Less than three hours ago, Scandal was the only post-war Akira Kurosawa film I had never seen. I've just seen it, as part of my project of seeing all available Kurosawa films in chronological order, and the only thing it satisfied was my curiosity. Those who've been following this diary know that, in my opinion, … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 6: Scandal
Blu-Ray Makes the Grade
As long as there has been home video, there have been beloved movies--2001, Dersu Uzala, Lawrence of Arabia--that I had no interest is seeing on any living room format. Now, with Blu-ray discs, I'm taking that back. I bought a Blu-ray player a while back, and one of the first movies I rented was 2001: … Continue reading Blu-Ray Makes the Grade
SFIFF Report: Last Day
I caught two screenings on the last day of the San Francisco International Film Festival: Speaking in Tongues. Let me start with a confession. I'm monolingual. Horribly monolingual. I hate being an English-only individual, and after seeing Speaking in Tongues, I suspect that if I had been part of an immersion program in elementary school … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Last Day
Unmade Beds
When I saw Unmade Beds at the 2009 San Francisco International Film Festival, I was under the impression that it would eventually receive a theatrical release. I therefore wrote, and held, this review. The release never materialized, but the movie is available on Netflix, so I’m posting the review, anyway. A- Youth drama Written and … Continue reading Unmade Beds
What’s Screening: May 8 – 14
No festivals this week, but these screenings may help you get over your withdrawal. Early Kubrick and Altman Double Bill, Roxie, Sunday, 7:00. The Film on Film Foundation presents early, low-budget works by future great directors: Stanley Kubrick's Fear and Desire and Robert Altman's the Delinquents. Both movies will be presented in 35mm prints. Should … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 8 – 14
John Wayne at Stanford
Two years ago this month, I wrote a post bemoaning the lack of respect John Wayne receives from Bay Area cinephiles. Now the Stanford is running a John Wayne series with some of his best films--and some oddball choices. Among my favorite Wayne's, it's got Fort Apache, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Rio … Continue reading John Wayne at Stanford
SFIFF Report: Wednesday, May 6
I got to the Festival in time to see two films yesterday. I liked both of them, but wasn't blown away by either. Can Go Through Skin. After barely escaping an attempted murder, Marieke (Rifka Lodeizen) moves to the country to find peace and quiet. She finds a warm and friendly community, and even an … Continue reading SFIFF Report: Wednesday, May 6
More Bad News for Speakeasy Theaters
Less than two months after Speakeasy Theater's flagship, the Parkway, suddenly closed, the chain may lose control of the Cerrito, as well. Last night the El Cerrito city counsel met publicly to discuss the fate of the city-owned, Speakeasy-operated theater. According to a report from Friends of the Cerrito Theater (which had encouraged its members … Continue reading More Bad News for Speakeasy Theaters
SFIFF Report: The Lost World & Dengue Fever
Completely free of cold symptoms, I finally got back to Festival attendance last night, making my way to the Castro for the screening of the 1925 version of The Lost World. The Cambodian-American alternative indie band Dengue Fever provided the live musical accompaniment. The event was as much about Dengue Fever as it was about … Continue reading SFIFF Report: The Lost World & Dengue Fever
Lemon Tree
A Drama Written by Suha Araf and Eran Riklis Directed by Eran Riklis A lifetime of movie-going leads to expectations. We watch two people onscreen begin to fall in love despite society's disapproval, and we expect triumph or tragedy. Decent people on opposites sides of a conflict will eventually meet and have a heart-to-heart talk. … Continue reading Lemon Tree
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