Movies and TV

“Gunda” is director Victor Kossakovsky’s moving film about a pig on a Norwegian farm.<ins> (Courtesy Neon)</ins>

Two enlightening docs: ‘Gunda,’ ‘The Last Animals’

Films show how humans wreak havoc in natural world

 

The often great Morgan Freeman, seemingly inexplicably, stars in “Vanquish.” <ins>(Courtesy Lionsgate)</ins>

Action flick ‘Vanquish’ is bafflingly awful

Morgan Freeman-Ruby Rose vehicle might be worth viewing for a laugh

 

“Occupy The Farm,” premiering on PBS on April 20, details efforts of activist urban farmers in the East Bay.<ins> Johnson)</ins>

Urban farming activism a timely theme in ‘Occupy The Farm’

Issues in 2014 doc about contested UC Berkeley land relevant today

 

Keith Zwölfer, director of education for SFFILM, stays busy connecting filmmakers and studios with public, private and home schools<ins>. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner) </ins>

Streamlined SF film festival focuses on family features

SFFILM Director of Education Keith Zwölfer finds movies that appeal to kids

Keith Zwölfer, director of education for SFFILM, stays busy connecting filmmakers and studios with public, private and home schools<ins>. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner) </ins>
Noée Abita is excellent as a competitive teen skier who is sexually abused by her coach in “Slalom.” (Courtesy Kino Lorber)

‘Slalom’ a vivid psychodrama for the #MeToo era

Syrian refugee crisis meets Western art market in ‘Man Who Sold His Skin’

Noée Abita is excellent as a competitive teen skier who is sexually abused by her coach in “Slalom.” (Courtesy Kino Lorber)
A shot of a pole fisherman in Sri Lanka is among many striking images in “Awaken,” a film by Tom Lowe. ( (Courtesy DUST)

Life savor: Beautiful ‘Awaken’ meditates on human beings and life on earth

“Awaken,” debuting Friday on major Video On Demand platforms, is the latest…

A shot of a pole fisherman in Sri Lanka is among many striking images in “Awaken,” a film by Tom Lowe. ( (Courtesy DUST)
John Boyega stars in “Naked Singularlity,” the opening presentation of the 2021 SFFILM Film Festival.<ins> (Courtesy SFFILM)</ins>

2021 SFFILM Festival is online and at the drive-in

Program offers 103 films, including 42 features and 13 premieres, from 41 countries

John Boyega stars in “Naked Singularlity,” the opening presentation of the 2021 SFFILM Film Festival.<ins> (Courtesy SFFILM)</ins>
Oscar Isaac appears in “The Letter Room,” a 2020 short drama directed by Elvira Lind. (Courtesy ShortsTV)

Oscar-nominated short films online and in theaters

Live-action lineup, with three U.S. entries, particularly strong

Oscar Isaac appears in “The Letter Room,” a 2020 short drama directed by Elvira Lind. (Courtesy ShortsTV)
Michelle Pfeiffer is terrific as a quirky socialite in “French Exit.” <ins>(Courtesy Lou Scamble/Sony Pictures Classics)</ins>

Michelle Pfeiffer shines in uneven ‘French Exit’

Eccentricity overwhelms what could be effective social satire

Michelle Pfeiffer is terrific as a quirky socialite in “French Exit.” <ins>(Courtesy Lou Scamble/Sony Pictures Classics)</ins>
Godzilla battles Kong in in the fun action-adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong.” (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

Smash of the titans: ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

Dumb and fun flick delivers everything you want from a giant monster movie

Godzilla battles Kong in in the fun action-adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong.” (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Angelo Gagliardi appears in “The Truffle Hunters,” a feel-good documentary about the passion of some old Italian villagers. (Courtesy Michael Dweck and Gregory Kersha/Sony Pictures Classics)

‘Truffle Hunters’ an uplifting film about men and dogs

‘Father’ a fascinating exploration of dementia

Angelo Gagliardi appears in “The Truffle Hunters,” a feel-good documentary about the passion of some old Italian villagers. (Courtesy Michael Dweck and Gregory Kersha/Sony Pictures Classics)
Bob Odenkirk is an appealing regular-guy action hero in “Nobody.” Courtesy Universal

Bob Odenkirk makes ‘Nobody’ a human story

Everyman hero appeals in adrenaline-fueled film by Ilya Naishuller

Bob Odenkirk is an appealing regular-guy action hero in “Nobody.” Courtesy Universal
Neo-soul singer-songwriter Celeste has been nominated for an Oscar for “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” <ins>(Courtesy Sophie Jones)</ins>

Celeste’s impressive recording debut earns Oscar nod

Singer’s appealing retro-R&B attracts notice of A-listers and more

Neo-soul singer-songwriter Celeste has been nominated for an Oscar for “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” <ins>(Courtesy Sophie Jones)</ins>
Cinequest’s closing Spotlight event includes a conversation with the Bay Area-based directors of “Boys State,” a documentary about teens tasked with creating a government under a program sponsored by the American Legion. (Courtesy A24)

Cinequest offers spotlight screenings with filmmaker chats

South Bay film-VR fest offers dozens of movies and special programs

Cinequest’s closing Spotlight event includes a conversation with the Bay Area-based directors of “Boys State,” a documentary about teens tasked with creating a government under a program sponsored by the American Legion. (Courtesy A24)
“Martha: A Picture Story,” joyously showcases photographer Martha Cooper and her affinity for street art. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>

‘Martha: A Picture Story’ celebrates street art

‘Groomed’ an in-depth look at how child abusers work

“Martha: A Picture Story,” joyously showcases photographer Martha Cooper and her affinity for street art. <ins>(Courtesy photo)</ins>
Merab Ninidze, left, and Benedict Cumberbatch star in “The Courier.” (Courtesy Liam Daniel/Roadside Attractions)

Cumberbatch, powerful story make ‘Courier’ worth seeing

But pace is slow, and female characters lack substance

Merab Ninidze, left, and Benedict Cumberbatch star in “The Courier.” (Courtesy Liam Daniel/Roadside Attractions)
Gary Oldman has been nominated for an Oscar for best actor in David Fincher’s “Mank,” which leads the pack with 10 nominations. (Courtesy Netflix)

2021 Oscar nominations: ‘Mank,’ ‘Nomadland’ and ‘Minari’ among best picture nominees

Notable nods go to Netflix and Amazon Studios

Gary Oldman has been nominated for an Oscar for best actor in David Fincher’s “Mank,” which leads the pack with 10 nominations. (Courtesy Netflix)
Jasna Đuričić gives a sensational lead performance in “Quo Vadis, Aida?” (Courtesy Neon)

‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ vividly looks at 1995 Bosnian massacre

Black heritage, culture shine in ‘The Inheritance’

Jasna Đuričić gives a sensational lead performance in “Quo Vadis, Aida?” (Courtesy Neon)
Ciara Bravo and Tom Holland make the most of their roles in “Cherry.” <ins> (Courtesy Apple TV+)</ins>

‘Avengers’ directors can’t make ‘Cherry’ genuine

Rollercoaster ride of a film leaves viewers without feeling

Ciara Bravo and Tom Holland make the most of their roles in “Cherry.” <ins> (Courtesy Apple TV+)</ins>
Colman Domingo is special guest at the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2021 virtual fundraiser on March 13. Courtesy Danny Clinch

Colman Domingo recalls inspirational years in The City

Screen and stage actor, director, producer and writer joins SF Mime Troupe benefit

Colman Domingo is special guest at the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2021 virtual fundraiser on March 13. Courtesy Danny Clinch