Movies and TV

Felix Lefebvre, left, and Benjamin Voisin give evocative lead performances in “Summer fof 85.” (Courtesy Music Box Films)

‘Summer of 85’ a French heartbreaker, Moreno shines in ‘Just a Girl’

Movies are opening in-person, in theaters

 

“Luca” is said to be inspired by director Enrico Casarosa’s childhood in Italy. (Courtesy Disney/Pixar)

Monster splash: Pixar’s ‘Luca’ is sunny and funny

It’s a pleasant summer flick, not a profound masterpiece

 

Russell, left, and Ron Mael are the subjects of Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers.” (Courtesy Anna Webber/Focus Features)

Sparks Brothers get their due at last

Edgar Wright’s documentary is a fun tribute to under-appeciated rock pioneers

 

Niamh Algar is excellent in the fascinating horror flick “Censor.” (Courtesy Maria Lax/Magnolia Releasing)

‘Censor’ intriguingly blends fantasy and reality

Objectivity of photography challenged in ‘All Light, Everywhere’

Niamh Algar is excellent in the fascinating horror flick “Censor.” (Courtesy Maria Lax/Magnolia Releasing)
Alison Bechdel of “Dykes to Watch Out For” is among the artists featured in “No Straight Lines.”<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

‘No Straight Lines’ details history of queer comics

Frameline45 hosts dozens of LGBTQ+ films online, in theaters

Alison Bechdel of “Dykes to Watch Out For” is among the artists featured in “No Straight Lines.”<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
The uplifting “In The Heights,” based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2005 stage musical, celebrates life in Washington Heights, N.Y. (Courtesy Warner Bros.)

Lin & tonic: Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ hits the big screen exuberantly

Film version of B’way hit is everything a movie musical should be

The uplifting “In The Heights,” based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2005 stage musical, celebrates life in Washington Heights, N.Y. (Courtesy Warner Bros.)
Alma Pöysti portrays Finnish artist Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomin cartoon characters, in “Tove.” (Courtesy Sami Kuokkanen)

‘Tove’ lovingly illustrates life of Finnish cartoon artist

Transgender teens take spotlight in ‘Changing the Game’

Alma Pöysti portrays Finnish artist Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomin cartoon characters, in “Tove.” (Courtesy Sami Kuokkanen)
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as the beloved Warrens in the third “Conjuring” movie. <ins>(Courtesy Warner Bros.)</ins>

Third ‘Conjuring’ shows signs of demonic fatigue

New director revisits the Warrens in slightly tired sequel

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as the beloved Warrens in the third “Conjuring” movie. <ins>(Courtesy Warner Bros.)</ins>
Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for her role in “Minari.” <ins>(Courtesy A24)</ins>

Three distinct flavors of Asian tragedy: ‘Minari,’ ‘Bitter Melon,’ ‘The Valley’

Contemporary films exemplify diverse, complex experiences

Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for her role in “Minari.” <ins>(Courtesy A24)</ins>
Emma Stone is an appealing anti-heroine in “Cruella.” Courtesy Disney

Fun plot, inspired mayhem in live-action Cruella

‘Port Authority’ celebrates self-expression, nontraditional families

Emma Stone is an appealing anti-heroine in “Cruella.” Courtesy Disney
From left, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds and Emily Blunt appear in “A Quiet Place Part II.” <ins>(Courtesy Paramount)</ins>

Hush life: ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ a solid sequel

Impeccably made film has indelible pandemic-era images

From left, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds and Emily Blunt appear in “A Quiet Place Part II.” <ins>(Courtesy Paramount)</ins>
Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

‘Keeper of the Fire’ matches words with images

Filmmaker Lou Dematteis sheds light on poet Alejandro Murguía

Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Toni Collette and Owen Teale star in “Dream Horse,” a charming tale set in Wales. <ins>(Courtesy Kerry Brown/Bleecker Street/Topic Studios)</ins>

‘Dream Horse’ a charming if predictable racing tale

Nazis recall Hitler’s regime in ‘Final Account’

Toni Collette and Owen Teale star in “Dream Horse,” a charming tale set in Wales. <ins>(Courtesy Kerry Brown/Bleecker Street/Topic Studios)</ins>
Suki Waterhouse is good in “Seance,” the debut feature by writer-director Simon Barrett. (Courtesy RLJE Films)

Director Simon Barrett debuts with scary, atmospheric ‘Seance’

Horror flick nods to Italian cinema and plays cleverly on genre motifs

Suki Waterhouse is good in “Seance,” the debut feature by writer-director Simon Barrett. (Courtesy RLJE Films)
Emma Stone plays the title character in the live-action “Cruella.” (Courtesy Laurie Sparham/Disney)

Back to the big screen: Summer Movie Preview

A brief look at the most promising of 2021’s offerings

Emma Stone plays the title character in the live-action “Cruella.” (Courtesy Laurie Sparham/Disney)
Amy Adams is excellent in the psychological thriller “The Woman in the Window.” (Courtesy Netflix)

Pane killer: ‘Woman in the Window’ a well-executed thriller

Joe Wright’s latest is conventional yet beautifully acted

Amy Adams is excellent in the psychological thriller “The Woman in the Window.” (Courtesy Netflix)
Mads Mikkelsen and Andrea Heick Gadeberg appear in “Riders of Justice.” <ins>(Courtesy Rolf Konow/ Magnet Releasing)</ins>

‘Riders of Justice’ is more than a revenge movie

‘Killing of Two Lovers’ a small but searing psycho-thriller

Mads Mikkelsen and Andrea Heick Gadeberg appear in “Riders of Justice.” <ins>(Courtesy Rolf Konow/ Magnet Releasing)</ins>
Filmmaker Will J. Zang’s four-minute hybrid documentary “The Leaf” is part of CAAMFest’s Out/Here Shorts program focusing on LGBTQ+ stories. (Courtesy Will J. Zang)

Gay Chinese filmmaker Will Zang has a dilemma in ‘The Leaf’

CAAMFest screenings reflect diverse Asian and Asian-American experiences

Filmmaker Will J. Zang’s four-minute hybrid documentary “The Leaf” is part of CAAMFest’s Out/Here Shorts program focusing on LGBTQ+ stories. (Courtesy Will J. Zang)
The new film adaptation of “In The Heights” is in the lineup of 2021 San Francisco Pride festivities. (Courtesy Warner Bros.)

Frameline, SF Pride screen ‘In The Heights’

Ballpark film event features adaptation of Tony-winning musical

The new film adaptation of “In The Heights” is in the lineup of 2021 San Francisco Pride festivities. (Courtesy Warner Bros.)
Front, from left, Ehud Barak, Bill Clinton and Yasser Arafat are pictured at Camp David in July 2000 in “The Human Factor.”<ins> (Courtesy William J. Clinton Presidential Library/Sony Pictures Classics)</ins>

‘Human Factor’ goes behind the scenes of Middle East peace talks

Ambassadors who were there tell stories in appealing wonky documentary

Front, from left, Ehud Barak, Bill Clinton and Yasser Arafat are pictured at Camp David in July 2000 in “The Human Factor.”<ins> (Courtesy William J. Clinton Presidential Library/Sony Pictures Classics)</ins>