B+ Historical drama Written by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi From a non-fiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly Directed by Theodore Melfi When you think about the people who put the first Americans into space, you probably imagine a bunch of white men. You might occasionally remember an astronaut's wife, but her job was limited … Continue reading Hidden Figures: Prepare to Cheer
Film Festivals of 2016
Just how many film festivals grace the Bay Area over a year? At the beginning of 2016, I decided to find out. Every time a new festival opened in the Bay Area, I added it to a list. And now that it's clear that we're not going to see any other film festivals this year, … Continue reading Film Festivals of 2016
Hidden Figures wins Sloan Science Prize & a B+ from me
I attended a special preview screening of Hidden Figures Saturday afternoon at the Castro. It was more than just a screening. The drama, about African-American women who played major roles in the early days of NASA, won this year's Sloan Science in Cinema Prize, and the event celebrated that win. San Francisco Film Society Executive … Continue reading Hidden Figures wins Sloan Science Prize & a B+ from me
2017’s first film festivals
I'm pretty sure the Bay Area won't see any more film festivals this year. December is generally a festival-free month. But come January and February, we'll see plenty of festivals. Here are four that have already announced their line-ups: For Your Consideration January 6 - 12 Rafael Not every subtitled movie can qualify for the … Continue reading 2017’s first film festivals
What’s Screening: Dec 16 – 22
This week in Bay Area theaters we have Charlie Kaufman, Fred and Ginger, horny nuns, silent shorts, and a whole Brand New Testament. But no film festivals. New films opening A The Brand New Testament, Opera Plaza, Shattuck, Rafael, opens Friday This funny, silly, sacrilegious, and surprisingly touching comedy from Belgium pictures God as a … Continue reading What’s Screening: Dec 16 – 22
National Film Registry picks another 25
Every year, the Library of Congress' The National Film Registry creates a list of 25 films worthy of preservation. And then, more importantly, the organization preserves them. The films are chosen for "their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance." In other words, they're not all masterpieces, but they're all important. This year's selection includes popular classics, … Continue reading National Film Registry picks another 25
The Brand New Testament takes God down several notches
A Comedy Written by Thomas Gunzig & Jaco Van Dormael Directed by Jaco Van Dormael In this funny, silly, sacrilegious, and surprisingly touching comedy from Belgium, God proves to be a real asshole. He finds great joy is making innocent people suffer. He pronounces new rules for the universe, such as the one that requires … Continue reading The Brand New Testament takes God down several notches
A+ List: Paths of Glory
Young men die so that older, richer, and more powerful men can amass greater wealth and power. That's pretty much the basic function of war. Stanley Kurbrick's best film, Paths of Glory, dramatizes that truth better than any other motion picture I've seen. For its strong story, dazzling visuals (which never dazzle for their own … Continue reading A+ List: Paths of Glory
What’s Screening: Dec 9 – 15
I've been down with the flu for the last week, so I missed the Day of Silents. I don't know when I'll be healthy enough to go to a theater without disturbing the people around me. And that's unfortunate, because there's a lot of good stuff playing this week, including the Rafael's eight-film Kirk Douglas … Continue reading What’s Screening: Dec 9 – 15
Old Stone finds drama and violence from society’s inhumanity
B Drama turned thriller Written and directed by Johnny Ma Intended as a critique of Chinese society, Johnny Ma's first feature shows us a man economically trapped for committing a good deed. But Old Stone loses its way in the third act, when it shifts from serious social drama to attempted thriller. In the confusing … Continue reading Old Stone finds drama and violence from society’s inhumanity
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