 10, 7:30 (rush only); Rafael, Sunday, October 12, 4:45. Arab Film Festival: Clay (San Francisco), Friday, October 17, 4:00; Camera 12 (San Jose), Saturday, … Continue reading Arab Film Festival Preview

Tracking all the Bay Area's film festivals is a full-time job. And if anyone's willing to pay me, I'm ready and qualified. In addition to to the big Mill Valley Film Festival, all the festivals I told you about on the 23rd, and the additional two I mentioned on the 25th, there are two other … Continue reading Good Grief! More Festivals

I told you there were a lot of festivals coming up. I missed two: Dead Channels, October 3-9: In its second year, Dead Channels celebrates independent and international fantasy films, with an emphasis on horror. It's clearly going for the same audience as Hole in the Head. Mostly at the Roxie, it moves to the … Continue reading Two More Festivals

I've now seen five films getting their local premiere at this year's Mill Valley Film Festival. (Oddly enough, two of them come reasonably close to qualifying as silent films.) Here's what I think of those five, plus one classic to be screened that I was already familiar with. I've listed the films from best to … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Preview

What's the difference between Sarah Palin and George W. Bush? Lipstick. I know. That has nothing to do with the subject at hand, or even with cinema, but it occurred to me this afternoon and I had to share it. The 31st annual Mill Valley Film Festival runs October 2 through 12 in San Rafael, … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Announced