It's been a busy last week of screenings. Here's what I've seen this last week.
THE JOURNEY--United Kingdom--Spectacular acting with Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, John Hurt and Freddie Highmore, about political peace making in Northern Ireland. GRADE-----A
GOD'S OWN COUNTRY--United Kingdom--Splendid drama reminds us of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN but set in rugged Yorkshire, England where two farm hands discover warmth and love amid a dreary life of sheep herding. Some hand held camera work keeps this fine romantic film from a top rating. GRADE--------A-
KILLS ON WHEELS--Hungary--Unique violent fantasy drama of young men in wheelchairs who gang up with a gangster hit man. GRADE------------B+
AMERICAN FOLK--USA--Two strangers drive and sing their way across the USA when the 9/11 tragedy grounds all air planes. Powerful and uplifting in a simple way. GRADE--------B+
THE QUEST--USA--A black family from North Philadelphia is dramatically profiled over the course of 5 years, covering sickness, a shooting, cancer and other conflicts. Will be shown eventually on the PBS program POV. GRADE-----------B+
BORDERS--Burkina Faso--A serious but at times lighthearted, and very colorful film about four different women trying to travel across West Africa, facing corruption and other dangers. GRADE--------B
BETTER WATCH OUT---USA---A funny, sick "midnighter" film with appropriate violence and shocks and twists--a cross between home invasion scenarios and twisted teen escapades. If this is your thing, you will find it fun. Oh yeah---filmed at Christmas time. GRADE-------B
SANTA AND ANDRES--Cuba/Colombia--A gay man and a lonely woman sent to guard him find companionship despite different political views. GRADE-------B
DEATH AND LIFE OF MARSHA P. JOHNSON--USA--Documentary about a 25 year cold case, where a transgendered gay man is found murdered, but the police claimed it was suicide. Fascinating account of misjustice. GRADE-----------B
KALUSHI--South Africa--Bio pic about a freedom fighter trying to win justice and equality for poor blacks prior to desegregation. GRADE---------B-
GOOK---USA--A hand held camera extravaganza about the day of the Watts riots and burning in Los Angeles, focusing on two Korean brothers struggling to run a shoe store while being harassed by some black gang members. Profane and chaotic but has some powerful moments. GRADE---C+
SUSANNE BARTSCH: ON TOP--USA--Gay icon and fashion director and party planner in NYC is profiled in this occasionally interesting documentary. GRADE------C+
TROUBLE---USA--Angelica Huston and Bill Pullman are antagonistic siblings and are strong reasons to watch this modest comedy drama. GRADE------C+
IN THE RADIANT CITY--USA--Slow, protracted drama about a man returning to his hometown after 20 years, whose testimony sent his brother to prison. Actors are fine but let down by poky script. GRADE--------C+
ON THE ROAD--United Kingdom--Docu-drama follows a head banger band (loud), with much aggressive hand held camera work complete with strobe lighting and after 35 minutes I left. Only for the interested film goer. GRADE-----------C
WALLFLOWER---USA--Local Northwest production about a mass murderer. Most of the film is spent at a rave (dark, loud, hand held camera) and an after rave all night party (dark, loud, hand held camera) making this very difficult to see and listen to. (Imagine being the only person who is not drunk or high and trying to have a conversation--that's what the killer has to contend with--no wonder he kills everyone. I left after one hour. GRADE---------C-
KNIFE IN CLEAR WATER--China--Austere, extremely meditative (read sleepy time for the viewer) film about elderly man trying to decide how to honor his dead wife--kill some chickens or kill the old ox. GRADE----------C-
THE DOOR--China--Dull and confusing story of man who goes through a door to a different life of luxury and wealth. Production values are fine, but it felt like an ending every five minutes for the last 30 minutes. GRADE---------D+
THE BEAUTIFUL KOKONOR LAKE--China-- Busy, silly, excessively melodramatic soap opera that spans over fifty years, but still feels like a vanity production for the writer/actress who at age 95 is recounting her life. I wanted to like it but after 45 minutes I left. GRADE-------D+
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