Roger Ebert once called movies "a machine that generates empathy." I'm not sure that's always true. Triumph of the Will generated a lot of emotions, but empathy wasn't one of them. And yet, the best films can help you understand those trapped in poverty, loneliness, and sickness. Ever since the invention of the close-up, motion … Continue reading Films that increase empathy
Tag: John Ford
What’s Screening: November 22 – 28
What's on Bay Area movie screens this week? Lon Chaney and Al Pacino try a life of crime, Steve Martin and John Candy try to go home, John Wayne rides the stagecoach, and Lawrence Harvey hates his mother. We also have Guillermo del Toro, Luis Buñuel, and Mad Max (but he's just a sidekick). Festivals … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 22 – 28
Movies from 1939 at the Stanford
I'm not sure who proclaimed 1939 The Great Movie Year. Probably it was Ted Turner, when he owned the MGM, Warner, and RKO libraries. A lot of beloved classics came out that year, including The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind - the two most beloved films of Hollywood's studio era. Also, 1939 … Continue reading Movies from 1939 at the Stanford
What’s Screening: August 16 – 22
Aside from the obvious, here are a few worthwhile films screening in Bay Area movie theaters this week. Festivals Modern Cinema: Haunted! (Gothic Tales by Women) continues through the month. Read my preview. New films opening A After the Wedding, Embarcadero Center, opens Friday Two of our greatest American actresses, Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore, … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 16 – 22
Niles Museum celebrates the Transcontinental Railroad with movies and trains
I just discovered this mini-movie festival celebrating the Transcontinental Railroad 150 Anniversary. It's happening at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, starting tonight and running through Sunday. Some highlights: The History of Railroads in the Niles Canyon, Friday, 7:30 The event starts with Henry Baum, President of the Pacific Locomotive Association, explaining the history of … Continue reading Niles Museum celebrates the Transcontinental Railroad with movies and trains
What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
I'm writing this very long newsletter on June 11, just before taking a few weeks off Bayflicks. I thought I'd let you know about at least some of what's coming up while I'm off. And because I wrote this early, I'm missing a lot of things. For instance, I know nothing about what will screen … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
What’s Screening: June 14 – 20
Orson Welles revealed, the first movie director gets her due, Chaplin comes to America, and Frank Capra goes to Washington. Also, Hollywood's best western and one big festival. All this and more on Bay Area movie screens this week. Festivals Frameline opens Thursday The Week's Big Event A+ Stagecoach (original, 1939 version), New Mission, Sunday, … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 14 – 20
What’s Screening: August 17 – 23
John Ford and John Wayne, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, Carl Sagan, Elia Kazan, Andrei Tarkovsky, and Mel Brooks light up Bay Area movie screens this week. But no film festivals. Also, I'm changing the Lebowskies section to Frequently-revived classics. The Big Lebowski doesn't screen as often as it used to. Promising events She Wore a … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 17 – 23
What’s Screening: August 3 – 9
Conventional war, nuclear war, a secret marriage, and jigsaw puzzles. All that and a closing festival on Bay Area screens this week. Warning: I had to write this newsletter a week early. It's likely missing several worthwhile screenings. Festivals The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival closes Sunday. Read my reports. New films opening A- Puzzle, … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 3 – 9
The Greatest Western: Stagecoach
Nine determined people face mortal danger, their own demons, and society's built-in prejudices as they journey from one town to another in John Ford's classic western from 1939, Stagecoach. I first saw Stagecoach in a film history class almost 45 years ago. It immediately became my all-time favorite western, and remains so to this day. … Continue reading The Greatest Western: Stagecoach
