No festivals this week. That's a rarity. However, the Pacific Film Archive starts its Hitchcock 9 series this week (the same films that the Silent Film Festival screened in June), and I'm listing those titles at the bottom of this newsletter. B+ Frances Ha, Castro, Tuesday; ongoing at the Roxie. I sometimes look back at … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 16 – 22
My Thoughts on Fruitvale Station
My wife and I visited the Cerrito Thursday night to catch Fruitvale Station. It was a strong, harrowing tale that I won't likely forget soon. You may know Alfred Hitchcock's theory on time bombs in movies. If the audience knows that there's a time bomb under the table, everything that anyone sitting at that table … Continue reading My Thoughts on Fruitvale Station
What’s Screening: August 9 – 15
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, although no longer in San Francisco, continues to play elsewhere in the Bay Area through Monday. And the day after it closes, the Turkish Film Festival starts its three-day run. As usual, festival screenings are at the bottom of this newsletter. B+ Prince Avalanche, Opera Plaza, Shattuck, opens Friday. … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 9 – 15
What’s Screening: August 2 – 8
The Japan Film Festival continues through Sunday, while the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival moves out of San Francisco and into the East Bay. I've listed festival events at the bottom of this newsletter. A+ The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Cerrito, Thursday, 7:00. As much as any other artist, John Ford defined and deepened … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 2 – 8
The Problem With Hollywood Today
I don't like talking about "The Good Old Days." Things change, and in the cinematic art--so heavily dependent on technology and money--they change a lot. In some ways, things are always improving. In others, they're inevitably getting worse. But consider these films: The Crowd Citizen Kane Bonnie and Clyde 2001: A Space Odyssey Midnight Cowboy … Continue reading The Problem With Hollywood Today
Rethinking Dial M for Murder
The last time I saw Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder on the big screen, or in 3D, was the first time any paying audience had seen it in decades. That was in 1980, at San Francisco's York Theater. I finally experienced the film properly again Thursday night at the Rafael, and it's a much … Continue reading Rethinking Dial M for Murder
What’s Screening: July 26 – August 1
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival continues through the week. The Brainwash Movie Festival reopens for tonight and Saturday night. And the Japan Film Festival opens Saturday and runs through to next week. As usual, I've placed festival events at the bottom of the newsletter. But first, a re-evaluation of a film that I returned … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 26 – August 1
Coming Soon to the Castro
I just clicked on the Castro's Coming Soon page. It's not complete, and lacks a lot of information, but it appears to have some cool films--as well as some really strange choices. Some of the more interesting dates: August 9: The classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, on a double bill with the famously embarrassing … Continue reading Coming Soon to the Castro
Silent Film Festival Report: Sunday
Kings of (Silent) Comedy Of course it was funny. There was really no question about it. This was my first chance seeing "Mighty Like a Moose" and "The Immigrant" on the big screen, and both were wonderful that way. The cartoon, "Felix Goes West," wasn't of the same quality, but it delivered enough laugh to … Continue reading Silent Film Festival Report: Sunday
SF Silent Film Festival Report: Saturday
This was an exceptionally exhausting day at the festival. I saw five programs, and lacked the stamina for a sixth. Windsor McCay, His Life and Art Animation historian John Canemaker narrated this entertaining lecture/film presentation on the work of the brilliant cartoonist, vaudeville performer, and animation pioneer Windsor McCay. The presentation covered his ground-breaking comic … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival Report: Saturday
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