SIFF Tue 5/28--Fri 5/31 DOCS on ALICE WALKER, MUHAMMAD ALI tops--GIRL W/9 WIGS and FULL CIRCLE

SIFF is like an avalanche for the last two weeks with over 21 films shown EACH DAY at different venues until closing day Sunday 6/9.

Here's what I saw this week---

TEDDY BEARS starts with 3 couples arriving at a dessert home (filmed near Twentynine Palms, CA) for the week, and one of the men claims he wants to have sex with all 3 women this week for "sexual healing" due to the recent death of his mother.  The request is met with suspicion and stony refusals, but triggers lots of discussion among the couples which challenges their relationships.  Late 20 somethings are not always fun to watch, but the bright cast, led by David Krumholtz and Melanie Lynskey are amusing and sympathetic in turns.      GRADE-----B

MUTUAL FRIENDS shares the same 20 something demographic, but lacks the energy, dialogue and charming actors of TEDDY BEARS.  Still it is slickly filmed and some viewers preferred it over the above---but at least TEDDY BEARS plot and dialogue is more organically progressive.     GRADE-----C

SOMM is a clever, informative look at the very few (about 200 worldwide) Master Sommeliers and the intense exam that each must pass to become a Master of wine.     GRADE-----B

GARIBALDI'S LOVERS is a tiresome, frantic Italian "comedy" that finally gels a bit in the last 20 minutes, but by that time it is too late.   GRADE------D+

Based on a true event, A HIJACKING is a slow burn thriller set in the Indian Ocean, as a group of Kenyan pirates take over a cargo ship owned by a big Danish corporation, whose owner  becomes too personally involved in the negotiations that drag out the conflict.  Effective.    GRADE-----B

An amazingly effective U.S. documentary, TRAILS OF MUHAMMAD ALI pulls together political and social events that show how and why the great boxer became such an iconic symbol.   Fascinating stuff.     GRADE-----A-

I walked out of YESTERDAY NEVER ENDS, a static two character talkathon from Spain, after 30 minutes.  Many that stayed referred to it as the FILM THAT NEVER ENDS, although some reportedly liked the ending.   No Grade due to walk out.

Chinese director Zhang Yang (SHOWER 1999) is in full sentimental mode in this entertaining, sometimes maudlin, but heartfelt dramedy called FULL CIRCLE, about some seniors in a retirement center that are determined to put on a show, despite complications and limitations.  For what it is, it is very effective.     GRADE----A- 

Very funny, very dramatic, very slickly produced, THE GIRL WITH NINE WIGS is a German film about a 21 year old who deals with her deadly cancer by creating new personas with wigs and make up, all the while dealing with drug therapy and radiation, friends and family.     GRADE----A

I USED TO BE DARKER is a low budget film about a newly pregnant girl from Ireland who runs away from her parents to visit her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, only to find they are in the process of splitting up.  The sound is not always good--the relatives are a musical bunch, but the film speak some truth to the painful reality of running away from your problems.       GRADE------B

COMRADE KIM GOES FLYING from North Korea is a cheerful, bright looking fantasy propaganda film where everything is lovely, and all your dreams can come true if you work hard enough.  It's silly stuff, but I giggled a lot.     GRADE-----B

The serious French drama THERESE stars Audrey Tautou (AMALIE) as a disturbed wealthy woman who tries to kill her husband.  Good effort and production values, but nothing new, either.    GRADE----B-

From Spain, a young refugee fleeing Franco's Spain becomes a nude model for an aging sculptor who has recently struggled with his lack of creativity in THE ARTIST AND THE MODEL. The film is beautifully shot in black and white, and has a delicate sensibility, with scenes and themes of war, voyeurism, love, death, and art mixed into a pleasing blend.     GRADE-----B+

From Denmark comes IT'S ALL SO QUIET, a somber, reflective film about the loneliness of a rural farmer, who is taking care of his elderly immobile dying father, and finds himself strangely drawn to a friendly dairy trucker.  The lead actor Jeroen Willems is intriguing--he died shortly after filming this gentle thoughtful film.      GRADE-----B+

MARIE KROYER also from Denmark, is a period piece about a woman torn between her mentally disturbed husband, and a younger composer.  It looks fine, but the plotting is familiar, and the film lacks some oomph and passion.      GRADE------C+

A splendid, well made documentary about the famous writer and activist, ALICE WALKER: TRUTH IN BEAUTY informs and provokes thoughtful awareness of social and political issues.  This film is part of a fine trifecta of documentaries about some great African American icons in the United States----see also ANITA and TRAILS OF MUHAMMAD ALI.     GRADE-------A


THIS WEEKEND I WOULD RECOMMEND------ALICE WALKER: TRUTH IN BEAUTY, THE WALL, SOMM, SHORT TERM 12 and INEQUALITY FOR ALL--BUT WARNING, THESE ARE ALL POPULAR, SO GET THERE EARLY.....