I grew up in LA, mostly Hollywood, in the 1960s and early 70s, and I was interested in popular culture, movies, and science fiction. That made Ray Bradbury a fixture in my life. Not just someone I read, but someone I frequently saw and heard in person. My most memorable Bradbury experience happened in a … Continue reading Memories of Ray Bradbury
Roxie Fundraiser Brings in $50,000
As I noted in my May 25 newsletter, the Roxie had a fund-raising dinner at the Verdi Club on May 31st. I got a press release this morning announcing that it was a big success. Rather than trying to report on an event I didn't attend, I'll simply copy and paste the bulk of the … Continue reading Roxie Fundraiser Brings in $50,000
Pandora’s Digital Box: David Bordwell’s Book on Films, Files, and the Future of Movies
Even cinephiles who embrace the look of digital projection (and I count myself among them) have plenty to worry about. The current digital transition threatens independent theaters, independent distributors, the accessibility of older movies (especially those outside the canon), and the long-term survival of yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's motion pictures. No one has contributed to … Continue reading Pandora’s Digital Box: David Bordwell’s Book on Films, Files, and the Future of Movies
What’s Screening: June 1 – 7
It's not much of a week for festivals, but New Czech Films comes back for two more days on Wednesday and Thursday. And then there's: Charlie Chaplin Days, downtown Niles (including the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum), Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am - 4:30. Charlie Chaplin spent a year making movies in Niles (now part of … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 1 – 7
The Intouchables
B Comedy Written and directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano I can’t really complain about France’s latest big commercial hit. As you’d expect, it’s a crowd pleaser. Based on a true story, it follows the thorny but eventually healing friendship between a wealthy paraplegic and the African immigrant hired as his caregiver. No surprise … Continue reading The Intouchables
Film Books I’d Love to Read (Now If Only Someone Would Write Them)
I read a lot of books about cinema history. But I'm picky. I'm seldom interested in movie star biographies, or anyone's autobiography. But I love a good overview of an era, the story of a major transition, or a scholarly biography of a producer, director, or screenwriter. Here are a few books that I would … Continue reading Film Books I’d Love to Read (Now If Only Someone Would Write Them)
What’s Screening: May 25 – 31
Only one festival this week: New Czech Films at the Roxie. It runs Tuesday through Thursday, and then picks up again in the middle of next week. Not much else, either. Roxie Fundraiser Dinner, The Verdi Club, Wednesday, 6:30. Help keep the Roxie running with this special event. It's extremely expensive, but all for a … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 25 – 31
What’s Screening: May 18 – 24
This week in Bay Area festivals:I Wake Up Dreaming continues through Thursday. And the Crossroads Festival opens Friday and runs through the weekend. C- Elles, Bridge, Shattuck, opens Friday. This NC-17 French/Polish co-production has a lot of sex, and a lot of nudity (both male and female), but is in no way erotic. That's odd, … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 18 – 24
Why Silents Are Golden: This Year’s San Francisco Silent Film Festival
As regular readers know, I'm passionate about silent movies. Without the crutch of spoken words, a motion picture becomes pure cinema--reality on an entirely different plane. The actors can be fully unique, complex individuals (not that they always are) while remaining archetypes. Take Louise Brooks. In silent films, she's magical, mysterious, and the very embodiment … Continue reading Why Silents Are Golden: This Year’s San Francisco Silent Film Festival
Elles
C- sex drama Wrtten by Malgorzata Szumowska and Tine Byrckel Directed by Malgorzata Szumowska Let's get the expectations raised by this French/Polish co-production's NC-17 rating out of the way first. Yes, there is a lot of sex, and a lot of nudity (both male and female). And no, I didn't find anything in Elles to … Continue reading Elles
Bayflicks 