Here are four movies I've recently seen – mostly at home. Three of them were made in the early '90s. Two of those starred Denzel Washington. Most surprising, all four were worth seeing. A The Wedding Banquet (1993) This comedic drama made director Ang Lee famous. A Chinese immigrant in New York has never told … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: ֍ The Wedding Banquet ֍ Malcolm X ֍ Mississippi Masala ֍ I Know Where I’m Going!
Tag: Spike Lee
What’s Screening: August 19 – 25
In Bay Area moviegoing this week: A Powell/Pressburger film I’ve yet to see. A Kurosawa double bill. Spike Lee’s best film free in the open air. Movies by Howard Hawks and Samuel Fuller. And for the first time in movie history, a handsome man lights a cigarette and says the immortal words, “Bond. James Bond.” … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 19 – 25
What’s Screening: March 18 – 24
Four of the greatest films ever made are playing in Bay Area movie theaters this week - one of them through the whole week. The other three movies are pretty good, too. Plus three film festivals. Festivals & Series The East Bay Jewish Film Festival continues through this week and beyond Noir City opens Thursday, … Continue reading What’s Screening: March 18 – 24
What’s Screening: September 10 – 16
What's happening this week in Bay Area cinema? We've got three new movies coming to theaters: one about a budding drag queen, another about America's doctor, and finally an environmental activist who seriously talks to elves. You can also find out what happens when David Byrne mixes up with Spike Lee. Festivals & Series The … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 10 – 16
Good movies suddenly available on Criterion
The Criterion Channel added a lot of good movies at the beginning of September. Here are some of the best: Most of these are part of one of more collections – mostly New York Stories. A+ The Crowd (1928), part of the series New York Stories Of all the films in my All-Time Great Films … Continue reading Good movies suddenly available on Criterion
What’s Screening: June 18 – 24
I discuss two new movies this week in Bay Area cinema. And no, In the Heights isn't one of them (I haven't got to it, yet), but one of them is about a Puerto Rican dancer. If you like to go to the drive-in, I can recommend five excellent films you can watch from your … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 18 – 24
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Man in the White Suit | He Who Gets Slapped | A New Leaf | Bamboozled
Here are four more movies I've seen in the last few weeks. A- The Man in the White Suit (1951)I doubt no other movie is remembered for a single, recurring, and very funny sound effect. The story: Alec Guinness plays a brilliant but unrecognized scientist trying to create a cloth that repels dirt, never wears … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Man in the White Suit | He Who Gets Slapped | A New Leaf | Bamboozled
What’s Screening: Feb 26 – March 4
This week in Virtual Cinema, you can meet a new American family, discover the horrors that come after a rape, and watch Spike Lee's masterpiece. But if you really want to leave home and watch a really big screen, you have drive-in options from The Black Messiah to Austin Powers. You can even join a … Continue reading What’s Screening: Feb 26 – March 4
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 for Thanksgiving at home (without visitors)
Thanks to COVID, you'll probably be having Thanksgiving at home with very few people. Zoom might help. But to really get you into the holiday spirit, watch one or more of these movies: - - - - - - - - - In a conventional year, you might have trouble with crowded highways and over-full … Continue reading Movies for Thanksgiving at home (without visitors)