What’s leaving Criterion at the end of the year

December 20, 2021December 20, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

When the ball drops and 2021 turns into 2022, some very good films will disappear from The Criterion Channel (but not forever; many of them will return after a few months). If you don't subscribe to Criterion, you can start a 14-day free trial. Here are some of the movies that you might want to … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of the year

Movies I’ve recently seen: Nomadland | Judas and the Black Messiah | Morocco & March of the Wooden Soldiers

February 25, 2021February 25, 2021 ~ Lincoln Spector

Here again are two new films that everybody's talking about and two films made more than 80 years ago. That wasn't intended. A Nomadland (2020) After Fern loses her husband, job, and home (Frances McDormand), she goes on the road in her van, working temporary jobs, getting by, and befriending other "nomads." She doesn't consider … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: Nomadland | Judas and the Black Messiah | Morocco & March of the Wooden Soldiers

What’s Screening: March 6 – 12

March 6, 2020March 5, 2020 ~ Lincoln Spector

With coronavirus spreading, it's a scary time to go to the movies. The Stanford is closed until further notice, ending or delaying the Kurosawa series. Amazon, Netflix and other companies have dropped out of SXSW - a major technology and film festival in Austin. But if you have the courage to go to an arthouse … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 6 – 12

What’s Screening: September 20 – 26

September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 ~ Lincoln Spector

This week in Bay Area theaters: Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery save Alcatraz. Teenage vampires and a hammy Shakespearean reduce the population. Silent builders put up a rickety shack and the Taj Mahal. And Peter Bogdanovich closes the last picture show. Plus four film festivals. Festivals The Oakland International Film Festival opened yesterday (sorry, I … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 20 – 26

What’s Screening: July 12 – 18

July 12, 2019July 11, 2019 ~ Lincoln Spector

A lot of comedy in Bay Area movie theaters this week. We get laughs from Laurel and Hardy, Billy Wilder, Wallace and Gromit, François Truffaut, Lulu Wang, and even Gregory Peck. But you can also get unintended laughs from Roger Corman and deep pretentiousness from Alain Resnais. Also, three film festivals open this week. Festivals … Continue reading What’s Screening: July 12 – 18

What’s Screening: June 14 – 20

June 14, 2019June 12, 2019 ~ Lincoln Spector

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: February 15 – 21

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 ~ Lincoln Spector

Note: After I posted this newsletter, a reader brought another film festival, opening tonight, to be attention. I've therefore corrected this article. What's happening in Bay Area theaters this week? Silent comedy, John Huston, Paul Butterfield, and David Bowie. Also two new movies and three four film festivals. Plus, at the Lark and Roxie, it'll be … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 15 – 21

Saturday at Noir City…plus Laurel and Hardy

February 3, 2019February 3, 2019 ~ Lincoln Spector ~ 2 Comments

Saturday was a crazy day of moviegoing. Not only did I watch four Noir City feature films at the Castro, but I also caught four Laurel and Hardy shorts on the other side of the bay. And the crazy thing is I had previously seen seven of the eight films. With some of them, I … Continue reading Saturday at Noir City…plus Laurel and Hardy