After two documentaries, two dramas, and a comedy that may have been a tragedy, I felt I needed to see a political thriller. I made an excellent choice. A Walking Too Fast. Set in Communist Czechoslovakia before the Velvet Revolution, Radim Spacek’s taut thriller provides one of the best villains I’ve seen in a long … Continue reading SFIFF: Walking Too Fast
SFIFF: Life, Above All & The Light Thief
Two pictures I saw Saturday that, by coincidence, happen to be adjacent to each other in the San Francisco International Film Festival's alphabetical list of films: A Life, Above All. Children must often carry greater and more difficult burdens than they should bear. Occasionally, an unusual child is up to the task. That's the case … Continue reading SFIFF: Life, Above All & The Light Thief
SFIFF: Viz Cinema & Pink Saris
I just caught Pink Saris at the VIZ Cinema (AKA New People). This was my first time at that theater (which I’ve been following at Bayflicks for about a year now), so let me start with the place. Located in the basement of the New People complex, the Viz offers exceptional comfort and modern projection. … Continue reading SFIFF: Viz Cinema & Pink Saris
SFIFF: Attenberg
Funny. I saw two films at the San Francisco International Film Festival on Friday—a Danish documentary and a Greek drama. They both concerned themselves with a grown but immature woman too dependent on a parent, and they both had a scene of a loved one’s ashes being scattered into the sea. One big difference: Attenberg’s … Continue reading SFIFF: Attenberg
SFIFF: The Good Life
What a way to start this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival! Waiting in line at the Kabuki, a volunteer comes out to split the line between those looking for Irresistible Impulses and those who came for The Good Life. Doesn’t that just sum up the human condition? I was there for The Good Life. … Continue reading SFIFF: The Good Life
What’s Screening: April 22 – 28
The San Francisco International Film Festival opened last night. I'm hoping to spend some serious time there over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to devote much time to it before opening, so my festival discussion at the end of this newsletter is brief. A Valley Girl, Red Vic, Tuesday and Wednesday. Was … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 22 – 28
What’s Screening: April 15- 21
The Tiburon and Oakland International Film Festivals closes today (Friday). But you'll have almost a week to cross the bay, where the San Francisco International Film Festival opens on Thursday. And The San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival, Victoria Theater, Friday, 7:30. Hosted by Peaches Christ. Should be unusual and fun. Oddly, this seems to … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 15- 21
SF Int. Festival Preview
I've previewed two films that will screen at the San Francisco International Film Festival in coming weeks. I saw both on DVD screeners. Here's what I thought about them: A The Mill and the Cross, SFMOMA, Saturday, April 23, 12:30; Kabuki, Wedesday, April 27, 9:00. Painting with the wide palette that 21st century cinema allows, … Continue reading SF Int. Festival Preview
Oliver Stone to Receive Director’s Award
I'm writing this on my phone so I'll keep it brief. I received the press release yesterday afternoon: Oliver Stone will receive the Founder's Directing Award at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival. He will be honored Wednesday, April 27 at the Kabuki. A film of his will be screened. Which one has yet … Continue reading Oliver Stone to Receive Director’s Award
What’s Screening: April 8 – 14
The Sonoma Film Festival and the Women's Film Festival both run through Sunday. The Oakland and Tiburon International Film Festivals both continue through this week. A- Play It Again Sam, Cerrito, Thursday. Five years before Annie Hall, Woody Allen proved that he could write, if not yet direct, a real story about real people, and … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 8 – 14
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