Opening night of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival got off to a slow start, but when the movie finally started--nearly 45 minutes late--it was worth the wait. No, there weren't crowd or (as far as I know) technical problems. The show started on time. It was just that the first part of the show … Continue reading Hava Nagila & Opening Night of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
What’s Screening: July 20 – 26
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival continues through the week. I've placed my Festival capsules below the Goyish ones. A- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Bridge, Thursday, 7:00. Corrupt political bosses appoint a naive, young idealist (James Stewart) senator because they think he’s stupid. The second and best film in Frank Capra’s common-man trilogy, Mr. … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 20 – 26
SF Silent Film Festival Report, Day 4
The Mark of ZorroBig fun. I don't think I've seen this theatrically before, and certainly never with so big and enthusiastic a crowd. People cheered, hissed, and laughed on cue. Dennis James kept things lively on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, and Fairbanks' antics and stunts were stunning.One thing I noticed about the story: Zorro is, … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival Report, Day 4
SF Silent Film Festival, Day 3
The Irrepressible Felix the CatThis may have been the first theatrical, 35mm presentation of multiple Felix the Cat cartoons ever. The shorts were wild, crazy, bizarre, surreal, and hilarious. The accompaniment added much to the festivities. Donald Soosan and a drummer who's name I didn't get accompanied some of the shorts. Toychestra--a sextet playing toy … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival, Day 3
SF Silent Film Festival, Day 2
Amazing Tales From the Vault This year's technical talk concentrated on digital restorations and distribution by major studios, with experts from Paramount and Sony (Columbia). I didn't take notes, so I'll just give you a quick overview: Wings was projected off a DCP Friday night. Paramount has made a 35mm negative and prints of the … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival, Day 2
What’s Screening: July 13 – 19
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival runs through the weekend, and the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday night. I'm hoping to catch every screening at the Silent festival (my recommendations are below) and that Jewish opening night. A- Bonsái, SF Film Society Cinema, opens Friday for one-week run. Right at the start, a … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 13 – 19
SF Silent Film Festival Report 1: Wings
I always felt that realistic sound effects weren't appropriate for silent films. I was wrong. Or perhaps this was just an exception. Realistic sound effects are fantastic if they're performed live by an ensemble directed by sound effects wizard Ben Burtt. Using bicycles, drums, a typewriter (I think) and devices that I couldn't possibly name … Continue reading SF Silent Film Festival Report 1: Wings
Jewish Film Festival Preview
I've been able to preview three shows coming to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, which opens a week from today. Here's what I thought of them: B+ Under African Skies You can find plenty of political music documentaries, but few that examine both sides of a difficult controversy. This doc, which examines the making … Continue reading Jewish Film Festival Preview
Farewell, My Queen
B Historical drama Written by Benoît Jacquot & Gilles Taurand, from the novel by Chantal Thomas Directed by Benoît Jacquot What was it like in Versailles in the final days of the French monarchy? Was the court panicked? In denial? Did anyone realize that they would soon lose their heads? Benoît Jacquot creates…or imagines…an answer … Continue reading Farewell, My Queen
Bonsái
A- Literary comic drama Written and directed by Cristián Jiménez Bonsái begins with a spoiler. Before anything else happens, a narrator tells us that Emilia will die before the end of the film, but that Julio will live, and that he will be alone. We're also told that he had been alone for a long … Continue reading Bonsái
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