|
4/4
|
75%
|
Stake Land (2011) |
"
"Stake Land" bursts with action, ideas and interesting characters."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Apr 28, 2011
|
|
4/4
|
94%
|
The Damned United (2009) |
"
Like a tense World Cup match, there's a lack of scoring, but it is still riveting."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 23, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
Ponyo (2009) |
"
The 68-year-old filmmaker shows that he's at the peak of his skills, both as a visual artist and a storyteller."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 14, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
89%
|
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009) |
"
An excellent film -- entertaining and informative and sometimes stunning in its display of the personal demons shared by these two geniuses."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted May 22, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
98%
|
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2009) |
"
Anvil! The Story of Anvil is a very funny documentary, following original band members Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner (seriously), on a disastrous European tour and an attempt at a comeback album."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Apr 24, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
83%
|
I Love You, Man (2009) |
"
It's a hilarious comedy made even more successful because so much of the satire seems fresh."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Mar 20, 2009
|
|
4/4
|
83%
|
Tropic Thunder (2008) |
"
Combines elements of There's Something About Mary ..., The Player and Team America: World Police, and yet almost nothing in Tropic Thunder is predictable or cliched."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 12, 2008
|
|
4/4
|
52%
|
The Foot Fist Way (2006) |
"
Morning zoo radio DJs can rejoice: You'll be mining quotes from this movie for the next several decades."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jun 6, 2008
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Ratatouille (2007) |
"
Ratatouille never overwhelms, even though it's stocked with action, romance, historical content, family drama and serious statements about the creation of art."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jun 29, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
The Host (Gwoemul) (2007) |
"
A great piece of filmmaking and a legitimate science-fiction/horror classic."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Mar 9, 2007
|
|
4/4
|
93%
|
Children of Men (2006) |
"
While it's best to know as little as possible about this movie going into the theater, the story is so fast-paced that you won't be thinking about this review or any other."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Dec 29, 2006
|
|
4/4
|
98%
|
Murderball (2005) |
"
In less than an hour and a half, the athletes profiled in the documentary will frustrate you, amaze you, make you laugh and make you cry -- but you'll never feel sorry for them."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jul 22, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
84%
|
Aliens of the Deep (2005) |
"
An educational and thoroughly entertaining documentary that's in the Everest class of great IMAX movies."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jan 28, 2005
|
|
4/4
|
72%
|
Robot Stories (2004) |
"
Robot Stories is a both a throwback and, hopefully, a sign of things to come."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Apr 16, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
96%
|
Alien (1979) |
"
Ridley Scott's new cut won't change the way people think about the movie, but it reinforces the film's strengths without alienating the series' biggest fans."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jan 15, 2004
|
|
4/4
|
94%
|
The Alien Saga (2003) |
"
A streamlined improvement on the original."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 29, 2003
|
|
4/4
|
92%
|
School of Rock (2003) |
"
Coherent, hilarious and surprisingly sweet."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 3, 2003
|
|
4/4
|
68%
|
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) |
"
Despite the movie's dark humor, violence and the occasional nonvoluntary facial surgery that will drive away the queasy, Once Upon a Time in Mexico is the most crowd-pleasing film in the series."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Sep 12, 2003
|
|
3.5/4
|
65%
|
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) |
"
The audience where I watched the movie laughed so hard that we all probably missed a third of the lines, and it was still one of the funnier movies I've seen this year."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 31, 2008
|
|
3.5/4
|
77%
|
Appaloosa (2008) |
"
Harris co-wrote, directed and stars in the film, which is filled with humor, action and clever turns."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 3, 2008
|
|
3.5/4
|
92%
|
Blade Runner (1982) |
"
This definitive print should be the last little push that "Blade Runner" needs to complete its 25-year journey from box office failure to cult favorite to full-blown classic."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Nov 30, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
96%
|
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) |
"
A pretty great trip down memory lane, even if you were one of the cool kids who managed to avoid the arcade scene."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 24, 2007
|
|
3.5/4
|
82%
|
Serenity (2005) |
"
This genre picture is still a thrillingly original science fiction creation."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Sep 30, 2005
|
|
3.5/4
|
79%
|
Red Eye (2005) |
"
The movie is a pleasant surprise at the end of summer, and an exciting detour from one of the most influential directors of horror films."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 19, 2005
|
|
3.5/4
|
82%
|
Rock School (2005) |
"
The narrative moves quickly and the characters are so much fun, that there's little time for inventory of what's missing."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jun 3, 2005
|
|
4/5
|
79%
|
Teeth (2007) |
"
Extremely funny, very clever and still packs some cover-your-face bloody thrills that top any Saw or Hostel movie."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jan 25, 2008
|
|
4/5
|
84%
|
The Descent (2006) |
"
Do we even need men in horror films any more? They're bound to do something stupid, they almost always get killed in the end and don't look as good covered in sweat and blood."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 4, 2006
|
|
3/4
|
74%
|
Chimpanzee (2012) |
"
The stunning and mostly uncompromising visuals more than compensate for the frequent corny turns of phrase."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Apr 20, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
74%
|
Kill List (2012) |
"
"Kill List" has a slow build, but don't be lulled into complacency. This is one of the most violent and disturbing films you'll see in an art house."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Mar 15, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
85%
|
21 Jump Street (2012) |
"
This film is even better if you come in with no spoilers and low expectations, so we will build it up no more."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Mar 15, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
95%
|
Undefeated (2012) |
"
It's a credit to directors Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Daniels that the personal stories of the kids and coaches resonate more than the wins and losses."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Mar 1, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
90%
|
Oscar Nominated Animation Shorts (2012) |
"
Proves that it was still a good year for animation, even if audiences were underwhelmed by the mainstream feature fare."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Feb 9, 2012
|
|
3/4
|
——
|
Adventures of a Teenage Dragonslayer (2011) |
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Dec 17, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
88%
|
Dragonslayer (1981) |
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Nov 18, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
88%
|
Dragonslayer (2011) |
"
In following this scattered character around, "Dragonslayer" director Tristan Patterson makes a very purposeful documentary about the pessimistic worldview of the nation's youth, and what that means for the future."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Nov 17, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
32%
|
All Good Things (2010) |
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 14, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
60%
|
Real Steel (2011) |
"
You've probably seen toy commercials that present a more thoughtful dystopian future. And yet, in the moment, this film will make you want to do nothing except stuff your face with more."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Oct 7, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
85%
|
Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2011) |
"
Relying mostly on a single gimmick, the slasher comedy presents a high degree of difficulty for both the director and actors. Their earnest efforts keep the repetition from becoming ponderous."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Sep 29, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
83%
|
Dolphin Tale (2011) |
"
It gives young audiences credit for having patience and imagination, and rewards them with an engaging narrative."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Sep 22, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
92%
|
Drive (2011) |
"
Mainstream audiences will probably be confounded by "Drive," while lovers of gritty filmmaking will defend every exaggerated shotgun wound as art. Know which camp you're in before you enter the theater."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Sep 15, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
74%
|
Fright Night (2011) |
"
"Fright Night" isn't quite a classic vampire movie, but it's refreshingly straightforward and self-deprecating."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 18, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
——
|
Vigilante Vigilante: The Battle for Expression (2011) |
"
Just 86 minutes long with several profile subjects, the film never lacks context."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Aug 11, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
91%
|
Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (2011) |
"
An outstanding effort, and one of the more honest band biopics in recent years."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jul 14, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
82%
|
TrollHunter (2011) |
"
Successful on multiple levels, with a brisk pace, excellent location work and a strong lead performance by Norwegian comedian Otto Jespersen."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jun 16, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
——
|
Contractor's Routine (2011) |
"
Yuri Tsapayev's psychological drama has a slow and sometimes frustrating build, but there's also a powerful payoff..."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jun 2, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
75%
|
These Amazing Shadows (2011) |
"
For lovers of American filmmaking, "These Amazing Shadows" may be the ultimate sampler buffet."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted May 5, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
98%
|
Born To Be Wild (2011) |
"
Wholesome and educational, teaches right from wrong, and brings up some important environmental issues."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Apr 7, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
87%
|
The Last Lions (2011) |
"
It's all very melodramatic, but the Jouberts accompany this story with incredible visuals, with an exceptional level of access."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Mar 3, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
84%
|
Nenette (2010) |
"
Zoo creatures seem like funny caricatures during a short visit. After 67 minutes of observation, Nénette seems stuck in a dreamlike limbo, disconnected from the world, going through the motions, waiting patiently to die."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Jan 27, 2011
|
|
3/4
|
76%
|
Summer Wars (Sama Wozu) (2010) |
"
Hosoda adds enough dimensions to his characters and kinetic battles that the serene real world seems like a dream state."
—
San Francisco Chronicle
Posted Dec 24, 2010
|
66%
——
96%
