I’m writing this a week early, so if anything changed at the last minute, it won’t be reflected here. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival plays at the Castro through the week. I’ve listed those screenings at the end of the newsletter. And the Red Vic closes its doors Monday night. Harold and Maude, Red … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 22 – 28
Life, Above All
A drama Written by Dennis Foon and Oliver Schmit Directed by Oliver Schmit Children must often carry greater and more difficult burdens than they should bear. Occasionally, an unusually capable child is up to the task. That's the case with Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka) in this remarkably touching and emotional film from South Africa. Only 12 … Continue reading Life, Above All
Silent Film Festival, Opening Night
I attended both San Francisco Silent Film Festival opening night screenings last night at the Castro. I didn’t attend the party, which conflicted with the second show. That was an easy choice. Upstream The festival opened with a newly discovered John Ford film. Thought lost for decades, a tinted print of Upstlream turned up recently … Continue reading Silent Film Festival, Opening Night
What’s Screening: July 15 – 21
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival continues through Sunday. San Francisco Jewish Film Festival opens Thursday night. Also, this is the Red Vic’s last full week of operation, and they’re going out with a big week. I’m grouping their programs at the end of the newsletter, as if they were a festival. A Terri, Bridge, … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 15 – 21
Blu-ray Review: Buster Keaton, The Short Films Collection
Full disclosure: I’m reviewing a Blu-ray set that I don’t even have. Kino accidentally sent me the DVD set rather than the Blu-ray. In fairness, this may be my fault. When I emailed a request for a review copy, I neglected to specify what format. Luckily, the content of the two sets are identical, so … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Buster Keaton, The Short Films Collection
Terri
A Teenage comedy/drama Written by Patrick deWitt Directed by Azazel Jacobs Terri (newcomer Jacob Wysocki) has problems well beyond those of your average adolescent. For one thing, he’s extremely overweight. He lives with a mentally-ill uncle. He dresses only in pajamas, and gets to school late almost every day. On the upside, the school’s guidance … Continue reading Terri
Blu-ray Review: Beauty and the Beast (1946 version)
I’d be hard-pressed to think of another film that’s anything like Jean Cocteau’s post-war fantasy. It’s a fairytale, told with a charming and often naïve innocence, and contains absolutely no objectionable-for-children content. But its slow pace and quiet magic never panders to unsophisticated viewers. About 30 years ago I saw a very young audience sit … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Beauty and the Beast (1946 version)
What’s Screening: July 8 – 14
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival opens its four-day run on Thursday. The Big Uneasy, Elmwood, opens Friday; Rafael, Monday, 7:15. We associate comedian Harry Shearer with mockumentaries (Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind), but now he’s made the real thing. In his first true documentary (which I haven’t yet seen), Shearer examines the causes of … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 8 – 14
The Red Vic’s Final Days
I just came home from a two-day mini-vacation, and what do I find? The Red Vic will definitely close on July 25—less than three weeks away. This seemed likely back in March, but it’s an absolute fact, now. Among the final films are Babe, Stop Making Sense, Touch of Evil, and The Last Waltz. The … Continue reading The Red Vic’s Final Days
Graham Leggat Steps Down
Graham Leggat, executive director of the San Francisco Film Society (the organization that runs the San Francisco International Film Festival and has just taken over the VIZ Cinema @ New People movie theater) announced this morning that he’s stepping down for health reasons. According to an article by Leah Garchik in this morning’s Chronicle, he … Continue reading Graham Leggat Steps Down
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