Reviewed: ‘I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking)’
The often harsh realities of pandemic life balanced with a bracing shot of old-fashioned California ‘can-do’ optimism result in a prize-worthy movie. Screen it before Sunday.
John Seal
Freelancer 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.
Articles by John
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Reviewed: Highlights from the San Francisco International Film Festival
A well-deserved and clear-eyed tribute to a one-of-a-kind punk rock pioneer, a journey back to the ‘video nasty’ era and an impressive debut feature with a nod to Aki Kaurismäki.
Reviewed: Oscar-nominated short films 2021
There are eight animated and five live-action shorts vying for an Academy award this year. Which one will win?
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘The Father’ and ‘The Mole Agent’
83-year-old Anthony Hopkins delivers one of the best performances of the year in ‘The Father,’ while another octogenarian, Sergio Chamy, shines in ‘The Mole Agent’ documentary.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Wojnarowicz’ and ‘FTA’
Reviewed: A fantastic documentary and worthy tribute to the artist David Wojnarowicz; and the story of Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and others touring US military bases in 1971.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘76 Days’ and ‘The Inheritance’
Reviewed: ’76 Days’ provides a stirring tribute to Wuhan’s medical workers, while ‘The Inheritance’ is a salute to youthful idealism.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Test Pattern’, ‘Keep An Eye Out’ and ‘My Darling Supermarket’
A thought provoking first-time feature, a defiantly unconventional police procedural, and behind the scenes at a Brazilian grocery store.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Dear Comrades!’ and ’17 Blocks’
Reviewed: ‘Dear Comrades!’ parallels recent events in the United States, while ’17 Blocks’ follows the life of one DC family over 20 years.
Here are some treats from SF Indiefest 2021, streaming through Feb. 21
If you haven’t already checked out the excellent ‘Small Time,’ you still have another week — but the festival has other great movies to watch too.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘A Glitch in the Matrix,’ ‘Small Time’ and ‘Notturno’
While not perfect, ‘A Glitch in the Matrix’ is thought-provoking; ‘Small Time’ is a journey worth taking; while fans of Gianfranco Rosi will want to check out ‘Notturno.’
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Identifying Features’ and ‘Mayor’
Reviewed: There’s no time for the sentimental in ‘Identifying Features,’ a good film with a great score; while ‘Mayor’ tells the story of the popular mayor of Ramallah, Musa Hadi.
Reviewed: ‘Some Kind of Heaven’, ‘Acasa My Home’, and ‘I Blame Society’
A documentary about ‘America’s Friendliest Hometown’ and one about a family of hunter-gatherers living next to a major European metropolis. Plus: a dash of black comedy.
Small Screen Berkeley: Favorite Films of 2020 and ‘Through the Night’
Here are the films that made the greatest impression on Berkeleyside movie writer John Seal in a year when cinema provided a much-needed distraction.
Small Screen Berkeley: Another Hole in the Head Film Festival and ‘Crock of Gold’
Several festival recommendations, including an excellent 21st-century spin of ‘The Turn of the Screw’ and “Murder Bury Win’ which was shot in Berkeley, El Cerrito and Mendocino.
Small Screen Berkeley: ‘Zappa’ and ‘Flowers of Shanghai’
Watch a documentary about Frank Zappa produced by his son or a Taiwanese period piece that feels like soaking in a warm bubble bath.
