Dear readers: I realize my blog has been all but dormant recently. My father was ailing the last few months, and I was his medical representative. He died last Friday. In addition, I was directing a one-act musical comedy, which will have its one-and-only performance at Ashkenaz this Saturday. You can understand why I had … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 22 – 28
What’s Screening: February 15 – 21
IndieFest continues through the week. The Black LGBT Film Festival plays the New Parkway tonight through Sunday, while Silent Winter takes over the Castro Saturday. Now, if anyone can come up with an independent black LGBT silent film, we'll have all of our bases covered. I've placed my Silent Winter capsules at the end of … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 15 – 21
What’s Screening: February 8 – 14
In festival news, IndieFest continues through this week and beyond. One other quick note: I haven't yet visited the New Parkway, but I hope to. But I really wish they'd play classic films at a convenient hour for older cinephiles. A+ Fantastic Double Bill: Samsara & Ikiru, Castro, Monday. The A+ goes to Ikiru, one … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 8 – 14
Journalism, Fiction, Torture, and Zero Dark Thirty
I saw Zero Dark Thirty last night, so I can can finally discuss the various controversies. But first, let me say that I liked the movie very much, although not as much as many others. The direction, photography, acting, and editing were all topnotch. But there was something hollow in the center. We never learn … Continue reading Journalism, Fiction, Torture, and Zero Dark Thirty
Wait 20 Years, and Then You Can Call a Groundhog Day a Classic
It's Groundhog Day! I repeat: It's Groundhog Day! The movie Groundhog Day first played to paying audiences 20 years ago today. I saw it soon after the release, and fell instantly in love with it. But only now, 20 years later, am I willing to give it my highest rating: A+. I don't give that … Continue reading Wait 20 Years, and Then You Can Call a Groundhog Day a Classic
Noir City in 3D
Last night I attended Noir City's first ever 3D double bill. Both films, Man in the Dark and Inferno, came out in 1953. That year was both the height of the classic noir period, and the zenith of the first 3D craze. Actually, it was the only year of the first 3D craze. Hollywood turned … Continue reading Noir City in 3D
What’s Screening: February 1 – 7
Noir City continues through Sunday. Then, after three festival-free days, IndieFest opens Thursday night. This is also a big week for Mary Pickford. With film historian Christel Schmidt plugging her new book, Mary Pickford: Queen of the Movies, it's time for the theaters to spotlight this early and immensely important producer and star. The Rafael … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 1 – 7
Saturday at Noir City
Yesterday (Saturday) was a beautiful day, so I spent most of it at the Castro, enjoying two dark double bills--all part of the ongoing Noir City festival. Out of these four feature films, I watched two ex-cons re-entering society, four violent crimes turn out really bad for the perpetrators, two people jump to their deaths, … Continue reading Saturday at Noir City
What’s Screening: January 25 – 31
The Bay Area film festival scene looks dark and dreary this week. But that's a good thing! Noir City opens tonight and runs through the week and beyond. A Gun Crazy, Castro, Friday, 8:00. No, this movie isn't about Fox News and the NRA. Written under an assumed name by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, Gun … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 25 – 31
What’s Screening: January 18 – 24
Movie-going with the stiff upper lip: The Mostly British Film Festival continues through the week. Berkeley's Movie Theaters - the Lost and the Found, Berkeley Historical Society, Sunday, 2:00, free. Author Dave (It Came from Berkeley) Weinstein will discuss the history of Berkeley's movie-going habits, including the birth of repertory cinema. Weinstein will also discuss … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 18 – 24
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