Brian Darr
@hellonfriscobay.bsky.social
Cinephile, music lover & library worker originally from San Francisco now living in Maine. These are personal opinions that may not reflect the views of my employer.
Pinned
Brian Darr
@hellonfriscobay.bsky.social
· Oct 12
After Dark: CMYK | Exploratorium Museum Event
Strut down a runway in your brightest outfit, learn about the secrets of primary colors, play with optical illusions, plus more surprises await you at After Dark—come show off your true colors!
www.exploratorium.edu
My spouse Kerry Laitala has a low-budget 3D movie called Terra Incognita screening as part of the @exploratorium.bsky.social’s Chromatic Cinema event this Thursday www.exploratorium.edu/visit/calend...
Reposted by Brian Darr
📣🎬 Calling all filmmakers & artists! Celebrate Public Domain Day in January 2026 by making a 2–3 min short film using public domain works from 1930 & earlier.
📆 Deadline: January 7, 2026
💰 First prize: $1,500
ℹ️ Details 👉 blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2...
#contest #filmmaking #publicdomain
📆 Deadline: January 7, 2026
💰 First prize: $1,500
ℹ️ Details 👉 blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2...
#contest #filmmaking #publicdomain
December 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
📣🎬 Calling all filmmakers & artists! Celebrate Public Domain Day in January 2026 by making a 2–3 min short film using public domain works from 1930 & earlier.
📆 Deadline: January 7, 2026
💰 First prize: $1,500
ℹ️ Details 👉 blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2...
#contest #filmmaking #publicdomain
📆 Deadline: January 7, 2026
💰 First prize: $1,500
ℹ️ Details 👉 blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2...
#contest #filmmaking #publicdomain
Noteworthy first views of November 2025 (new films excluded, order viewed):
Avalanche (Mikio Naruse, 1937)
India Cabaret (Mira Nair, 1985)
Fog Pumas (Gunvor Nelson & Dorothy Wiley, 1967)
Meditation (Jordan Belson, 1971)
Time Piece (Jim Henson, 1965)
Avalanche (Mikio Naruse, 1937)
India Cabaret (Mira Nair, 1985)
Fog Pumas (Gunvor Nelson & Dorothy Wiley, 1967)
Meditation (Jordan Belson, 1971)
Time Piece (Jim Henson, 1965)
December 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Noteworthy first views of November 2025 (new films excluded, order viewed):
Avalanche (Mikio Naruse, 1937)
India Cabaret (Mira Nair, 1985)
Fog Pumas (Gunvor Nelson & Dorothy Wiley, 1967)
Meditation (Jordan Belson, 1971)
Time Piece (Jim Henson, 1965)
Avalanche (Mikio Naruse, 1937)
India Cabaret (Mira Nair, 1985)
Fog Pumas (Gunvor Nelson & Dorothy Wiley, 1967)
Meditation (Jordan Belson, 1971)
Time Piece (Jim Henson, 1965)
Reposted by Brian Darr
Open Screening is coming up this Thursday! If you have something you'd like to show in the program, email us at [email protected].
November 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Open Screening is coming up this Thursday! If you have something you'd like to show in the program, email us at [email protected].
Reposted by Brian Darr
The pretty simple fact of the matter is that Weinstein was the only true “casualty” of MeToo in Hollywood, and that is solely because he was a bully to men too and everyone pounced on the excuse to oust him. If he’d nicer to directors and male stars he’d still be free and working.
I'm flummoxed by the underground movement to rehab cancelled figures. There's a rumor that a studio head is planning to begin bringing cancelled people back. It's bananas. The industry has contracted, leaving writers, directors and actors scrambling for work and we're making space for sex criminals?
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The pretty simple fact of the matter is that Weinstein was the only true “casualty” of MeToo in Hollywood, and that is solely because he was a bully to men too and everyone pounced on the excuse to oust him. If he’d nicer to directors and male stars he’d still be free and working.
Wish I could be there!
Tonight at Other Cinema, it's a No-Thanks Giving double bill, with Give It Back and Spaces of Exception!
Other Cinema: NO-THANKS GIVING
NEW RED ORDER: GIVE IT BACK! + SPACES OF EXCEPTION Following their last feature here, our Native (Ojibway) cohorts have been busy with many projects–including a bombshell for ITVS–and t…
www.atasite.org
November 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Wish I could be there!
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
California Kingsnake
Great Hornbill
Common Basilisk (a.k.a. Jesus lizard)
Magnificent Frigatebird
North American Porcupine
(These were the first interesting ones that came to mind, in order of least to most recent sighting.)
California Kingsnake
Great Hornbill
Common Basilisk (a.k.a. Jesus lizard)
Magnificent Frigatebird
North American Porcupine
(These were the first interesting ones that came to mind, in order of least to most recent sighting.)
Seagull
Pigeon
Garter snake
Antelope
Water buffalo
Pigeon
Garter snake
Antelope
Water buffalo
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Humboldt penguin
Andean condor
Vicuña
Guanaco
James's flamingo
Humboldt penguin
Andean condor
Vicuña
Guanaco
James's flamingo
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
California Kingsnake
Great Hornbill
Common Basilisk (a.k.a. Jesus lizard)
Magnificent Frigatebird
North American Porcupine
(These were the first interesting ones that came to mind, in order of least to most recent sighting.)
California Kingsnake
Great Hornbill
Common Basilisk (a.k.a. Jesus lizard)
Magnificent Frigatebird
North American Porcupine
(These were the first interesting ones that came to mind, in order of least to most recent sighting.)
I’ve been invited to contribute a “Best of 2025” list.
Anyone out there have the skinny on which 2025 festival releases are planed for commercial runs in 2026 and which are still considered “undistributed”?
Anyone out there have the skinny on which 2025 festival releases are planed for commercial runs in 2026 and which are still considered “undistributed”?
November 28, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I’ve been invited to contribute a “Best of 2025” list.
Anyone out there have the skinny on which 2025 festival releases are planed for commercial runs in 2026 and which are still considered “undistributed”?
Anyone out there have the skinny on which 2025 festival releases are planed for commercial runs in 2026 and which are still considered “undistributed”?
De La Soul is just 27 votes behind- feel like there’s been more than that many anti-skit comments. Wonder if these voters would be slowed down any by the “Oh My Golly” & “I’m Amazed” banter in a hypothetical match-up between SURFER ROSA and, say, IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK?
The Best Album of 1989 Round 7 Match #128 - THE FINAL MATCH TO DETERMINE THE BEST ALBUM OF 1989
#1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE
vs.
#3 De La Soul, 3 FEET HIGH AND RISING
forms.gle/WZbDEMmYBZda...
#1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE
vs.
#3 De La Soul, 3 FEET HIGH AND RISING
forms.gle/WZbDEMmYBZda...
The Best Album of 1989 Round 7 Match #128 - The Final Match: Pixies vs. De La Soul
This is the Best Album of 1989 match for Wednesday, November 25th, 10am CST. It will be open for 24 hours, and the winner will be declared The Best Album of 1989. The losing album will be named The Se...
forms.gle
November 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM
De La Soul is just 27 votes behind- feel like there’s been more than that many anti-skit comments. Wonder if these voters would be slowed down any by the “Oh My Golly” & “I’m Amazed” banter in a hypothetical match-up between SURFER ROSA and, say, IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK?
Tonight’s viewing reminded me of this ancient tweet.
To the Wonder (Mel Brooks 12) Hilariously accurate Malick parody, but you can tell Brooks has more affection for Whale, Hitchcock & Lucas.
November 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Tonight’s viewing reminded me of this ancient tweet.
Went on a trip last night. Not quite as momentous as John Glenn’s.
A review of Re-entry (1964)
My usual answer when asked what first sparked my interest in experimental film is Bruce Conner's The White Rose, which I saw projected in a De Young Museum gallery during an exhibition of Beat art sho...
boxd.it
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Went on a trip last night. Not quite as momentous as John Glenn’s.
This seals my disinterest in even looking at that list.
THE GREAT DICTATOR being the sole Chaplin movie on a “greatest comedies” list is malpractice
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
This seals my disinterest in even looking at that list.
Reposted by Brian Darr
This week, we return to the Mikio Naruse series at @bampfa.bsky.social with Bernardo Rondeau on the Setsuko Hara-starring Sudden Rain: www.screenslate.com/articles/sud...
Sudden Rain
Throughout the year, institutions around the world have been celebrating the 120th birthday of the writer and director Mikio Naruse. These extensive and essential retrospectives have afforded audience...
www.screenslate.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:41 PM
This week, we return to the Mikio Naruse series at @bampfa.bsky.social with Bernardo Rondeau on the Setsuko Hara-starring Sudden Rain: www.screenslate.com/articles/sud...
R.I.P. Udo Kier. I just found out about this short film, which I wish I could watch as it seems like the ideal tribute for the moment. www.sixpackfilm.com/en/catalogue...
Staging Death
Nobody dies more beautifully than Udo Kier. In Jan Soldat’s Staging Death, via lively montage Kier’s multifarious passing away in several dozen roles becomes a frantic gallop through five ...
www.sixpackfilm.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:12 AM
R.I.P. Udo Kier. I just found out about this short film, which I wish I could watch as it seems like the ideal tribute for the moment. www.sixpackfilm.com/en/catalogue...
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY
if you were gonna get a tramp stamp of a line from a horror movie what would you get?
November 23, 2025 at 3:28 PM
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY
Reposted by Brian Darr
Caden will be on TCM this Monday for Part Two of our series. He will be on to discuss DOG DAY AFTERNOON and MA VIE EN ROSE. Later in the evening the great trans doc DRESSED IN BLUE will be receiving its TCM debut (perhaps its English language TV debut as well?). Make sure to watch or set your DVRs
On November 17 and 24, @willowcatelyn.bsky.social and I will be on TCM talking about films featured in our book. More details to come.
November 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Caden will be on TCM this Monday for Part Two of our series. He will be on to discuss DOG DAY AFTERNOON and MA VIE EN ROSE. Later in the evening the great trans doc DRESSED IN BLUE will be receiving its TCM debut (perhaps its English language TV debut as well?). Make sure to watch or set your DVRs
This is screening at the Roxie in San Francisco tomorrow:
Last weekend’s epic viewing at @spacegallery.bsky.social: boxd.it/bMqCwL
A review of Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989 (2024)
No chance of writing anything truly coherent on this decades-long depiction of a laboratory of dehumanization and authoritarianism, so let me share a few things I jotted down in the dark in a notebook...
boxd.it
November 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This is screening at the Roxie in San Francisco tomorrow:
Realized I’d shoot from 45th place (around where I’ve been lingering since round 1) into the top 20 in the prediction contest if The Cure wins this match, so I changed my vote to DISINTEGRATION. (I mean, it does have “Fascination Street” and the title track, so it would be a very worthy winner too.)
The Best Album of 1989 Round 6 (Semifinal) Match #125
#1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE
vs.
#4 The Cure, DISINTEGRATION
forms.gle/nwLTFGfcWji5...
#1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE
vs.
#4 The Cure, DISINTEGRATION
forms.gle/nwLTFGfcWji5...
The Best Album of 1989 Round 6 (Semi-Final) Match #125: Pixies vs. The Cure
This is the Best Album of 1989 match for Friday, November 21st, 9am CST. It will be open for 24 hours, and the winner will move onto the finals to determine the Best Album of 1989. If you haven’t hear...
forms.gle
November 22, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Realized I’d shoot from 45th place (around where I’ve been lingering since round 1) into the top 20 in the prediction contest if The Cure wins this match, so I changed my vote to DISINTEGRATION. (I mean, it does have “Fascination Street” and the title track, so it would be a very worthy winner too.)
Reposted by Brian Darr
I can't believe MTG is about to just be Magic the Gathering again
November 22, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I can't believe MTG is about to just be Magic the Gathering again
Wasn’t sure how I would break in this match until listening to the albums head to head early this morning. Maybe an AM vs PM thing, but DOOLITTLE sounded much fresher and more appealing, so that’s how I’m voting.
The Best Album of 1989 Round 6 (Semifinal) Match #125
#1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE
vs.
#4 The Cure, DISINTEGRATION
forms.gle/nwLTFGfcWji5...
#1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE
vs.
#4 The Cure, DISINTEGRATION
forms.gle/nwLTFGfcWji5...
The Best Album of 1989 Round 6 (Semi-Final) Match #125: Pixies vs. The Cure
This is the Best Album of 1989 match for Friday, November 21st, 9am CST. It will be open for 24 hours, and the winner will move onto the finals to determine the Best Album of 1989. If you haven’t hear...
forms.gle
November 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Wasn’t sure how I would break in this match until listening to the albums head to head early this morning. Maybe an AM vs PM thing, but DOOLITTLE sounded much fresher and more appealing, so that’s how I’m voting.
Last weekend’s epic viewing at @spacegallery.bsky.social: boxd.it/bMqCwL
A review of Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989 (2024)
No chance of writing anything truly coherent on this decades-long depiction of a laboratory of dehumanization and authoritarianism, so let me share a few things I jotted down in the dark in a notebook...
boxd.it
November 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Last weekend’s epic viewing at @spacegallery.bsky.social: boxd.it/bMqCwL
This content couldn’t possibly be more Brian-coded. From 2004-2020 I hosted a monthly film discussion group in one of these former exchanges.
Join us tomorrow for the next edition of ONLINE WITH SFFP!
Discover how San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood became a hub of silent-era film magic.
1/3
Discover how San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood became a hub of silent-era film magic.
1/3
November 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This content couldn’t possibly be more Brian-coded. From 2004-2020 I hosted a monthly film discussion group in one of these former exchanges.
99% sure I have seen this at the Castro with the director in person. If so, great movie! brattlefilm.org/special_even...
Mystery Title
Friday Film Matinee! 35mm Screening!
brattlefilm.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
99% sure I have seen this at the Castro with the director in person. If so, great movie! brattlefilm.org/special_even...
Seems like she’s boldly drawing attention to our nation’s feeble attempts to make sure there are sustainable ways for influencers to monetize their platforms- a problem more dire than any other right now.
A woman has been banned from at least seven trendy New York City restaurants, as police said they keep arresting her for ordering lots of food — then refusing to pay the bill.
Instagram foodie allegedly cooks up dine-and-dash scheme at trendy NYC restaurants
On her Instagram page, Pei Chung has continued to post photos and videos of the meals she’s accused of getting for free, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
nbcnews.to
November 20, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Seems like she’s boldly drawing attention to our nation’s feeble attempts to make sure there are sustainable ways for influencers to monetize their platforms- a problem more dire than any other right now.