No festivals running this week. But the CineMark chain is playing Best Picture nominees throughout the week, and I'll list those at the bottom of this newsletter. B+ The Strong Man, Balboa, Sunday, 7:00. Frank Capra’s first feature proves to be a marvelous vehicle for silent comedian Harry Langdon, who for a very brief time … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 21 – 27

Both SF IndieFest and the Mostly British Film Festival continue through the rest of this week. In the newly-dead movie star department, the New Parkway will run several Seymour Hoffman films this week, while the Stanford will screen Shirley Temple marathons Saturday and Sunday. And I have added another theater to the Bayflicks family, the … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 14 – 20

SF IndieFest continues through this week and beyond. But if you prefer to keep a stiff upper lip, the Mostly British Film Festival starts Thursday. A- Teenage, Roxie, Sunday, 7:01; Wednesday, 7:00. Using a combination of archival footage and dramatic recreations, Matt Wolf's documentary explores British, German, and American youth from 1904 through 1945. Through … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 7 – 13

As the festivals turn: Noir City continues through Sunday. And San Francisco IndieFest opens Thursday. I have, unfortunately, been too busy to review any of the IndieFest films, but you'll find comments on two Noir City features at the bottom of this newsletter. A Breathless, Pacific Film Archive, Friday, 7:00. Jean-Luc Godard broke all the … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 31 – February 6

Feeling depressed? Here's a little darkness to cheer you up: This year's edition of Noir City opens its ten-day run tonight. My Noir notes are at the bottom of this newsletter. B Nebraska, Lark, opens Friday. A good film, but not as good as I've learned to expect from Alexander Payne. Yes, Bruce Dern hits … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 24 – 30

In festival news, For Your Consideration closes today, and Berlin & Beyond continues through Tuesday. The Apu Trilogy, Pacific Film Archive, Friday through Sunday. It's been way too long since I've seen Satyajit Ray's trilogy about a young boy growing into a man. The PFA will screen 35mm restored prints of all three films on … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 17 – 23

The new year isn't that new anymore. This week the Pacific Film Archive returns from its winter break, and the first film festivals of 2014 open. First, For Your Consideration starts its run today (Friday), previewing 14 possible nominees for the Best Foreign Film Oscar.  Then Berlin & Beyond, opens Wednesday. I'm not listing Saturday's … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 10 – 16

Still no festivals. But they're coming. Expect one next week. A Valley Girl, Castro, Friday. Was there ever a less promising film to become a classic? Made on a miniscule budget, financed by people more concerned with tits than story, and with a title ripped off from a recent novelty song hit, Valley Girl was … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 3 – 9

No festivals this week, but we do get a new year. And some movies. New Year's Eve Family Carnival Night, Alameda, Tuesday, 7:00. The Alameda is promising a magician, clowns, games, a raffle, and, yes, movies. The whole thing is sponsored by the Alameda Pinball Museum, as a memorial for Craig Wolff and a benefit … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 27 – January 2

Sorry, folks. No festivals this week. I think that has to do with some holiday that Fox News wants to go to war for. B Go for Sisters, Opera Plaza, opens Friday. John Sayles at his most conventional; in all but the details, you’ve seen this film before. A pair of mismatched protagonists join forces … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 20 – 26