Niles International Film Festival

~ Lincoln Spector

This weekend the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum runs its three-day Niles International Film Festival. Actually, it would be more accurately titled the Niles European Film Festival, since the six features and seven shorts are all from that particular semi-continent. All films are silent, of course, with piano accompaniment. The George Melies short, "The Impossible … Continue reading Niles International Film Festival

How to Cook Your Life

~ Lincoln Spector

Documentary Written and directed by Doris Dörrie Cooking and Buddhism make a tasty combination in Doris Dörrie’s documentary. And in the world view of its subject, Edward Espe Brown--Zen master, gourmet chef, and author of The Tassajara Bread Book. The camera does little more than follow Brown as he gives cooking classes, discusses the importance … Continue reading How to Cook Your Life

Lust, Caution

~ Lincoln Spector

Period thriller Written by James Schamus and Hui-Ling Wang, from a story by Eileen Chang Directed by Ang Lee For an independent filmmaker, Ang Lee sure knows his basic commercial genres--knows them well enough to shake them up, spin them around, and turn them on their head. He’s turned the kung fu flick into romantic … Continue reading Lust, Caution

The Valley of This Week’s Recommendations and Warnings

~ Lincoln Spector

Presenting my first weekly Recommendations & Warnings Report created without benefit of weekly schedules. New rule: I will no longer list films in wide release--even art-house wide release. This list will only include calendar screenings (a day to a week in one theater) very limited releases playing in only a couple of theaters. Valley of … Continue reading The Valley of This Week’s Recommendations and Warnings

Al Gore Alert

~ Lincoln Spector

I just found this out: Oakland's Grand Lake Theater will screen An Inconvenient Truth all day today as a benefit for Draftgore.com. I'm not sure how I feel about the draft Gore campaign, but when a guy wins an Oscar, Emmy, and Noble Prize in the same year, he probably should win the Presidency, as … Continue reading Al Gore Alert

Valley of the Heart Fails to Delight

~ Lincoln Spector

Valley of the Heart's Delight Historical Drama Writer: John Miles Murphy Director: Tim Boxell There's nothing worse than panning a locally-made independent film about a fascinating but little remembered piece of Bay Area history--especially when that film is struggling to get national distribution. And it doesn't make it any easier when the film looks beautiful, … Continue reading Valley of the Heart Fails to Delight