Movies this week can be explained by two words: Buster, and Keaton. The great stoneface pops up, mostly as the movie's star, in four films this week. But Bay Area theaters are also giving us holiday cheer, even if it's a 3D noir. But if you want something serious, Inmar Bergman is on the screen, … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 9 – 15
Tag: Buster Keaton
My experiences at the Day of Silents
Yes, that's Silents, not Silence. It rained off and on in the Castro neighborhood, but it was dry and joyful (mostly) in the Castro theater. Two days before the Day, cinema made history. A selection of critics released their once-a-decade Sight & Sound of the Best Films of All Time. I'll get to that soon. … Continue reading My experiences at the Day of Silents
What’s Screening: December 2 – 8
As we enter the holiday season, local movie theaters celebrate zombies, killer robots, and violence at a concert. On the other hand, there's Buster Keaton, Quentin Tarantino, Bogart in bandages, and Dolly Parton's best song. And yes, there's a free Christmas movie, too. Festivals & Series The Another Hole in the Head Film Festival continues … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 2 – 8
Keaton, Coen, and Suzuki: Winter movies at BAMPFA
If you're a Bay Area cinephile, you probably know that the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) doesn't just show movies. It shows series of movies. Here are the series that will keep you cinematically warm over the winter. Camera Man: Buster Keaton (Dec 4-21) Sherlock Jr. How much do I love Buster Keaton? My … Continue reading Keaton, Coen, and Suzuki: Winter movies at BAMPFA
A Day of Silents at the Castro
Yes, that's Silents, not Silence. On Saturday, December 3, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival will have a one-day marathon of silent movies and live music. A Day of Silents will play at the Castro. These days, every time you go to that beautiful theater, you may be watching a movie there for the last … Continue reading A Day of Silents at the Castro
Stuck at home? Celebrate silent films if you can’t go to a theater
Today, if you have the time, watch a film with printed titles instead of dialogue. After all, today is Silent Movie Day. With the exceptions of the Sebastopol and the Elmwood, the theaters and festivals don't seem to care. If you're not a silent film fan, and you're wondering what's so special about 100-year-old movies, … Continue reading Stuck at home? Celebrate silent films if you can’t go to a theater
What’s Screening: Sept 23 – 29
I suppose I should say something about Jean-Luc Godard – he was the last of that band of outsiders that created the French New Wave and changed cinema. I like some of his early works, such as Breathless and Vivre Sa Vie. But he eventually broke with his friends and became way too didactic to … Continue reading What’s Screening: Sept 23 – 29
What’s Screening: Sept 2 – 8
Movie ticket prices will go down to $3.00 – but only this Saturday. On Friday and the rest of the week, you'll have to pay the regular price. It's worth it, with movies on the big screen from Alfred Hitchcock, Buster Keaton, Steven Spielberg, the team at Pixar, David Lynch, and Monty Python. Festivals & … Continue reading What’s Screening: Sept 2 – 8
Buster Keaton’s Seven Chances at Niles
I attended a screening Saturday night of one of my favorite Buster Keaton films, Seven Chances (1925). It was at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. It was my first visit there since COVID changed our lives. This was part of the Broncho Billy & Friends Silent Film Festival, which ran Saturday and Sunday. The … Continue reading Buster Keaton’s Seven Chances at Niles
What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
It's quite a week for vintage cinema in Bay Area theaters. Both Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin will screen (and not on the same day). There are films from Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, William Wyler, Sam Fuller, Christopher Nolan, and the Wachowskis. Festivals The Broncho Billy & Friends Silent Film Festival runs through the weekend … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 29 – August 4
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