Thu., June 12
Breaking News A detective thriller and media critique set in Hong Kong from director Johnnie To (90 min., 2004). (PFA, 7:00)
D.O.A. Raw-edged documentary on the Sex Pistols’ American tour of 1977-78. Also seen are such punk performers as Iggy Pop, the Clash, the Dead Boys, and the Rich Kids. Directed by Lech Kowalski (90 min., 1981). (PFA, 8:45)
Thrillville Goes Ape Screening of 1967’s King Kong Escapes, plus live music from Apocalypso Now and an appearance by Gorilla X. (EC, 9:15)
Life of the Mind A series of shorts, including several films featured at this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival. (Temescal Street Cinema, 49th St. at Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 9:00)
Trembling Before G-d If you think being gay or lesbian and being an Orthodox Jew is an irresolvable contradiction, then Sandi Simcha DuBowski’s documentary will be a real eye-opener. In fact, even if the subject has no particular objective resonance with you, this sensitive, passionate, and beautifully made film provides an overwhelming emotional and intellectual experience. Nearly five years in the making and shot on locations encompassing half the world, DuBowski’s film might be likened to an adventure in ethics both personal and political. And it’s an adventure no one, Jew or gentile, can afford to miss (84 min., 2001). — D.E. (Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, Berkeley, 7:30)
Fri., June 13
Blonde Crazy Joan Blondell and James Cagney star in this 1931 comedy directed by Roy del Ruth (79 min.). Introduced by Blondell biographer Matthew Kennedy. (PFA, 7:00)
Night Nurse Barbara Stanwyck, her face aglow with innocent charm turning into guile, stars as a nursing school graduate who uncovers a sick scheme: Two young girls are being intentionally malnourished while their rich heiress mother gets drunk. The character playing is just as nasty as the plot. William Wellman directed it in 1931, when the title suggested naughtiness to the pre-Code film industry. Still, there’s more overt callousness than sex (73 min.) — K.V. (PFA, 8:55)
Sat., June 14
Innocence The second feature from Turkish director Zeki Demirkubuz is about a prison inmate released after a ten-year sentence who latches onto a strange couple and their child (105 min., 1997). (PFA, 6:30)
The Third Page Zeki Demirkubuz wrote and directed this 1999 film about a movie extra stuck in a situation that blurs the line between reality and cinema (92 min.). (PFA, 8:35)
Charade Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant supply chemistry with a capital C as two sophisticates who find themselves unwittingly embroiled in international intrigue in this romantic comedy/thriller by Stanley Donen. The superior supporting cast includes George Kennedy, Walter Matthau, and James Coburn (113 min., 1963). (EC, 6:00)
Sun., June 15
God Does Not Believe in Us Anymore The first in a trilogy of films, Where to and Back, begins on the morning after Crystal Night in Vienna, November 10, 1938, as a young Jewish man starts plotting the course of his way out of Europe. We also meet a German soldier who is against Nazism. Directed by Axel Corti. Written by Georg Stefan Troller. With Johannes Silberschneider, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Barbara Petritsch (109 min., 1982). (PFA, 4:00)
Footlight Parade A musical set at the end of the silent film era. Starring James Cagney and Joan Blondell. Musical numbers directed by Busby Berkeley (104 min., 1933). Introduced by Blondell biographer Matthew Kennedy. (PFA, 6:30)
Charade See Saturday. (EC, 5:00)
Tue, June 17
Midnight A surreal drama from local director Ken Brandow, who passed away unexpectedly in April. (EC, 9:15)
Wed., June 18
Root of All Evil Richard Dawkins’s documentary exploring the power of religion. (Humanist Hall, Oakland, 7:30)
Super Amigos Documentary from Mexican director Arturo Perez Torres presenting five stories of activism in and around Mexico City (82 min., 2007). (Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, Richmond Main Library, 6:30)
