The last weeks of the year become a film festival desert in the Bay Area. 2018's last fest, Another Hole in the Head, closed December 12. But with the new year come new festivals. At least two will open in January. For Your Consideration Rafael, January 4 - 10 All sorts of rules control what … Continue reading Foreign Films & Crime-Soaked Movies: The first film festivals of 2019
What’s Screening: December 21 – 27
This week on Bay Area movie screens: Two great new social dramas, plus Garbo, Forman, Lubitsch, Bergman (of course), a Billy Wilder double bill, no film festivals, and a theater's birthday party. Oh, and some Christmas movies. New films opening A Capernaum, Clay, Shattuck, Rafael, opens Friday Children living in poverty have to do for … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 21 – 27
Destroyer: Nicole Kidman as one tough dame
Note: I updated this article on January 9. Sorry, but I have been asked to take down this review. When I viewed Destroyer in a press screening months ago, I was told that the film would open on Christmas day. So I set up my review to go live on December 20. I've just discovered Weeks later, … Continue reading Destroyer: Nicole Kidman as one tough dame
Capernaum: Growing up too fast in Lebanon
A Drama Written by Jihad Hojeily, Michelle Keserwany, Nadine Labaki, & Khaled Mouzanar Directed by Nadine Labaki Zain is probably about 12. No one knows for sure. He's on trial for stabbing and wounding a man. He's also suing his parents in court. No, not for neglect, but simply for bringing him into this world … Continue reading Capernaum: Growing up too fast in Lebanon
If Beale Street Could Talk it would praise this movie
A- Drama Written by Barry Jenkins, from the novel by James Baldwin Directed by Barry Jenkins The Republican establishment won't know what to say about Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk. It's about a man falsely accused of rape, which as I write this is the Great Fear of the Fox News crowd. But … Continue reading If Beale Street Could Talk it would praise this movie
Chaplin Diary, Part 20: We end with A Countess from Hong Kong
And so we come to the end of our survey of Charlie Chaplin's work as a director. His last movie, A Countess from Hong Kong, made in 1966 and released in 1967, is easily his worst. Countess stands out among Chaplin's films in several ways. It's his only color film, and the only one financed … Continue reading Chaplin Diary, Part 20: We end with A Countess from Hong Kong
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shoplifters, Green Book, & The Favourite
After all that FilmStruck binge watching, it was time to get back into movie theaters. A A Midsummer Night's Dream (1959), BAMPFA It's amazing how deeply puppets can emote, even with fixed, painted faces. It takes a great artist to those dolls into life, and the Czech animator Jirí Trnka fits the bill. His work here … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shoplifters, Green Book, & The Favourite
What’s Screening: December 14 – 20
This week in Bay Area movie theaters: War and rebellion from Warner Brothers, dystopian future fiction, messed-up religion, German expressionism, Japanese masters, and horny youth. But no film festivals. Promising events Balboa Holiday Party, Balboa, Sunday, 5:00 I don't know much about this event, but it will involve vintage holiday-oriented cartoons, live music, and a … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 14 – 20
J’Accuse! finally comes to Blu-ray
I've yet to see a dramatic feature made before 1920 that's anywhere near as good as Abel Gance's J'Accuse! The three main characters are complex and believable, and performed by actors capable of bringing subtle and realistic emotions to the screen. The camerawork and editing don't just record the performances; they highlight the emotions and … Continue reading J’Accuse! finally comes to Blu-ray
San Francisco Film Critics Circle 2018 Awards
The San Francisco Film Critics Circle - an organization to which I do not belong - announced Sunday its 2018 awards. Here they are, with my commentary in purple. Not all of these films have yet played in Bay Area theaters outside of festivals, but they all will play before December 31. Best Picture Roma … Continue reading San Francisco Film Critics Circle 2018 Awards
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