lynn R friedman

SLO (that’s what the local’s call it), pulled out all the stops for their 30th annual Film Festival. It wasn’t a difficult decision to drive 4 hours down the coast from San Francisco for a double bill of films and touristing. First stop, Hotel Granada. Cue angels singing! Yep, made the right choice. Beautiful architecture, tons of exposed brick, friendly staff, art, restaurant, free parking,…

Roxie Theater hosted the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival’s North American Premiere of “Girl You Know it’s True“, a biopic about Fab Morvan, and the rise and fall of his band Milli Vanilli. Fab made a personal appearance in San Francisco to answer audience questions and graciously pose with admirers. A little history: Fab Morvan was born in 1966 in Paris, France. He met his future partner Rob…

Remembering Gene Wilder opened the 2023 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, screened at the beautiful Castro Theatre. Side note: the SFJFF is the oldest Jewish film festival in the world. Through Interviews and archival footage we are given a back stage pass to rub shoulders with the likes of Richard Pryor, Zero Mostel, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Harry Connick Jr, Carol Kane, Alan Alda, and his…

To the thousands of Midwest expats out there, your dreams have come true. Chubs are being fished again, after years of scarcity due to the evil quagga mussels eating plankton, their food source. The chub season runs from November to January.  Chubs are Back! Surprisingly, our research found companies in several states that will ship these coveted freshwater delicacies. Goldberrys appears to be…

Summer travel season is upon us! The Pacific Northwest is calling out to you. Fly into Seattle, Washington, then hop a ferry to Friday Harbor, no car needed, you can walk around this historic seaport, shop, and enjoy the great seafood, sans fast-food chains. Have you tried sea kayaking? Make a rez with Outdoor Odyssey for a half-day or multi-day paddle around the San Juan Islands and Salish…

Sometimes you just need a break from all the bad news, traffic jams, missed deadlines, and that boss you never liked. What you need is Andy Somebody, an action comedy that’s pure escapism therapy. Sadly, most people can relate to unhappy jobs and bosses from hell. In this film, Andy Fielder, a depressed accountant for an unscrupulous plastic surgeon in Chicago who treats him abominably, reaches…

Hotel Cheval: Boutique Luxury, Paso Robles, California

Who knew that Paso Robles, California was home to the #1 small hotel in the USA, according to Trip Advisor. That distinction goes to the luxurious, four star, Hotel Cheval. They’re not exactly a secret, so book far, far in advance, there’s only 16 guest rooms. Located literally around the corner from historic downtown square, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and many local wine tasting…

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Internet Sensation, Wildly Popular Film

Who is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On? In case you don’t know, 32 million people viewed the first of three Marcel YouTube video shorts, starting 11 years ago. Who knew that in 2022, the San Francisco International Film Festival would be screening Marcel’s feature-length debut in a 90 minute stop-motion mockumentary. The ridiculously adorable Marcel is the brainchild of actor and comedian Jenny…

Both Sides of the Blade, Love Triangle Film Starring Juliette Binoche

Both Sides of the Blade, screened at the San Francisco International Film Festival, is the latest film by multi-award winning French director Claire Denis. This film is very, very, very French, meaning, it’s a slow burn. You will not get the familiar story arcs or happy ending, rather a slice of life where it is up to you to decide how to feel, sans soundtrack prompts. Unlike most male-centric…

MIJA Doc Captivating Look at Music Industry Through LatinX Eyes

The California premier of Mija took place at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Doris Muñoz was born in the US, but her family crossed the border from Mexico. She has privileges of citizenship denied her parents and siblings. In fact, her brother got deported, and she has survivors guilt, easily crossing over to Mexico and back to visit him, while her parents haven’t seen him in…

Linoleum, the Film, is a Real Mind F’k

Attention science nerds. Well, you don’t have to be a nerd to get engrossed watching Linoleum, screened at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Jim Gaffigan plays George Westinghouse, a rudderless man recently fired from his job as the host of a late night children’s science show, in the vein of Bill Neigh, the Science Guy. Poor George, his wife Erin, (Rhea Seehorn), wants a divorce…

SF Film Festival: Strong, Provocative Sex Workers BUY/SELL/DATE

Few are neutral when talking about sex work. Tony winner Sarah Jones partnered up with executive producers Rashida Jones, Meryl Streep, and Laverne Cox to take a deep dive, interviewing women from diverse backgrounds who had something to say about the subject. Screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival, BUY/SELL/DATE addresses the treatment of sex workers by the criminal justice…

SFFILM Proudly Presents HIT THE ROAD, Heartwarming Iranian Film

HIT THE ROAD screened at the 65th annual San Francisco Film Festival. A quirky family embarks on a mysterious road trip to spirit their oldest son across the border to avoid an unnamed fate, but it certainly can’t be good. The majority of the film takes place in the car, and along the way we are treated to expansive landscapes, and little brother squirming and endlessly chattering, oblivious to…