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.
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