San Francisco Blog

If you are like me and have never been to the Castro Theatre, take this opportunity to go. It is a beautiful classic movie house that was built in 1922. The exterior resembles a Mexican cathedral and the interior is decorated with murals, detailed molding and an art deco chandelier. Before the double feature started on Sunday there was live organ music. Then the organ descended into the stage five minutes before the movie came on.

Pre-CGI films have not been given the same respect since new technologies made special effects more impressive and realistic-looking. But there are also many of us who view pre-CGI claymation and puppet work as an art form.

The truth about pre-CGI fantasy films is that they are perhaps more dated than any other films of the 80s. Because of this quality watching these films creates a stronger feeling of nostalgia then any other film. It takes you back to a time when you believed that alternate universes were filled with puppet-like creatures.

On Saturday I saw "The Dark Crystal," a 1982 fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. The animatronics used in the film were considered groundbreaking for the time. The theatre was surprisingly full and the audience was enthralled by the movie, clapping and laughing throughout. My favorite line in the movie was delivered by the protagonist, an elf-like creature named Jen, who said: “What in the world? This place is weird.” The audience exploded at the irony of an elf-like creature who had already traversed through strange and alien surroundings.

The pre-CGI fantasy films of the 80s are ridiculous and fun to watch. Not only to reminisce but to appreciate how far along our technology has come and how much we can still use from the past.

A complete listing of this week's shows can be found on the Castro Theatre website.