YOMEDDINE--Egyptian film that I viewed last October at Vancouver International Film Festival, and it was my favorite at that time. Here's a simple story that produces a big emotional payoff. An adult leper leaves his colony to track down the family who abandoned him as a child.
GRADE-----------------A
THE NIGHTINGALE---From Australia, by the director of THE BABADOOK comes an epic tale of revenge and violence. An abused young woman witnesses the murder of her husband and baby and sets off to follow the crazed British officer responsible, tracking him through the outback with the help of an Aboriginal tracker. Warning: scenes of extreme violence, rape and bloodletting, especially committed against women and children. GRADE--------------B+
WILD ROSE---United Kingdom---A self destructive ex-con with a big talent for singing country music is her own worst enemy on her rocky road to musical success. Good support by Julie Walters as her mom, and Sophie Okonedo as a possible mentor. GRADE-----------B+
HONEYLAND--Macedonia--A middle-aged woman struggles to make a living gathering and selling honey in the big city and caring for her elderly, sick mother, but finds her life endangered by a careless family that moves in next door. GRADE-------------B+
ROLL RED ROLL--USA--Interesting documentary about small town where sport jocks rape intoxicated girl--unfortunately for them, there are dozens of teens with cell phones around to document the evening, in spite of the fact that many townsfolk want to blame the victim. GRADE----------------B
ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH--USA--Hypnotic, beautiful looking film that shows that humans are changing the planet. GRADE---------------B
ART OF SELF DEFENSE--USA--A milk toast man joins a karate studio only to discover some sinister issues, in this leisurely, odd but intriguing comedy/drama/ satire about toxic masculinity.
GRADE-----------------B-
FAMILY TOUR--Taiwan--Politics keeps a family from touring Asia together, so they meet up at selected tourist spots to visit. Film is a thoughtful slow burn, but intriguing none the less. GRADE------B-
OLYMPIC DREAMS---USA--I wanted to like this light weight "will they or won't they" romantic comedy more--the setting is uniquely set in the Olympic Village during the Korean Winter Games, but by the end, there is not much there but charming characters. GRADE--------B-
SINK OR SWIM--France--Every year there's a film about a group of disfuncional men who need to overcome their depression or unemployment or low self esteem, ETC by winning or achieving something physical......It started in earnest with THE FULL MONTY a decade ago. This one is certainly easy to enjoy, but you will have to wade through a pile of cliches to get there. GRADE---------------------- B-
WE ARE THE RADICAL MONARCHS--USA--Inspiring documentary about the start of a Girl Scout-type of group for girls of color, set in Oakland, but soon to spreed across the nation, we hope. Well worth seeing if interested. GRADE-----------B-
FRANCES FERGUSON--USA--Substitute teacher has affair with male student, but this is a beat too slow, and way, way too bone dry, although Nick Offerman's droll narration helps inject some needed humor. GRADE-----------------C+
VIEWED ON TV---------------
LE RIDE---USA--Documentary film on PRIME about the recreation of the 1928 bike ride around France-- the first Tour de france that 4 Englishmen rode in. The AMAZING RACE host Phil Keoghan and his buddy Ben Cornell ride the over 3300 miles in 26 days, trying to use the same schedule and same route--difficult today with new highways and maps. As a biker myself, I was engrossed, amazed and fascinated as the story is inter cut with real footage from the 1928 bike ride. This is an engrossing , educational and fascinating film, obviously filmed on a modest budget, but there is a big satisfaction in this film for any film watcher. GRADE-------A
WINE COUNTRY------USA---Netflix original movie, but the film is a big cliche from start to finish. I've enjoyed the cast (including Amy Pohler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer, Rachel Dratch, Jason Schwartzman, etc) in many other past things, but here the writing felt lame, the situations forced, the dialogue was too clever to be believed. Six long time women friends gather to a long weekend to drink wine, and of course, things go wrong, secrets spill and I didn't really believe most of it. GRADE---------------C
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