I just received the Pacific Film Archive’s schedule for January and February. Some interesting stuff, and some disappointing things missing. But then, those are two short months for the PFA. The Archive closes every year for U.C.’s winter break, and by the time it reopens on January 11, the month is a third gone. February … Continue reading New Pacific Film Archive Schedule
Top Ten Preparation, Part IV: Comedies
Click the links for Part I, Part II, and Part III. I have to add another film to my top ten candidates: Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman's wonderfully true-to-life comedy, Juno. And that's handy, because comedy is exactly what I want to talk about in this chapter of my ongoing quest for the Top Ten … Continue reading Top Ten Preparation, Part IV: Comedies
Juno
Dramatic comedy Written by Diablo Cody Directed by Jason Reitman The last thing I expected before the year ended was a comedy about unintentional pregnancy that was more truthful, more insightful, and just plain funnier than Knocked Up. I found one. You could go to movies for years and not find anything as good as … Continue reading Juno
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Family action movie Written by The Wibberleys Jon Turteltaub Since I don’t review films professionally, I don’t have an editor forcing me to go to movies I have no desire to see. That’s my kids’ job. And so, on opening night, I took my 12-year-old and one of her friends to see National Treasure: Book … Continue reading National Treasure: Book of Secrets
January Festivals
German-language films, foreign films that aren’t in German, and the dark side of Hollywood all come to Bay Area theaters next month. The 13th annual Berlin & Beyond Film Festival opens at the Castro January 10 for a one-week, 35-film run. The opening night feature, The Edge of Heaven, follows a father and son and … Continue reading January Festivals
Only Four Recommendations and Warnings
Since I now leave first-run Hollywood and indiewood fare out of the weekly report, my recommendations and warnings on pretty short this week. Helvetica, Roxie, opens Friday. Director Gary Hustwit clearly feels passionate about typefaces. So do the graphic designers he interviews. Some consider the ubiquitous san serif font for which the movie is named … Continue reading Only Four Recommendations and Warnings
Top Ten Preparation, Part III: Categories
Click the links for Part I and Part II. Last time I discussed this topic, I had 17 possible candidates for the Top Ten. Instead of eliminating seven, however, I've added one: Atonement. Now there are 18! The very concept of a list requires you to say that this film is better than that film. … Continue reading Top Ten Preparation, Part III: Categories
Helvetica
Documentary Produced and directed by Gary Hustwit Director Gary Hustwit clearly feels passionate about typefaces. So do the graphic designers he interviews. Some consider the ubiquitous san serif font for which the movie is named to be brilliant and almost sacred--the perfect choice for everything. Another, only half joking, blames Helvetica for the Iraq war. … Continue reading Helvetica
The Savages
A Family drama/comedy Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins In Slums of Beverly Hills, Tamara Jenkins explored adolescence and the beginning of adult responsibility. In her new film, The Savages, she explores its end. More specifically, The Savages concerns itself with two siblings in early middle-age confronting that very difficult moment in life when a … Continue reading The Savages
Atonement
Historical, romantic drama Written by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Ian McEwan Directed by Joe Wright Sweeping historical epics sweep by a lot faster, these days. According to the Internet Movie Database, the very British World War II love story Atonement runs only 130 minutes. It felt like only about 120 to me. And … Continue reading Atonement
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