Movies and TV

Awkwafina and Simu Liu play San Franciscans who work at the Fairmont Hotel in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”<ins> (Courtesy Jasin Boland/Marvel Studios)</ins>

Marvel movie’s running ‘Rings’ around town

Asian superhero flick ‘Shang-Chi’ has exciting scenes in The City

 

John Peltz Presmont, also known as “Bro Jud,” founded Kerista in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)

Breaking down an S.F. commune in ‘Far Out West’

Engaging doc asks: Was Kerista a cult?

 

U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, beloved by her progressive East Bay constituents, is the subject of a new documentary. (Courtesy photo)

Barbara Lee comes out of her shell for ‘Truth to Power’

East Bay congresswoman shares stories in inspirational documentary

 

Denilson Garibo, a student member of the Oakland school board, is in the spotlight in “Homeroom.” (Courtesy Hulu)

School gaze: Documentarian faced devastating challenges making ‘Homeroom’

Peter Nicks completes film in wake of daughter’s death, COVID

Denilson Garibo, a student member of the Oakland school board, is in the spotlight in “Homeroom.” (Courtesy Hulu)
The band Retrovirus is among Lydia Lunch’s 21st century projects. (Courtesy Kathleen Fox)

For provocateur Lydia Lunch, the war is never over

Punk, performance art legend appears af SF screening of doc about her life

The band Retrovirus is among Lydia Lunch’s 21st century projects. (Courtesy Kathleen Fox)
Lucy Walker’s documentary “Bring Your Own Brigade” covers the complexities of California’s biggest wildfires. (Courtesy CBS Films)

‘Bring Your Own Brigade’ examines why California wildfires are intensifying

Experts describe how deadliest blazes occurred, and what could be done so they won’t happen again

Lucy Walker’s documentary “Bring Your Own Brigade” covers the complexities of California’s biggest wildfires. (Courtesy CBS Films)
Ali Suliman plays a West Bank man who struggles to stay in contact with his family members, who live on the Israeli side of the border wall, in “200 Meters,” which streams in the 41st San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. (Courtesy Alaa Ali Abdallah)

41st SF Jewish film fest screens at Castro and online

Dozens of movies from around the world reflect varied experiences, views

Ali Suliman plays a West Bank man who struggles to stay in contact with his family members, who live on the Israeli side of the border wall, in “200 Meters,” which streams in the 41st San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. (Courtesy Alaa Ali Abdallah)
The hallway in the Regal Stonestown Galleria movie complex feels almost like something from the set of a music video. (Jeffrey M. Anderson/Special to The Examiner)

Big-screen scene is Regal at Stonestown

New 12-auditorium theater brings back movies the right way

The hallway in the Regal Stonestown Galleria movie complex feels almost like something from the set of a music video. (Jeffrey M. Anderson/Special to The Examiner)
Hadleigh Adams portrays Doug Hansen in the graphic novel opera “Everest.” (Courtesy Mark Simmons)

Opera gets animated on film in ‘Everest’

Opera Parallèle debuts ‘graphic novel opera’ about 1996 climbing tragedy

Hadleigh Adams portrays Doug Hansen in the graphic novel opera “Everest.” (Courtesy Mark Simmons)
Mavis Staples, left, and Mahalia Jackson sing in a show-stopping moment in “Summer of Soul.” (Courtesy Searchlight Pictures)

‘Summer of Soul’ gives forgotten music fest recognition it deserves

1969 concerts in Harlem were the ‘Ultimate Black barbecue’

Mavis Staples, left, and Mahalia Jackson sing in a show-stopping moment in “Summer of Soul.” (Courtesy Searchlight Pictures)
Taylour Paige plays the title character in “Zola.” (Courtesy A24)

Trick or tweet: ‘Zola’ a zany story based on a social media thread

Meta movie explores the nature of 21st century storytelling

Taylour Paige plays the title character in “Zola.” (Courtesy A24)
Sam Richardson is terrific as an appealingly decent ranger in the horror-thriller-comedy “Werewolves Within.” (Courtesy Sabrina Lantos/IFC)

Nice guy, a few laughs in ‘Werewolves Within’

‘Truman and Tennessee’ a visual scrapbook about literary stars

Sam Richardson is terrific as an appealingly decent ranger in the horror-thriller-comedy “Werewolves Within.” (Courtesy Sabrina Lantos/IFC)
Vin Diesel, left, is joined by John Cena in “F9,” to unimpressive effect. (Courtesy Universal)

‘F9’: Fallen from chase

Despite slick stunts, ninth ‘Fast and Furious’ flick requires big forgiveness

Vin Diesel, left, is joined by John Cena in “F9,” to unimpressive effect. (Courtesy Universal)
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

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

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

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