Summer vacation is nearly over. Kids will soon be in school. Adults, and maybe some really smart kids, will go to the BAMPFA to see movies that don't show up at your local multiplex. From late August well into November, the Berkeley Art Museum's movie theater will screen seven new film series, along with continuing … Continue reading Fall movies at the BAMPFA
Aquarela: The many shapes of water
A (if you see it in the right theater) visual documentaryDirected by Victor Kossakovsky This visually stunning documentary doesn't tell us much about water. But it sure shows us a lot. And what we see is astounding, beautiful, and awesome. The filmmakers show us the familiar H2O in its most beautiful, extreme, and dangerous forms. … Continue reading Aquarela: The many shapes of water
Before Armstrong: Moon Missions from Méliès to Kubrick
I should have written this article weeks ago. But I got the idea a month too late. On or around July 20, The Rafael, The New Parkway, and The Roxie celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. But most of their programs centered on documentaries. But why not celebrate the anniversary with a series of fictitious … Continue reading Before Armstrong: Moon Missions from Méliès to Kubrick
What’s Screening: August 16 – 22
Aside from the obvious, here are a few worthwhile films screening in Bay Area movie theaters this week. Festivals Modern Cinema: Haunted! (Gothic Tales by Women) continues through the month. Read my preview. New films opening A After the Wedding, Embarcadero Center, opens Friday Two of our greatest American actresses, Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore, … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 16 – 22
Life becomes complicated After the Wedding
A drama Written & directed by Bart Freundlich Two of our greatest American actresses clash and make beautiful drama together in After the Wedding. What else can you expect when you put Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore in the same movie. Adding Billy Crudup to the mix makes it better yet. Writer/director Bart Freundlich brings … Continue reading Life becomes complicated After the Wedding
Jirga: A long wait for the good stuff
D+ Post war drama Written and directed by Benjamin Gilmour The final third of this Australian film, set and shot in Afghanistan, just may bring tears to your eyes. But you'll have to sit through the dull and unbelievable other two thirds first. Australian war veteran Mike (Sam Smith), burdened with guilt, goes back to … Continue reading Jirga: A long wait for the good stuff
Do the Right Thing in beautiful, new Criterion Blu-ray
Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing just may be the best film about race issues in America. Thirty years after its release, it's still as relevant as anything you're likely to see. The major difference is that now when police murder a black man, the event is recorded on smartphones and goes viral. Either way, … Continue reading Do the Right Thing in beautiful, new Criterion Blu-ray
What’s Screening: August 9 – 15
Want something other than superhero movies? Here's what else is playing in Bay Area movie theaters: A Palestinian soap opera, jazz geniuses, and classics by Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Abbas Kiarostami, Sergio Leone, Masaki Kobayashid, David Lean, and Ernst Lubitsch. Also, two film festivals. Festivals Modern Cinema: Haunted! (Gothic Tales by Women) continues through the … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 9 – 15
Niles Museum celebrates the Transcontinental Railroad with movies and trains
I just discovered this mini-movie festival celebrating the Transcontinental Railroad 150 Anniversary. It's happening at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, starting tonight and running through Sunday. Some highlights: The History of Railroads in the Niles Canyon, Friday, 7:30 The event starts with Henry Baum, President of the Pacific Locomotive Association, explaining the history of … Continue reading Niles Museum celebrates the Transcontinental Railroad with movies and trains
Are donors censoring the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival?
A Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) activist claims that a powerful donor forced the Jewish Film Festival to ban JVP patriation. Is it true? I'm not sure. Let me try to unravel the story. About a week ago, as this year's San Francisco Jewish Film Festival was winding down, the Eastbay Express published an article … Continue reading Are donors censoring the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival?
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