Review by David Ehrenstein
Thu., May 22
Hedwig and the Angry Inch A musical about an East German transsexual rock singer reduced to playing salad bars while his/her ex-boyfriend makes off with his/her charts (as well as heart) to become a pop idol may not sound like it has the makings of a mainstream success story. But John Cameron Mitchell, who wrote, directed, and stars in this amazingly imaginative film version of his Off-Broadway hit, is no more to be underestimated than his hero/heroine. In fact, it could well be a hit with moviegoers who’ve had no prior interest in either rock ‘n’ roll or sexual reassignment surgery. Part of the reason for this is that Hedwig functions on both stage and screen less as an actual transgender than as an all-purpose metaphor for self-realization. If this tranny-with-a-‘tude can make it — the show seems to say — then so can you (95 min., 2001). — D.E. (PW, 9:15)
American Matchmaker Leo Fuchs stars in this uproarious Yiddish-language lowbrow comedy about the misadventures of an Amerikaner Shadkhn in New York. It’s directed by the maddeningly versatile Edgar G. Ulmer (87 min., 1940). (Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, Oakland, 7:30)
Sat., May 24
An Evening with Eddie Muller Muller introduces a screening of the 1946 film noir thriller The Killers as well as the debut of his short film The Grand Inquisitor. Before the films, Will the Thrill conducts an on-stage interview with Muller, and afterward, Muller holds a book signing. (EC, 6:00)
Sun., May 25
An Evening with Eddie Muller See Saturday. (EC, 5:00)
Wed., May 28
The Mind Is a Liar and a Whore Berkeley filmmaker Antero Alli’s most accessible feature film is a sci-fi parody (we hope) about four housemates trapped in their East Bay home during a bioterrorist attack. Cassie Powell, Brady M. Woolery, Rebekah Barnett, and David Gauntlett star (92 min., 2007). (Humanist Hall, Oakland, 7:30)
