The Criterion Channel is currently doing something unusual; they're running a series set around - not a director or a star - but a screenwriter. Dalton Trumbo was a top MGM screenwriter in the 1940s, when he was blacklisted for his leftwing politics. He did time in federal prison, then he spent the 1950s writing … Continue reading Dalton Trumbo and films of the Blacklist at Criterion
What’s Screening: May 28 – June 3
The Castro, the Stanford, and the BAMPFA are still closed, but the Grand Lake is open! This week we have a film about a woman running for office in Saudi Arabia. Also Shrek, Eraserhead, and three film festivals. Festivals Berlin & Beyond closes Sunday The Legacy Film Festival On Aging closes Monday SF DocFest opens … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 28 – June 3
One theater opens and another one closes
I entered the Cerrito Theater Monday for the first time in more than a year, for a matinee screening of Singin' in the Rain. After the song and dance, my wife joined me for a screening of Shadow of a Doubt. (It was not a double bill.) This is all part of the Cerrito Classics … Continue reading One theater opens and another one closes
What’s Screening: May 21 – 27
Finally, after 14 months, we're getting plenty of old movies running in hardtop movie theaters. The Roxie is screening Cinema Paradiso and The Story of a Three Day Pass. The Balboa will screen several music films along with a classic horror. And best of all, the Cerrito is having a week-long celebration of classic cinema. … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 21 – 27
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Green Valley | Mortal Storm | This Paris | David Copperfield & The Blob
Three of these five films were set in Europe but made in and around Hollywood. Another was set and shot in England. And the last one starred a young unknown named Steve McQueen (it was shot and set in a small American town). Curiously, the three black-and-white movies were better than the two color ones. … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Green Valley | Mortal Storm | This Paris | David Copperfield & The Blob
The Dry: Murder and draught in Australia
B+ Mystery Written By Robert Connolly & Harry Cripps, from a novel by Jane Harper Directed By Robert Connolly Not all cinematic small towns look like something out of Frank Capra's imagination. Set in the Australian outback, Kiewarra is ugly, and suffering from a horrendous drought. Even worse, no one trusts anyone else. Fists fly … Continue reading The Dry: Murder and draught in Australia
The Cerrito opens with a classic fest
When was the last time you watched a beloved classic the way it should be seen? And by that, I mean in a theater with a large screen and an audience. I don't think I've had that experience since 2019. The Cerrito celebrates its reopening this Friday with the Cerrito Classics Festival. Here are the … Continue reading The Cerrito opens with a classic fest
What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Godzilla wakes up Bay Area classic cinema after more than a year's slumber. Also, Danish action, kids against guns, Melvin Van Peebles' first film, World War II, and rodents of unusual size. Festivals The DocLands Documentary Film Festival closes on Sunday CAAMFest continues through the week and beyond Godzilla's Monster Bash opens today, and with … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Berlin & Beyond previews: Sisters Apart | Cocoon | Walchensee Forever
The Berlin & Beyond Film Festival opens May 25 and closes May 30. Here are three of the 25 films being shown through streaming, at a drive-in, and - believe it or not - in an actual hard-top movie theater. A- Sisters Apart Opening night! The fog of war feels thick when Rojda, a soldier … Continue reading Berlin & Beyond previews: Sisters Apart | Cocoon | Walchensee Forever
Riders of Justice out for revenge
B Crime Thriller Written by Anders Thomas Jensen from an idea by Nikolaj Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen You know those "dad thrillers" that usually star Liam Neeson? Well, here's the Danish version, and silly as it is, it's fun - if you can stand the violence. A passenger train … Continue reading Riders of Justice out for revenge
