Small Screen Berkeley: Four new documentaries worth watching
One looks at the efforts of former Nazis to âderadicalizeâ their Aryan brothers. Two focus on the lives of famous men: Chuck Berry and Oliver Sacks.
John Seal
John Seal is Berkeleysideâs 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 Movieâs Videoscope, an old-fashioned paper magazine, published quarterly. He also writes regular film reviews for IMDB, which can be read here.
Articles by John
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Small Screen Berkeley: Bruce Dern and Lena Olin shine in ‘The Artist’s Wife’
Bruce Dern and Lena Olin give terrific performances in a film about decline and dementia; while ‘Native Sun, long unseen, is now restored and available to stream.
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Feels Good Man’ & ‘The Hole’
Artist Matt Furie created Pepe the Frog character in 2005. A new movie traces how Pepe became an icon for white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and other assorted fascists.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Suspension’, ‘Stuff and Dough’ and ‘Niki and Flo’
A movie about bridge construction could be as interesting as watching paint dry. In the case of ‘Suspension,’ it’s not. Plus: Catch up on PFAâs 21st-century Romanian cinema.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘San Francisco Docfest 2020’
There are a slew of fascinating documentaries in this virtual film festival, including one on an American-style suburban development in China and another on the last Blockbuster video store in the U.S.
Small Screen Berkeley: As host of TV’s ‘Soul!,’ Ellis Haizlip brought Black culture to Black Americans
‘Mr. Soul’ tells the story of Ellis Haizlip, a New York City-based dance producer and stage manager who hosted the extraordinary TV series âSoul!â between 1968 and 1973.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘The Prey’ and ‘Boys State’
In Vithaya Pansringarm, ‘The Prey’ may have found our next James Bond supervillain; while ‘Boys State’ provides us with everything we hope for from politics â and everything we fear.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘My Dog Stupid’, ‘Coup 53’ and ‘Apocalypse ’45’
A “monstrous mutt” delivers in a wry and amusing French film; the best investigative documentary since last yearâs ‘Cold Case Hammarskjold;’ and a must-see for WWII buffs.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘CREEM’, ‘A Thousand Cuts’ and ‘Sunless Shadows’
A labor of love, ‘CREEM’ is an entertaining tribute to an irreverent (and sometimes rather rude) magazine. ‘A Thousand Cuts’ is a much more sombre affair while ‘Sunless Shadows’ is worthwhile.
‘Bloody Nose Empty Pockets’, ‘The Great Communist Bank Robbery’ and ‘Down and Out in America’
A compelling bar-set feature is the best film of the year so fa; and BAMPFA continues to offer worthwhile rarities through its Watch From Home program.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Truth to Power’, ‘Madeline Anderson’ and ‘The 11th Green’
A documentary about our very own Congresswoman, a selection of Madeline Anderson short subjects at PFA, and a film that just might have you slapping your forehead in disbelief.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Guest of Honour’, ‘Where Sleeping Dogs Lie’ and ‘Joan of Arc’
Atom Egoyanâs ‘Guest of Honour’ gives David Thewlis the sort of meaty lead role he hasnât had in years; while ‘Where Sleeping Dogs Lie’ distracts and ‘Jeanne’ puzzles.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘John Lewis: Good Trouble’, ‘King: A Filmed Record’ and ‘Cupid in Quarantine’
The life of the Alabama farm boy who went from preaching to chickens to being a liberal hero; the story of Dr. King; and 10 minutes on smallpox.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Miss Juneteenth’, ‘The Last Tree’ and ‘Quarantine Cat Film Festival’
‘Miss Juneteenth,’ a compelling tale of multi-generational family conflict, is a perfect companion piece to ‘The Last Tree.’ Also: kitty antics for cat people.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘You Don’t Nomi’
If youâve ever been mesmerized by the atrocious piece of cinematic swill that is ‘Showgirls,’ you really do need to see ‘You Donât Nomi.’
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Sometimes Always Never,’ ‘The Black Panthers’ and ‘Too Late for Tears’
An intelligently written and heartwarming comedy-drama starring Bill Nighy. Also recommended: two great films available for free.
