A Music documentary Directed by Michael Murphy Most musical documentaries get the balance off. They tell you why these musicians are so great, how they became who they are, and what they're doing now (if they're alive). But they rarely give you a chance to enjoy the music. At best, you'll get a few bars … Continue reading Where music comes Up From the Streets
Saul Bass and the Big Comedies
Before Saul Bass, a film's opening credits were something to get done with as fast as possible (yes, and now the closing credits seem to go on forever). But Bass changed that in the 1950s. Using animation, slow motion, soft focus, and every trick in the printer, he made those credits fun, or exciting, or … Continue reading Saul Bass and the Big Comedies
Alternative streaming services – if you can get them to your TV
With everyone stuck at home, distributors are creating their own streaming services. But they're not making it easy for their customers to watch what they pay for on the big home screen. Yes, I know that people watch movies on their computers, their tablets, and worst of all, their phones. Yes, I watch videos on … Continue reading Alternative streaming services – if you can get them to your TV
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: May 8 – 14
What's screening through Bay Area movie theaters? An Israeli Romeo and Juliet. Last year's big winner at a bargain basement price. Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Pauline Kael. And one of the greatest noirs of all time. And we even have a festival. We still can't go to the movies, but we can still see new … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: May 8 – 14
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Matewan, Crescendo, Paper Moon, Sophie Tucker, & the Bounty
Once again, a collection of films I've recently seen, either in the first time or the first in a long time, that didn't belong in any other article I've written. From best to worst: A Matewan (1987), recently-bought Blu-ray Outside of John Sayles' oral history trilogy, this story of union organizing and union busting circa … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Matewan, Crescendo, Paper Moon, Sophie Tucker, & the Bounty
A couple of virtual film festivals
With all the theaters closed, 2020 is looking like a really bad year for film festivals (not to mention everything else). But at least two organizations are running fests…virtual, of course. And both are free. CAAMFest May 13-22 Rather than skipping or delaying its annual festival to avoid the pandemic, the Center for Asian American … Continue reading A couple of virtual film festivals
What’s Streaming: May 1 – 7
If it weren't for some idiot in Wuhan eating a bat, I'd be at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival right now. And yet, surprisingly, film festivals are starting up again. Of course, they're virtual film festivals, which aren't anywhere near as fun as the real kind. There's one this week. More to come. Virtual … Continue reading What’s Streaming: May 1 – 7
