INVISIBLE WITNESS--Italy--This murder mystery thriller moves like a fast train, with enough twists and turns to populate a half dozen Agatha Christie novels. Big buzz after this one. GRADE-----A-
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER: FREAK AND CHIC--USA--A zippy behind the scenes look at putting on a show about his life--complete with sex, skin and energy. GRADE-------B+
FARINELLI--France/Italy/Belgium--1994--Beautifully restored musical drama about a super popular castrato from the 17th century. Costumes, editing, actors and music all glorious, although the sound became out of sync in the last 10 minutes of my screening. GRADE--------B+
URGENT--Morocco/Switzerland--24 hours of drama and pathos in an overcrowded and understaffed Moroccan urban hospital full of life and death decisions. GRADE--------B+
A FAITHFUL MAN--France--Drama with a bit of absurd comedy about man tested for reconnecting with an ex-lover after she has thrown him out to marry the father of her new baby. GRADE------------B
ALL ABOUT ME--Germany--Biographical film of childhood of a popular comedian, who learns to make his family members laugh to keep them happy. Film felt like the early work of Frederico Fellini when he made his happier biographical films like NIGHTS OF CABRIA and ROMA. GRADE---------------B+
GOOD KISSER--USA--Local Seattle film with surprisingly good actors and smart script--a sophisticated and smooth story about a lesbian threesome that ends differently than expected. GRADE-------B
PITY THE LOVERS--Iceland, but written for Swedish actors and reworked when funding not available in Sweden--Goofy adult brothers can't seem to find the right women, but they are delightfully funny none the less. GRADE--------B
COLD CASE HAMMARSKJOLD--Sweden/Norway/Denmark--While researching the 1959 plane crash that killed the United Nations president, the film makers stumble across several bizarre plots that are too horrible to imagine, including an extreme right wing final solution for Africa................GRADE-------------B
3 FACES---IRAN--Famous actress searches for aspiring teen actress amidst sexism and chauvinism in Iran. GRADE---------------B
MS PURPLE--USA--Very rough around the edges, but this film of two adult siblings who come together to take care of their ailing father (where one works as a sex worker) is tough to watch but there are some strong emotional scenes conveyed, even it some of the scenes don't always technically ring true. GRADE-------B-
WHAT WALAA WANTS--Denmark/Canada--Spirited, determined young woman wants to fight for justice through the Palestinian Security forces, although she is her own worst enemy. GRADE------------B-
FLY ROCKET FLY--Germany/Belgium--Consortium of European rocket scientists build launching pad for their low budget rockets in Zaire, Africa, causing political concern worldwide. This documentary is funny, lively and sad. GRADE-----------B-
THE ANNOUNCEMENT--Turkey--A small group of men are taking over the government by taking control of the only radio station, but that's harder than they thought. Very slow and dry, and not nearly enough laughs for this satire. GRADE----------B-
KNIFE + HEART--France--The film looks good in rare 35 millimeter print, but the silly plot about a man who murders gay porno actors in a grotesque manner is not as fun as it wants to be for a midnight feature. GRADE-----------C+
VOLCANO--Ukraine/Germany--Symbolic visuals and interesting sets can't compensate for complicated political mambo jumbo about a government official who seems to be trapped in a small rural town. I wish I liked this more. GRADE-------------C+
THE THIRD WIFE--Vietnam--Beautifully filmed tale of a young teen girl who is married off to an older man who wants a male heir that his first two wives can't provide. I felt lost with the introduction of numerous other characters (mostly women) and where they all fit into the story. GRADE------C+
ALL MY LOVING--Germany--3 different stories about 3 adult siblings with problems, but they weren't very interesting problems, and the film is 30 minutes too long. GRADE--------C+
SONJA:THE WHITE SWAN--Norway--Stogy, mediocre biographical picture, occasionally enlivened by musical ice skating numbers, about Norwegian skater and actress Sonja Hennie. Two hour film felt like 3 hours to me. GRADE---------------C
NO. 1 CHUNG YING STREET--Hong Kong--The clear black and white photography looks good in this story of Hong Kong breaking from mainland China, but numerous students in white tops and dark pants, and many protesters spouting political slogans keep the action confusing and it was difficult to tell who was who. I watched for one hour before leaving. GRADE------C
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment