Beast Blog

The Beast is for (Film) Lovers

A browse through the latest East Bay Express offers numerous reasons for East Bay cineastes to rejoice.

The death of the UC Theater and the hibernation of the Fine Arts Cinema has saddened local filmgoers. Good news comes in the form of an ex-Roxie Cinema programmer taking up residence at the Grand Lake, converting one of the screens into a repertory screen, starting this week with The Adventures of Robin Hood, and following soon with a Bay Area noir fest.

The PFA will be spending the next month showcasing the films of Rainer Werner Fassbinder. I've only seen The Marriage of Maria Braun, which was excellent, and eagerly seek to see more.

And on September 2, the PFA is showing L'age D'or with Un chien andalou, must-see surrealist flicks from Bunuel.

And naturally, there are the continued delights of the Parkway (which continues to feature more and more locally-made independent film), the Paramount, and the Landmark Shattuck's rep screen.

Oh, and, of course Reel Video and Movie Image.

Berkeley News Scan

Want to keep tabs on what folks are writing about Berkeley? The City of Berkeley web site offers News Scan, featuring clips from various Bay Area newspapers every day.

Art/Tech Thing That I Don't Know What It Is

Just found out about INTERMAP, some, um, art installation that seems to involve walking in maze-like thing that, I think, "moves" under you, making it such that you can keep walking and never reach the "end". Or something.

Anyway, looks cool, and will be on display on MLK near University for the first two weeks of September. If I go, I'll report back. If you go, you tell us what you think!

Telegraph in the 20's

Today's Chronicle discusses Mayor Jerry Brown's recent move to the 2500 block of Telegraph, in Oakland, and his reaction to the criminal activity that pervades that neighborhood.

Reading the article, I was surprised to learn just how down-trodden that neighborhood is. I've recently "found" the neighborhood for myself. I've attended a show at the Stork Club (great for pinball!), I've heard about events at Mama Buzz Cafe (though why are they never open when I'm happening by?), and I've been intrigued by all the Korean shopping. Oh, and art/venue space 21 Grand is right there, too.

Now, I don't live near there, nor claim to be an expert. I'd love to hear from folks who are more familiar with the neighborhood, who could confirm or dispute whether it's as unsafe as the article makes out.

Me, I think it looks like a neighborhood just *prime* for gentrification. Burgeoning art scene. Lofts that can attract the mayor's girlfriend. I wouldn't be surpriised if in 10 years this area is all quaint boutiques and restaurants. It would be a good time to get in there, real estate-wise. It's also close-ish to downtown, not too far from BART, and well-served by other transit.

Who Loves Maps? I do!

The City of Berkeley offers a treasure trove of online maps showing different aspects of the city. I love the Zoning Map and Bicycle Network maps.

A quick browse and Google of Oakland's and Albany's municipal sites suggests neither city offers a similar resource. Disappointing!

Making It As A Writer - And Supporting a Good Cause!

Friend of Beast Blog Kevin Smokler wrote in:

Just wanted to let you know that I'll be speaking this Tuesday evening, 7:30 PM at a fundraiser for Boadecia's Books, a women-owned, feminist bookstore in Kensington that has fallen on hard times. My topic will be "How to make it as a professional writer without losing your soul or needing an agent." Admission is 5$, sliding scale, with all funds going to Boadecia's.

Bodecia's is located at 398 Colusa Ave on the circle in Kensington.

Kensington, that funny little burb with more police officers per capita than any other municipality in the Bay Area.