Ang Lee and James Schamus' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is playing in eight Bay Area theaters! And yet, not even one is in the East Bay. The 4-Star seems to have noticed that it's Black History Month, with screenings of Black Panther, Fences, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. They're also giving us masterpieces by Stanley … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 17 – 23
Tag: Orson Welles
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of October
What will likely shiver your bones on Halloween? It's not the fake tombstones. Or the recorded witch voice. And not even the children's dentist bills. The true terror will be the realization that at midnight, on Halloween, many movies will disappear from the Criterion Channel. Now that's scary! So here are some of the best … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of October
The Cerrito Classics Festival
Rialto Cinemas' Cerrito Cinema is playing classic American films from Friday, September 9 to Thursday, the 15. They're screening six old movies, and you have two of three chances to see each of these pictures. [[I corrected the dates]]. Here are the movies, with dates, times, and my own opinions: A The Treasure of The … Continue reading The Cerrito Classics Festival
Touch of Evil in 4K Ultra
Orson Welles' last Hollywood feature was one of the great film noirs. It begins with a brilliant sequence done in one shot without cutting, but with considerable camera movement. Welles has already shown you that a timebomb will soon explode. It's entirely set at and near the American/Mexican border. Come next Tuesday, Kino Lorber will … Continue reading Touch of Evil in 4K Ultra
What’s leaving Criterion at the end of February
At the end of every month, The Criterion Channel removes a considerable number of films from their streaming platform. Here are some that I can recommend. See them, or at least as many as you can, before February becomes March. Full recommendations A Pickup on South Street (1953) Richard Widmark plays a pickpocket who lifts … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion at the end of February
What’s Screening: January 21 – 27
The bad news: The Castro Theater is no longer a movie theater. The good news: Other Bay Area theaters are showing plenty of vintage movies. Theaters closings The end of the Castro For decades, the Castro Theatre has been the perfect movie palace for opening a film festival or just for watching vintage cinema. And … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 21 – 27
What’s Screening: September 17 – 23
What's happening in Bay Area cinema? Four theaters are opening up! We've also got a documentary about a little-known but important activist. There's found footage at the BAMPFA. And you can see Citizen Kane in a big, indoor theater. You can also see Putney Swope or The Force Awakens on big screens. And one more … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 17 – 23
What’s Screening: April 30 – May 6
This week in Bay Area movies: A Castro opening on the horizon. $5 Tuesdays. A serious art film that should be shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000. The Octopus documentary on the big screen. And classics from Orson Welles, the Coen brothers, and New Zealand. And one virtual film festival. Festivals The Livable Planet Film … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 30 – May 6
What’s Screening: April 2 – 8
What's happening this week in Bay Area movie-watching? Mank appears in a real movie theater! Virtually, you can stream the rip-roaring silent melodrama The Signal Tower, along with dramas by Ryan Coogler and Nicholas Ray. And at the drive-in, you can revisit Casablanca, Mary Poppins, Wall-E, and more. But no festivals. New films opening in … Continue reading What’s Screening: April 2 – 8
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Stranger, The Wicker Man, Angel, & Dementia 13
Considering that it's October, we have two horror movies, along with something noir. But if you want to smile, there's a Lubitsch in here, too. B+ The Stranger (1946)Orson Welles' third film is a conventional anti-Nazi noir (no deep focus photography), but a very good one. Edward G. Robinson plays the hero for a change, as … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: The Stranger, The Wicker Man, Angel, & Dementia 13
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