Has anyone noticed that the first run films at the Castro are not being reviewed by the Chronicle? Is there an organized critical boycott because of Anita Monga’s dismissal? I’ve actually been going to the Balboa a lot lately, where the programming is similar to Monga’s Castro, but sadly without the Castro’s grand environment. I have no idea what the Nasser family thinks they’re doing–the new calendar is poorly designed, the programming completely flat and unchallenging (The Valley of the Dolls again?), and the website has info about how to “rent” the Castro! All of my favorite movie houses have closed down (Cedar Cinema, the Strand, Royal, Mission, The Alhambra, Northpoint, the York, Pagoda Palace, the Alexandria…), and now the Castro, with its fabulous interior and huge screen, is becoming a retro bauble.
With DVDs coming out so fast, I’ve decided to set up my own screening room in the house. I’m looking at the Panasonic PT-AE700U, which seems to have the largest image with the smallest throw (it’ll be in a 13 foot room)–an LCD, although it seems that the quality gap between DLP and LCD has narrowed. If anyone has any input on projectors, please share…
My first showing will be Antonioni’s L’Avventura, la Notte and L’Eclisse, which I’ve always wanted to see together, in my jammies. Six and a half hours of modern malaise.