I had a great movie-going day yesterday. Two great movies, both expertly presented in their best available format. I started the morning at the Camera 7 Pruneyard, south of San Jose, for a special press screening of Super 8 (I’ve just added Camera Cinemas to Bayflicks’ list of theaters). Theater manager Alejandro Adams organized the … Continue reading Great Projection Saturday, Part 1: D- Box, Sony 4K, and Super 8
What’s Screening: June 10 – 16
Festival news: Another Hole In the Head continues through this week (ending Thursday). Frameline opens Thursday. There are, unfortunately, a lot of people in this country who would find Frameline scarier than Hole in the Head. Unfestival news: The Pacific Film Archive opens from its early summer break today with series celebrating Arthur Penn and … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 10 – 16
3D: Is It the Next Sound, the Next Color, or Just the Next 3D
You’ve probably read about 3D movies doing disappointing business lately. Some say that today’s 3D craze is bottoming out. Others argue that, like a killer in a bad horror movie (probably shot in 3D), the stereoscopic format will rise again. But I say: Look to Hollywood’s past for perspective on 3D’s future. Will it swiftly … Continue reading 3D: Is It the Next Sound, the Next Color, or Just the Next 3D
What’s Screening: June 3 – 9
Festival-wise, Another Hole In the Head continues through this week and beyond. Otherwise, the Castro’s 70mm series dominates the week. A Playtime, Castro, Monday and Tuesday. Presented in 70mm. An American tourist, Monsieur Hulot, and assorted other specimens of humanity adrift and befuddled in a very modern Paris. That’s all there is of plot in … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 3 – 9
Festivals of Silents (and Live Music)
It’s June, and that means two weekends (and a few weekdays) of intense silent film activity. For those of us who love to read a movie’s dialog while listening to live musical accompaniment, summer brings added pleasures to the Bay Area. The Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival runs Friday through Sunday, the weekend of June … Continue reading Festivals of Silents (and Live Music)
Cave of Not-Forgotten Digital Projection
Last night, Cave of Forgotten Dreams became the first film I’ve seen digitally projected in two different theaters. The experience taught me something important: The difference between people who love digital projection and people who hate it may be the difference between the theaters they patronize. That the film was in 3D both times accentuated … Continue reading Cave of Not-Forgotten Digital Projection
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead
D- Horror comedy Note: I wrote this review in the spring of 2010, and planned to post it just before a then-planned Bay Area theatrical release. The release never happened, and the review was left unpublished. Since the movie is available on Netflix, I've decided to post the review now, in hopes that I will spare some … Continue reading Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead
What’s Screening: May 27–June 2
No festival activity this week until Thursday, when Another Hole In the Head opens. A- Midnight in Paris, Kabuki, Embarcadero, Albany Twin, Piedmont, opens Friday. I didn’t think Woody Allen still had it in him. He hasn’t made a film this funny, this wistful, and this heartfelt in decades. And I don’t think he’s ever … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 27–June 2
Midnight in Paris
A- Romantic comedy (of a sort) Written and directed by Woody Allen I didn’t think Woody Allen still had it in him. He hasn’t made a film this funny, this wistful, and this heartfelt in decades. And I don’t think he’s ever made one this upbeat. Owen Wilson stars as your basic neurotic, romantic, witty, … Continue reading Midnight in Paris
Coming Attractions
A few things worth noting: The Castro is running another 70mm series; their first in several years. It’s a modest one—four films in nine days: West Side Story, Playtime, Vertigo, and Lawrence of Arabia. See Glorious 70mm for my thoughts on the format in general. Frameline, the Bay Area’s premiere lesbian, gay, bi-, and transgender … Continue reading Coming Attractions
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