I went to Mill Valley yesterday for the Mill Valley Film Festival (I usually go to the Rafael). I saw two films, one documentary and one narrative, and both about prejudice. B+ Bias Everyone, even the least racist and sexist among us, have implicit biases - the prejudices you don't even know you have. Even computer … Continue reading Bias & Hate: Sunday at the Mill Valley Film Festival
Music, slapstick, art, & fascism: Saturday at the Mill Valley Film Festival
I saw four films Saturday at the Mill Valley Film Festival, and I never stepped a foot in Mill Valley. I saw all four in the small, upstairs auditoriums at the Rafael. The first was a narrative; the rest were documentaries. B- The Independents The music is pretty good, but not exceptional. The same could … Continue reading Music, slapstick, art, & fascism: Saturday at the Mill Valley Film Festival
A Private War & Opening Night at the Mill Valley Film Festival
Thursday night, I attended one of the two opening night screenings at the Mill Valley Film Festival. I chose A Private War over Green Book. But before I get to the movie, I want to comment on something that bothers me at all the big film festivals. Although they bend left politically, their ticket sales … Continue reading A Private War & Opening Night at the Mill Valley Film Festival
What’s Screening: October 5 – 11
A Jewish werewolf, a Borsht Belt monster, and a very scary Alan Arkin. Sounds like a Yiddish Halloween! Also migrating birds, Chinese exploitation, and (of course), Ingmar Bergan. Also, five film festivals. Festivals The Japan Film Festival continues through Sunday The Mill Valley Film Festival continues through the week and beyond. Read my reports. Modern … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 5 – 11
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Searching, Desperately Seeking Susan, Heaven Can Wait, & Mr. Blandings’ Dream House
Four more movies that I saw simply because I wanted to see them (or revisit them): A- Searching (2018), Shattuck Yes, it's a gimmick, but it works. The entire film is played on screens within the story: computers, smartphones, television news, with people captured on the many cameras around them. The plot is a basic mystery … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Searching, Desperately Seeking Susan, Heaven Can Wait, & Mr. Blandings’ Dream House
Blu-ray Review: The Man Who Cheated Himself
I can't place The Man Who Cheated Himself (a truly horrible title) in the pantheon of great film noir. The stars, Lee J. Cobb and Jane Wyatt, are miscast. The plot requires you to take a great big leap into the extremely unlikely. And yet, it's a hell of a lot of fun. As happens … Continue reading Blu-ray Review: The Man Who Cheated Himself
What’s Screening: September 28 – October 4
Hal Ashby, Paul Greengrass, Rafael Sabatini, Mel Brooks, The Beatles, Ingmar Bergman, and a bunch of smart kids - along with six (count 'em, six!) film festivals - in Bay Area movie theaters this week. Festivals The San Francisco Latino Film Festival closes Sunday Hong Kong Cinema opens today and runs through Sunday The Japan … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 28 – October 4
Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 3
I thought this final Mill Valley Film Festival preview would be exceptionally large. But two films I requested never arrived, and another lacked subtitles. So, I'm only reviewing three movies, one of which you've probably already seen. And, of course, they're in order from best to worst. A Coco In Spanish version with English subtitles. I … Continue reading Mill Valley Film Festival Preview, Part 3
Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman at the Castro
Tuesday evening, my wife and I attended a special Tribute to Spike Lee at the Castro. First, David Thomson interviewed Lee on the Castro stage. Then, after an intermission, they screened Lee's latest film, BlacKkKlansman. As so often happens at these big events, a huge chunk of the house was reserved. If you're not some … Continue reading Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman at the Castro
Free Tickets at the New Parkway (if you have the right job)
I should have written about this a month ago. My apologies, but I've been busy. Oakland's New Parkway is giving out free movie tickets based on the recipients' professions. In September (or what's left of it), people who work in the nonprofit sector get in free. Come October, media workers such as myself get the … Continue reading Free Tickets at the New Parkway (if you have the right job)
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