Here's what I saw Tue--Thur at SIFF Screenings----
LANE 1974---USA--A great local film (!!!) about a 13 year old whose mother keeps pulling her from on communal situation to another, which may have a devastation effect on her later life. Excellent actors. This is the first SIFF film that I did NOT want to end. GRADE-------A-
AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL--Spain--A man in a wheelchair discovers his neighbors plan to rob a bank by tunneling under his house, and makes plans to sabotage them. This is a shit kicker of suspense and tension, and even though the ending seemed a bit unbelievable, this film is an ideal popcorn thriller. GRADE-------A-
MR. LONG--Japan/China--Despite the need for some editing and the predictable premise that the past will always come back to haunt you, the steady pace, careful photography, and human expressions keep this film involving, as a hired killer tries to find a new life. Some hand held scenes are an unnecessary distraction. GRADE----B+
SMALL TOWN KILLERS--Denmark--Comic acting, although sometimes over the top, is choice in this dark comedy about a miscommunication when two dumb guys hire a Russian hit man to "scare" their wives into being more affectionate (!)--and things get way out of control. The witty plot reminded me of some serious comedies from Alec Guinness that were made in the 1950's like KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (1949), LAVENDER HILL MOB (1951) and THE LADY KILLERS (1955), although some modern sensibilities have been added, for better or for worse. Comedy is a subjective thing, but nonetheless, I laughed a lot. GRADE------------------B+
SAMI BLOOD--Sweden/Norway/Denmark--A young teen indigenous to Lapland yearns to leave her tribal traditions and assimilate into urban society in the 1950's, learning to be ashamed about her people and creating guilt and regret in her life. It's a thoughtful, engaging film. GRADE-----B+
WHAT LIES UPSTREAM--USA--Grim documentary shows how a massive chemical spill in West Virginia poisoned the water for 300,000 people, and it may just be the tip of a corrupt political system that involves collusion with corporations and local officials that may eventually effect water systems nation wide. GRADE------------B
THE LANDING--USA--I was taken in and entertained by this intriguingly constructioned fake documentary about the conspiracy theories that surrounded the Apollo 18 space capsule that landed in China when returning to earth. GRADE-------B
ANISHOARA--Moldova/Germany--There was nearly no need for this gentle, lovely film to have subtitles, since most of the soundtrack is birds, buses, breezes and singing. While not much plot, we learn a lot about village (leisurely) life, and Anishoara's loves and disappointments. GRADE-----B-
CROWN HEIGHTS--USA--Based on a true story of a young black man incarcerated for a murder he did not commit for over 20 years, and his best friend to who worked tirelessly to free him, along with a woman who would become his wife. The film for me started poorly (dark, moody, shaking camera, awkward direction) but gathered some energy and power and becomes riveting by the end. I've seen more compelling prison dramas, but this one has some heart. GRADE-----------B-
ZOOLOGY--Russia--A shy woman breaks out of her shell when she grows a tail and finds a lover, but the film has a lot of hand held camera distractions, and it is too timid to expand on the the initial (but great) set up. Needs to be remade as a bold midnight exploitation film. GRADE-----C+
IT'S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD--Canada/France--I often enjoy the films of Xavier Dolan, especially I KILLED MY MOTHER 2009 and TOM AT THE FARM 2013, but this turgid talk fest made mountains out of mole hills and presents nothing but a very dysfunctional family not telling the truth while being cruel to each other---all in extreme close up shots. Only Marion Cotillard seems to emerge as an interesting character. Tiresome. GRADE--------D+
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment