Big Screen Berkeley

The often harsh realities of pandemic life balanced with a bracing shot of old-fashioned California ‘can-do’ optimism result in a prize-worthy movie. Screen it before Sunday.

A well-deserved and clear-eyed tribute to a one-of-a-kind punk rock pioneer, a journey back to the ‘video nasty’ era and an impressive debut feature with a nod to Aki Kaurismäki.

There are eight animated and five live-action shorts vying for an Academy award this year. Which one will win?

83-year-old Anthony Hopkins delivers one of the best performances of the year in ‘The Father,’ while another octogenarian, Sergio Chamy, shines in ‘The Mole Agent’ documentary.

Reviewed: A fantastic documentary and worthy tribute to the artist David Wojnarowicz; and the story of Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and others touring US military bases in 1971.

Reviewed: ’76 Days’ provides a stirring tribute to Wuhan’s medical workers, while ‘The Inheritance’ is a salute to youthful idealism.

A thought provoking first-time feature, a defiantly unconventional police procedural, and behind the scenes at a Brazilian grocery store.

Reviewed: ‘Dear Comrades!’ parallels recent events in the United States, while ’17 Blocks’ follows the life of one DC family over 20 years.

If you haven’t already checked out the excellent ‘Small Time,’ you still have another week — but the festival has other great movies to watch too.

While not perfect, ‘A Glitch in the Matrix’ is thought-provoking; ‘Small Time’ is a journey worth taking; while fans of Gianfranco Rosi will want to check out ‘Notturno.’

Reviewed: There’s no time for the sentimental in ‘Identifying Features,’ a good film with a great score; while ‘Mayor’ tells the story of the popular mayor of Ramallah, Musa Hadi.

A documentary about ‘America’s Friendliest Hometown’ and one about a family of hunter-gatherers living next to a major European metropolis. Plus: a dash of black comedy.