Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 89%
| Defamation (2009) | "
Yoav Shamir's documentary Defamation takes on such an explosive topic that the director only gradually reveals the film's real subject." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Nov 19, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 60%
| Art & Copy (2009) | "
Pray inserts facts that are eye-popping (the food industry spends $34 billion annually on ads) and alarming (every year, the average child sees 20,000 TV commercials)." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Nov 12, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 87%
| Skin (2009) | "
Director Anthony Fabian lets the story sell itself, and it does so partly on the strength of the lead performance by Sophie Okonedo." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 100%
| Visual Acoustics: The Modernisms of Julius Shulman (2009) | "
The Shulman we see is a man of sharp humor, with an ego to match some of the architects he worked for. He's been slowed down by time, but relishes all the attention lavished on him as a living master." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Nov 5, 2009 |
Rotten 1/4
| Fresh 78%
| Bronson (2009) | "
He's spent 34 years behind bars, mostly in solitary. When the movie ends, you'll feel you've done hard time yourself." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Oct 30, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 70%
| Chelsea on the Rocks (2009) | "
This is Ferrara's first documentary since 1977, and it has the crackbrained air of menace and the ferocious humor that mark his fictional works." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Oct 9, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 93%
| The Wedding Song (2009) | "
The girls' intense friendship, their hopes of love, and their attempt to overcome the crushing obstacles of cultural differences and racist politics, are the heart of Albou's concern." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Oct 9, 2009 |
Rotten 1/4
| Rotten 0%
| A Beautiful Life (2009) | "
A Beautiful Life is nicely shot and features some appealing actors, and that's about it for the good news. The bad news is that the characters and situations are platitudes and the story is so heavy-handed that the film is hard to sit through." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Oct 2, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 95%
| Crude (2009) | "
No film could convey all the complexities of the case -- what Crude does is air the plaintiffs' claims and show the lawyers at work." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Sep 25, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 88%
| Amreeka (2009) | "
This could be rough going, but Cherien Dabis' Amreeka tells this immigrants' tale with some humor and only a dash of political correctness." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 71%
| White on Rice (2009) | "
A cockeyed tale about a Japanese nebbish in suburban America, White on Rice will wring some laughs out of anyone but the most humor-impaired." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 81%
| Beeswax (2009) | "
There are viewers and critics who simply can't abide mumblecore. But give this movie a chance: Bujalski has a serious talent for finding resonance in the mundane." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Sep 11, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 67%
| Bliss (2007) | "
Director Abdullah Oguz gives us lots of nice scenery, but the simplistic story and characters strain credibility. What's more, the climactic plot turn is as hokey as it gets." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Sep 4, 2009 |
Fresh 4/4
| Fresh 100%
| Still Walking (2009) | "
The director has said that, though the story was inspired by the deaths of his parents, he hoped to make a film "brimming with life." He's succeeded." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Sep 4, 2009 |
Fresh 4/4
| Fresh 96%
| Somers Town (2009) | "
Somers Town is a small-scale jewel that will surprise you with its buoyant look at blighted lives." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Aug 28, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| N/A | Ocean of Pearls (2009) | "
It sounds heavy-handed, and it is. Although the film looks professional, it feels like a soap opera with a message. High marks for good intentions, but that's about all." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Aug 21, 2009 |
Fresh 4/4
| Fresh 85%
| Flame & Citron (2008) | "
Flame & Citron examines the moral shadings of the Danish resistance during World War II without turning into a revisionist bore." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Aug 21, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 50%
| Kassim the Dream (2009) | "
While it tells a remarkable and disturbing story, you may come away with a nagging sense that Kassim the Dream only skims the surface." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Aug 7, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 82%
| Thirst (2009) | "
Thirst's excesses will entertain some viewers, but if you want coherence, look elsewhere." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jul 31, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 84%
| Captain Abu Raed (2008) | "
It's a simple story told with dignity and aiming for universal relevance." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jul 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 96%
| Burma VJ (2009) | "
Burma VJ documents the work of such courageous journalists, who, at the risk of imprisonment or worse, film antigovernment activities using small consumer cameras." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jul 17, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 66%
| Dead Snow (2009) | "
This splatter film is set in Norway, but rest assured, it sticks with the formula." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jul 17, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 62%
| Eldorado (2008) | "
Eldorado was named best European film in the directors' fortnight last year at Cannes." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jul 3, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 89%
| Wise Blood (1979) |
Click here to read article — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jun 30, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 78%
| Three Monkeys (2009) | "
There are enough ponderous moments that you may find yourself resisting the heavy mood." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jun 26, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 80%
| Unmistaken Child (2009) | "
A compelling documentary about events that followed the 2001 death of the revered Tibetan master Geshe Lama Kochog." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jun 26, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 96%
| Herb & Dorothy (2009) | "
This easygoing movie fully captures the couple's charm and offers a unique look at the '60s and '70s New York art scene." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jun 19, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 94%
| Munyurangabo (2009) | "
Munyurangabo, a simple, naturalistic parable about a journey to the countryside by two young men, reflects on the chances of peace and reconciliation for survivors of Rwanda's bloody recent past." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jun 12, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 97%
| The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) |
Click here to read article — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Jun 9, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 81%
| Departures (2009) | "
The film is far from perfect but has enough going on to compensate for its excessive length and some sentimentality." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted May 29, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 89%
| O'Horten (2009) | "
Strangeness, humor and melancholy of aging are deftly explored." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted May 22, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 92%
| The Lemon Tree (2008) | "
The story, based on a real incident, may be simplistic, but that's the nature of fables. The direction is sure-handed, and the acting is good, particularly by the very appealing Abbass." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted May 8, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 24%
| Little Ashes (2009) | "
Director Paul Morrison nicely re-creates the period, but puts too much weight on the sexual relationship as determining the men's artistic courses." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted May 8, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 56%
| Enlighten Up! (2009) | "
The breezy title of this engaging documentary suggests that it isn't going to solve the big questions of life, but will at least treat its subject -- yoga in its many forms from the sublime to the utterly absurd -- with humor and an open spirit." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted May 1, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 66%
| Is Anybody There? (2009) | "
Is Anybody There?, about an aging magician's friendship with a morose boy, requires us to repress any thoughts about stale material and keep Caine's heartfelt performance front and center." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Apr 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 90%
| The Black Balloon (2008) | "
The film's vision is neither a grim wallow nor falsely cheerful. It's compassionate but unblinking, and in the end we can't help but admire the genuine strength of how its characters accept their special challenge." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Apr 17, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 58%
| Skills Like This (2009) | "
Overall, it's less clever than [director] Miranda seems to think." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Apr 10, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 63%
| Theater of War (2008) | "
For theater lovers in general, this documentary -- a look at a high-powered production of a modern classic and a chance to watch Meryl Streep build a character -- is intriguing and educational. For partisans of Bertolt Brecht, it's mandatory." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Apr 3, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 42%
| The Robe (1953) |
Click here to read article — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Mar 31, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 80%
| Audience Of One (2009) | "
Entertaining in a one-dimensional way, but ultimately rather sad, partly because of the level of delusion on display and partly because Gazowsky and company are an easy target." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Mar 27, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 72%
| The Great Buck Howard (2009) | "
[Director] McGinly, working with a modest budget, balances the film's sense of mockery with its more somber moments and doesn't allow the story's considerable nostalgia and sentimentality to overwhelm it." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Mar 20, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 89%
| Everlasting Moments (2009) | "
This is artful filmmaking of the old school." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Mar 13, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 96%
| Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) |
Click here to read article — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Mar 11, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| N/A | Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes (2009) | "
An amiable portrait of this somewhat enigmatic radio performer." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 27, 2009 |
Fresh 4/4
| Fresh 91%
| Gomorrah (2009) | "
What the director has created is a ferocious portrait of total corruption." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 27, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 74%
| Just Another Love Story (2009) | "
You can see this Danish offering as a sardonic update of familiar noir material, or simply as the story of the midlife crisis of a guy who wishes -- or dreams, or dreads -- that he's living out a grand drama. There are pleasures to be had either way." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 20, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 81%
| Owl and the Sparrow (2008) | "
The principal actors all do a nice job, but a special commendation goes to young Han, a Saigon resident with some experience onstage." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 13, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 83%
| Heart of Fire (2008) | "
While unsubtle, this German-Austrian drama about the use of child soldiers is worth seeing for a remarkable performance by its 10-year-old lead actress." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 6, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 94%
| 2009 Academy-Award Nominated Short Films (2009) | "
In this year's crop of Oscar-nominated shorts, the animated category beats the live-action offerings." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 6, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 60%
| Happy Tears (2009) | "
In this year's crop of Oscar-nominated shorts, the animated category beats the live-action offerings." — San Francisco Chronicle Posted Feb 6, 2009 |
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