Short films, funny films, scary films, but no film festivals in the Bay Area this week. Last week, I confessed that I wrote the newsletter a bit early, and therefore it might not be entirely accurate. This one is even earlier. I wrote it on August 2. I promise that next week the newsletter will … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 12 – 18
What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
This week's Bay Area screenings include a Burt Reynolds marathon, a monster-in-the-museum double bill, and the happy feet of Fred and Ginger. But be advised: For personal reasons, I prepared this newsletter on Monday, August 2. Parts of it may be out of date. Festivals Of the five film festivals that graced the Bay Area … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
Coming of age in a sad, sad world in James Schamus’ touching Indignation
A Coming of age drama Written and directed by James Schamus From the novel by Philip Roth Most coming of age movies leave you feeling optimistic. No matter what horrible things happen to the protagonist, you know that everything will come out alright. Not this time. In James Schamus' directorial debut, you slowly begin to … Continue reading Coming of age in a sad, sad world in James Schamus’ touching Indignation
San Francisco portion of Jewish Festival ends with Mr. Spock
Sunday night I attended the last screening at the Castro Theatre for this year's San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. The festival itself will continue in other Bay Area locations. The film was For The Love of Spock, Adam Nimoy's loving tribute to his father, Leonard, and the character that made his father famous. Adam Nimoy, … Continue reading San Francisco portion of Jewish Festival ends with Mr. Spock
Russian Ark & Buena Vista Social Club: Saturday night at the Pacific Film Archive
I saw Aleksandr Sokurov's Russian Ark and Wim Wender's Buena Vista Social Club Saturday night at the Pacific Film Archive. The first film was part of the ongoing series Guided Tour: Museums in Cinema. The second one closed the long-running series Wim Wenders: Portraits Along the Road. But they had an interesting thing in common. … Continue reading Russian Ark & Buena Vista Social Club: Saturday night at the Pacific Film Archive
What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
We still have five local film festivals; the same ones that ran last week. But we also killer robots, Cuban and French musicians, a lot of Russians, and James Cagney doing Shakespeare. Festivals The Women Sports Film Festival ends Saturday. The (Not Just) Hong Kong Action Film Series closes Sunday. The Japan Film Festival also … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
The Phantom Boy doesn’t quite come together
C+ Animated family-oriented fantasy crime thriller Written by Alain Gagnol Directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli Eleven-year-old Leo is very sick. He's in the hospital, will be for months, and he may not survive. But he has a superpower. His spirit can leave his body, fly through walls, and see and hear everything around … Continue reading The Phantom Boy doesn’t quite come together
Sunday Docs at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
I went to the Castro Sunday afternoon to catch two documentaries screening at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. It wasn't until Monday before I realized what they had in common. Both centered on a very old person. A German Life Brunhilde Pomsel, 103 when she was interviewed for this film, worked as a secretary … Continue reading Sunday Docs at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
What’s Screening: July 22 – 28
We've got five film festivals running this week, along with a lot of very good classic movies. Festivals The (Not Just) Hong Kong Action Film Series continues through July weekends, and also has Wednesday and Thursday screenings this week. The Frozen Film Festival continues through Saturday. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival runs through this … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 22 – 28
Adapting Shakespeare: Ran and Chimes at Midnight
400 years after his death, people still love William Shakespeare. I can think of no other story teller whose works have remained popular so long. His talent, obviously, has a lot to do with it. But so is his adaptability. His plays, written with almost no stage directions, give actors and directors countless interpretations. Most … Continue reading Adapting Shakespeare: Ran and Chimes at Midnight
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