In the last few weeks, I've had few chances to see movies that aren't playing at the Mill Valley Film Festival. But I got to see these: A- One Sings, the Other Doesn't (1977), Criterion Channel Agnès Varda's small epic sometimes feels like the best of the hippy era - as opposed to her Vagabond, which … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: One Sings, the Other Doesn’t; Downton Abbey; & Da Sweet Blood of Jesus
Tag: Spike Lee
What’s Screening: August 23 – 29
This week on Bay Area movie screens: Indiana Jones searches for the Holy Grail, rich people can't leave the room, tempers get hot in Brooklyn, a band says goodbye, and a vampire haunts Tehran. And only one film festival. Festivals Modern Cinema: Haunted! (Gothic Tales by Women) continues. Read my preview. The Week's Big Event A+ … Continue reading What’s Screening: August 23 – 29
Do the Right Thing in beautiful, new Criterion Blu-ray
Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing just may be the best film about race issues in America. Thirty years after its release, it's still as relevant as anything you're likely to see. The major difference is that now when police murder a black man, the event is recorded on smartphones and goes viral. Either way, … Continue reading Do the Right Thing in beautiful, new Criterion Blu-ray
What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
I'm writing this very long newsletter on June 11, just before taking a few weeks off Bayflicks. I thought I'd let you know about at least some of what's coming up while I'm off. And because I wrote this early, I'm missing a lot of things. For instance, I know nothing about what will screen … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 21 – July 11
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
Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman at the Castro
Tuesday evening, my wife and I attended a special Tribute to Spike Lee at the Castro. First, David Thomson interviewed Lee on the Castro stage. Then, after an intermission, they screened Lee's latest film, BlacKkKlansman. As so often happens at these big events, a huge chunk of the house was reserved. If you're not some … Continue reading Spike Lee and BlacKkKlansman at the Castro
What’s Screening: September 21 – 27
Spike Lee, Gilda Radner, Ingmar Bergman, Laurel and Hardy, James Dean, and a young girl accused of witchcraft. Add three film festivals and there's plenty to see in Bay Area movie theaters this week. Festivals The SF Latino Film Festival continues through this week and beyond The Homage to Marcello Mastroianni takes over the Castro … Continue reading What’s Screening: September 21 – 27
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: BlacKkKlansman, Blindspotting, 49th Parallel, & Dark Victory
My current collection includes one film from Oakland which I saw in Canada, and one about Canada I saw at home in the East Bay. A BlacKkKlansman (2018), California Theatre (Berkeley) Until the very end, this is the most conventional Spike Lee Joint I've seen. But the normal approach was the right one for this very … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: BlacKkKlansman, Blindspotting, 49th Parallel, & Dark Victory
Black Powers coming to Modern Cinema
Black filmmakers illuminate the African-American experience in SFFILM and SFMOMA's latest Modern Cinema series, Black Powers: Reframing Hollywood. The series/festival runs from July 12–29. As with all Modern Cinema series, this one takes place at SFMOMA's Phyllis Wattis Theater. Neither organization is calling this a festival, but I think the title fits, because you can … Continue reading Black Powers coming to Modern Cinema
What’s Screening: February 2 – 8
This week in Bay Area movie theaters: The Marx Brothers, three film festivals, Spike Lee, and P.T. Anderson. Plus, live and in town, Liv Ullmann. Yes, Liv Ullmann is in the Bay Area and making appearances. And, of course, it's Groundhog Day. Repeat that: It's Groundhog Day! Groundhog Day Festivals Noir City closes Sunday IndieFest … Continue reading What’s Screening: February 2 – 8
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