The Town, Bran Nue Dae, You Again, Catfish

Best for the last week would be the new film by director/actor Ben Afleck, based on true stories from Boston's Charlestown region, known as a breeding ground for armed robberies. The film is called THE TOWN and concerns itself with a gang that robs banks and armoured cars. During one bank robbery, a gang member kidnaps a young woman, later lets her go, then has second doubts about whether or not she knows anything concrete that could incriminate the gang. The gang leader Ben Afleck determines to contact and befriend her-- of course, he falls for her and there is some tension whether or not she can or will implicate him. In the meantime a police detective has determined that this is the gang doing all the recent robberies and assaults, but needs more solid evidence to move in for the arrest. The film moves along in spite of some holes in the plot, and is entertaining and compelling with the tension developing between the two story lines. A very worth while effort, with special notice to Jeremy Renner from THE HURT LOCKER as the unpredictably violent gang member who is getting out of control, and Rebecca Hall as the young woman, innocently falling in love with the wrong guy. GRADE------B

There is finally a musical version of a big Australian stage play hit from 1990 that is one of the top films from Down Under, and it is called BRAN NUE DAE (BRAND NEW DAY). I saw it screened at the last edition of SIFF, and it was a complete and utter delightful surprise. Here is a pop musical singing/dancing film where nearly all the characters are Aboriginal ("There ain't nothing I'd rather be, Than an Aborigine....") with some big laughs, smart lovable characters and memorable pop tunes---and some sharp political jabs at the white man taking over all the Aboriginal land, and other injustices. But the tone is definitely light weight and you can be assured that a happy ending will see every one's dreams come true. GRADE------B

CATFISH is an odd name for what is basically a reality documentary exposing how easy it is to commit fraud on the social Internet networks like Face book. Over several months, a young man falls in love with what he thinks is his soul mate half way across the country, and learns about her younger artist sister, her beautiful mother, and the charmed life they lead. Then he (and his film making friends) decide to pay the family a surprise visit. There are enough red herrings (he says early at one point--"For all I know she could be a man" at the other end of the computer...) that when the truth starts to come out, we the audience are not terribly surprised, but more horrifyingly saddened at the lengths to which both the filmmakers and the 'family' have behaved. It is a sad film for all parties, and yet with exposure comes some liberating truths. Things are unexpectedly righted by the end. It's a sharp commentary on our e-world obsessions. GRADE-------B

I wish that the new comedy this week had been edgier, nastier, sharper, wittier and more fun, but YOU AGAIN is just a little lazy in all categories. Still, there is some fun with Sigourney Weaver oozing her way through the "heartless rich bitch" role, and Kristin Chenoweth has some odd amusing moments as a perky wedding-planner. Newcomer Kyle Bornheimer is over-the-top brilliant as a jilted lover who is not over it at all, and of course, the amazing Betty White delivers her lines with wicked aplomb. Kristen Bell does what she can as the geeky girl whose beloved brother is about to marry the meanest girl from her high school past, but the other characters, especially the men, barely register. It's an easy to watch, "popcorn" comedy, however, and I admit I enjoyed much of this guilty pleasure. GRADE---------B-

SIFF REPORT June 4--June 10

GRADE-----A

CELL 211--Spain--Within minutes of this prison movie you are thrown into the action which follows a new guard on his first day when a prison riot finds him left behind with the riot instigators , and he must pretend to be a prisoner or face certain death. A spellbinding, action packed film with great performances and editing and direction. Could be the top film of SIFF.
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GRADE----A-

THE REVERSE--Poland--Warsaw is trying to rebuild it's bombed out city after the war, but the cold war and political suspicion is still in effect among it's citizens. A young woman is courted by several men at the instigation of her meddling mother and grandmother, but she shows a mind of her own when she falls for a handsome suitor who has his own agenda. A funny, creepy film told with wonderfully stylish direction and black humor.

ROOM IN ROME--Spain--The most controversial and divisive film so far at SIFF, this new movie from festival favorite Julio Medem (SEX AND LUCIA, VACAS, LOVERS OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, et al) had people cheering and others loathing. Simply, two women meet one night in Rome and end up in bed, making love, talking, eating--all the while mostly naked--slowly revealing their inter most secrets, fears, loves. Subject matter aside, the film is stunningly beautiful to look at, the photography is excellent, the actors are believable and lovely, the music and editing are great, and director Medem keeps the interest level and intensity very high.
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GRADE----B+

COME UNDONE--Italy--A married man with children and a married woman with a devoted husband embark on a highly charged extra-marital affair, and the film shows how each family is affected. Message imparted: it takes a lot of time, money and energy to have an affair, and everyone suffers. Familiar stuff, but very well done.

BRAN NUE DAE--Australia--Pronounced "Brand New Day" this unique Aboriginal musical has been popular down under for over 20 years, and is so creative and musical and charming that it deserves to be a big hit.

FAMILY TREE--USA--Sharp and witty dialogue enliven this AMERICAN BEAUTY- light- story of a modern family who struggle to stay together despite pressures from society and mothers-in-laws. A strong cast (Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Keith Carradine, etc) and a clever screwball plot keep you laughing.
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GRADE-----B

GRAVITY--Germany--After witnessing a suicide, an uptight banker starts to explore his aggressive and outrageous criminal side, to amusing and horrifying results.

UPPERDOG--Norway--Interesting story involving the reunion of an Asian half brother and sister many years after they were adopted into separate middle class Norwegian families as very young children. One of the siblings is a not very nice man, which keeps the story edgy and funny.

CROSSING HENNESSY--Hong Kong--Two single adults set up by well meaning relatives, find their dislike for each other dissolving in this sometimes hectic but likable romantic comedy.

PARIS RETURN--Israel/France--Two retired older men who have lived together for many years in Paris--a gay couple, but sexuality is never discussed--consider moving from Paris to Israel, the homeland of the elder. A poignant character study, and the discussions of what to do with their personal works of art and possessions is heartfelt.
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GRADE-----B-

CARGO--Switzerland--A small crew on a four year voyage aboard a cargo ship to deep space realize they may not be alone in this creepy and tension filled (though sometimes familiar) science-fiction story.

BLOOD RELATIONS--Israel--Documentary of an upper class Jewish family in Israel who gets to know some Arab relatives and tries to help their situation for a while. Of course, what the Arab family really needs are jobs, which are not available in the occupied and heavily restricted areas they live in. The Jewish family seems obtuse to this idea. A maddening film which gets to the root, but fails to get to the root of Israeli-Palestinian relationships. (The characters all smoke SOOOOO much in this film that they will probably all die of lung cancer before any resolution is reached, anyway.)

AN ORDINARY EXECUTION--France--An aging Stalin and young female doctor with healing hands are thrown together in this fictionalized account of Stalin's last days. Well done, if grim.

8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION--USA--Eye-opening documentary shows how influential the Mormon's were in raising money to pass the proposition in California last year to take away rights from gay people to marry or have equal protections like married heterosexuals. For example, most Mormons were contacted in person or by phone and TOLD that according to their tax and tithe records, they needed to "donate" XXX amount of dollars towards this cause or they might not get the rewards in heaven......
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GRADE----C+

LOVE IN A PUFF--Hong Kong--Cheerful love story about two smokers who meet out side their work while on smoking breaks. I liked the characters and the music (sort of pop/jazz) --but there is a WHOLE LOT of SMOKING going on in this film, and not much else.

MICMACS--France--Visually and creatively enthralling, but dramatically uninvolving story of an innocent struck by a bullet who seeks revenge on the weapons manufacturers who made the bullets and the guns.
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GRADE---C

FATHER'S ACRE and THE DAMNED--They both have the set up, but nothing else to say, and both are deadly dull.
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GRADE----D

MISS NOBODY and I KISSED A VAMPIRE---Both are USA films that are quickly edited but that fails to hide the fact that they are trite, predictable and impossibly boring.