Leonard Maltin has been in love with the movies since he was a kid, publishing a magazine, Film Fan Monthly, when he was 15 and at 18 completing the first edition of his long-running Movie Guide, considered essential next to every film buffs’ TV, on their desks, on the bed table, and even as a bathroom reading staple. And more books kept coming. When “Entertainment Tonight” asked him to become their film critic he and his wife Alice moved to Los Angeles and his numerous projects continued, including often appearing on Turner Classic Movies and appearing at the TCM Festivals and Cruises. Probably he and Alice’s proudest “project” is their daughter Jessie who has worked with her dad developing a popular podcast, a film festival, websites and now, FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT MENUS: Recipes & Films for Unforgettable Times Together. Jessie has been seeing movies with her parents as long as she can remember and her daughter Daisy is followong in her footsteps.
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10 Must-See World Cinema Films
By Geneva Anderson (April 24, 2026)
The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM 69) returns to the Bay Area Friday, April 24, and runs 11 days through Monday, May 4, featuring 79 sharply-curated film programs from 40 countries screening in seven Bay Area theaters. The world cinema line-up of 32 narratives and 11 docs is phenomenal, with original stories that crystalize into masterful portraits of individuals and place. Continue reading
Filmmaker Andrés Gallegos Steps into the Light with ‘The Darkest Night’
By Noma Faingold (April 11, 2026)
Chilean-born filmmaker Andrés Gallegos chose San Francisco in 2014 to continue his education, earning an MFA in Cinema at San Francisco State University. He had visited prestigious film schools in New York and Los Angeles, but the Bay Area instantly felt like home. “I liked the program at State, but I fell in love with what was happening here,” he said. “The richness of the culture and the creative community made me want to stay.”
Filth Never Looked So Good Thanks to John Waters
By Noma Faingold. (April 8, 2026)
John at the Castro screening of “Serial Mom.” Photo by Noma Faingold.
“Pope of Trash,” “Prince of Puke.” “People’s Pervert,” “King of Sleaze” and “Filth Elder” are all monikers apropos for prolific filmmaker, author, photographer, visual artist, provocateur and true original, John Waters, who turns 80 this month.
“Monet and Venice” Dives Deep into Venetian Waters
By Noma Faingold. (March 18, 2026)
Claude Monet of France (1840-1926), the founder of Impressionism and the movement’s most prolific painter, reluctantly visited Venice in October of 1908. At the time, he had grown disenchanted with the way his “Water Lilies” paintings were progressing. His dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel, rejected the work, leading Monet to cancel the upcoming show at the Paris gallery and to destroy many of the paintings in the series.
Critic’s Corner – An Animated “Magnificent Life”
The new feature film A Magnificent Life is an animated biography of the great French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. His first successes on film were “The Marseille Trilogy” composed of Marius, Fanny, and César. He continued making movies, adapting some for stage and writing numerous books that have also been adapted to screen by others such as the popular Manon of the Springs, Jean de Florette, My Father’s Glory, and My Mother’s Castle.starring many of the best actors in French cinema.
Film, Food, and Fun in the Heart of the Wine Country
By Geneva Anderson (March 22, 2026)
Famous for its food, wine, parties, and laid-back vibe as well as exceptional films, the 29th Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF), begins Wednesday, March 25th, at venues all round Sonoma’s historic town square. This year’s five-day lineup presents 104 films from 37 countries —41 narrative features, 16 documentary features and 47 shorts. Vivian Sorenson and Jonathan Nastasi’s important documentary, “Fork in the Road,” about America’s broken food system, celebrates its world premiere at SIFF in a culinary line-up that includes three powerful docs, a feminist dramedy and two food shorts.
Cooking with the “IT!” Girl
A Supper with Clara Bow curated by Jenny Hammerton. (March 17, 2026)
I’ve been collecting the favorite recipes of movie stars and trying them out, for over 25 years. There are a surprising amount of weird and wonderful signature dishes on record in books, magazines and advertising ephemera and my culinary collection now numbers over 10,000. My favourite celebrity chefs are Vincent Price, Sophia Loren and Yul Brynner, but I have an enduring love for recipes shared by stars of the silent era too.
To celebrate the San Francisco Silent Film Festival’s showing of Clara Bow in “It” at the restored Castro Theatre on Sunday, March 22 accompanied by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, I offer you a menu of Clara favorite recipes. Full screening info and to buy tickets here.
24 minutes with “Berlin & Beyond’s” Sophoan Sorn
An interview by Geneva Anderson. (March 16, 2026)
Sophoan Sorn. Festival director of Berlin & Beyond at the Castro Theater which screens three German dramas on March 19. Image: Sophoan Sorn
The Berlin & Beyond film festival (B&B) (March 19-23) will celebrate its 30th anniversary in style, with Opening Night at revamped Castro Theater on March 19. The evening unfolds with Ido Fluk’s drama, “Köln 75,” the exhilarating back story to Keith Jarrett’s famously improvised 1975 piano concert, along with a special Opening Ceremony and tribute to actor Mala Emde, who stars in the film. Continue reading
Clara Bow Runnin’ Wild- On Making “IT”
By David Stenn
(Editor’s note:The San Francisco Silent Film Festival will return to the restored Castro Theatre on Sunday, March 22 at 7pm with Clara Bow in “IT” live accompaniment by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. Information and tickets here. Best selling author David Stenn shares his chapter on the making of “IT” and we have added a gallery of stunning images at the end.)
Down the Hatch: Clara Bow Cocktails
What’s in a name? When it comes to cocktails, sometimes not enough.