A Biopic Written by Arash Amel, from a Vanity Fair article by Marie Brenner Directed by Matthew Heineman This is the sort of film that makes me proud to be a journalist. On the other hand, it also makes me feel ashamed that I never, in the course of my profession, did anything really important … Continue reading A Private War made public by a brave reporter
Good film/bad film: The Other Side of the Wind & They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead
We waited more than 40 years to see Orson Welles' final film, The Other Side of the Wind. What a disappointment! This just may be the worst film ever by a major auteur. On the other hand, we now have They'll Love Me When I'm Dead, Morgan Neville's excellent documentary on the making of Wind. … Continue reading Good film/bad film: The Other Side of the Wind & They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead
Chaplin Diary, Part 18: Limelight
Charlie Chaplin dug into his family's history in what would be his last American film, Limelight - a drama about a washed-up comedian. I started this Chaplin Diary almost a year ago with films he made in 1914. Now he has made a film set largely in his home town of London in that very … Continue reading Chaplin Diary, Part 18: Limelight
What’s Screening: November 2 – 8
In Bay Area movie theaters this week: Elephants, a Hal Ashby triple bill, Bergman’s right arm, Gene Kelly, and the Bay Area premiere of Orson Welles’ last film. Also, four film festivals. Festivals The Berlin & Beyond Autumn Showcase continues through Saturday Doc Stories continues through Sunday The 3rd i South Asian Film Festival also … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 2 – 8
Horror, Silents, and Italy: The (probably) last film festivals of 2018
The fall deluge of Bay Area film festivals begins to slow down around Thanksgiving. By mid-December, they usually stop completely. I can't say for sure, but these three festivals just may be the last ones of 2018. I'm listing them in order of opening dates. Another Hole in the Head Film Festival New People Cinema, … Continue reading Horror, Silents, and Italy: The (probably) last film festivals of 2018
Museo: Another heist gone wrong – but in a good way
B+ Heist thriller Written by Manuel Alcalá, Alonso Ruizpalacios (as Alonso Ruiz Palacios) Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios You know how this kind of movie works. The protagonist, never working alone, plans and executes a brilliant crime and, at least initially, gets away with it. Then everything falls apart because crime doesn't pay. That's pretty much … Continue reading Museo: Another heist gone wrong – but in a good way
The Pending Death of FilmStruck
Admittedly, much worse things have popped up in the news lately. The end of a movie streaming service doesn't mean much compared to a mass killing in a house of worship. But for American cinephiles, the sudden announcement about closing Filmstruck feels like the pending death of a too-young good friend. It's been only two … Continue reading The Pending Death of FilmStruck
What’s Screening: October 26 – November 1
Halloween approaches, and that tells you plenty about what’s on Bay Area movie screens this week. And if you don't like scary movies, you can attend one of more of the Bay Area's current four film festivals. Festivals The United Nations Association Film Festival continues through Sunday The Berlin & Beyond Autumn Showcase opens Thursday … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 26 – November 1
The War at Home seems so far away now
B Restored documentary Directed by Glenn Silber and Barry Alexander Brown I usually review new films. But this time, I'm reviewing a new restoration of a nearly 40-year-old documentary. Some people may find it nostalgic; I didn't. From the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, America was in a hopeless, unwinnable, far-away war in Vietnam. College students, … Continue reading The War at Home seems so far away now
Gotta Dance: Gene Kelly at the Stanford
For some time now, I've been hoping that some local rep house would do a series on MGM musicals from the 40s and 50s. They could call the series The Lion Dances. For the next four weeks, we have something close. Starting this Friday, the Stanford will run what they're calling the Gene Kelly Film … Continue reading Gotta Dance: Gene Kelly at the Stanford
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