Here's my first selection of films for this year's San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, in order of quality. A American Factory One of the most technically accomplished, emotionally effective documentaries I've seen in a while. Fuyao, a car glass manufacturer from China, takes over a closed factory in Detroit, producing jobs and cultural conflicts. The … Continue reading San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Preview: Part 1
This year’s San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
I'm back from a three-week vacation in Europe. Had a great time. But I missed the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival's schedule announcement. So, a couple of weeks late, let me tell you what's coming up. Me in Nuremberg The Bay Area hosts quite a few of what I call identity film festivals, because they're … Continue reading This year’s San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Something going wrong on Bayflicks
I don't know how this happened, but several old drafts of tests and rewrites went on line July 4 (and I hope no more). I have since deleted them. Sorry for the confusion.
Gothic Tales from very scary Women
Here's another film festival, one intended to give you the willies from mid-July to late August. Modern Cinema: Haunted! (subtitled Gothic Tales by Women). It will play at SFMOMA's Phyllis Wattis Theater. SFMOMA's latest "Modern Cinema" series looks at gothic stories, most of them horror of some sort. All of them are written by a … Continue reading Gothic Tales from very scary Women
Comedies at the end of the century
Good comedies come rarely these days. But 20 years ago, as the 20th century came to a close, the American film industry made and released a lot of very funny movies. Some of them were overlooked. Others did well, but bad sequels tarnished their reputations. Many are still loved. One is among the most beloved … Continue reading Comedies at the end of the century
Hong Kong and Jewish Film Festivals in July
I can't properly cover all Bay Area's film festivals - especially now that I'm taking a few weeks off the blog. But I can tell you a little bit about two July festivals, even though I don't really know much about them yet. Hong Kong Cinema New People Cinema and Roxie, July 12 - 14 … Continue reading Hong Kong and Jewish Film Festivals in July
What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
I'm writing this very long newsletter on June 11, just before taking a few weeks off Bayflicks. I thought I'd let you know about at least some of what's coming up while I'm off. And because I wrote this early, I'm missing a lot of things. For instance, I know nothing about what will screen … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
Be Natural: The Untold Story Of Alice Guy-Blaché
A Cinema history documentary Directed by Pamela B. Green When I review a biographical documentary, I look for more than an interesting life conventionally told. I want a new way to tell the story, with innovations that help rather than distract. Pamela B. Green does all that in this telling of the first woman film … Continue reading Be Natural: The Untold Story Of Alice Guy-Blaché
Taking a break from Bayflicks & Movies I’ve recently seen
I'm taking a few weeks off Bayflicks. I should be back in July. In the meantime, this is the first of a few articles I pre-posted so you can get your Bayflicks fixes without me. A- Chungking Express (1994), Criterion Channel A strange and inexplicable movie...mostly in a good way. It contains two separate boy-meets-girl … Continue reading Taking a break from Bayflicks & Movies I’ve recently seen
What’s Screening: June 14 – 20
Orson Welles revealed, the first movie director gets her due, Chaplin comes to America, and Frank Capra goes to Washington. Also, Hollywood's best western and one big festival. All this and more on Bay Area movie screens this week. Festivals Frameline opens Thursday The Week's Big Event A+ Stagecoach (original, 1939 version), New Mission, Sunday, … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 14 – 20
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