Big Screen Berkeley: ‘People’s Republic of Desire’
This documentary from China explores the fascinating — and disturbing — world of "live streaming hosts," who build an audience and make money by singing and dancing online.
John Seal is Berkeleyside’s film critic. A movie connoisseur with a penchant for natty hats who lives in Oakland, John writes a weekly film recommendation column at Box Office Prophets, as well as a column in The Phantom of the Movie’s Videoscope, an old-fashioned paper magazine, published quarterly. He also writes regular film reviews for IMDB, which can be read here.
Big Screen Berkeley: The films of Jiří Trnka
Admirers of George Pal’s 'Puppetoons' or the holiday classics of Rankin-Bass will want to check out this Czech animator’s films, screening as a series of five at BAMPFA. Even if you're not, you're in for a treat.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Shoplifters’, ‘Hale County This Morning This Evening’
Two films: One about a collective of lost souls and abandoned children living happily but precariously on the outskirts of legality; the other follows two young African-American men in the rural South over several years.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘El Angel’
One of the better recent crime films concludes with an army of police closing in on its prey. Our protagonist worries not: he’ll meet it with a song in his heart, a spring in his step and bullets in his gun.
Big Screen Berkeley: The films of Jean Vigo
You owe it to yourself to see the immaculate restorations of 'Zéro de conduite' (1933) and 'L’Atalante' (1934), both screening at BAMPFA as part of its 'Jean Vigo Regained’ series.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Life and Nothing More’, ‘The War at Home’
A film set in Florida in the months before and after the 2016 Presidential election relates the struggles of a working-class family portrayed by an all-amateur cast; plus anti-war protests in 1963
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘The Guilty’, ‘Zama’ and ‘Prairie Trilogy’
For your viewing pleasure: Inside a Danish emergency call center, a man trying to escape the plague-ridden Paraguayan backwater, and the history of American socialism told by a nonagenarian farmer.
Big Screen Berkeley: Mill Valley Film Festival
There’s plenty to recommend during week two of the film festival across the bay that continues through Oct. 14.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘306 Hollywood’ and ‘The Goddess’
'306 Hollywood,' which documents a life through a home, is a pretty sweet treat; while the silent Chinese film 'The Goddess' has bonus features on offer.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Bisbee ’17’ and ‘Bad Reputation’
Don't miss a one-night-only documentary on the rocker, Joan Jett, playing Wednesday, or a documentary on an egregious 1917 crackdown on Arizona miners.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Lizzie’
An 80-year-old unsolved double murder from 1892 gets a new cinematic outing in this quiet, decent film.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘The Devil’s Eye’ and a cat film festival
A lighthearted Ingmar Bergman film — who knew? And if you're a fan of felines, you'll want to check out the First Annual New York Cat Film Festival Thursday.
