I saw two films, both documentaries, at the San Francisco International Film Festival on Tuesday. One was about the world coming to a previously isolated stretch of Bolivia. The other was about music of the world. B+ Salero Before the screening, Director Mike Plunkett told us that the film was "a passion project of mine. It … Continue reading Salt Flats and Music: Tuesday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
Live Music for the Undead: Monday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I only went to one San Francisco International Film Festival event on Monday, and that was Carl Theodore Dreyer's 1932 classic, Vampyre, with musical accompaniment by Mercury Rev and Simon Raymonde. It was at the Castro. Vampyre belongs on any list of great horror films. Todd Brown's Dracula, made the previous year, is stagy and … Continue reading Live Music for the Undead: Monday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
Sunday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I caught two movies Sunday at the San Francisco International Film Festival. B Cameraperson I caught this one at the Victoria Theatre. Cinematographer Kirsten Johnson has been shooting documentaries for decades. The films she's lensed include Citizenfour and Farenheit 911. Now she's gathered much of what she shot, including home movies, into a montage of … Continue reading Sunday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
Janus, Criterion, Coen Brothers, and James Schamus: Saturday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I started the day with Wesley Morris' State of Cinema address. But as I've already written about that presentation, I'll skip it here and go to the two other events I attended. Mel Novikoff Award: An Afternoon with Janus Films & the Criterion Collection Every year, the Festival gives the Mel Novikoff Award to "an … Continue reading Janus, Criterion, Coen Brothers, and James Schamus: Saturday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
Wesley Morris, Sidney Poitier, and the San Francisco International Film Festival’s State of the Cinema Address
Wesley Morris, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Critic at Large for the New York Times, gave this year's State of the Cinema Address. His theme: The Radicalization of Sidney Poitier. It was in the Victoria Theatre on Saturday afternoon, and it was wonderful. Coming on stage in a snappy red suit, he warned that he would give spoilers … Continue reading Wesley Morris, Sidney Poitier, and the San Francisco International Film Festival’s State of the Cinema Address
Music and exercise: Friday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I caught two movies Friday, a music documentary at the Roxie and a very unique coming-of-age story at the New Mission's Theater 1. B+ Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music Like The Wrecking Crew, Soundbreaking looks at how music--specifically rock and roll--is created in the studio. But it isn't about session musicians. It's … Continue reading Music and exercise: Friday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
What’s Screening: April 29 – May 5
Pot-laced challah, the big SF festival, On the Waterfront, and Buster Keaton on the waterfront. That's the week in Bay Area film going. Festivals The San Francisco International Film Festival continues to the end of this week. Check my coverage for recommendations. New films opening B+ Dough, Embarcadero, Albany, Aquarius, Rafael, opens Friday This feel-good … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 29 – May 5
Thursday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I caught two movies on Thursday, both at the New Mission, but this time, not in the big Theater 1. C Southside with You Here we have yet another variation on Before Sunrise. Two attractive people who barely know each other walk through a city, talking, doing fun and meaningful things, and getting to know … Continue reading Thursday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
Wednesday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I saw two movies Wednesday at the San Francisco International Film Festival. The first was pretty good, the second fantastic. Both were screened at the New Mission's huge and beautiful Theater 1. Both films are on the festival's Hold Review List, which means that at this point in time, I have to review the films … Continue reading Wednesday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
SFIFF: Tom McCarthy, The Station Agent, and this year’s Kanbar Award
The San Francisco International Film Festival's Kanbar Award used to go to a screenwriter. Now they've expanded it to "storytellers," which can mean just about anyone who works in film. And so screenwriters remain the least visible people making movies. This year, the award went to Tom McCarthy, who is a screenwriter, as well as … Continue reading SFIFF: Tom McCarthy, The Station Agent, and this year’s Kanbar Award
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