Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Perhaps best known as Ryan from The Office, B.J. Novak has long been a writer as well as an actor, and now, with his new film Vengeance, he can add feature film director to his resume. With this picture, he pulls off the cinematic trifecta of acting/writing/directing, and, for a first effort, the results aren’t bad. While not stellar by any means, the picture definitely has its moments, and signifies Novak as a filmmaker to watch.
Readers of the massive (over 12 million copies sold!) 2018 bestseller Where the Crawdads Sing have likely been eagerly anticipating the Reese Witherspoon produced adaptation of her book club phenom. To prep for the movie, I read the Delia Owens novel, and can tell you up front that the movie does indeed capture the gist of the book. Some small plot details have been eliminated or changed slightly, and longer sections have been compressed, but the book’s themes and emotional underpinnings remain intact. The novel’s readers will have an inherent interest in the film, just for the curiosity of seeing how the story and characters translate to the big screen.
Nominated for the Grand Jury prize at Sundance this year, Emergency took home the Festival’s Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. After seeing the film, you’ll understand why. Adapting her 2018 Sundance short of the same name into a full length feature, screenwriter K.D. Dávila has done something sly here. She starts the picture as if we’re in for a spring break high jinks, wild college party comedy à la Animal House. But then she turns the tables in such a dramatic, urgent, and tense fashion that you’ll leave the picture reeling. And that’s a good thing.
The 65th SFFilm Festival opened on Thursday and will run through Sunday, May 1st, so there’s still plenty of time to check out some new films this weekend and through next week. Here’s a look at four more offerings.
1.) NAVALNY
(USA/Germany/Russia, 2022. 98 min)
Back in late January, nobody knew just how relevant this documentary about Russian opposition leader, poisoning victim, and current prisoner Alexi Navalny would be just a few weeks later, as the Russians invaded Ukraine. Nominated for Sundance’s Documentary Grand Jury prize and winning both the Festival Favorite Award and the Audience U.S. Documentary Award, this portrait of courage is as relevant as it is intriguing. An eye opening look at Russian politics, director Daniel Roher’s film shouldn’t be missed.
Screenings (click here for tickets):
– Sat., April 23rd, 4:30pm at the Castro
– If you miss Saturday’s screening, the film is also available on CNN.
Continue reading “Film Feature: 65th SFFILM Festival Spotlight #3”
Danish director Janus Metz brings a chilly Scandinavian sensibility to his adaptation of Olen Steinhauer’s 2015 spy novel All the Old Knives. The serviceable picture keeps the viewer at some remove from the characters, but presents a story just entertaining enough to absorb us.
The 94th Academy Awards air tonight, Sunday, March 27th, on ABC at 5:00 pm PST. After a pandemic pause last year, I’m back this year to share my predictions — and hopes — for the major categories. The show could pique more interest this year, since the controversial decision was made to shorten the program by moving eight of the 23 categories off screen. Protests may happen, and hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes are sure to have some pointed commentary. Tune in to see how it all plays out, and to see close I (and you!) get to picking the winners.
Continue reading “Film Feature: Carrie Picks the 2022 Oscars”
If you’re looking for a post-dinner, new streamable rom-com to add to your Valentine’s Day evening itinerary, you could do worse than I Want You Back. Featuring the always appealing Jenny Slate and Charlie Day, the film hews close to standard rom-com tropes, but offers up just enough surprises and engaging performances to keep it from feeling too tired.
After having to watch the bulk of our films from our living rooms in 2020, the slow but sure return to cinemas in 2021 was more than welcome. And the year rewarded us with many Top 10 list worthy contenders. I’ve narrowed mine down to the list below. You can also check out fellow film writer Chris Piper’s list here, as well as my 2020 list here. Now stop reading lists, and go seek these out!
Continue reading “Film Feature: Carrie’s Top 10 Films of 2021”
George Clooney wears his director hat for The Tender Bar, and with a script by William Monahan (The Departed) and Ben Affleck in the lead, the film, on paper, seems full of promising cred. So imagine my disappointment, then, as I watched the movie and the whole thing felt… familiar. Unoriginal. Cliche. The picture has a few decent performances, but sadly is ultimately forgettable.
First, a heads up about the new movie Encounter: it is *not* a sci-fi movie. Despite the title, trailer, and marketing copy all seemingly indicating that’s what we’re in for, the film’s publicity team has done a bait and switch. So if you’re a huge sci-fi fan and think the trailer looks intriguing — as I did — know that instead what you’re getting with this picture is actually a serviceable psychological drama. I’ll also warn you that if you get stressed out by watching gross creepy insects and children in peril, this picture probably isn’t for you.