The Mill Valley Film Festival, which opened last night, runs through this week and into the next. I’ve placed festival events at the end of this newsletter. And the Arab Film Festival opens Thursday at the Castro before moving to less grand locations around the bay. Left in the Dark Book Events. Photographer R.A. McBride’s … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 8 – 14
Newsletter Addendum: Mill Valley Film Festival
As I mentioned a while back, other responsibilities have pushed Bayflicks further back on my priorities list. That’s the only excuse I can think of this oversight. In last week’s newsletter, I completely forgot to mention the opening of the Mill Valley Film Festival Thursday night. Nor did I post anything on the opening film, … Continue reading Newsletter Addendum: Mill Valley Film Festival
What’s Screening: October 1 – 7
A American Splendor, Pacific Film Archive, Saturday, 8:30. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini mix biopic and documentary methods to tell the story of Harvey Pekar, a frustrated, angry, and intelligent man who found modest fame but little fortune as the writer (but not the illustrator) of a series of biographic comic books. For … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 1 – 7
Fresh
B+ Documentary Directed by Ana Sofia Joanes I hate reviewing didactic, political documentaries, even when I like them. I’m never sure if I’m judging them as works of art and entertainment, considering how well they make their argument, or simply reacting to whether I agree with the filmmakers’ very obvious point of view. And, of … Continue reading Fresh
Speaking in Tongues on KQED
I know this blog is supposed to be about theatrical presentations of movies, but I’m about to recommend something on TV. But hey, at least it’s PBS. The wonderful documentary Speaking In Tongues will play on KQED (channel 9) on Sunday, September 26, at 6:00. It will play five other times over the next few … Continue reading Speaking in Tongues on KQED
What’s Screening: September 24 – 30
The Irish Film Festival, Latino Film Festival and Isle of Wight 40th Anniversary Film Festival (which is not about people the Isle of Wright ethnicity) are all currently running and will all close this weekend. Both the Berkeley Video and Film Festival and the International Children's Film Festival open their three-day runs today. Red Vic … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 24 – 30
Limited Coverage
I was hoping to give the Mill Valley Film Festival significant coverage this year, as well some of the many other festivals going on and coming up. This time of year, the festivals really pile up. Unfortunately, family obligations and work that actually pays—such as reviewing home theater equipment for PC World—has to take a … Continue reading Limited Coverage
Howl
A- You can’t expect a dramatic film about Allen Ginsberg to be a conventional biopic? Especially if the film is titled after his famous epic poem. (Full disclosure: I’ve never read it.) Like the poem for which it’s named, Howl is challenging, cutting-edge, and unconventional. Yes, it gives an overview of Ginsberg’s life through 1957 … Continue reading Howl
What’s Screening: September 17 – 23
I just found out about the Latino Film Festival, playing at various locations, while preparing this newsletter. It’s already running, and will continue to do so through this week and beyond. The Iranian Film Festival plays Saturday and Sunday at the San Francisco Art Institute. The The Isle of Wight 40th Anniversary Film Festival opens … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 17 – 23
Cerrito Theater Vandalized
I just received word that the Cerrito Theater’s box office was vandalized last night. A window was broken, as was a piece of historic glass that had been rescued during the restoration. If you have any information, please contact the El Cerrito Police Department.
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