Film & Television

‘Before Midnight’ engages viewers with frank depiction of relationships

Director Richard Linklater leaves behind the storybook romance of his earlier films and instead offers a rich yet sad portrayal of the unorthodox partnership.

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Sony Picture Classics/Courtesy

What’s so seductive about the “Before” movies, which consist of “Before Sunrise” (1995), “Before Sunset” (2004) and the upcoming “Before Midnight,” is the unique concept of following two very flawed but likable and engaging people and watching how their unorthodox relationship changes every nine years. By now, it would perhaps Read More…

Film & Television

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Star-crossed fandoms

‘Star Trek’ benefits from the influence of a ‘Star Wars’ fan

About halfway into the surprisingly enjoyable “Star Trek Into Darkness”, there is an engine problem aboard the Starship Enterprise. Dr. Bones (Karl Urban) tries with all his might to make Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) understand how serious it is, bombarding Kirk with metaphors that prove cringe-worthy. Yet Pine saves the Read More…

Film & Television

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SF International Film Festival

Much Ado About Nothing When one thinks of Shakespeare, the mind doesn’t naturally bend toward the sci-fi/supernatural wunderkind Joss Whedon. Known primarily for his forays into television (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Firefly”) and recent comic book box-office success with “The Avengers,” it seemed a slight surprise when it was announced Read More…

Film & Television

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Farm film comes ‘At Any Price’

“Expand or Die.” This is the mantra of the 21st century’s $2 trillion agricultural market, depicted in Ramin Bahrani’s “At Any Price.” Henry Whipple (Dennis Quaid) is a firm believer of this saying. Whipple realizes that in order to survive he must expand, and to do this he must cut Read More…

Film & Television

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CAAMFest 2013 Preview

Every March for the past 30 years, the festival has showcased hundreds of films, proving to be the country’s most vital source for Asian cinema. This year the festival seems to offer a healthy balance of documentaries, shorts and narratives. Read More…

Music

Noise.JacobWilson

Noise Pop 2013 Preview

Nosaj Thing When: Feb. 21, 6 p.m. Where: California Academy of Sciences After a three-year hiatus, Jason Chung, the LA-based producer behind Nosaj Thing, has just released his sublime new album Home. Frustrated by the current state of electronic music, Chung produces gorgeously intimate, stripped-down bass, heavily influenced by the Read More…

Film & Television

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Oscar Preview 2013

I’ve followed the Oscars for quite a few years now, and I always ask myself, “Why do I still care?” Simply because the Academy is an institution that exists to celebrate a common interest: movies. Read More…

Culture Shot

OSCARS

Oscar Coverage: Best Picture

I wrap up my Oscar coverage with Best Picture. I think it’s more open than people think, and I think “Argo” is more vulnerable than its award record suggests. I might be right, I might be wrong, but that’s the fun thing about predicting awards, isn’t it? No one really Read More…