The Anti-Corporate Film Festival continues through Saturday, and I Wake Up Dreaming continues through the end of the week. Tramp Camp, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Sunday, 4:00. Want to connect to your inner Charlie Chaplin? Movies will be screened, of course, and there will be lessons in imitating the tramp’s walk and style. I’m … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 20 – 26
Live Theater on the Big Screen and Frankenstein
Have you noticed the trend? Movie theaters aren’t just for movies anymore. Many of them are adding live opera, ballet, and theatre to their program—even if none it is actually live in that particular theater. The actual performance may be happening as you watch, or it may have been recorded—probably London or New York. But … Continue reading Live Theater on the Big Screen and Frankenstein
Blu-ray Review: Some Like It Hot
I’m not sure if Some Like It Hot really is, as the American Film Institute declared in 2000, the best American film comedy of all time. It certainly belongs in the top 10. There are comedies with a higher laugh-to-minute ratio, and others that have more to say about the human condition. But if I … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Some Like It Hot
What’s Screening: May 13 – 19
The Crossroads Festival continues through Sunday. The Roxie's Noir series, I Wake Up Dreaming—2011 : The Legendary and the Lost, opens Friday for a two-week run. And the Anti-Corporate Film Festival opens Thursday. Gee, I wonder what that one is about. A The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Castro, Saturday. Considering the unethical behavior … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 13 – 19
Another Hole in the Head
The Bay Area has film festivals that cater to Jews, Asians, gays, Arabs, and people who like to watch brains explode all over shocked bystanders. We serve all kinds of minorities. Another Hole In the Head Film Festival allegedly acquired that name because the Bay Area needs another film festival like it needs a…you know … Continue reading Another Hole in the Head
SFIFF: Summing Up the Festival
This year's San Francisco International Film Festival ended nearly a week ago. Either the festival programmers did an excellent job selecting titles or I had exceptional luck picking ones to see. Of the 16 new films I caught this year (two on preview DVDs and 14 at the festival itself), six earned a full A, … Continue reading SFIFF: Summing Up the Festival
SFIFF: Closing Night
This year's San Francisco International Film Festival closed last night with a screening of On Tour at the Castro, followed by a party at The Factory. I got to the Castro early--about 6:15 for a 7:00 show--and discovered something that would reasonably upset most moviegoers. Almost the entire middle section of the house was reserved … Continue reading SFIFF: Closing Night
What’s Screening: May 6 – 12
The San Francisco International Film Festival is over. Whew! But the Epidemic Film Festival runs Friday and Saturday, and the Crossroads Festival opens Thursday. In the meantime, the Castro is screening two films on my Very Best Films of All Time list, one of them on a double-bill with something that almost made the list. … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 6 – 12
Asian Movie Madness
I've been so pre-occupied by the SF Film Festival I haven't had a chance to write about Asian Movie Madness, already running at the 4-Star. The first show, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, is about to close its one-week run. Then we've got what look like 12 pretty extreme double-bills running … Continue reading Asian Movie Madness
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
A- Documentary Directed by Werner Herzog Only Werner Herzog would ask a scientist about his dreams. But that’s precisely why Herzog was the perfect choice to make this documentary about very ancient cave paintings—amongst the earliest works of art in existence, and works that show significant talent. Other documentarians would ask about how the paint … Continue reading Cave of Forgotten Dreams
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