In festival news, Cinequest continues this week throughout the South Bay, and Hollywood Before the Code opens its week-long run at the Roxie tonight. Although I haven't been able to review any of the new films playing at Cinequest, I'm discussing some of the technical presentations and revivals at the bottom of this newsletter. Balboa … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 1 – 7

Dear readers: I realize my blog has been all but dormant recently. My father was ailing the last few months, and I was his medical representative. He died last Friday. In addition, I was directing a one-act musical comedy, which will have its one-and-only performance at Ashkenaz this Saturday. You can understand why I had … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 22 – 28

IndieFest continues through the week. The Black LGBT Film Festival plays the New Parkway tonight through Sunday, while Silent Winter takes over the Castro Saturday. Now, if anyone can come up with an independent black LGBT silent film, we'll have all of our bases covered. I've placed my Silent Winter capsules at the end of … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 15 – 21

In festival news, IndieFest continues through this week and beyond. One other quick note: I haven't yet visited the New Parkway, but I hope to. But I really wish they'd play classic films at a convenient hour for older cinephiles. A+ Fantastic Double Bill: Samsara & Ikiru, Castro, Monday. The A+ goes to Ikiru, one … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 8 – 14

Noir City continues through Sunday. Then, after three festival-free days, IndieFest opens Thursday night. This is also a big week for Mary Pickford. With film historian Christel Schmidt plugging her new book, Mary Pickford: Queen of the Movies, it's time for the theaters to spotlight this early and immensely important producer and star. The Rafael … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 1 – 7

The Bay Area film festival scene looks dark and dreary this week. But that's a good thing! Noir City opens tonight and runs through the week and beyond. A Gun Crazy, Castro, Friday, 8:00. No, this movie isn't about Fox News and the NRA. Written under an assumed name by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, Gun … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 25 – 31

Movie-going with the stiff upper lip: The Mostly British Film Festival continues through the week. Berkeley's Movie Theaters - the Lost and the Found, Berkeley Historical Society, Sunday, 2:00, free. Author Dave (It Came from Berkeley) Weinstein will discuss the history of Berkeley's movie-going habits, including the birth of repertory cinema. Weinstein will also discuss … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 18 – 24

The holiday festival draught is over. Both For Your Consideration and the Studio Ghibli Series open tonight. And the Mostly British Film Festival opens Thursday. And here's what else is playing. B+ Hitchcock Double Bill: The 39 Steps & Sabotage, Friday, 7:00. The B+ goes to The 39 Steps, which is not one of my … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 11 – 17

Still no festivals. But that sorry state of affairs ends next week. Important note: I'm writing the newsletter early this week, and may not be able to update it later. Please excuse any errors. A Performing arts double bill: A Late Quartet & Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present, Castro, Tuesday. The A goes to … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 4 – 10