Read two critical perspectives on Night Moves (2013, Kelly Reichardt), from Tim Sika and Dennis Harvey. Night Moves opens in San Francisco on Friday, June 6 at the AMC Metreon. Continue reading
Category Archives: Films
The Ballad of the Sad Café: An Excerpt from “Vanessa: The Life of Vanessa Redgrave”
Excerpted from Vanessa by Dan Callahan. Copyright © 2014 by Dan Callahan. Reprinted by arrangement with Pegasus Books. All rights reserved. Support your local bookstore, or buy the book through our affiliate link at Amazon.com. Continue reading
Grappling with Faith in Shades of Gray: Pavel Pawlikowski’s IDA
by Michael Fox
Set in Poland in the early 1960s and shot in a 1.37 aspect ratio, Ida (2013) is high-grade catnip for aficionados of vintage black-and-white Eastern European cinema. The latest film by Pavel Pawlikowski, one of the most astute and insightful observers of human nature working in movies today, is the furthest thing from a nostalgia trip, however. An unfiltered, unblinking journey into the interior—of the land of Pawlikowski’s childhood, and the enigmatic psyches of its female protagonists—Ida confronts the crimes of the last century and, inevitably, the responsibility of living in this one. Continue reading
My Wonderful Evening with Marc Davis, One of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men (Part 2 of 2)
by Karl Cohen
Read Part I of Karl Cohen’s essay, published in last week’s issue, here.
After enjoying the “Leading Ladies and Femmes Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis” exhibit currently on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum and talking with Andres Deja, I went into the museum’s lower lobby to collect my thoughts. Alice Davis, Marc’s wife, was seated at a nearby table and invited me to join her. One of the first things she told me was that Walt was the best boss she ever had. After attending Chounaird Art Institute, Alice had worked as a clothing designer. Walt hired her, from time to time, to design costumes. Her first job with him was on Sleeping Beauty. Continue reading
Meals with Meredith: A Speedy Breakfast with Jon Favreau, Writer/Director/Star of CHEF
by Meredith Brody
Chef (2014) seems to have been designed with EatDrinkFilms and me in mind: a heartfelt movie about a Los Angeles restaurant chef whose over-the-top response to a blogger’s bad review is captured on video, and whose dissemination on social media precipitates both his firing and a midlife crisis that leads him back to his Miami roots and a joyous food truck odyssey across the USA. Continue reading
Editor’s Pick: The San Francisco Green Film Festival
by Michael L. Guillén
In its fourth edition, and with special guests, panel discussions, and community events as value added, the San Francisco Green Film Festival (May 29-June 4, 2014) offers 50 new environmental films curated in thematic sidebars ranging from “Water”—featuring the 40th-anniversary screening of Roman Polanski’s Chinatown (1973) (and relevant to concerns over California’s drought)—”Liveable Cities,” “Healthy Kids,” “Nature,” “Oceans,” “Take Action,” and my focus at this year’s festival: “Food Security.” Continue reading
Film Reviews: JODOROWSKY’S DUNE
Read two critical perspectives on Jodorowsky’s Dune (2013, Frank Pavich), from Richard von Busack and Mel Valentin. Jodorowsky’s Dune will be screening Thursday, June 5 at the Castro Theatre as a special one-off event.
My Wonderful Evening with Marc Davis, One of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men (Part 1 of 2)
by Karl Cohen
When I was invited to the press preview of “Leading Ladies and Femmes Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis,” at the Walt Disney Family Museum, I wasn’t expecting to be swept up by a remarkable, immersive celebration of the man’s life. Davis died January 12, 2000, but the art in this comprehensive exhibition still inspires, presenting his joyful personality through animation drawings, well chosen quotes, and an informative video interview. Continue reading
Seducing Repertory Cinema into the 21st Century: I Wake Up Dreaming 2014–Dark Treasures from the Warner Archives
by Elliot Lavine
The idea of programming film noir festivals for a century-old San Francisco art theater sounds like a dream of a gigbag and for 99% of the ride it is. But it’s a little bit like being turned loose in a funhouse with no exit because ultimately it can lead to bouts of insomnia and chronic fits of frustration. It can lead to indigestion and other forms of irritability. But in the end it can also remind you that patience and stamina, although usually in short supply, will win the day. Continue reading
Ticket Giveaway: SFSU 54th Film Finals
A San Francisco State tradition for nearly half a century, Film Finals is the Cinema Department’s annual showcase of jury selected films and the City’s premier student cinema event. Keep reading for more info about this event, and instructions on how to enter the giveaway for free tickets. Continue reading
Festival Recap: The 57th San Francisco International Film Festival
by Tien-Tien L. Jong
With 168 total films, spanning 56 countries (and 40 languages), the 57th edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival (April 24-May 8, 2014) was a truly “international” and diverse event. Here is a mini summary of my experience at the festival, with a list of my personal top five favorite new films that I discovered, and which I recommend keeping an eye out for at the multiplex, arthouse, or digital screening platform of your choice. Continue reading