Remember that cute Christmas movie from 2003 called Elf? It's playing in five different theaters this week, some of them free. Overall this week, the theaters are giving us movies to make us merry. There's two of the most beloved family movies of all time, and more of Buster Keaton. And if you want to … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 16 – 22
Tag: Nicole Kidman
What’s Screening: December 3 – 9
Now that you've seen Dune, you can see the Dune that never happened. You can also revisit the comedy that made all the kids laugh 30 years ago. More adult fare? How about Mozart, or vampires (perhaps I should spell it vampyrs). If you prefer sex and nudity over a good movie, you can watch … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 3 – 9
The return of musicals
Two or three years ago, I read about a film history professor who screened Singin' in the Rain to his students. They laughed at the wrong places. The students thought it was ridiculous that people would break into song and dance. A generation weaned on superhero movies had little or no experience with movie musicals. … Continue reading The return of musicals
My best top 10 films of 2020
I usually start the year with a survey of my best movie-going experiences - considering projection, sound, audience enthusiasm, and, of course, the quality of the movie. But I had very few chances to go to the movies in 2020. So, this year I'm offering the best new movies I've seen while sitting in front … Continue reading My best top 10 films of 2020
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Marshall, The Love Parade, Bombshell, Critical Thinking
Four more movies I've seen for the first time - and nobody asked me to review them. There's not much range in quality this time; the movies go from B+ to B. Three of the films are based on actual events. The fourth couldn't possibly happen in the real world. B+ Marshall (2017) The late … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Marshall, The Love Parade, Bombshell, Critical Thinking
What’s Screening: January 11 – 17
Real and fake Laurel and Hardy, dogs and cats of the deadly kind, a dying bureaucrat, a desperate cyclist, a hitchhiker with a twitchy trigger finger, musical POWs, and a boy named Apu. But no film festivals. The Week's Big Event A The Apu Trilogy, Stanford, Friday through Sunday The Stanford is starting a Satyajit … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 11 – 17
Destroyer: Nicole Kidman as one tough dame
B+ Crime thriller Written by Fred Berger, Phil Hay, & Matt Manfredi Directed by Karyn Kusama Crime and grime penetrate Los Angeles in this very dark noir. The deeply dense plot works mostly as a structure for presenting atmosphere and character. But then, in the last few minutes, that plot suddenly becomes clear and everything … Continue reading Destroyer: Nicole Kidman as one tough dame
Destroyer: Nicole Kidman as one tough dame
Note: I updated this article on January 9. Sorry, but I have been asked to take down this review. When I viewed Destroyer in a press screening months ago, I was told that the film would open on Christmas day. So I set up my review to go live on December 20. I've just discovered Weeks later, … Continue reading Destroyer: Nicole Kidman as one tough dame
What’s Screening: January 5 – 11
Robert Altman, Billy Wilder, Howard Hawks, Gus Van Sant, Michael Powell, and a very fine selection of shorts grace Bay Area movie screens this week. Festivals For Your Consideration opens today and runs through Thursday. You can learn more about it in my First Film Festivals of 2018. New films opening B+ 2017 Sundance Film Festival Short … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 5 – 11
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