B+ M. Hulot’s Holiday, Pacific Film Archive, Thursday, 7:00. Jacques Tati’s second feature, and his first as the hapless Mr. Hulot, is odd, plotless, nearly dialog-free, and in its own quiet and reserved way, pretty damn funny. The pipe-smoking Hulot takes a vacation at a seaside resort, and while anarchy doesn’t exactly break out, it … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 8 – 14
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What’s Screening: January 1 – 7
Not much this week. The Stanford and Pacific Film Archive are closed. The Rafael and Castro are showing first-run, and there’s not much else to report. Short Films from the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Rafael, opens Friday for one week. Just what the name says. Ten of the 91 short films screened at the big … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 1 – 7
What’s Screening: December 25 – 31
The Bicycle Thief, Roxie, opens Friday. I haven’t seen Vittorio De Sica’s neo-realism masterpiece in at least 20 years, so I’m officially unqualified to recommend it. But I remember something stunning and moving, and probably relevant to our economically uncertain times. The Roxie will screen a new 35mm print. A- A Christmas Story, California Theater, … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 25 – 31
New Pacific Film Archive Schedule
The Pacific Film Archive’s January/February schedule came in yesterday’s mail. As usual, there’s a lot of great stuff. The PFA may be hoping to actually earn a profit (if I can suggest such a motive) with the series The Kids Are Alright: Post-Fifties Musicals and the Rise of Youth Culture, which does not, in fact, … Continue reading New Pacific Film Archive Schedule
What’s Screening: December 18 – 24
If you’re a Hitchcock fan and live near the Castro, this is your week. I put my microreviews for the Hitch for the Holidays series at the end of the newsletter. A+ It's a Wonderful Life, Stanford, Thursday, 9:00. A here’s a rarely-acknowledged dark side to Frank Capra’s feel-good fable. George Bailey (James Stewart) saves … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 18 – 24
Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
There’s something very exciting about being present at the rediscovery of a classic. I, plus several hundred other people, experienced that excitement Saturday afternoon at the U.S. premiere of the restored J’Accuse, Abel Gance’s 1919 anti-war masterpiece. This was part of the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. You can also read overview of the event. … Continue reading Silent Film Festival: J’Accuse
Silent Film Festival Report
I spent all day yesterday at the Castro, attending the Silent Film Festival Winter Event. Could you think of a better way to spend a rainy day? (Okay, I can think of a better way to spend a rainy day, but my wife was unavailable for such things.) The festival got off to a slow … Continue reading Silent Film Festival Report
What’s Screening: December 11 – 17
The Silent Film Festival Winter Event, Castro, Saturday. This is the big event of the week. Four features—one a huge epic—all with live accompaniment. The one I’m most excited about, because I’ve read about it but never seen it, is the French epic J’accuse, screening at 2:00 with famous (at least to silent film enthusiasts) … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 11 – 17
What’s Screening: December 4 – 10
Sorry I’m posting this late. I was out of town for three days, with limited Internet access. And if it’s a bit short—well, I’m rushed. A Century Ago: Films of 1909, Rafael, Sunday, 6:30. It’s great that the art of cinema is now old enough for us to celebrate the centenary of particular films. This … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 4 – 10
What’s Screening: November 27 – December 3
A Modern Times, Rafael, Sunday, noon. Leave it to Charlie Chaplin to call an extremely anachronistic movie Modern Times. Why anachronistic? Because it’s a mostly silent picture (with a recorded score) made years after everyone else had started talking. Why Modern Times? Because it’s about assembly lines, mechanization, and the depression. Chaplin’s tramp moves from … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 27 – December 3
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