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
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
A Baker’s Dozen: Baking for the Balboa Theater
by Dianne Boate
“We’ll be expecting up to 300 people,” said Gary Meyer, in reply to my offer to bake a cake for the Balboa Theater’s inaugural Birthday Bash to celebrate its 1926 origins; a party that swiftly became an annual event. Continue reading
The Secret Restaurant: Saagish Paneer
by Peter Moore
Saag Paneer is a standard Indian dish consisting of fried paneer, an Indian cheese, on a bed of sautéed spinach. This is my variation. I’ve got a couple of go-to recipes for quick meals that don’t take a lot of time or work but are presentable enough for guests and this is one. A fave not just as a vegetarian spin, but also because it’s very tasty. Continue reading
Pink Lady Apple Salad and Rainbow Swiss Chard Ricotta Tarts: Recipes from The Cheesemonger’s Seasons
Savor a year of outstanding cheese-centric dishes with “The Cheesemonger’s Seasons.” In this beautifully photographed volume, Chester Hastings offers his favorite recipes for cooking with cheese. Excerpted here are two recipes to try in your own kitchen.
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.
Dispatch from Uncorked San Francisco
by Jonathan “Max” Davis
Saturday, May 17, was the 9th annual Uncorked SF wine festival in Ghirardelli Square, and I arrived with pen and pad on a delightful mission to survey the selection. Continue reading