SIFF is in full swing, so much to catch up on. Here are my watched films, in descending order. Still, anything rated B- or higher is worth a look.
On the top of most cinephiles lists has got to be the incredibly long (total of 15 hours!), ambitious, insightful movie called THE STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY, and this week I saw Parts 1 and 2 (out of 5). This creative documentary tries to tell the history of world cinema from its beginnings in the late 1800's somewhat chronologically, but does so by comparing, for example, early editing features with those in more current films, so that you don't just get bogged down in one era. It shows the influences that all these different films (lots of clips!) have on other directors. In spite of its length, the film still seems to gloss over many famous directors, actors and styles. It is so dense that at times it feels like too much of a good thing, and is probable best seen in 3 hour or less segments, which is the way it is being shown at SIFF. Word has it that it will be released on DVD in December, and I've also heard that SIFF may show it this summer after the festival. It is certainly a magnificent effort. GRADE------A
Effective, low budget film on a decade long love relationship between two men, KEEP THE LIGHTS ON is Ira Sachs' semi-autobiographical story of the problems and friendship and intimacies of a long term relationship. It feels very personal and honest, and the film making is solid. GRADE------A-
Inspiring, moving documentary about efforts of a high school in a disadvantaged, poor Compton community that tries different ways to motivate (with much success) kids to learn, including the opportunity for someone to win a $40,000 scholarship at the FREE THROW line. You get to know the 8 kids involved and some staff---- this surprising "little" film had the audience crying and cheering by the end. GRADE--------A-
Strong, powerful story of a single day--OSLO AUGUST 31-- in the life of a drug addict, as he visits friends and family, in search of something to keep him alive. Unfortunately, the shaky camera annoys the proceedings about half the time. GRADE--------A-
Another great documentary, WINTER NOMADS follows two shepherds as they move 800 sheep through the country side of Switzerland, encountering friends and antagonists along the way. There are some amazing shots of scenery, weather, sheep, donkeys, dogs and people---the film really transports you. GRADE--------A-
Somber yet hopeful story called BREATHING, from Austria, of a teenager living in a detention home, who gets a job working for a funeral home. This triggers feelings and questions about the woman who abandoned him as a baby in an orphanage. GRADE-------B+
Lively Korean comedy/drama/thriller of man with limited time to live due to liver failure who struggles to find a donor. He is a debt collector, but he (improbably) acts more like James Bond than a dying man. COUNTDOWN is immensely entertaining. (This marks the third time that Downs Syndrome is an important aspect of the plot at SIFF 2012. See also GOODBYE and ANY DAY NOW.) GRADE--------B+
Kristin Scott Thomas and Ethan Hawke add a touch of class to WOMAN IN THE FIFTH-- a moody, enigmatic mystery. Don't expect too many answers to the questions raised, but just enjoy the ride. GRADE------B
Director Thom Fitzgerald (THE HANGING GARDEN, BEEFCAKE, THREE NEEDLES) is back with an entertaining film called CLOUDBURST, a salty story of two older lesbians trying to stay together. Fortunately, they are played with great charm and enthusiasm by Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. The story has them on the lam from the law---Dukakis has broken Fricker out of an old folks home---hoping to get married in Canada before returning home. To help, they pick up an aimless young man, an ex-dancer who is hitch hiking. The plot is thin and at times very awkwardly progressed, but these two old pros get in some great lines, insults, dirty potty mouth language, and there is a surprising dose of amusing, full frontal (male) nudity. A whole lot of genuine feeling is generated between these three. GRADE-------B
Cheerful, lively documentary about the struggles of three would be star headliners on Broadway who instead work as THE STANDBYS--understudies for the stars who almost never call out sick. This film is a must for those interested in Broadway (or any other type) of theatre. GRADE------B
French film COTEAU ROUGE starts awkwardly, until you realize that this is a twisted satirical comedy (think TWIN PEAKS) that for me grew very likable and hilarious as it progressed. This film DID, however, split the audience between those who loved it and those who hated it. GRADE------B
I wanted to like the modest US comedy HELLO I MUST BE GOING more than I did. A 30 something, newly divorced and jobless woman finds herself living with her parents and finding solace in a handsome 19 year old. The film is slickly made and charmingly acted, but it feels a bit familiar. GRADE------B-
It's a close call on the charming indie comedy BROOKLYN BROTHERS BEAT THE BEST, about a rag tag trio who hit the road, touring with their gentle songs and children's toy instruments. There's a cleverness about much of the proceedings, but there's a lot of coincidences to swallow here, and the production values are marginal. Top billed Melissa Leo has one scene with maybe 2 lines. GRADE-------C+
The low budget science-fictionEARTHBOUND tries hard, but this Irish film just can't find the right tone, and the lines by the young actors are hard to hear. The special effects budget feels like $100 total, and the plot is familiar. Yawn. GRADE------C
Another film I wanted to like, but the documentary musical WELCOME TO DOE BAY plays like a llllooonnnnggg commercial for the Doe Bay music festival in the San Juan Islands. There were some nice musical interludes, but the talking heads kept repeating how wonderful it is to play in the San Juan Islands and be closer to their fans, and the film felt like double it's 75 minute running time. Might have worked better as a 20 minute short film. GRADE-------C-
Some shots of old movie palaces and urban streets in Cambodia are fascinating, and there is an intense 10 minute unbroken,emotional interview near the end with a director who survived the Khmer Rouge's deadly regime, but the film GOLDEN SLUMBERS, supposedly about Cambodia's hey day of film from 1960-1975 is a mish-mash of ideas and interviews that go no where. No archival materials exists of these films, so we listen to a dozen cinephiles and/or survivors tell us the plots and try to describe how wonderful these 40 years old films were. This is frustrating and tedious. GRADE-------D+
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On DVD I watched the latest film from Richard (LOVE ACTUALLY, NOTTING HILL) Curtis called PIRATE RADIO (2009). His camera style in this one is chaotic and busy (hand-held), and many characters are over the top, making the film hard to enjoy. But it was fun to see the sinking of the pirate radio ship near the end, some of the laughs work quite well, and there is a liberal dose of great rock and roll tunes from the 1960's. GRADE-------B-
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