B+ Comedy thriller Written by Angela Cheng and Sasie Sealy Directed by Sasie Sealy It's rare for a comedy to turn into a thriller - especially a thriller that forces you to feel the losses that result from violence. And yet, writer/director Sasie Sealy manages that task with surprising flare. But she couldn't have done … Continue reading Crime and comedy in Lucky Grandma
José: Gay, but boring
D+ Gay coming-of-age drama Written by Li Cheng and George F. Roberson Directed by Li Cheng A gay coming-of-age story should not be boring - especially if the movie is sexually explicit. But in José, the main character is, himself, exceptionally boring. José lives with his mother in a tiny apartment in Guatemala City. Mom … Continue reading José: Gay, but boring
Weird movies streaming from the New Mission
Like a lot of closed Bay Area movie theaters, the New Mission offers virtual cinema: You buy an e-ticket at the theater's website, you stream the film at home, and the theater gets a little money. Most of the available movies are new pictures that would be properly screening at local theaters if these were … Continue reading Weird movies streaming from the New Mission
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: May 15 – 21
From Spaceship Earth to the sounds of New Orleans, where a great Crescendo brings us to the Sword of God and makes us feel like a Band of Outsiders. But all we want to do is watch movies, and if we can't see them in a theater, we can at least watch at home while … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: May 15 – 21
Where music comes Up From the Streets
A Music documentary Directed by Michael Murphy Most musical documentaries get the balance off. They tell you why these musicians are so great, how they became who they are, and what they're doing now (if they're alive). But they rarely give you a chance to enjoy the music. At best, you'll get a few bars … Continue reading Where music comes Up From the Streets
Saul Bass and the Big Comedies
Before Saul Bass, a film's opening credits were something to get done with as fast as possible (yes, and now the closing credits seem to go on forever). But Bass changed that in the 1950s. Using animation, slow motion, soft focus, and every trick in the printer, he made those credits fun, or exciting, or … Continue reading Saul Bass and the Big Comedies
Alternative streaming services – if you can get them to your TV
With everyone stuck at home, distributors are creating their own streaming services. But they're not making it easy for their customers to watch what they pay for on the big home screen. Yes, I know that people watch movies on their computers, their tablets, and worst of all, their phones. Yes, I watch videos on … Continue reading Alternative streaming services – if you can get them to your TV
In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: May 8 – 14
What's screening through Bay Area movie theaters? An Israeli Romeo and Juliet. Last year's big winner at a bargain basement price. Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Pauline Kael. And one of the greatest noirs of all time. And we even have a festival. We still can't go to the movies, but we can still see new … Continue reading In Bay Area Virtual Cinema: May 8 – 14
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Matewan, Crescendo, Paper Moon, Sophie Tucker, & the Bounty
Once again, a collection of films I've recently seen, either in the first time or the first in a long time, that didn't belong in any other article I've written. From best to worst: A Matewan (1987), recently-bought Blu-ray Outside of John Sayles' oral history trilogy, this story of union organizing and union busting circa … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Matewan, Crescendo, Paper Moon, Sophie Tucker, & the Bounty
A couple of virtual film festivals
With all the theaters closed, 2020 is looking like a really bad year for film festivals (not to mention everything else). But at least two organizations are running fests…virtual, of course. And both are free. CAAMFest May 13-22 Rather than skipping or delaying its annual festival to avoid the pandemic, the Center for Asian American … Continue reading A couple of virtual film festivals
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