What’s Screening: April 6 – 12

~ Lincoln Spector

No festivals this week. And no big, French silent films accompanied by full orchestras, either. B Comic-Con IV: A Fan’s Hope, Vogue, opens Friday. Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary will disappoint his fans, which is odd because it’s all about fandom--specifically fans of comic books,  video games, and sci-fi/fantasy movies with reoccurring characters. This documentary follows … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 6 – 12

Free Men

~ Lincoln Spector

B- Holocaust drama Written by Alain-Michel Blanc and Ismaël Ferroukhi Directed by Ismaël Ferroukhi I had two reasons to see Free Men, despite my general tiring of Holocaust dramas. First, at a time when Muslims are vilified, and when Muslims and Jews are portrayed in the media as natural enemies, it's important to challenge these … Continue reading Free Men

What’s Screening: March 30 – April 5

~ Lincoln Spector

Feeling festive? Sorry. No festivals this week. However, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts starts a series called Great Directors Speak!  And here's something that doesn't happen often: Saturday, you can choose between two great French silent films, each accompanied by a full orchestra, playing within five miles of each other. A+ Napoleon, Oakland Paramount, … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 30 – April 5

This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival

~ Lincoln Spector

This has been a tough year for the San Francisco Film Society, the organization that produces the San Francisco International Film Festival. In August, Executive Director Graham Leggat died of cancer. Then his successor, Bingham Ray, suddenly died in January. But that's not stopping the Society from putting on a festival this year, and making … Continue reading This Year’s San Francisco International Film Festival

Great Napoleon Photo

~ Lincoln Spector

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival included this photo in a recent email. I thought I should share it: Click it to see the full-sized image. I've also added this image to my report on Saturday's screening.

Napoleon at the Paramount: An Incredible Day at the Movies

~ Lincoln Spector

Abel Gance's Napoleon so overwhelmed me that I hardly know where to start. Despite a few slow sequences, the experience was as innovating, exciting, and entertaining as anything I've experienced as part of an audience. I doubt I have ever seen such a perfect melding of cinema and showmanship; the movie requires this special presentation, … Continue reading Napoleon at the Paramount: An Incredible Day at the Movies

Casablanca: The Accidental Masterpiece

~ Lincoln Spector

I've already told you about watching Casablanca at a big multiplex. Now I can talk about the movie itself. To my mind, Casablanca is Hollywood's accidental masterpiece. The handful of equally beloved films from the studio era--Citizen Kane, Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, It's a Wonderful Life--were unique from their inceptions. They were either independent … Continue reading Casablanca: The Accidental Masterpiece