New and old movies are playing in San Francisco theaters; and a lot of them are already streaming. Looking for old-time movie stars on the big screen? This week you've got Clark Gable, Steve McQueen, Henry Fonda, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, and Daniel Day-Lewis. If that list is a bit too male-centered, there are real … Continue reading What’s Screening: June 17 – 23
Tag: Steven Spielberg
What’s Screening: May 27 – June 2
This week in Bay Area cinema: More of Star Wars - along with Indiana Jones, an excellent drama set in Montana, and the cheap sci-fi flick that started John Carpenter's and Dan O'Bannon's careers. Festivals & Series Doc Fest, which is not to be confused with the recently closed DocLands, opens Wednesday, and ends next … Continue reading What’s Screening: May 27 – June 2
Best picture candidates from best to worst
Here's my opinions of the ten Oscar Best Picture nominees, from really fantastic to "Did they spend money to make this thing?" You might notice that I'm giving most of these movies very good grades. That's how it should be. These are, in theory, the best films made last year. Click the name of a … Continue reading Best picture candidates from best to worst
What’s Screening: January 14 – 20
I have stopped going to movie theaters because of Omicron. I just don't think it's safe - even though I wear a mask and have all the right shots. I'm not the only one who thinks that way. The Film Noir Foundation has postponed this year's Noir City festival. And the New Parkway has gone … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 14 – 20
What’s Screening: January 7 – 13
I dedicate this week's newsletter to film historian and filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich (July 30, 1939 – January 6, 2022). Considering what Omicron is doing all over the world, we have a surprising number of vintage movies playing in real theaters. We've got major works from Peter Jackson, F.W. Murnau, Wong Kar Wai, The Coen Brothers, … Continue reading What’s Screening: January 7 – 13
What’s Screening: December 24 – December 30
I'm using a different format for the newsletter this week. Instead of going by sections, I'm listing a few films worth watching in theaters this week. If I don't list dates and times, check the theaters. A+ Die Hard (1988), New Parkway, Saturday, 8:20pm; Sunday, 6:20pm, Wednesday, 8:35pm The original Die Hard is easily one of the … Continue reading What’s Screening: December 24 – December 30
Movies I’ve recently seen: West Side Story ֍ Don’t Look Up ֍ The Power of the Dog ֍ The Last Emperor ֍ & The Edge of the World
I've been trying to see as much Oscar bait as I can lately. That means that I've seen some very good, new movies. And that's why the new films on this list are better than the vintage movies. A West Side Story (2021) I've seen the 1961 version maybe seven times, but I never cried … Continue reading Movies I’ve recently seen: West Side Story ֍ Don’t Look Up ֍ The Power of the Dog ֍ The Last Emperor ֍ & The Edge of the World
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
What’s Screening: October 8 – 14
The Mill Valley Film Festival is taking a lot of oxygen out of the cinematic Bay Area. But if you're not in the mood for new and serious films, some worthwhile oldies are also in theaters…mostly as a run-up to Halloween. Festivals & Series The Mill Valley Film Festival continues through this week and beyond … Continue reading What’s Screening: October 8 – 14
The Cerrito opens with a classic fest
When was the last time you watched a beloved classic the way it should be seen? And by that, I mean in a theater with a large screen and an audience. I don't think I've had that experience since 2019. The Cerrito celebrates its reopening this Friday with the Cerrito Classics Festival. Here are the … Continue reading The Cerrito opens with a classic fest