I wrote this review after seeing Cracks at the 2010 San Francisco International Film Festival. I was under the impression it would receive a theatrical release and therefore held back the full-length review. As it turns out, it did get a theatrical release, but it didn't spread to the Bay Area. Since it's available on … Continue reading Cracks
The UC Theatre: A Memory
I’ve seen a lot of movie theaters close. It always hurts. But none hurt as much as Berkeley’s UC Theatre. There were years when I went there three or four times a week. Even more than the Castro, the UC was my shrine to the art and joy of cinema. It closed its doors for … Continue reading The UC Theatre: A Memory
Days of Heaven At the Cerrito
I first saw Terrence Malick’s historical, visually poetic epic, Days of Heaven, in 1978. It was brand new back then, and I saw it in 70mm, at San Francisco’s now-defunct Regency II. I saw it a second time last night at the Cerrito. I’m pleased to report that it is still a great film. Which … Continue reading Days of Heaven At the Cerrito
What’s Screening: August 12 – 18
I missed this earlier, but From Britain with Love has moved across the Golden Gate to be Rafael. And over the weekend, VIZ Cinema @ New People presents An Asian American Film Retrospective. No other festivals this week. A+ Ikiru, VIZ Cinema @ New People, Friday, 7:00. One of Akira Kurosawa’s best, and one of … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 12 – 18
What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, although out of San Francisco, continues around the Bay Area through Monday. Festival films are at the end of the newsletter. Days of Heaven, Cerrito, Thursday, 7:00. I was blown away by this movie when it first opened–Nestor Almendros’ atmospheric cinematography turned the simple story of lovers posing as … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 5 – 11
Newsletter Addendum
I just realized that a movie I previewed before this year’s Cinequest has just opened in theaters. I should have included the following in this week’s What’s Screening newsletter: C- A Little Help, Opera Plaza Cinemas, CineArts @ Pleasant Hill, opens Friday. This film really helped me appreciate Mike Leigh. It did so by reminding … Continue reading Newsletter Addendum
What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival closed its San Francisco run at the Castro last night. It’s taking today (Friday) off, then opening Saturday at Berkeley’s Roda Theatre. Going from Yiddish to British, the From Britain with Love festival opens today at the Balboa. And the Castro is running a tribute to composer Max Steiner … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
B+ Documentary Few filmmakers understood color as well as British cinematographer Jack Cardiff. And those who did understand have Cardiff to thank for it. Early in Craig McCall’s documentary, an aged Cardiff (he died in 2009 at the age of 94) describes his first interview with Technicolor, which had just opened a lab in England. … Continue reading Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Blu-ray Review: High and Low
After his two great action comedies (Yojimbo and Sanjuro) and before his last black and white historical epic (Red Beard), Akira Kurosawa made one of the best crime thrillers of the 1960’s. Now Criterion brings a high-definition copy into your home. Toshiro Mifune (who else?) stars as a successful businessman who thinks he’s off the … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: High and Low
Jewish Film Festival Report: Cemeteries and Gladiators
I attended two San Francisco Jewish Film Festival events at the Castro today. Here’s what I saw: C In Heaven Underground: The Weissensee Jewish Cemetery The last thing you’d expect to find in Berlin is a Jewish cemetery that was consecrated in the 19th century. But Weissensee is just that—a final resting place that the … Continue reading Jewish Film Festival Report: Cemeteries and Gladiators
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