This is another of my "held" reviews. I reviewed this film before it screened at the 2010 Frameline festival. At the time, I wrote a full review, which I planned to post just before the picture's full release. More than two years later, it still hasn't been released. So I'm posting this now. B Period … Continue reading The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister
From 35mm to DCP: My Thoughts on a Critical Symposium
The current issue of Cineaste Magazine contains a symposium article on the digital transition. Fueled by a conviction that this transition brings with it important and wide-ranging repercussions with regard to film culture, and that it’s critical to investigate and debate these consequences, we have organized this Critical Symposium, inviting a range of people—repertory cinema … Continue reading From 35mm to DCP: My Thoughts on a Critical Symposium
What’s Screening: November 16 – 22
The fall festivals are winding down. The Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival closes on Sunday, and Doc Fest finishes on Wednesday. A Hava Nagila (The Movie), Camera 12, Sunday, 5:30. Hava Nagila, a documentary about the famous tune, doesn’t take itself too seriously. Even the titles that introduce interview subjects make casual jokes. This fun … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 16 – 22
How Many Films are Still Shot on Film
When I tell people who work in technology, but not in cinema, that most professional, theatrical movies are still shot on film, they find that shocking. It seems counterintuitive. Well, of course most filmmakers still shoot on film. It looks better--whether it's projected on film or digital. Or do they? And does it really look … Continue reading How Many Films are Still Shot on Film
Blu-ray Review: Rashomon
As I watched Criterion's beautiful new Blu-ray edition of Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon, I noticed how patterns of three ripple through this masterpiece. You have, of course, the love triangle (well, more like a lust and violence triangle) that centers the story. But you also have the three men under the Rashomon gate. And the three … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Rashomon
What’s Screening: November 9 – 15
The Italian Film Festival closes Saturday night, but New Italian Cinema opens tonight and runs through the weekend. Both Doc Fest and the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival continue through this week and beyond. Cinema by the Bay opens today and runs through the week. B- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Alameda, Tuesday and Wednesday. Howard Hawks’ … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 9 – 15
Samuel Fuller
I've been throwing myself into the life and work of Samuel Fuller lately. It's been a rewarding experience. For those not familiar with the name, Fuller wrote and directed a string of low-budget, impressive genre films from the late 40's to the early 60's. His pictures are bold, direct, and in-your-face, and utterly lacking in … Continue reading Samuel Fuller
What’s Screening: November 2 – 8
Doc Fest opens Thursday. And the Italian Film Festival continues on Saturday nights. A- The Other Son, Opera Plaza, Shattuck, Aquarius, Rafael, opens Friday. Two families–one Israeli, the other Palestinian–discover that their 18-year-old sons were switched at birth. This could have been played for laughs (in fact it has been, in The Infidel), but director/co-writer … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 2 – 8
The Other Son
A- Middle East Culture Clash Drama Written by Noam Fitoussi, Lorraine Levy, and Nathalie Saugeon Directed by Lorraine Levy It's rare treat when I see a new film and have no idea how it's going to end, and this French/Israeli co-production is just such a treat. As I watched it, I could see it ending … Continue reading The Other Son
What’s Screening: October 26 – November 1
The Chinese American Film Festival continues through Sunday, while French Cinema Now finishes on Monday. But Not Necessarily Noir keeps going through Halloween, and the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival keeps going through the week and beyond. Finally, the Italian Film Festival pops up again for Saturday night. But not everything is about a film … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 26 – November 1
Bayflicks 