Movies
Monday, April 8, 2013
Our Favorite Films by Les Blank
People / Movies Kelly Vance — Mon, Apr 8, 2013 at 11:57 AM
(East Bay documentary filmmaker Les Blank died at his home in Berkeley yesterday at age 77.)
Les is more. Useless to try to compile a “greatest hits” for a man who virtually invented the up-close, impressionistic, roots-music biopic. But here are a few unforgettable favorite riffs from the career of a filmmaking, music-loving, life-embracing son of a gun:
Monday, December 17, 2012
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Announces Its Movie Awards for 2012
Movies Kelly Vance — Mon, Dec 17, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Twenty-five voting members of the San Francisco Film Critics Circle met Sunday afternoon at the Variety Club Screening Room on SF’s Market Street to inform you what movies you shouldn’t have missed this year after all.
Typically for the SFFCC, no one film swept the awards. Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master captured Best Picture honors, and that movie’s Joaquin Phoenix was named Best Actor. The upcoming release Zero Dark Thirty took Best Director plaudits for Kathryn Bigelow, with Best Original Screenplay going to Mark Boal.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
'Awakenings' Part Deux? 'Alive Inside' Doc Explores Music's Role in Helping Patients with Alzheimer's and Dementia
Media / Movies Kathleen Richards — Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:16 PM
We get emails to help Kickstarter campaigns on pretty much a daily basis. As noble and worthy as the endeavors may be, their messages can get lost amid the sea of projects, all needing money and attention RIGHT NOW.
But this one caught our eye. Alive Inside is a documentary (with a Kickstarter campaign, naturally) about a social worker who discovers how music can "awaken deeply locked memories in patients with Alzheimer's and dementia." NY-based filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett is trying to raise another $15,000 in the next five days to get his movie finished. Check out this rough cut; pretty compelling stuff.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
New Documentary Asks: Is Touring Worth It?
Media / Business / Movies Kathleen Richards — Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Via Invisible Oranges, a new documentary (available online in its entirety) questions whether touring is worth it for metal bands. The film, Why You Do This, follows the Long Island mathcore band Car Bomb as they play funky venues to a handful of people. Most local bands expect touring (and existing, for that matter) to be a money-losing endeavor, but the question is whether hitting the road is necessary, not just financially, but career-wise. Could it even be a career-killer? Or is sleeping in vans and skeezy motels an essential band experience?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Oscar Nominees Are In, and... Ayiyi
Movies Rachel Swan — Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 11:28 AM
We've learned not to expect too much at the Academy Awards, but this year's nominees for Best Picture take the cake. The list includes Moneyball, a surprisingly riveting movie about looking at spreadsheets, held together by Brad Pitt's stunning depiction of former Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (who has garnered a certain pop culture cachet and a massive cult of adoration, especially over the past year). Also: Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, which was saved only by Corey Stoll's portrayal of Ernest Hemingway. And: The Help. I mean, do we even have to say what's problematic about that movie? Oh, and finally: War Horse, Spielberg's new World War I movie, beloved by horse fetishists everywhere.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Liberating Liberace: Oakland Filmmaker Chris Vargas Remixes the Life of a Gay Idol
Movies Toshio Meronek — Wed, May 11, 2011 at 6:33 AM
Somewhere in Hollywood, Michael Douglas is smothering on lip gloss to prepare for a heavy make-out session with Matt Damon. Douglas is set to play Liberace (and Damon his young lover) in the gay-for-pay Oscar bait that is sure to be the upcoming Steven Soderbergh biopic on the flamboyant pianist (due out in 2013). Meanwhile, in Oakland, artist Chris Vargas is readying his own version, Liberaceón, which reimagines the over-the-top musicmaker as an outspoken AIDS activist, rather than the closeted Nancy Reagan-lover he was.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Weekender: The Top Five Things to Do Over the Next Three Days in the East Bay
Art / Movies Ellen Cushing — Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 8:13 AM
Nurse your St. Pat's hangover Get ready for the weekend by checking out our critics' choices.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Kevin Bacon Night at Eli's Tonight
Pics and Video / Movies Kathleen Richards — Mon, Apr 12, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Amoeba Music is sponsoring Kevin Bacon Night, tonight at Eli's Mile High Club (3629 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland). In addition to screening the '80s movie Quicksilver, the event will feature music, bacon-themed food, drink specials, and $5-off coupons to Amoeba with one menu item purchase. 8 p.m.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Doors Documentary Screens Tonight
Pics and Video / Movies Kathleen Richards — Fri, Apr 9, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Val Kilmer gave a pretty memorable performance as Doors frontman Jim Morrison way back in 1991, but there's no substituting the real deal. Hence, When You're Strange: A Film About the Doors, a new feature-length documentary on the legendary LA band (Morrison, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Robby Krieger), which screens at the Sundance Kabuki tonight at 7:10 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The doc "uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock quartet and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of its music and legacy. Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film is a riveting account of the band’s history."
Morrison has been plenty idolized since his untimely death in 1971, but if anything, the documentary serves as a reminder of just how lacking the current music scene is in charismatic rock stars. The release of When You're Strange comes accompanied by the release of a soundtrack, which includes thirteen songs from the band's six albums, plus live performances from the Ed Sullivan Show and the Isle of Wight Festival.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Animal Collective's ODDSAC Film Screens in SF March 25
Just-Announced Shows / Pics and Video / Movies Kathleen Richards — Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 12:58 PM
A feature film collaboration between the band Animal Collective and filmmaker Danny Perez will screen at San Francisco's Sundance Kabuki Cinemas on Thursday, Mar. 25. Entitled ODDSAC, the film (which is being billed as a "visual album") is a "dense and surreal layering of audio and visual elements that eschews conventional narrative to create a visceral, immersive experience." (Just check out the trailer.) 6:30 & 8:30 p.m., $15.
The screening will feature director Danny Perez and members of Animal Collective.
