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.
Big Screen Berkeley
Reviewed: Highlights from the San Francisco International Film Festival
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.
Reviewed: Oscar-nominated short films 2021
There are eight animated and five live-action shorts vying for an Academy award this year. Which one will win?
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘The Father’ and ‘The Mole Agent’
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.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Wojnarowicz’ and ‘FTA’
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.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘76 Days’ and ‘The Inheritance’
Reviewed: ’76 Days’ provides a stirring tribute to Wuhan’s medical workers, while ‘The Inheritance’ is a salute to youthful idealism.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Test Pattern’, ‘Keep An Eye Out’ and ‘My Darling Supermarket’
A thought provoking first-time feature, a defiantly unconventional police procedural, and behind the scenes at a Brazilian grocery store.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Dear Comrades!’ and ’17 Blocks’
Reviewed: ‘Dear Comrades!’ parallels recent events in the United States, while ’17 Blocks’ follows the life of one DC family over 20 years.
Here are some treats from SF Indiefest 2021, streaming through Feb. 21
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.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘A Glitch in the Matrix,’ ‘Small Time’ and ‘Notturno’
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.’
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Identifying Features’ and ‘Mayor’
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.
Reviewed: ‘Some Kind of Heaven’, ‘Acasa My Home’, and ‘I Blame Society’
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.