I've been so busy with the SFFilm Festival and life itself, I forgot about The Criterion Channel. Anyway, a lot of good movies will disappear from the Channel when May comes along. Try to catch some of these while it's still April. Full recommendations A A Separation (2011) Writer/director Asghar Farhadi demonstrates how good people … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of April
Tag: Melvin Van Peebles
What’s Screening: February 4 – 10
We've got two worthwhile new documentaries about race and gender in theaters this week. And for vintage cinema, you can go to a movie theater and see classics from Hitchcock, Coppola, Miyazaki, Poitier, Bogdanovich, and Van Peebles. I've added a new section: Films of historical interest. These pictures aren't all that good, but are worth … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 4 – 10
What’s happening at BAMPFA: December thru April
From early December through late April, here's what will happen cinematically at the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). As I write this, the museum's theater is currently the only cinema in the Bay Area that focuses specifically on old films. They're offering a lot of good movies, and at least two stinkers. BAMPFA arranges … Continue reading What’s happening at BAMPFA: December thru April
What’s Screening: November 26 – December 2
I hope you didn't gain too many pounds yesterday. How much did I gain? I don't know. I wrote this newsletter on Tuesday. But that also means that I may have missed an event or two that appeared at the last minute. Anyway, here's what's happening in Bay Area revival cinema this week. Festivals & … Continue reading What’s Screening: November 26 – December 2
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
What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
Godzilla wakes up Bay Area classic cinema after more than a year's slumber. Also, Danish action, kids against guns, Melvin Van Peebles' first film, World War II, and rodents of unusual size. Festivals The DocLands Documentary Film Festival closes on Sunday CAAMFest continues through the week and beyond Godzilla's Monster Bash opens today, and with … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 14 – 20
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of May
A lot of laughter will be leaving the Criterion Channel when May turns into June. The Preston Sturges flicks will disappear, along with comedies by Melvin Van Peebles, Elaine May, and John Sayles. Even a few great dramas will also leave the Channel. A+ The Lady Eve (1941) Like all great screwballs, The Lady Eve … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of May
My 15 Best Moviegoing Experiences of 2018
I went to the movies quite a bit in 2018, and it was often a wonderful experience. I attended six (I think) Bay Area film festivals, numerous special presentations, and just plain really good movies. In May, I flew to Rochester, New York for the Nitrate Picture Show. For four days of screenings and museum … Continue reading My 15 Best Moviegoing Experiences of 2018
A Day of Two Film Festivals
On Sunday, for the first time in my life, I attended two film festivals on the same day. Only in the Bay Area. Modern Cinema/Black Powers: Reframing Hollywood SFFILM and SFMOMA don't officially call their various series festivals, but they qualify in my book. When you can see eight films in three days, all built … Continue reading A Day of Two Film Festivals
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