Here's what I've watched at SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in the last 5 days.......
PATHS OF THE SOUL---China/Tibet--I like to call it KOWTOW: THE MOVIE, because this group of villagers on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Lhasa spend all day everyday during this weeks and weeks long sojourn throwing themselves prostrate on the ground as they inch their way to their destination. In all seriousness, the film becomes meditative and spiritual, for the travelers and the audience. Incredible, beautiful experience for receptive movie goers. GRADE---------A-
A MAN CALLED OVE--Sweden/Norway--Comedy drama of angry old man and his neighbors. Between his broad attempts at suicide due to his wife's recent death, we learn about his life growing up, his formative youth and family, and the laughs come in spite of the occasional tears. GRADE----------B+
WEINER--USA--Engaging documentary about politician Anthony Weiner's downfall due to his sexting of his private parts over social media, and his attempts for a comeback to run again for NYC mayor race. In ways it's like watching a train wreck. GRADE-----B+
COME WHAT MAY--France--Excellent production of group of villagers fleeing the Nazi invasion. including a British soldier who has lost his battalion in combat, a possible double agent, a child separated from his father, a young teacher, a wine connoisseur, etc. The production is highlighted with what may be Ennio Morricone's most beautiful score. Film is a bit episodic, and ends quietly without a spectacular conclusion, but it is still a pleasing picture filled with suspense, drama, and the tragedy of war. GRADE--------B+
SCANDAL IN PARIS--U.K--1946--Before director Douglas Sirk became known for sumptuous melodramas like IMITATION OF LIFE (1959), WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956) and MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION (1954) among many others, he directed this amusing comedy based on a scoundrel who escapes from prison, steals garters off women he is seducing, and ends up chief of police. The witty and dry delivery of George Sanders is spot on and the script which is based on the life of a true character is clever, amusing and engaging. GRADE-------B+
FAMILY FILM--Czech Republic--Wealthy parents leave on a long sailboat cruise to South Pacific, while the 17year old girl tries to take care of the 15 year old boy, but soon the uncle must intervene. Suddenly the parents disappear, and the tension changes the family dynamic, and a family skeleton arises. You've never seen a film like this one (the family dog plays an important role) but thankfully it is quite engaging, even if you don't like the "politics." GRADE--------B
AS I OPEN MY EYES--Tunisia--This strong first film about a teenage girl who must decide to go to university to study medicine, or develop her budding career as a controversial singer in a band, is nearly sabotaged beyond repair by many scenes with overly chaotic photography. In spite of many warnings (from friends, family, and police) about her song's political content, this stubborn woman continues to dangerously flaunt her opinions in public...... GRADE---B-
RAINBOW TIME--U.S.A.--Writer and director Linas Phillips does an even better job acting as the lead in this comedy drama about a developmentally challenged adult who is a pain in the ass, especially when dealing with relationships with women. He causes much discomfort as his brother is trying to start a new relationship with a woman going through a divorce. The pacing feels a bit slow at times, and the low budget betrays some technical short comings, but the film is worth seeing in the positive way it deals with people who are different. GRADE------B-
DISORDER--France--Slow burning thriller about a troubled security man who tries to protect a woman whose husband is involved in a dangerous arms deal. There's too many questions that are never answered, and the final scene is obscure, so the slickly made film ends in a frustrating manner. GRADE-------------B-
SLEEPING GIANT--Canada--Low budget, but well intentioned, this film is set in a small vacation town and follows three young teen boys as they get into trouble, talk trash, discuss sex, and engage in very very dangerous, stupid activities. Not easy to watch, but the actors are fine and there are some very strong scenes. GRADE---------B-
OTHER PEOPLE--U.S.A.--Independent film about gay young man who returns home from New York City after a failed attempt at writing, to help take care of his dying mother. Known comedian Molly Shannon does a brave, chilling job as the cancer patient, but the film, although it has some humor, is mostly very sad and grim by the end. GRADE--------B-
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT (aka FALSTAFF)--Spain/U.K.--Revival of Orson Welles tale combining several of Shakespeares tragic plays, and featuring the recurring character Falstaff, well played by a very FAT Welles. I wasn't familiar with most of those plays, and wish I had some subtitles to follow the narrative better, but the actors are very interesting, including John Gielgud, Margaret Rutherford, Jeanne Moreau, Keith Baxter and others. Print and sound were very good. GRADE-------B-
ETERNAL SUMMER--Sweden--This felt like ETERNAL MOVIE that would never end. Totally annoying tale of young lovers who go on the run robbing banks and worse, but neither one is sympathetic enough to care about. The movie is filmed with CONSTANT shaking camera photography, and the ending is totally unbelievable. Yuck. (Interestingly enough, the male lead in this film, Filip Berg, was also featured in the superior MAN CALLED OVE--see above--he plays the younger Ove, and seeing the actor in back to back roles was fascinating. Many film goers didn't recognize him.) GRADE------D
Viewed on TCM------------------------------------------
PITFALL--1948--The title wasn't familiar to me, but I had seen this at a film noir night several years ago, and it is a superior drama featuring Dick Powell, who plays a middle class insurance salesman who becomes involved for one day with an attractive client (Lizabeth Scott) who has a boyfriend in jail. She is also pursued unhappily by a private investigator/ex cop (a creepy Raymond Burr). Tension rises when Burr threatens to go to Powell's wife (Jane Wyatt) with the details which would cause Powell's world to collapse. The actors are great, the direction is fast--just wish the title was more memorable. GRADE-----A-
TIMETABLE---(1956)--Insurance investigator and cop try to figure out the perfect burglary that happens on a train, with no obvious clues. There's a whopper of a twist half way through, and film is satisfying and rather sad for a main character. GRADE----B
COVER UP (1949)--Insurance sleuth investigates a suicide, but discovers it to be murder, yet he meets resistance from everyone in the small town. Very low budget, but has its moments. GRADE-------C+
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