Film Feature: 69th SFFILM Festival Preview #1

The 69th SFFILM Festival is days away, April 24 – May 4, featuring over one hundred films from more than forty countries. Please visit the SFFILM Festival website for more information about the exciting program, how to purchase tickets, and a calendar of special events and presentations.

In the meantime, here’s a preview of the festival, highlighting four films: Rose of Nevada, The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, The Queen and the Smokehouse, and Cookie Queens.

1.) ROSE OF NEVADA
(UK, 2025. 114 min.)

Rose of Nevada’s writer/director/cinematographer/editor/composer Mark Jenkin (Bait) has delivered a visceral cinematic allegory. George MacKay (1917) and Callum Turner (Eternity) star as young men in the British seaside village of Cornwall who agree to serve as fishermen on an empty vessel that has reappeared after being lost at sea for thirty years. After hauling in a successful catch, they return to a Cornwall that has changed in very strange ways. Utilizing 16 mm film for a vivid, old photographic feel, and with a focus on textural detail, from peeling paint on a door to slimy barnacles on a boat’s hull, Rose of Nevada evokes a unique sensory experience that takes the audience deep into the narrative’s mysteries.

Screenings (click here for tickets):
– Sun., May 3rd, 8:30 pm PT @ Marina Theatre

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SXSW 2026 Diary

SXSW

Our newest addition to the Spinning Platters crew, Misty Brewster, had a daunting first assignment: SXSW 2026. Here’s SEVEN days straight of music: Continue reading “SXSW 2026 Diary”

Single of the Week: “Famine” by Kate Nash

I don’t like to pick covers for Single of the Week, but I’ll make an exception here- Kate Nash has presented a retelling of Sinead O’Connor’s “Famine,” which tells the truth about the Irish potato famine and how it all ties back to English Imperialism. Last night I saw Habibi perform, and their lead singer, Rahill, discussed at length what’s happening in Iran, and it was potent. (Her song about that is dropping soon) But the history of false famines to control a population is as painful as it is deliberate. (See: US destroying Cuba RIGHT THIS FUCKING SECOND)

“Famine” is ready to stream now, and the 7″ can be preordered for release July 17th. 

Film Review: “Exit 8”

Exit 8 is equally mind-bending and frustrating

A anomalous (?) man smiles in the infinite passageway in ‘Exit 8.’

Based on an indie Japanese video game, Exit 8 finds its protagonist, a young man (Kazunari Ninomiya), on his way to a temporary job, only to get caught in a neverending loop of subway station hallways. The only clue the entrapped man (and the audience) has to what’s going on is through an information sign that warns to look for anomalies, and if one is spotted, to turn back immediately. Successfully spotting the anomalies, which can vary from a small change in a poster design to a horrific creature popping through ceiling vents, enables the protagonist to get to the “next level” (i.e., the next exit), which are numbered from 0 to 8. As a concept, this psychological setup is a great opportunity for sight gags, mind-bending conundrums, and visceral thrills. Unfortunately, Exit 8 tries too hard to be super serious and sincere amid its repetitiveness, to the extent that audiences will be begging for a tonal or structural shift (but maybe that’s the point?). Continue reading “Film Review: “Exit 8””

Film Review: “Hamlet”

Hamlet showcases Ahmed’s way with ‘Words, words, words’

Hamlet (Riz Ahmed) broods in the nighttime glow in ‘Hamlet.’

Set in modern day London amid a wealthy South Asian family, Hamlet is the latest cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. Clearly filmed on a modest budget, yet using dialogue directly pulled from Shakespeare’s text, Hamlet will be embraced by thespians and fans of the Bard, but generally dismissed by casual moviegoers looking for something more grandiose.  Continue reading “Film Review: “Hamlet””

Photo Gallery: Lamb of God at The Masonic Auditorium!

Photos by: Alan Ralph @ConcertGoingPro

On Friday, April 3, Lamb of God, Kublai Khan TX, Fit For An Autopsy, and Sanguisugabugg rolled into San Francisco for a the sold-out show at Masonic Auditorium!

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Eat All: The Songs of Heated Rivalry: Episode 2

EPISODE 2: OLYMPIANS

SYNOPSIS: After two years of Ilya pitching woo and Shane ducking it, they finally hook up again at Shane’s Montreal apartment. Despite this success, the next time they see each other is at the Winter 2014 Olympics in Ilya’s native Russia. The Russian team gets knocked out early, and Ilya suffers the disappointment of his countrymen — in particular his father. Ilya ices Shane out hard. Shane learns that Russia isn’t particularly evolved when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights. Six months later, the pair presents a sportsmanship award together at the MLH awards. Shane confronts Ilya about not returning texts, Ilya wins MVP, then they get filthy in Ilya’s hotel penthouse suite; Shane is heartsick about it afterward.  Continue reading “Eat All: The Songs of Heated Rivalry: Episode 2”

Film Review: “The Drama”

Zendaya and Pattinson create worthy Drama

Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) have an eye-opening conversation with friends.

This review will be shorter than usual, because writing about The Drama without giving any spoilers is nearly impossible. There is so much to say about this provocative and highly original film, but the less you know going into it, the more you’ll be able to enjoy its surprises. Suffice to say that I’ve already short-listed the movie for my 2026 Top 10. If you love unexpected, immensely creative, and thought-provoking films, you owe it to yourself to see The Drama. 

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Single of the Week: “What’s For Dinner” by BLARF

What? An actual piece of modern classical music as your “Single Of The Week”? And it’s out on Stones Throw? Oh, BLARF is actually comedian Eric Andre?!? YES! This piece is a little Copland, a little Gershwin, and a little Reznor and it’s AMAZING. 

BLARF’s full album of classical compositions, Film Scores For Films That Don’t Exist is out May 1st. Preorder here! And see him debut these works WITH ORCHESTRA in LA on April 27th! 

 

Show Reviews: fast Thrash meets slow Sludge at DNA Lounge!

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ConcertGoingPro

DNA Lounge has been on a tear lately with their metal bookings in the last 10 days of March. Starting with the Bay Area’s own gore metal band Exhumed, to English thrash metal band Onslaught several days later, culminating in a one-two punch of NWOBHM band Raven alongside Bay Area’s newest thrash metal supergroup Nefarious and New Orleans sludge metal masters Crowbar and Eyehategod to close out the month!

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