These two films aren't scheduled for theatrical release after the San Francisco International Film Festival, so if you don't catch them at the Festival, you may never get another chance. But with one of them, that's not a bad thing. For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism, Kabuki, Sunday, May 3, … Continue reading SFIFF Preview, Part II
What’s Screening: April 17 – 23
The San Fran International Film Festival opens Thursday night at the Castro, with La Mission. Most screenings after that will be at the Kabuki, with plenty at other locations around the Bay Area. Click here for my continuing festival reports. John Wayne Double-bill: Red River & Angel and the Badman, Stanford, Wednesday, 7:30. John Wayne … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 17 – 23
Film Noir Fest Coming to Roxie
Just in case the San Francisco International Film Festival leaves you wanting movies that are short, cheap, to-the-point, and both entertaining and depressing, the Roxie will offer a solution: From May 15 to the 28, they'll screen I Wake Up Dreaming: the Haunted World of the B Film Noir, a series of 29 little-known, low-budget … Continue reading Film Noir Fest Coming to Roxie
SFIFF Preview
Yesterday I attended press screenings of two films that will play at the San Fran International Film Festival. Both of them will have regular (or at least limited) runs after the festival, so they're not now-or-never opportunities. I've written longer reviews of each, which will go live just before their post-festival releases. Adoration, Kabuki, Saturday, … Continue reading SFIFF Preview
Kurosawa Diary, Part 5: Stray Dog
Getting back to the diary after a long break. I watched Stray Dog Sunday night, continuing my project of watching all of Akira Kurosawa's films (at least those available) in chronological order. I had seen Stray Dog once before, long ago, on VHS. The Criterion DVD was a big improvement. As I've noted before, in … Continue reading Kurosawa Diary, Part 5: Stray Dog
Test
This is a test. Is my first attempt to write a post on my phone. Please excuse all typos.
Coming to Niles
Good stuff coming to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. On Saturday, May 16, they're screening Wings, the 1927 WWI fighter pilot story best remembered as winner of the first Best Picture Oscar (except that the award wasn't called Best Picture at the time). But the event is much more than the Silent Film Museum … Continue reading Coming to Niles
Paths to Paradise in Niles
My wife and I drove to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum to catch a screening of Paths to Paradise last night. As I suspected, big fun. As is Niles' custom, the evening started with speakers, introductions, and two short comedies--in this case Harold Lloyd's "Chop Suey & Co." and Monty Banks' "Chasing Choo Choos." … Continue reading Paths to Paradise in Niles
What’s Screening: April 10 – 16
Stagecoach, Stanford, Wednesday, 7:30. Nine very different people must cross dangerous territory in the titular vehicle–a journey that forces them to confront their prejudices as well as angry Apaches. A young, impossibly handsome John Wayne made the leap from B pictures to A-list star with his performance of an escaped convict, but it’s Thomas Mitchell’s … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 10 – 16
Coppola and SFIFF
I wish I could figure out a way to maintain this blog, see movies, raise a family, and earn a living. I've had to let the blog slip, recently. In fact, for the first time in years, I didn't attend the press conference for the San Francisco International Film Festival. In case you haven't heard, … Continue reading Coppola and SFIFF