Movies

‘Cinema Japan’ Continues at PFA

rie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:41:57 -0800

BERKELEY — “Cinema Japan: A Wreath for Madame Kawakita” continues at the Pacific Film Archive through Dec. 17.

The 24-film series, which opened Nov. 1, marks the centennial of the birth of Kashiko Kawakita, who was a major force in bringing Japanese cinema to international attention and in introducing many Western films to the Japanese public.

‘Cats’ With Subtitles

rie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:40:11 -0800

BERKELEY — The documentary “The Cats of Mirikitani,” including Japanese subtitles, will be shown as a fundraiser for the Tule Lake Preservation Committee on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.

The film tells the story of Jimmy Mirikitani, a former Tule Lake internee who became a homeless artist in New York. He was befriended by the filmmaker, Linda Hattendorf, and reconnected with his past and his community by attending the Tule Lake Pilgrimage.

‘Ryan and Sean’ Movie to Open at 4 Star

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:48:40 -0800

“Ryan and Sean’s Not So Excellent Adventure” will have its Bay Area premiere at the 4 Star Theatre, Clement and 23rd Avenue in San Francisco’s Richmond District.

Showtimes are Friday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., with a Q&A session with the cast and filmmakers after both screenings; Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16, at 2:15 and 6:30 p.m.; and Monday to Thursday, Nov. 17-20, at 6:30 p.m.

Film Series Honors Madame Kawakita

rie — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:30:15 -0700

BERKELEY — Pacific Film Archive will present “Cinema Japan: A Wreath for Madame Kawakita,” a series of 24 feature films screening from Saturday, Nov. 1, through Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the PFA Theater, located at 2575 Bancroft Way near Bowditch Street, on the southern edge of the UC Berkeley campus.

‘Engage Her’ Screening in San Jose

rie — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:40:47 -0700

SAN JOSE — Mable Yee’s documentary “Engage Her” will be shown on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Art Ark Gallery, 1035 S. 6th St. in San Jose.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. The film will be screened at 7 p.m. and a Q&A with the producer will follow at 8 p.m.

In the 2004 election, 40 percent of African American women registered voters did not vote, 69 percent of Latina registered voters did not vote, and 70 percent of registered Asian American women did not vote.

‘Midnight Meat Train’ at the Clay

rie — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:17:45 -0700

The San Francisco premiere of “Midnight Meat Train” will take place Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 22-23, at the Clay Theatre, 2261 Fillmore St., San Francisco.

Based on a short story by legendary horror writer Clive Barker, the film marks the American debut of Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura (“Versus,” “Azumi,” "Godzilla: Final Wars").

Movie Night at BCSF

rie — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:03:10 -0700

Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 1881 Pine St. (at Octavia), will present Movie Night at BCSF on Saturday, Oct. 25.

"Harp of Burma" (Biruma no Tategoto), a classic anti-war story, will be shown.

Limited seating is available for dinner, which will be served from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

On the menu are island barbecue chicken, beans and rice, $7; salad, $2.50; dessert, $2.50; all three components, $10.

RSVP by Oct. 19 to (415) 776-3158 or buddhistchurchofsanfrancisco@yahoo.com. Proceeds will benefit future programs with purchase of electronic equipment.

‘Sukiyaki Western’ at the Bridge

rie — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:08:42 -0700

"Sukiyaki Western Django" opens Friday, Oct. 17, at the Bridge Theater, 3010 Geary Blvd. (at Blake) in San Francisco, for a one-week run.

Showtimes are 2:15, 4:35, 7 and 9:25 p.m.

Famed Japanese auteur Takashi Miike, best known for cult classics "Audition," "Ichi the Killer" and "The City of Lost Souls," redefines the spaghetti Western with a delirious tale written in blood.

Two clans, Genji, the white clan led by Yoshitsune (Yusuke Iseya), and Heike, the red clan led by Kiyomori (Koichi Sato), battle for a legendary gold treasure hidden in a desolate mountain town.

‘Ten Nights of Dreams’ in S.F.

rie — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:15:19 -0700

Editor's note: As of Saturday, Oct. 18, the venue and showtimes for this movie have been changed. It is now playing at the Marina Theatre, 2141 Chestnut St., at 1:10 pm. only. For more information, call (415) 345-1323.

"Ten Nights of Dreams" (Yume Juya), a film based on the writings of Soseki Natsume, is playing at the 4 Star Theatre, 2200 Clement St. at 23rd Avenue in San Francisco's Richmond District until Thursday, Oct. 16.

Showtimes are 12:30, 4:40 and 8:45 p.m.

Weekly Japanese Film Series in S.F.

rie — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:20:16 -0700

The Japan Society will present a film series, “Timeless Japan,” on Friday evenings in October at 6:30 p.m. at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St., San Francisco.

The schedule is as follows:

• Friday, Oct. 3 — “Tampopo” (1986), 104 minutes. Directed by Juzo Itami; starring Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto. The comic possibilities of food are on the menu when a truck driver and a widow set out to open the perfect noodle shop.