Could RiffTrax Save the Missing Criterion Commentaries?

~ Lincoln Spector

Last spring I lamented the many Criterion commentary tracks that are no longer available. Back in the days of Laserdiscs, Hollywood studios often licensed Criterion to release special editions of their films. When DVDs destroyed the Laserdisc market, the studios decided to release those titles themselves rather than through Criterion. The films remain available, but … Continue reading Could RiffTrax Save the Missing Criterion Commentaries?

What’s Screening: December 16 – 22

~ Lincoln Spector

Still no festivals, but this strange December phenomenon won’t last. German Gems and Noir City have already been announced for January. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Shattuck , Saturday, 10:00; Castro, Sunday. I’ve only seen this on Mystery Science Theater 3000, so I can’t formally judge this cinematic work on its own merits. Neverheless, I’ll … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 16 – 22

What’s Screening: December 9 – 15

~ Lincoln Spector

Shakespeare, Truffaut, and killer Androids (and I don’t mean smartphones). Here in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the Bay Area, December is the darkest month of the year. It’s cold. People look for indoor activities. It’s also, outside of summer, the biggest month for movie-going. And yet, no festivals this week or, ASAIK, this month. … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 9 – 15

Silent Influences: Mostly Silent Movies From the Talkie Era to the Present

~ Lincoln Spector ~ 1 Comment

With The Artist finally playing locally, I thought it would be fun to look at other post-silent movies with little or no dialog. Cinema, in its purest form, is a visual art. What it can do without words has always been more powerful than what it can do with them. If I ran my own … Continue reading Silent Influences: Mostly Silent Movies From the Talkie Era to the Present