Considering that it's October, we have two horror movies, along with something noir. But if you want to smile, there's a Lubitsch in here, too. B+ The Stranger (1946)Orson Welles' third film is a conventional anti-Nazi noir (no deep focus photography), but a very good one. Edward G. Robinson plays the hero for a change, as … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Stranger, The Wicker Man, Angel, & Dementia 13
I Wake Up Streaming
For several years now, the Roxie has hosted an annual film noir festival called I Wake Up Dreaming. This year, like everyone else, they're doing something different. Instead, they're running a series called I Wake Up Streaming, from October 13 to November 24. (Why am I calling it a series and not a festival? A … Continue reading I Wake Up Streaming
More on Mill Valley (and DocLands)
Last week I wrote a little bit about the upcoming, and for the first time, Mill Valley Film Festival. Now let's go deeper. This year, the California Film Institute combines two annual festivals, Mill Valley and DocLands. Of course, DocLands focuses on documentaries. As near as I can tell, Mill Valley offers the same documentaries … Continue reading More on Mill Valley (and DocLands)
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema & Drive-Ins: October 2 – 8
While preparing this weekly newsletter, I discovered something. Drive-ins, mostly new ones popping up throughout the Bay Area, are becoming the revival theaters of the COVID era. Virtual Festivals The Mill Valley Film Festival opens Thursday. I provided a quick preview Tuesday. I'll have a deeper discussion come Monday. New films available B+ Once Upon … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema & Drive-Ins: October 2 – 8
The Antenna: Horror of a totalitarian sort
A- political Horror Written and directed by Orçun Behram [NOTE: I posted this review on the assumption that The Antenna will be available via virtual cinema in the Bay Area October 2. That may not be happening.] I'm not a fan of gross-out flicks; especially the current, particularly gross stuff. But I liked The Antenna. … Continue reading The Antenna: Horror of a totalitarian sort
Once Upon a River a girl found a family
B+ Road picture/Coming of age drama Written by Haroula Rose, from the novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell Directed by Haroula Rose You can't help worrying for Margo (Kenadi DelaCerna). And yet you can't help admiring her as well. A teenage girl living with her father in a small house by the river, she's also an … Continue reading Once Upon a River a girl found a family
Virtual festivals and more upcoming in October
Going to the movies is still problematic, but the movies are now coming to you. Here are some festivals and special cinematic events happening in October. Mill Valley Film Festival Website, October 8-18 The virtual version of one of the Bay Area's major festivals will open with the world premiere of a new film version … Continue reading Virtual festivals and more upcoming in October
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema & Drive-ins: Sept 24 – Oct 1
Talk about Kubrick, or go to the drive-in with Billy Wilder or Martin Scorsese. Also, a farewell to a great American in virtual cinema. In Memorial A- RBG (2018), BAMPFA, Cerrito, Elmwood, New Mission, Roxie There's nothing objective about this documentary on Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The filmmakers clearly believed that the Supreme Court's progressive hero … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema & Drive-ins: Sept 24 – Oct 1
Little-known documentaries worth watching
Three weeks ago, I posted an article about little-known but excellent movies worth watching. That time, I stuck to narrative (i.e. fictional) films. This time, I'm doing documentaries - including one by Ken Burns! Four of the five got very short theatrical runs; the other went from festivals directly to television. Two are about women … Continue reading Little-known documentaries worth watching
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema & Drive-ins: September 18 – 24
I'm shortening the weekly newsletter. Frankly, I'm tired of repeating the same capsule reviews. I'll be sticking to what's new, what's new to me, and what's happening on a particular day. Virtual Festivals SF DocFest closes Sunday Special online events September Online Happenings, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Saturday and Sunday The museum hosts several … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema & Drive-ins: September 18 – 24
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