An evil music teacher, precious stones, a complicated relationship, and life in college. Here are five films I've seen recently. A The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953) It's been decades since I revisited the strangest children's fantasy movie made by a major Hollywood studio. But Fingers is more than that. It's hilarious, bizarre, crazy, … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: 5,000 Fingers, Uncut Gems, Certified Copy, School Daze, & A Pickle
Silent movies thru a ’60s filter: The Comic
I've wanted for decades to revisit Carl Reiner's dramatic comedy, The Comic. When I first saw it in 1969, I knew almost nothing about silent films. More than 50 years later, they're a life-long hobby. I first saw The Comic when I was in my sophomore year in high school. Around that time, Harold Lloyd … Continue reading Silent movies thru a ’60s filter: The Comic
Disc rot, customer support, & Criterion
DVDs and Blu-rays don't last forever. But with good customer support, that shouldn't be a major problem. Early this month, I pulled my 8½ Blu-ray off the shelf to revisit the commentary track. But when I put the disc in the player, nothing happened. I tried another title; it played fine. I tried both discs … Continue reading Disc rot, customer support, & Criterion
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: August 21 – 27
What do we have in virtual cinema this week? A one-shot crime thriller from Germany, a farewell to a great American, drummers, jazz greats, and four special events hosted by the Bay Area's silent film museum. Bay Area theaters with virtual cinema Balboa BAMPFA Cerrito Elmwood Lark New Mission Rafael Roxie Vogue Special online events … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: August 21 – 27
Non-fiction at home as DocFest goes virtual
We can't go to a theater, but we can still experience a film festival. Maybe someone should make a documentary about that. The San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, better known as SF DocFest, will run virtually from September 3 to 20. During those 18 days, you can screen up to 25 features and 20 shorts, … Continue reading Non-fiction at home as DocFest goes virtual
Early John Ford on Blu-ray with Hell Bent
You've probably never heard of Hell Bent - a very early John Ford western, made in only his second year as a director. He's credited as Jack Ford (his birth name was Sean John Feeney). And yet, sometimes you can see the greatness to come. At this point in his career, Ford was cranking out … Continue reading Early John Ford on Blu-ray with Hell Bent
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: August 14 – 20
Boots Riley, Humphrey Bogart, trans prostitutes, a fearless photographer, fire, and music. You can watch some or all of these this week through the magic of virtual cinema. Bay Area theaters with virtual cinema Balboa BAMPFA Cerrito Elmwood Lark New Mission Rafael Roxie Vogue Special online events Roxie Quick Takes: Boots Riley, Roxie, Wednesday, 6:00 … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: August 14 – 20
This is a test. Don’t worry about it
This is a test. Don't worry about it
It’s as cool, & as hot, as Jazz on a Summer’s Day
A Music Documentary Directed by Bert Stern The concert documentary didn't start with Woodstock, Gimme Shelter, or even Monterey Pop. In fact, it didn't even start with rock 'n' roll. But it just may have started with Jazz on a Summer's Day. Shot in and around the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, and released a year … Continue reading It’s as cool, & as hot, as Jazz on a Summer’s Day
It’s a long time before we can go to the movies, but the New Parkway is trying to do their best
If we lived in New Zealand right now, we could go to the movies. Down under they seem to have this whole COVID-19 thing completely under control. But we're in Trump's America, and I'm talking about something in Oakland: the New Parkway. One of the friendliest movie theaters in the Bay Area, it offers good … Continue reading It’s a long time before we can go to the movies, but the New Parkway is trying to do their best
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