This is a great week for silent movie lovers. Bay Area theaters are screening three shows this week with live musical accompaniment, from such masters of the art as Murnau, Méliès, and Chaplin. But if you prefer talking in your movies, local cinemas will screen works from Truffaut, Coppola, and Hitchcock. But no festivals. The … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 18 – 24
Tag: charlie chaplin
National Silent Movie Day…at home
This coming Wednesday is National Silent Movie Day, which makes it a perfect day to start exploring silent cinema. Here are eight of my nine favorite silent feature films. (The other, Napoleon is too big for most theaters, let alone your living room.) I'm not listing them best to worst, as I usually do. They're … Continue reading National Silent Movie Day…at home
What’s Screening: Sept 24 – 30
You may have noticed that I'm moving away from virtual cinema. That's because more classic films are popping up in Bay Area theaters. These include Chungking Express, The Man with a Movie Camera, Parasite, Knives Out, and even Creature from the Black Lagoon. Festivals & Series The Oakland International Film Festival continues through Saturday The … Continue reading What’s Screening: Sept 24 – 30
On the 29th, we celebrate silents
September 29 is the first National Silent Movie Day, when we celebrate the years when movies didn't have soundtracks. To celebrate the day, watch silent films, read about their history, and marvel at the glorious restorations of hundred-year-old films. This is not a Bay Area thing. As the name tells us, it's national. However, since … Continue reading On the 29th, we celebrate silents
What’s Screening: August 20 – 26
Everyone seems to be fighting this week in Bay Area cinema. King Kong vs. Godzilla. Chaplin vs. Keaton. People vs. mythological creatures. Mothers vs. teachers. And rich people against other rich people. Festivals & Series King Kong Crashes Godzilla opens Friday and closes Sunday Veinte por veinte (20 for 20) opens Thursday Special online events … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 20 – 26
What’s Screening: July 23 – 29
What's happening in Bay Area cinema this week? Plenty of silent movie action. For more modern fare, there's that Promising Young Woman, along with a peek at the joys of Sesame Street. And if you're not quite ready to see a Hitchcock flick in a real theater, you can take the Terminator to the drive-in. … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 23 – 29
What’s Screening: June 25 – July 1
What's happening in Bay Area cinema this week? Silent movie fans can choose between Charlie Chaplin and Dinosaurs (you can actually have both). For something more modern, you can watch and discuss The Dark Knight. You can also view Muppets, gay cowboys, and strange creatures looking for love. Also two film festivals. Festivals Frameline closes … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 25 – July 1
Fun stuff on Criterion, Part 2: Chaplin & Méliès
Last week I told you about a Preston Sturges series available on The Criterion Channel. This week, I'm telling you about two other series on the Channel intended just to entertain. One is about the most loved comedian of all time. The other was one of the first filmmakers to use the medium to tell … Continue reading Fun stuff on Criterion, Part 2: Chaplin & Méliès
What’s coming in December on the Criterion Channel
I don't expect Santa to come down my chimney, but I do expect a lot of good movies to come down my Internet connection next month. The Criterion Channel will offer a lot of movies worth watching. Here are just some of the movies, and some of the collections of movies, that will become available … Continue reading What’s coming in December on the Criterion Channel
What’s Screening: November 20 – 26
This week in pandemic movie watching, we have a talk with Charlie Chaplin's son and two new films in actual theaters. What's more, Coppola, Coogler, Spielberg, and Leone just might entice you to the drive-in. And we even have a virtual festival. Festivals Berlin & Beyond in Focus opened yesterday and closes Saturday Special online … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 20 – 26
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