“Live From New York!” Movie Review by Daniel Barnes

Live From New York! (2015; Bao Nguyen) GRADE: C By Daniel Barnes WIFE: It’s a revolution! HUSBAND: It’s an institution! WIFE: It’s a revolution! HUSBAND: It’s an institution! WIFE: It’s a revolution, I’m telling you! HUSBAND: It’s an institution, you cow! SPOKESMAN: Hey, calm down, you two. Saturday […]

“When Marnie Was There” Movie Review by Daniel Barnes

When Marnie Was There (2015; Hiromasa Yonebayashi) GRADE: B+ By Daniel Barnes Hand-drawn animation stalwarts Studio Ghibli shut down production late August following the retirement of guiding light Hiyao Miyazaki.  Therefore, When Marnie Was There may be the last feature film we see under the Ghibli label in […]

“Results” Movie Review by Daniel Barnes

Results (2015; Andrew Bujalski) GRADE: B+ By Daniel Barnes *Opens Friday at Embarcadero Center Cinemas in San Francisco, Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, and Nickelodeon Theatres in Santa Cruz.  The film is currently available on VOD. A Sundance-era “that […]

Festival #9 Wrap-Up/Awards

By Daniel Barnes and Mike Dub DANIEL: First of all, Dub, I want to thank you for honoring my “no flats” policy for this festival wrap-up – I feel like the Palme d’Or calls for a little old-school glamour.  As I wrote in my review of When Father […]

“When Father Was Away on Business” Movie Review By Daniel Barnes

When Father Was Away on Business (1985; Emir Kusturica) GRADE: B By Daniel Barnes If you look at the recent history of the Cannes Film Festival, it’s pretty clear that for all of their emphasis on unique cinematic voices, there is a certain type of film that tends […]

“Jauja” Movie Review by Daniel Barnes

Jauja (2015; Lisandro Alonso) GRADE: B- By Daniel Barnes More adventures in aspect ratios.  Mommy director Xavier Dolan, Argentinean auteur Lisandro Alonso sees your 1:1 frame and raises you the rounded corners and stiff compositions of a 19th-century photograph. Viggo Mortensen stars as Gunnar Denisen, a Danish surveyor […]