Warner Brothers called this film Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams when they released it in 1990. The name is appropriate, and not only because Kurosawa wrote and directed the film. The eight vignettes that make up his only anthology feature are, allegedly, based on Kurosawa’s own dreams. I was recovering from a herniated disc, and under doctor’s … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 28: Dreams
The Death of the Clay
My posts have been very Kurosawa, lately. That’s understandable as my Kurosawa Diary and the Pacific Film Archive’s Akira Kurosawa Centennial series come simultaneously to an end. But I figured I needed to write something about the death of Landmark’s Clay Theatre. In case you haven’t heard, the Clay, which may be the only remaining … Continue reading The Death of the Clay
Kurosawa Diary, Part 27: Ran
I doubt anyone else ever made a movie as sad, as tragic, as despairing of the human condition, and yet so beautiful as Akira Kurosawa’s Ran. To give yourself over to it is to experience, in your gut, that many people are capable of unspeakable evil, that these people tend to come out on top, … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 27: Ran
Kurosawa Diary, Part 26: Kagemusha
When I started my project of watching every Kurosawa film in the order they were made, the first question I asked myself was “Even Kagemusha?” It wasn’t that his big Coppola-and-Lucas spectacle was his worst film (it isn’t). But unlike the other bad ones I’d seen, I had revisited this one on DVD—seeing the full … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 26: Kagemusha
What’s Screening: August 20 – 26
No film festivals running this week. In fact, none yet announced that I know of. Kurosawa films, at the PFA and the Viz, are at the end. A Triple Feature Jason and the Argonauts, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, & The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Castro, Saturday. Ray Harryhausen enjoys a unique place in the … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 20 – 26
Kurosawa Diary, Part 25: Dersu Uzala
Akira Kurosawa’s 25th film, Dersu Uzala, sits alone amongst his other work. It’s his only film not set and shot in Japan and without Japanese actors or dialog. It’s the only one shot in a large format—Sovscope 70, the Russian equivalent of Todd-AO and Super Panavision 70. And it won him his only Best Foreign … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 25: Dersu Uzala
Tooting My Own Horn
I Googled classic blu-ray today because, well, it's the sort of thing I'm likely to Google. Guess what came up at the very top? An article I wrote for PC World back in November: 10 Blu-ray Titles That Show Off Classic Movie Formats.
Agora and the Shattuck Lounges
I caught Agora at Berkeley’s Shattuck Theater last night. It was my first experience with one of their newly re-appointed “lounge” theaters. Both the movie and the theater disappointed. The lounges have big, wide loveseats rather than conventional theater seats—great for cuddling, but not of much use when you go to a movie by yourself. … Continue reading Agora and the Shattuck Lounges
What’s Screening: August 13 – 19
The Oakland International Black LGBT Film Festival ends Saturday. Then, after five festival-free days, the Sausalito Film Festival opens Thursday night. There’s so much Kurosawa going on at the Pacific Film Archive this week that I’m separating those films at the bottom of the newsletter. A Metropolis, Castro, Friday through Sunday. The first important science … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 13 – 19
Kurosawa Diary, Part 24: Dodes’ka-den
Akira Kurosawa’s first color film, Dodes’ka-den, bursts with vibrant hues like a Technicolor musical. Yet it is arguably his most depressing work. A commercial flop when initially released (its failure so upset the director he attempted suicide), it has never gained a classic reputation. That’s too bad, because it deserves one. I rediscovered Dodes’ka-den last … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 24: Dodes’ka-den
Bayflicks 