In 1980, the Red Vic became a movie theater and devoted itself to repertory cinema. Back then, its competition was from other revival houses. Today, most of that competition is gone, and it struggles to compete with DVDs and Netflix. The competition is much harder. Those who read today's Chronicle Datebook section know that the … Continue reading Red Vic in Trouble
They Released What on Blu-ray?
To my mind, no Hollywood features show off the virtues of Blu-ray better than the large format road-show spectaculars of the 1950s and '60s. Indeed, 2001: A Space Odyssey was the first Blu-ray disc I bought. I've been delighted to see Sparticus, Patton, How the West was Won, and The Ten Commandments turn up on … Continue reading They Released What on Blu-ray?
The Battleship Potemkin
My wife and I caught Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin last night at the Castro. This was my fourth time viewing of what many consider amongst the greatest films ever made. It was my second time seeing it theatrically, and my first since Kino's new restoration. In fact, it was my first viewing in this century. … Continue reading The Battleship Potemkin
What’s Screening: March 18 – 24
The Asian American Film Festival continues through Sunday, and the Dance FIlm Festival opens Thursday. Battleship Potemkin, Castro, Friday through Sunday. It's been too long since I've seen Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 agitprop masterpiece for me to assign it a grade. I remember being at times impressed with its technique and at other times annoyed by … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 18 – 24
Blu-ray Review: The Ten Commandments
When you first insert this disc, it takes a few seconds to load (as all Blu-rays do), then it goes directly to the opening menu--no ads, no trailers. I wish all major studio Blu-rays were like that. Now, on with my review: I enjoy a strange relationship with the biggest commercial hit of the 1950s. … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: The Ten Commandments
Blu-ray Review: Au Revoir Les Enfants
Young Julien would rather stay with his mother in Paris than go to his provincial Catholic boarding school. But in the fall of 1944, he has no choice. Slowly, he begins to realize that there's something odd about Jean, the new boy in his class--the one the monks who run the school seem to be … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Au Revoir Les Enfants
ILM Animator at Balboa Saturday Night
I would have included this in the weekly newsletter, but I just found out about it this morning. This Saturday, Industrial Light and Magic lead animator Charles Alleneck will appear at the Balboa to discuss his work on Rango and other movies. He'll talk after the 7:00 show and before the 9:10 screening. In addition … Continue reading ILM Animator at Balboa Saturday Night
What’s Screening: March 11 – 17
Cinequest comes to a close on Sunday, as does the East Bay Jewish Film Festival. The Asian American Film Festival continues through this week. The Cinequest entries are at the end of this newsletter. A Double bill: The Seventh Seal & Beauty and the Beast (1946 version). Castro, Thursday. Two classics of mid-twentieth century European … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 11 – 17
More Keaton on Blu-ray: Our Hospitality
Kino has another Buster Keaton Blu-ray title on the way, and it's a winner. Three years before he made The General, Keaton mined the antebellum South for comic gold in this almost gentle comedy inspired by the Hatfield/McCoy feud. Still adjusting to the long form of the feature film (this was only his second), Keaton … Continue reading More Keaton on Blu-ray: Our Hospitality
Nora’s Will
A Dramatic comedy A woman sets her table for a big, family dinner, carefully arranges her apartment, then commits suicide. Over the next few days, her family and religious community will have to grapple with their feelings for her, each other, and Judaism. (Oddly, this is the second Mexican film about death in a Jewish … Continue reading Nora’s Will
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