Movies and TV

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

 

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

 

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

 

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)
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>