PRAYER BEFORE DAWN--Thailand/Great Britain--A last minute addition to the Festival, this TBA offering is a hard hitting film with no subtitles about a drug user who is confined in a Thai prison, and uses his boxing skills to get into a better position. Based on a true story, this is tough to watch sometimes due to prison violence and fighting, but it was not boring. GRADE-----B+
CHAMPIONS--Spain--It is a comedy that plays by the numbers----arrested assistant coach with a major attitude problem is assigned to work with mentally disabled athletes, and makes them a winning team. I will admit there were some funny scenes in the early going, and the ending was the most surprising and funny and moving fifteen minute scene I've witnessed. Saved by the ending. GRADE------------B
EIGHT GRADE------A modest low budget comedy about a shy middle schooler trying to broaden her horizons and learning about life. The lead is sweet and funny and the film goes more for truth than laughs. Winner of best actress and best film for the Golden Space Needle awards, although I can name a dozen or more better actors and films than EIGHT GRADE. GRADE-----B
SOUFRA---In a refugee camp near Beirut, women with no jobs or future try to make a new beginning with selling food--something they know about, first at a local food market, and then by using a food truck, which requires a lot of double talk with an unsympathetic government. Fairly smooth and competent, but it lack some needed punch. GRADE-----------B
RETURN TO MOUNT KENNEDY---USA---Some of Robert Kennedy's family and friends attempt a summit climb 50 years after Sen Kennedy climbed to the top with Jim Whitaker. Well filmed but less than amazing. GRADE--------B-
WRATH OF SILENCE--China----Lots of running around, sometimes carrying a child in a bag, lots of shady characters and corruptions, but not much style. The chatting elderly Chinese speakers behind me, and then the cell phones that kept ringing, finally drove me home to an early night.
GRADE--------C
HERE ARE MY FAVORITE FILMS FROM SIFF 2018--all rated A or A- with a couple B+
Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex, Fashion, Disco--documentary
Ballet Now--documentary
Belle de Jour--revival
C'est la vie!
The Children Act
First Reformed
The Guilty
Hearts Beat Loud
The Last Suit
Leave No Trace
Mademoiselle Paradis
McQueen-documentary
My Name is Myeisha
Naila and the Uprising--documentary
Naples in Veils
On Chesil Beach
Queerama-documentary
Sancho the Bailiff--revival
See You Up There
Three Identical Strangers--documentary
Thunder Road
I'll write more about them as they open---but quick, FIRST REFORMED is a stunner by long time director Paul Schrader, with a fantastic Ethan Hawke losing his religion, and ON CHESIL BEACH packs a subtle punch---both are Now Playing. Hurry to see them.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Saturday, June 9, 2018
SIFF Screenings Mon 4 Jun----Fri 8 Jun---Highlights: MY NAME IS MYEISHA, NAILA and the UPRISING, THE HEIRESSES, BALLET NOW, THUNDER ROAD, PUZZLE
MY NAME IS MYEISHA--USA--Based on a stage play, but this stunner is about the life and death of Myeisha, a 19 year old black woman who was shot by police 12 times while sleeping upright in her stranded car, and it is all preformed in rap and dance sequences. A profound and disturbing experience. GRADE--------A
NAILA and the UPRISING---Palestine/USA--Clear headed and well chronicled account of woman who heads the Woman's resistance against the occupation of Palestine by Israelis. GRADE--------A
THE HEIRESSES---Paraguay and others---When her long time lesbian companion goes to jail for fraud, the quiet one regains self confidence as she transports older women around town, and becomes attracted to a younger bisexual who proclaims at one point "That was the first time I had a three-way!" in this well acted, moody drama. GRADE---------A-
BALLET NOW--USA--Lead dancer Tiler Peck from New York City Ballet curates and directs and dances in a group of new dances representing all different sorts of dance, including hip-hop, tap, classical, modern and classic. The first half of the film shows her hectic schedule as she tries to coordinate the 22 different dancers, and second half shows parts of the finished product. Well shot and directed, and an inspiration to watch. GRADE----A-
THUNDER ROAD---USA--A cop who has just lost his mother seems to be suffering from a nervous break down as he muffles, dances, cries and nearly collapses during her funeral, then must deal with his wife who is suing for divorce and sole custody of their child. His life is a mess, and we see that and sympathize with him, while laughing at his misery and insanity. Writer, director, and actor Jim Cummings gives a bravado performance. GRADE----------B+
PUZZLE-------USA-- A simple housewife, dedicated to her family and church, discovers her unique talent at putting together jigsaw puzzles, and this changes her attitude of life and family when she discoverers the competitive side of this activity. GRADE------------B
RETABLO---PERU and others--Beautifully filmed story of master artist who is training his teen aged son to become an artist like him, but the last 30 minutes turns cruel, violent and homophobic, ending badly for the characters and the audience. GRADE----------B
THE CHANGELING--USA---A restored, better than average horror film with a restrained George C. Scott in the lead, about his efforts to find out about the haunted house he is renting. Filmed in Vancouver B.C. but set in Seattle, with many splendid shots and chilling scenes. GRADE------B
CHEDENG AND APPLE--Philippines--Charming but leisurely comedy of two best friends on the run after one murders her husband and keeps his head in a designer bag. GRADE--------B
ANCHOR AND HOPE--United Kingdom and Spain--Two lesbians seek the sperm of a Spanish friend to start their family, but it is not clear what part each character will play in this "family to be" comedy/drama. The moody and bitter sweet feelings dampen the comedy, but is is pleasant enough to engage. GRADE-----B
THE SILK AND THE FLAME--USA/China----A single, middle aged man travels to visit his family in rural China, with the film documentarian friend. He cannot tell his family he is gay, just saying he is seeing a woman (who may become his beard and he hers). The black and white film emphasizes the cold brutal living quarters and poverty the family experiences, in spite of the fact that the gay son financially takes care of them all (nearly a dozen family members!)----Yet, no one seems very happy about the situation. GRADE----------B
The following films are rated B- WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY (USA), and TASTE OF BETEL NUT (HONG KONG)--both are nice tries with small budgets.
Rated C+------MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING (ITALY)--it nearly has a fun redeeming finale just not enough fun up to that point.
Rated C----SUSU and ONE FOR THE LADIES---both have some surprising visuals but the results are muddled.
Rated C- RUSH HOUR (boring and pointless) and EMPTY HANDS (dull and empty headed)
Rated D+ TYREL (way too much wild hand held camera work and obnoxious drunken shouting) and LITTLE TITO and the ALIENS--I could not engage with this juvenile family film and slept for a good hour during it--yeah.
NAILA and the UPRISING---Palestine/USA--Clear headed and well chronicled account of woman who heads the Woman's resistance against the occupation of Palestine by Israelis. GRADE--------A
THE HEIRESSES---Paraguay and others---When her long time lesbian companion goes to jail for fraud, the quiet one regains self confidence as she transports older women around town, and becomes attracted to a younger bisexual who proclaims at one point "That was the first time I had a three-way!" in this well acted, moody drama. GRADE---------A-
BALLET NOW--USA--Lead dancer Tiler Peck from New York City Ballet curates and directs and dances in a group of new dances representing all different sorts of dance, including hip-hop, tap, classical, modern and classic. The first half of the film shows her hectic schedule as she tries to coordinate the 22 different dancers, and second half shows parts of the finished product. Well shot and directed, and an inspiration to watch. GRADE----A-
THUNDER ROAD---USA--A cop who has just lost his mother seems to be suffering from a nervous break down as he muffles, dances, cries and nearly collapses during her funeral, then must deal with his wife who is suing for divorce and sole custody of their child. His life is a mess, and we see that and sympathize with him, while laughing at his misery and insanity. Writer, director, and actor Jim Cummings gives a bravado performance. GRADE----------B+
PUZZLE-------USA-- A simple housewife, dedicated to her family and church, discovers her unique talent at putting together jigsaw puzzles, and this changes her attitude of life and family when she discoverers the competitive side of this activity. GRADE------------B
RETABLO---PERU and others--Beautifully filmed story of master artist who is training his teen aged son to become an artist like him, but the last 30 minutes turns cruel, violent and homophobic, ending badly for the characters and the audience. GRADE----------B
THE CHANGELING--USA---A restored, better than average horror film with a restrained George C. Scott in the lead, about his efforts to find out about the haunted house he is renting. Filmed in Vancouver B.C. but set in Seattle, with many splendid shots and chilling scenes. GRADE------B
CHEDENG AND APPLE--Philippines--Charming but leisurely comedy of two best friends on the run after one murders her husband and keeps his head in a designer bag. GRADE--------B
ANCHOR AND HOPE--United Kingdom and Spain--Two lesbians seek the sperm of a Spanish friend to start their family, but it is not clear what part each character will play in this "family to be" comedy/drama. The moody and bitter sweet feelings dampen the comedy, but is is pleasant enough to engage. GRADE-----B
THE SILK AND THE FLAME--USA/China----A single, middle aged man travels to visit his family in rural China, with the film documentarian friend. He cannot tell his family he is gay, just saying he is seeing a woman (who may become his beard and he hers). The black and white film emphasizes the cold brutal living quarters and poverty the family experiences, in spite of the fact that the gay son financially takes care of them all (nearly a dozen family members!)----Yet, no one seems very happy about the situation. GRADE----------B
The following films are rated B- WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY (USA), and TASTE OF BETEL NUT (HONG KONG)--both are nice tries with small budgets.
Rated C+------MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING (ITALY)--it nearly has a fun redeeming finale just not enough fun up to that point.
Rated C----SUSU and ONE FOR THE LADIES---both have some surprising visuals but the results are muddled.
Rated C- RUSH HOUR (boring and pointless) and EMPTY HANDS (dull and empty headed)
Rated D+ TYREL (way too much wild hand held camera work and obnoxious drunken shouting) and LITTLE TITO and the ALIENS--I could not engage with this juvenile family film and slept for a good hour during it--yeah.
Monday, June 4, 2018
SIFF Screenings Wed 30 MAY through Sun 4 JUN Highlights----------CHILDREN ACT, HAL, NAPLES IN VEILS, JINN, C'est'la vie!, and QUEERAMA
THE CHILDREN ACT--United Kingdom--based on a novel by Ian McEwan and featuring a wonderful turn by Emma Thompson--this is a regal courtroom drama what left me very moved. GRADE----------A
HAL---USA--Excellent documentary about classic director/editor/writer Hal Ashby, who was responsible for such great films as BOUND FOR GLORY, SHAMPOO, THE LANDLORD, THE LAST DETAIL, HAROLD AND MAUDE, and COMING HOME, among others. GRADE---------A
NAPLES IN VEILS---Italy--Directed with his usual elegance, this mystery thriller by Ferzan Ozpetek suffers only by a strange and ambiguous ending, but it's a pleasure to watch. GRADE------A-
JINN--USA--Mom becomes a Muslim and her teen daughter rebels, but this is an excellent family drama about relationships, religion, love and respect. GRADE----------A-
QUEERAMA---Great Britain---Extended British film clip compilation crossed with unique music and dialogue showing the change and growth of gay lifestyles in Europe. The most unique experience of SIFF, and a must for any cinema lover. GRADE---------A-
C'EST'LA VIE!---Elevated French fluff comedy that features some great characterizations and very funny scenes, as a group of caterers try to service a fancy wedding. GRADE----------B+
NUMBER ONE--France--Woman is groomed to take over top CEO of top company, but faces many obstacles. It's dramatic but plays at times like a thriller. GRADE----------B+
WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY----Norway and others----Pakistani teen living in Norway has conflicts with her demanding, conservative parents, which greatly change her life. GRADE-------B+
Following fine films all rated B-------CATWALK: TALES FROM THE CAT SHOW CIRCUIT, DOUBTFUL, POET and the BOY, VIRUS TROPICAL, 1985, LEMONADE, and with a B- score are MOST DANGEROUS YEAR and THE KING.
Following films are C+-------CONSTRUCTION ALBERT and ELLEN
Following films are C-----NONA, CRIME OF MONSIEUR LANGE , WEBFEST AT SHORELINE and LOT'S OF KIDS A MONKEY and a CASTLE.
HAL---USA--Excellent documentary about classic director/editor/writer Hal Ashby, who was responsible for such great films as BOUND FOR GLORY, SHAMPOO, THE LANDLORD, THE LAST DETAIL, HAROLD AND MAUDE, and COMING HOME, among others. GRADE---------A
NAPLES IN VEILS---Italy--Directed with his usual elegance, this mystery thriller by Ferzan Ozpetek suffers only by a strange and ambiguous ending, but it's a pleasure to watch. GRADE------A-
JINN--USA--Mom becomes a Muslim and her teen daughter rebels, but this is an excellent family drama about relationships, religion, love and respect. GRADE----------A-
QUEERAMA---Great Britain---Extended British film clip compilation crossed with unique music and dialogue showing the change and growth of gay lifestyles in Europe. The most unique experience of SIFF, and a must for any cinema lover. GRADE---------A-
C'EST'LA VIE!---Elevated French fluff comedy that features some great characterizations and very funny scenes, as a group of caterers try to service a fancy wedding. GRADE----------B+
NUMBER ONE--France--Woman is groomed to take over top CEO of top company, but faces many obstacles. It's dramatic but plays at times like a thriller. GRADE----------B+
WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY----Norway and others----Pakistani teen living in Norway has conflicts with her demanding, conservative parents, which greatly change her life. GRADE-------B+
Following fine films all rated B-------CATWALK: TALES FROM THE CAT SHOW CIRCUIT, DOUBTFUL, POET and the BOY, VIRUS TROPICAL, 1985, LEMONADE, and with a B- score are MOST DANGEROUS YEAR and THE KING.
Following films are C+-------CONSTRUCTION ALBERT and ELLEN
Following films are C-----NONA, CRIME OF MONSIEUR LANGE , WEBFEST AT SHORELINE and LOT'S OF KIDS A MONKEY and a CASTLE.
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