Here's what's happening in Bay Area cinema this week: A new Russian/Finnish romance, along with classics from F.W. Murnau, Jacques Tati, Fritz Lang, Federico Fellini, Wim Wenders, Wayne Wang, and, of course, Alfred Hitchcock. Also, as a two-year anniversary of shutting down the theaters, the Oakland's New Parkway will show free movies on Tuesday. Plus, … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 11 – 17
Category: Weekly Newsletter
What’s Screening: March 4 – 10
What's happening in Bay Area cinemas this week? Two by Fellini, two written by Greta Gerwig, early Richard Linklater, along with desperate poverty, teenage girls, and silent horror. And as Omicron lifts, film festivals that didn't happen in January and February have dates set up in March. Festivals & Series WinterFest closes SundayThe SF Urban … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 4 – 10
What’s Screening: February 25 – March 3
As a 50-year-old masterpiece gets back into theaters, last year's best film finally comes to big screens! It's an offer you can't refuse. You can also see movies by Barry Jenkins, Nicolas Roeg, F. W. Murnau, and Samuel Fuller. But if you're tired of great auteurs, you can watch MST3K on the big screen for … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 25 – March 3
What’s Screening: February 18 – 24
This is a great week for silent movie lovers. Bay Area theaters are screening three shows this week with live musical accompaniment, from such masters of the art as Murnau, Méliès, and Chaplin. But if you prefer talking in your movies, local cinemas will screen works from Truffaut, Coppola, and Hitchcock. But no festivals. The … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 18 – 24
What’s Screening: February 11 – 17
Monday is Valentine's Day, so we have several romantic films you can enjoy on the big screen. In fact, the New Parkway, which has been closed recently because of Omicron, has several cinematic love stories served with special dinners. Festivals & Series SF IndieFest closes Sunday Special online events Restoring the Films of William S. … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 11 – 17
What’s Screening: February 4 – 10
We've got two worthwhile new documentaries about race and gender in theaters this week. And for vintage cinema, you can go to a movie theater and see classics from Hitchcock, Coppola, Miyazaki, Poitier, Bogdanovich, and Van Peebles. I've added a new section: Films of historical interest. These pictures aren't all that good, but are worth … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 4 – 10
What’s Screening: Jan 28 – Feb 3
What's happening in Bay Area cinema as January turns into February? We've got laughs from Preston Sturges, Bill Murray, and Monty Python. Also noir from Pedro Almodóvar, or satire from Boots Riley. I had to prepare this newsletter earlier than usual for personal reasons. That means that if a screening is announced at the last … Continue reading What’s Screening: Jan 28 – Feb 3
What’s Screening: January 21 – 27
The bad news: The Castro Theater is no longer a movie theater. The good news: Other Bay Area theaters are showing plenty of vintage movies. Theaters closings The end of the Castro For decades, the Castro Theatre has been the perfect movie palace for opening a film festival or just for watching vintage cinema. And … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 21 – 27
What’s Screening: January 14 – 20
I have stopped going to movie theaters because of Omicron. I just don't think it's safe - even though I wear a mask and have all the right shots. I'm not the only one who thinks that way. The Film Noir Foundation has postponed this year's Noir City festival. And the New Parkway has gone … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 14 – 20
What’s Screening: January 7 – 13
I dedicate this week's newsletter to film historian and filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich (July 30, 1939 – January 6, 2022). Considering what Omicron is doing all over the world, we have a surprising number of vintage movies playing in real theaters. We've got major works from Peter Jackson, F.W. Murnau, Wong Kar Wai, The Coen Brothers, … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 7 – 13
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