SIFF Report thru June 9th

Final weekend ahead, and still a lot to see. Here's the latest that I saw on Wed and Thur.

THE YELLOW SEA--------GRADE TBA
Another big OOOOOPPPPPSSS for the press screenings---shown without subtitles---so if you want to see it (the picture looks impressive during the first 10 minutes) make sure to call SIFF Info line to check that the subtitles will be included.

POR EL CAMINO--------GRADE B
I'm not sure exactly why I enjoyed this breezy, nearly plot less, would be romantic, road trip through Uruguay, but the scenery sure stays with me, and the characters don't jump right into bed, either. Very pleasant.

SPUD------------GRADE B+
John Cleese is the influential teacher at a private South African boys school in 1990 and the young hero has not yet developed into puberty (the term "spud" referring to his small undeveloped genitalia), and as it starts you will be thinking that this story is going to be very familiar, and for a while it is. But the characters are all likable and become unusually rounded for such a comedy/drama, the shenanigans are realistically subdued, and the film becomes quite moving by the end.

MARATHON BOY-------GRADE A
Another GREAT documentary, this one is set in India, and tells the story of a 3 year old boy who loves to run. He is adopted out of poverty by his coach, who runs an athletic/training orphanage with his wife, but because the boy is so young, controversy arises when he tries to run half and full marathons. Ethics, politics and social conflicts put up barriers between the coach and the child. There is a shocking development towards the end that I didn't see coming. This film, along with HOT COFFEE and HOW TO DIE IN OREGON are all sponsored by HBO, which will be handling their release, and they should show up on HBO later this year. THE LAST MOUNTAIN is also getting a theatrical release this summer. These are the 4 top films of SIFF this year.

ROMEOS---------GRADE B
This lively German film by a first time woman director is quite good, especially considering the complicated subject matter. Lukas is a trans-gendered 20 year old going FTM (female to male)who depends on his best friend, a lesbian, for moral support during this process. In college he falls for a flirty, bisexual hustler who doesn't know about Lukas' FTM situation. There is a lot of sexual tension, humor,
pathos and drama that feels quite real for the main character. The key role of Lukas is played by a first time actor called Rick Okon, and I kept thinking that this is one of the strongest break-through roles since BOYS DON'T CRY that I've seen.

HOLY ROLLERS: THE TRUE STORY OF CARD COUNTING CHRISTIANS------GRADE B-
A true documentary based on a group of Christian black-jack players based in Seattle is notable mainly for emphasizing how 1) Christians or otherwise can justify gambling, as long as money is being made, and 2)Christians and otherwise can be as deluded, sinful and selfish as any one else. It raises some interesting ideas, but at 93 minutes seems unfocused at times and could lose 15 minutes to editing.

FUNKYTOWN-----------GRADE B-
Set in the mid 1970 during the disco era, this slick, hoary,melodramatic cliche, filled with sex, drugs and music in Quebec, feels like a Guilty Pleasure from the start, especially with most scenes punctuated with some great disco classic covers. But the film does go on too long, and the fun starts to fizzle as cliche piles on to cliche in deadly seriousness.

THE DESTINY OF LESSER ANIMALS----------GRADE B
Interesting ethno-centric film from Ghana about a police officer trying to track down his stolen counterfeit passport so he can escape to America. Part mystery, part thriller, part character study, and part allegory to patriotism.

THE REDEMPTION OF GENERAL BUTT NAKED---------GRADE B-
Liberia's General Butt Naked was a terrifying brutal soldier during his country's 14 years of civil war, ruthlessly attacking, raping and murdering over 20,000 people (by his own admission) while naked. After the war he reinvents himself as a Bible-toting preacher, trying to turn his henchmen towards God and religion and seek forgiveness for his many sins. This is a powerful documentary, as it follows him running into survivors whose family he murdered, and it raises a lot of questions, like should he be prosecuted for war crimes, and should he be trying to convert people to Christianity when just a few years earlier he'd have rather killed them. Can we believe him? (The war time tribunal recommended amnesty towards him!) But part of the problem with the film is the rough handheld cinematography, and many of those questions remain unresolved.

SIFF Report June 7

Many of the following will be screening during the last week of SIFF 2011. A grade of B- or better is worth seeing.

TO BE HEARD--------GRADE B+
Another in a long line of fine SIFF documentaries, this one focuses on three high school students in the Bronx who are gifted performers in the relatively new art of hip-hop poetry, which they hope will be their ticket out of the ghetto. The film is heartbreakingly candid as to what these kids face in their everyday world, and while a lot of hope is offered, the reality seems to be working against some of them. I was startled to hear their teachers using a lot of street vernacular and profanity in the classroom, and to see how emotionally close they become to their students, but hey--whatever works.

ABSENT-----------GRADE B
This is NOT a Hitchcockian thriller as the descriptions would have you believe. This suspense film from Argentina does create some tension (sexual and otherwise) as a teen age boy tries to insinuate himself into his male teacher's life by lying about his parents, friends and agenda, and creates emotional havoc in the well meaning teacher. Heavy handed during the first half, the film resists the temptation to make the teen (and the teacher) the "BAD GUY"---and ultimately becomes more interesting (and disturbing) by the end.

TABLOID-------GRADE B+
A new film by Errol Morris about a scandal in the early 1970's where an ex-beauty queen tracks down her missing fiance, kidnaps him out of his Morman missionary work, gets sent to prison, and then as the tabloids start digging, has her life splayed open to charges of prostitution and solicitation. One of those "truth is stranger than fiction" stories, this one is possibly the funniest and most entertaining documentary of SIFF this year.

BLACK FIELD------GRADE B-
Possibly the strangest plot twists since....THE CRYING GAME, this Greek film set in the 16th century, has a young novice nun with a big secret becoming fascinated by a wounded soldier taken in by the nunnery filled with nuns obsessed with ungodliness.
Yes, this one is loaded, but it is played out in all seriousness, and the photography and cinematography make it easy to look at. The final, bold controversial scene had jaws dropping all over the theatre, except for a few fleeing to the lobby.

KING OF DEVIL'S ISLAND--------GRADE B
Engrossing Norwegian film based on a true story set in 1915 on island prison for wayward boys run by a very stern governor (played by Stellan Skarsgard who seems to be channeling Max von Sydow at his most constipated)who fails to see abusive warning signs that may lead to mutiny. The facility is so cold that you can see the breath of the characters in the dormitories and dining room!

NORWEGIAN WOOD------------GRADE TBA!
The screening ended for all but a dozen Japanese speakers at the 10 minute mark (Looks good though) when it was discovered that there were no ENGLISH subtitles on this print. Call SIFF to verify English subtitles for screenings this weekend!!!!

LYS and ROMAN'S ARK--------GRADE D and B-
Two short films on the same program, the German film LYS is a POS (piece of ----) where the story is slow and predictable, and the camera work apparently done by an 11 years boy on Speed and lumpy roller skates--painful to watch--most of us took a little nap. ROMAN'S ARK was technically the better film, a low budget short story about trying to find life in the future after a nuclear attack. Familiar but intriguing to watch.

ALL YOUR DEAD ONES---------GRADE D
Boring absurdest drama about Colombian farmer who discovers a pile of dead bodies in his cornfield. Then, after that amazing set-up, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR THE NEXT HOUR as 6 characters stand around looking at each other while a cell phone goes off constantly on screen--sometimes answered, sometimes not. A MAJOR, disappointing BOMB.

THE LIFE OF FISH---------GRADE B
In this intriguing melancholic film from Chile, a 30 something man wanders around a house party, saying his (very very long)goodbyes to a number of friends he hasn't seen in nearly 10 years. They are all tied together by a previous tragedy. The film reeks of regret, of lost friendships, missed opportunities, and the desire to change or correct the past.

BOBBY FISCHER AGAINST THE WORLD------- GRADE B
Well made and informative documentary on the life and death of the very public, very crazy (towards the end) World Chess Champion. Did his genius drive him insane, or did his psychosis make him a genius? Verrrrry interesting!

SIFF Report June 5

Saturday was such a good day for me, that I took off Sunday for biking, shopping, dishes, laundry and sleep. Here's what I saw that day.


A FEW DAYS RESPITE----------GRADE A-
Splendid small film about two men who are lovers, trying to escape from Iran, through Italy to France, where the older one finds work with an aging lonely, sympathetic woman, who has eyes for him, not knowing he is gay. There is a lot of tension and feeling that passes between the three protagonist, and the film is subtle yet engrossing and quite moving.

12 ANGRY LEBANESE: THE DOCUMENTARY----------GRADE A
Riveting and insightful story of Lebanese prisoners who participate in a dramatic workshop to present the play TWELVE ANGRY MEN before their peers, family and outsiders. The experience works not only to trigger reflection among the actors, many of whom have been in prison for more than 20 years and never had much self worth, but also to change the hearts and minds of outsiders and government officials towards prisoners.

CLINK OF ICE----------------GRADE A-
Perhaps the most audacious and wry French comedy of the decade, the film starts off slow, with a wealthy, smart writer drinking himself to death since he has just lost his wife, child, lover and has a mental block towards writing. He is soon visited by a man who claims to be the human incarnation of his cancer, and this cancer man is going to stay with him until the end. Suddenly the film takes off in all directions, with family, servants and friends weighing in on the situation--some can see the "cancer" (since they will someday be affected, too, apparently) and others cannot. Soon his faithful housekeeper has her own cancer following her around--even to bed....A wild, kinky, off the wall film, most amusing if you can get into it. Director Bertrand Blier (GOING PLACES, BEAU PERE, GET OUT YOUR HANDKERCHIEFS, MENAGE, etc) is back on top again!

TERRI---------------------GRADE C+
The day was pretty great until this American teenage coming-of-age would be comedy/drama about a fat teen who only feels comfortable in his pajamas (even at school),who lives with and takes care of his uncle who seems to have some form of dementia, and he likes to kill mice to feed to a large bird.....John C. Riley is the assistant principal who tries to befriend him by being logical, honest, and open, to varying results. The teens who populate this movie are very weird, interested in sex, drugs and alcohol (per norm) but in vacant unappealing ways. Tired stuff.

BURKE and HARE-------------Grade B
Set two hundred years ago in England, two hapless grave robbers discover that it is easier to murder than to rob graves in order to make a living. The comedy is sometimes broad but usually good natured, and the film is generous with developing some charming and delightful characters, which make for an easy going good time.

SIFF Report thru June 3

TOAST-------------GRADE B
Sometimes awkwardly paced, but sweet little British film, based on a true story, of young boy's efforts to get his father's approval and attention. The film picks up half way through when he tries to compete for his father's love by trying to out-cook the cleaning lady (Helena Bonham Carter), and this creates a lot of resentment since his father has the hots for her.

REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR------------GRADE B-
Slick, well made follow-up to WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR from 6 years ago, but this film is missing the evil power (GM-the killer of the original electric car) that propelled the first film to greatness. At times this feels more like an ad campaign for new car company Tesla, and Nissan's Leaf.

HEADING WEST-----------GRADE B+
The story of a struggling single divorced mother trying to build a relationship with a new man who isn't so inspired is no great revelation, but the lead actress is quite good and affecting.

MAMAS & PAPAS-----------GRADE A-
Moving and emotional film of the struggles of four couples to deal with the issues of conceiving, in-vitro, adoption, and loss of childbearing. This Czech Republic director (Alice Nellis) seems to be one to watch--her film feels natural, organic, universally truthful, and is beautifully resolved.

THE NAMES OF LOVE----------GRADE C+
I had a tough time buying into the initial premise of this sometimes silly French comedy. A mindless, flippant, sensual woman tries to bed men who are from the opposite ends of her liberal political spectrum to win them over to her political side. Of course she meets Mr Right, but they are so opposite philosophically that I had a hard time accepting their attraction, which was mostly sexual. The film is NOT dull, and at times it is amusing, and the actors look good without their clothes.

THE HUNTER-----------GRADE C+
Straight forward, plodding film about a man in Iran whose wife and child are accidentally killed in the cross fire between police and protesters, although the details are murky at best. He flips, kills two policemen, and then is hunted down. Not much subtlety or suspense.

MAMMUTH----------GRADE C+
I have to give Gerard Depardieu kudos for the long hair and heft of his body--he is certainly impressively sympathetic and, as usual, watchable. But this is one weird, absurd French black comedy. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it falls with a thud. And, it is hard to watch due to a LOT of hand-held camera work and rather ugly (intentional?) cinematography.

SMALL TOWN MURDER SONGS---------GRADE B
There's style and quirky moodiness to spare in this sparse tale of a strange woman discovered murdered in a small Canadian town. And the actors are all quite interesting. Unfortunately, the ending for me was underwhelming. My final response to the film was---THAT'S IT?

SIFF Report June 1st

SIFF is half over but there is still much to see. Here's what I've seen in the last two days, some of which will be repeating in the next week. Check out previous blogs for other options. B- or better is worth seeing.

SUSHI: THE GLOBAL CATCH----------GRADE B-
I don't eat sushi, and thought I hadn't much interest in this documentary--much filmed in Japan, but there were some things to learn, and the big concern is that blue fin tuna will be completely fished out in the next 10-15 years, especially when sushi takes off in China in the next couple years, like it has in the USA in the past 10 years. The film does offer some hope, but greedy corporations and consumers stand in the way.

THE OFF HOURS-------------GRADE __XXX___
After 25 minutes, I left. The film was projected (or filmed?) in what seemed like near darkness---I COULDN'T SEE ANY OF THE ACTORS FACES, even in a few daylight scenes
that came later. I would hope that the film maker didn't do this intentionally, and that the projectionist just didn't know how to project it correctly. Unfortunately, I will not take that chance to see it again. Wasn't too compelling, what little I "listened" to.

BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER'S JOURNEY------------GRADE B
This documentary on Kevin Clash who brings Elmo to life on Sesame Street, was pleasant to watch, and older children might be amused. Will probably be shown a lot on PBS starting in a few months.

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE-----------GRADE B+
Charming French film with a terrific performance by the great Gerard Depardeau as a simpleton who has an abusive mother. Still he charms his girlfriend and an older woman he meets occasionally at the park, who teaches him how to understand what he reads. This was a delightful surprise.

THE NIGHT OF COUNTING THE YEARS-------GRADE B-
Recently restored by Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation, this 1969 Egyptian film tells the story of a government employee who wants to stop the raiding of royal mummies for their priceless antiquities, only to find that his family has been deeply involved in this practice for many years. The film is lovely to look at, although as projected in digital format, it seemed a bit washed out on this screening, and often I wasn't sure who was doing what to whom, since many characters appear without much introduction or explanation.

MAGIC TRIP: KEN KESEY'S SEARCH FOR A KOOL PLACE----- GRADE B
A lot more fun than watching a well edited 107 minute long home-movie has any right to be. There are a lot of laughs and insight and culture (shock) packed into the story of how Kesey with Neal Cassady and other (sometimes famous) friends take an LSD road trip from California to the New York World Fair of 1964.

FLYING FISH-----------GRADE D
Slow, drawn out scenes with little or no dialogue or story line are lovely to look at, for a while, but this film from Sri Lanka had nearly half the audience out the door by the time the violent ending scenes(including murder, suicide and castration) take place.

HOT COFFEE--------GRADE A
Another cracker jack documentary, which starts off about the woman who spilled hot coffee in her lap and then sued McDonald's, but then shows what REALLY happened to the court system and our right to a day in court after that. To those who still think George W. Bush was a great president, this should scare some sense into them.

ROUTE IRISH-------GRADE B+
When a contractor is killed by "terrorists" while working in Iraq, his best friend becomes suspicious when the facts don't add up, and suspects he may have been murdered, in this political thriller by Ken Loach. This serious and angry film has strong British/Scottish/Irish accents that have been, thankfully, subtitled.

DETECTIVE DEE and the MYSTERY of the PHANTOM FLAME------GRADE B+
Extravagant, opulent looking Hong Kong martial arts film with a smart, easy to follow plot about a disgraced and imprisoned traitor who returns from prison to solve some strange deaths and protect the new empress. A lot of energetic fun.

SIFF REPORT 28 May

Here are some more films I've screened from Wed, Thur and Fri May 25-27. Many are playing in June. Any film rated B- or better is recommended....

THE LAST MOUNTAIN-----------GRADE A
Wow. A shocking and disturbing documentary on the coal mining industry and how they are poisoning our drinking water, among other crimes. Could be the best of SIFF, and there have been many strong docs this year to choose from.

LETTERS FROM THE BIG MAN--------GRADE B
"Woman communes with a Sasquach" tale is presented without a hint of sarcasm or camp, and is eccentrically fascinating to contemplate.

LESSON PLAN---------GRADE A-
Excellent doc about THE WAVE story from 1970 in a California High School, where a teacher introduced students to fascism--and the experiment worked a little too well. Was fictionalized into the German film several years ago called THE WAVE.

BI DON'T BE AFRAID------GRADE C+
Vietnamese film strong on lyrical visuals and photography, but portrait of young boy in sexually repressive adult world makes no sense. Interesting themes include ice, urine, and sex but incoherent narrative renders film ineffective.

STOOL PIGEON--------GRADE B+
Carefully written and plotted Hong Kong police thriller, with captain trying to bring in a crime boss using a planted stool pigeon. Great suspenseful sequences, with gory violent finale, this seems like the kind of film that Martin Scorese would want to remake in America.

WASTED ON THE YOUNG---------GRADE A-
This one created the most excited buzz/talk at the weekly screenings. Technically, very stylishly and sharply made, this creates a world with only teenagers--specifically the rich, private school kind. A rape and consequential cover up keep the tension tightening until the fascinating and tragic ending.

SALVATION BOULEVARD--------GRADE B
A likable, funny satire on Dead-Heads, mega-churches and blind faith. The cast has a blast, including Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly and the scene stealing Marisa Tomei, all of whom learn that their pastor is not who they think he is.

VAMPIRE-------------GRADE D
He's really a degenerate serial killer of suicidal young girls, by draining, not drinking their blood, for biological research. I think. Thirty five minutes into the film comes the audacious and offensive rape/murder scene, that, literally had half the audience get up en masse and exit the theatre. I was ready to leave before that when the camera was turned on it's side for a benign fishing scene, then flipped to the other side. What was this director thinking? Boring us to death does not make for a suspenseful film, despite blood drainings, a deranged mother tied up with helium balloons (!?!), and an illogical story. Possibly the worst of SIFF for this year, and yes, I stayed for it all.

GUN HILL ROAD--------GRADE B
A well cast, sharply written, if slightly familiar drama about a macho Latino returning from a prison term to find his wife with a boyfriend and his son wanting to become a girl (!). Similar in theme to the Benjamin Bratt film from several SIFF's ago called THE MISSION, this one works very well with a fascinating performance by the young would be transsexual Harmony Santana, and some very gritty, shockingly raw (yet truthful) scenes of sex and violence.

LITTLE ROCK--------GRADE B-
Sometimes your criteria for rating a film must change a bit to accommodate something like this small, mini-budget independent film, which works well at times as a social commentary on the lack of communication in society. A brother and sister from Japan get stuck in a small California town for several days, and the sister decides to stay a while getting to know some of the locals, despite the fact that she knows no English. Some of the characters are quite intriguing, in spite of the fact that most of them are un-or-underemployed, drunkards, potheads, slackers or unfocused to any goal in life. I wish the film had been MORE, but sometimes less works well too.

SIFF Report May 23 and May 24

I do recommend any film rated B- or better......

THE RESCUERS-------GRADE---D+
Cluttered, chaotic stories of unsung heroes during genocide of World War 2, and trying to tie that into the genocide in current day Darfur and other African countries---some individual stories are moving, but rushed through and awkwardly presented with embarrassing "recreations" and testimonials that seem too sanctimonious and pompous. Some viewers were moved--I was greatly annoyed and disappointed. Perhaps this subject matter needs to be handled as a mini-series with more quality time to present so much information. But as a documentary film, this one is awful.

WEEKEND----------GRADE---B
Two gay British men, strangers, one a self professed loner, the other deeply closeted, meet for sex, then spend the rest of the weekend being transformed by their relationship. Subtle, introspective and thoughtful. Sometimes needed subtitles due to accents, but a very nice, satisfying, LITTLE film.

VIVA RIVA--------GRADE---B
Chased by the gangsters from whom Riva has stolen a truckload of precious, scarce gasoline in the Congo, and by the military, and by everyone he meets, this is one lively, sexy, racist, sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, and at times, disgusting film. But it is NOT BORING.

WITHOUT--------GRADE----C+
Filmed locally, the slim story has a budding lesbian becoming a caretaker for an infirmed older man. Well acted and photographed, but it amounts to too little too late--obscure plot wise.

FINDING KIND--------GRADE-- B
Solid documentary about trying to teach teen age girls to be kinder to themselves and each other, this could have a huge impact in high schools all over the world. An inspiring eye-opener in how teens girls relate to each other in destructive ways.

THE MOUNTAIN--------GRADE---B-
Quiet chamber piece about a lesbian couple with a baby on the way, climbing a Norwegian mountain to mourn the loss of their young son several years earlier, and hopefully grow closer as a couple. Short (73 minutes) and effective.

MY SO CALLED ENEMY-------GRADE----B
Six Palestinian and six Israeli teen age girls attend a week long "camp" in the USA, learning to love and respect each other as humans. This thoughtful, strong documentary then follows them back to Palestine and Israel for the following year, with hopeful results.

KILLING BONO-------GRADE----B+
This delightful Irish surprise, based on a true story, has the school aged friends of Bono and U2 band struggling to make it in the music world--but always in U2's shadow. Goofy and broad at times, but immensely entertaining.

SHOCKING BLUE-------GRADE-----C+
Watchable but unremarkable Danish film about a young man who feels guilty for the accidental death of a friend. There's lots of tulips involved !?!

PINOY SUNDAY--------GRADE------B
Breezy and comically whimsical tale of two frustrated Philippine workers in Taiwan trying to make a better life for themselves and their absent families. The film is a charmer, although the ending seemed to drag on 10 minutes too long.

SIFF Report May 20-May 22

Generally, films rated B- or higher are well worth seeing in my book. A mixed bag for the opening weekend, here's what I saw:

HAPPY HAPPY-------------GRADE B
Two lonely isolated couples mix it up in a remote Norwegian village. Cheerful, funny, quirky and at times a bit painful, it plays like an updated, tamer version of the 70's film BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE.

EX----------------------GRADE C+
Pleasant enough romantic comedy from Hong Kong, but it feels too long and at times redundant, and some of the 20-something actors really got on my nerves with their whining and insecurities.

COPACABANA--------------GRADE B
Lightweight story about a bohemian 50-something woman whose daughter is ashamed of her, but the great French actress ISABELLE HUPPERT is, as usual, quite astonishing--I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her real life daughter has a supporting role (as the daughter!) and is quite good, too.

CHILD PRODIGY----------GRADE C+
An uninspired bio-pic about the life and death of master composer/pianist Andre Mathieu, but his glorious music was a revelation to me, and fills the soundtrack. Skip the film, but buy the CD.

CAMERAMAN: THE LIFE AND WORK OF JACK CARDIFF------GRADE B+
He spent over 80 years making films, including still photography, acting, cinematographer and towards his later years, as director. As any good documentary should, it makes you want to see again his crowning films which he infused with emotional and psychologically (vivid) color choices: BLACK NARCISSUS, THE RED SHOES, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP and many others.

SILENT SOULS----------GRADE C+
Heavy handed Russian film of two men who go on a ceremonial road trip to honor one man's recently deceased wife. Long, slow shots of desolated scenery taken from a car window.

THE TRIP--------------GRADE B
Fitfully amusing pseudo documentary/travelogue of two British comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon who travel through northern Britain eating at fine restaurants, telling jokes and doing impressions (of British actors) that are pretty darn good. In the vein of MY DINNER WITH ANDRE, but less intellectual, and more juvenile at times. They also like to sing--here's another Kate Bush song (Wuthering Heights) sung a cappella by these two cards.

22nd of May-----------GRADE C-
There's some great ideas floating around this story of a security guard surviving the bombing of a shopping mall and being contacted by some of the dead people, but this was filmed (or projected) with a dark screen obscuring the action, and at times the aggressively chaotic camera work makes you nauseous. Most of this film is physically painful on the eyes and head to watch. Why would a director make an unwatchable film!!!????!!!!

FOUR MORE YEARS--------GRADE B
Light weight romantic comedy of two high ranking Swedish male politicians who fall in love!----the PROBLEM????? They belong to different political parties, and one is, inconveniently, married to a woman!!!! I liked this film, but I wish the film had been stronger--like those Spencer Tracy/Katherine Hepburn comedies-- where they were often at opposing sides of many different issues (ie WOMAN OF THE YEAR, PAT AND MIKE, ADAMS RIB). At least this is a step in the right direction--where sexuality is not the most exploitable key issue here.

The TOPP TWINS, plus SIFF Report May 16-19

One of the joys of SIFF 2010 was the delightful discovery of THE TOPP TWINS; Untouchable Girls, New Zealand born, country-singing, yodeling, comedians, and political activist--and lesbians!--the twins have been entertaining audiences since they were young teen agers growing up on the farm. The documentary films them in intimate concert, interviews friends and family, and cuts to many film clips showing their development into one of New Zealand's greatest iconic National Treasures. There is a lot of comedy and music on this journey, and if you've never heard of them, you'll want to get to know them more after watching this. Showing in limited engagements around the country this week and next. In Seattle at the Grand Illusion. GRADE----------A-


SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL---opens tonight--here are more films I saw this week May 16-19 at press screenings.....


TOUCH--------GRADE B
This low budget film starts out tritely and predictable, but it becomes more complex once the sexy plot kicks in--a young manicurist helps to jump start a male clients waning marriage with some tittalating "hands on" advice, and the cast is very charming and attractive.

MAN AT BATH--------GRADE---D+
There were many many walkouts during this short (73minute) film, not necessarily because of the full frontal male nudity and brief, explicit sex scenes. But rather because this was obviously filmed with just one cameraman working a very busy, giggly hand held camera, and working with out a script or story to tell. A chaotic mess which reminded me of early Andy Warhol films--however, they were more coherent, barely. In the middle, two men and a woman are in bed together singing, rather sweetly, Kate Bush's The Man With the Child In His Eyes. Go figure. Or better yet, go buy a Kate Bush CD. A big disappointment for everyone.

AN AFRICAN ELECTION--------C
Only those truly interested in Africian (particularilly Ghana) politics will find anything to keep them awake in this dry, dull political documentary.

ON TOUR---------B-
Altmanesque dialogue and rambling story line is at times engaging, at times annoying. Some actors (professional and non) are better than others. The story finds a disfunctional manager (Mathieu Amalric) dragging around his burlesque troop all over France. His character seemed especially cliched, but the cast is otherwise game and the glimpses of stage acts were often amusing.

PERFECT SENSE---------B+
Chef Ewan McGregor and scientist Eva Green discover each other just as a strange epidemic starts sweeping the world--one where the senses, one by one, start failing, and the emotional devastation starts to take it's toll. An intelligent, thoughtful, haunting science-fiction thriller.

PAPER BIRDS-----------B+
Spanish film set in the Franco era, this sentimental melodrama grows considerable dramatic and emotional strength by the (tearful) ending. Because of the war, two men and a young boy bond to become a "family" while trying to entertain in vaudeville during the depression of post-Civil War Spain.

NOBODY-------------C+
A retelling of Romeo and Juliet--instead of sword fighting, the young men participate in drag racing along some astonishingly deserted Greek highways. At times this plays like THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS in Greek and Russian and Bulgarian, but we know where this is headed and we've seen it done before, better.

HIT SO HARD----------B
I wasn't looking forward to this documentary of Courtney Love drummer Patty Schemel's battle with drugs, but there's some telling footage and interviews with Love, Kurt Cobain and other rock band members, and film fascinated me.

ON THE ICE----------B-
Filmed in Barrow Alaska, the setting is impressively opressive, and the cast (including some locals) is not bad. A tragic accident tears apart the small, close knit community, and lies tend to snowball (no pun intended) out of control.

SAIGON ELECTRIC----------B
At times simplistic and predictable, this entertaining, commercial Vietnamese (!) film about break/rap dancers is sensitively and enthusiastically acted by the youthful and attractive cast.

EVERY SONG IS ABOUT ME----------D+
Boring Spanish film, a minor attempt at a Woody Allen type of relationship comedy/drama, but nothing interesting or funny occurs or is spoken. Dull young man can't decide what he wants from any relationship. Sit at home and stare at your navel for 10 minutes instead, and you'll get an idea of what watching this film is like.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER------------A
A compelling and riviting thriller/true story about an American cop (Rachel Weisz) who takes a job as peace-keeper in Bosnia, only to discover a human trafficking ring that has corrupted the highest reaches of United Nations involvement. A whopper of a story, and the best movie of this past week.

Bridesmaids, Jane Eyre, SIFF Report May 9-12

It took me a while to catch up to the new version of JANE EYRE, but it is definitely worth checking out. The film can hardly be called lovely, or ravishing or delightful--often adverbs used for such Victorian novels transported to cinema. Here we have a very realistic view of the struggles of being a poor woman living in a man's world in the 1800's. The atmosphere is gritty, dingy and poorly lighted, the clothes seem coarse and plain, and the weather severe. There were times I felt I was watching this in old black and white--so muted were the colors. But the power of Charlotte Bronte's story comes through even better than ever. I felt an emotional connection with these characters--especially with Jane and Rochester and their growing relationship. The beautiful score is incredibly subtle and unobtrusive, which makes us pay attention to the feelings of the characters--and not to what is swelling in us due to manufactured feelings, like seeing beautiful flowers, or sweeping landscapes or lush orchestral music. I liked this JANE EYRE, a lot, for it takes a chance by stripping down the glamorous exterior trappings. GRADE-----A-

Possibly the funniest movie of the year has just opened and it should be an early summer hit (hopefully) and it is populated by more than six strong, amusing women (and a couple of charming men.) Written by Saturday Night Live star Kristen Wiig, BRIDESMAIDS features wonderful comic turns by Melissa McCarthy (from TV's MIKE AND MOLLY) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live)and Rose Byrne (GET HIM TO THE GREEK and TV's DAMAGES) and MAD MEN'S John Hamm, and Chris O'Dowd (DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS and GULLIVER'S TRAVELS). This is a rowdy, charming, lovable, and at times grotesque look at how not to be the maid-of-honor at your best friend's wedding. There's a moving sweetness to the relationships between many of the characters, even when outrageous things are happening. One of the best times I've had at the movies in a long while. GRADE----------B+

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Seattle International Film Festival Report for May 9-12.

3 (THREE)--------GRADE B+
Visually strong and intriguing drama by Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN), this German film about a menage-a-trios is intelligent, philosophical, theological, sexual, artful, and fascinating to watch.

NATURAL SELECTION-------GRADE B-
I hated the first 45 minutes which plays like an obvious satire on the hypocritical sexuality of the conservative religious--as portrayed on an episode of the Jerry Springer Show. But when the neglected housewife hits the road to find her husband's long-lost drug dealing son, the tone changes from comic (and not very funny) to more serious, and the two leads are pretty good, and the tone feels more organic and consistent, and the movie really grew on me. Resist the urge to exit early.

A BAREFOOT DREAM---------GRADE B
A Korean film set in East Timor about a rudderless young man who tries to coach some poor, mostly orphaned children to play organized soccer. Very rough around the edges, with overly active performances and mise en scene, and sometimes the plotting didn't make much sense. But there's no denying the emotional pull of a good against-all-odds sports movie, and several of the child actors are affectingly good.

DANCE TOWN----------GRADE B-
Too much wailing and vomiting, but otherwise interesting story of a woman who must flee North Korea without her husband to start a new life. Unfortunately, life in South Korea is nearly just as miserable for her.

PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES-----------GRADE A-
Excellent profile of the financially struggling nation's newspapers, and the powerful argument to keeps the NYT going. This also makes a damning case against the Internet "news" organizations (like Huffington Post, etc). Fascinating and maddeningly potent.

BLACK, WHITE and BLUES------------GRADE C+
Soulful smooth music and some surprise twists at the end can't make up for slow and predictable, cliched tale of a drunken musician trying to make good.

BICYCLE, SPOON, APPLE--------------GRADE B-
Sincere, well meaning documentary on Alzheimer epidemic seems unfocused by trying to show how this disease is a problem all around the world. It should have stayed focused on the afflicted ex-mayor of Barcelona, a popular politico in Spain.

HOW TO DIE IN OREGON------------GRADE A
A powerful, personal plea in favor of the Death with Dignity solution that was started in Oregon, and now includes Washington and other states to follow. It focuses, heartbreakingly, on several key patients, and their difficult decisions. Devastatingly emotional at times, yet strangely uplifting and empowering, too.

JESS + MOSS--------------GRADE C
The photography compositions are interesting and artful, and the two kids are swell, but unfortunately there is NO PLOT or narrative to engage us. I will be more interested in this first time director's NEXT film.

MICROPHONE-----------GRADE B-
Evocative, exotic, chaotic musical look at urban life and art in Alexandria, Egypt. The film does cast a spell to the patient film-goer, but the thin plot and unresolved situations don't always satisfy.

RED EYES------- GRADE D
Yikes!!!!! Chilean National Soccer team is profiled with a jiggly camera, no insight into players or management or fans, editing done with a blender, shots of waving crowds and screaming announcers while goals are being made OFF camera....!!!!! etc etc etc. What an unprofessional and disappointing waste of time.

BUCK---------GRADE A-
True life story of "horse whisperer" Buck Brannaman. Interesting charming character, thoughtful and informative look a horses and horse training, and a spiritual journey for many involved.

Seattle Inter Film Festival Report May 2-5

PROJECT NIM---------Grade B+
Charming and heartbreaking true documentary of chimp who was raised by humans, then trained by researchers to communicate in sign language, then discarded.....

THE FUTURE----------Grade B
New edgy film by Miranda July (ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW) with droll witty humor and touches of fantasy. The humor dissipates by the end, and the (sometimes dark) themes go over the top at times, especially the "stopping time" element, but any film narrated by a sick, lonely cat (no kidding) can't be all bad. This one was the audience splitter of the week.

KOSMOS--------Grade C+
There are things to enjoy about this Turkish production, especially the crowing like birds between the two would be lovers, and the unsubtle Christ-like references of the main character. But the film drags on too long and the obscure symbolism becomes heavy handed.

CIRCUMSTANCE-------Grade B-
We learn that young, rich, beautiful people in Iran like to drink, smoke, use drugs, experiment with sexuality, and disobey their parents, just like everywhere else. Despite some watchable, provocative (for Iran) scenes, including a budding same sex relationship between two female cousins, the film feels passionless and unconvincing.

SOUND OF NOISE----------Grade B
From Sweden, an entertaining nonsense about a group of anarchistic musicians who try to make music out of unusual and bizarre (and at times illegal) structures in the big city, all the while being chased by a cop who hates music.

AMADOR------------Grade B+
Spanish film has poor young woman in an unhappy marriage taking a job caring for an elderly man, who dies before she can be paid her month's salary, and she must make some tough choices. The film is both funny, and moving, and has some surprising humanistic twists.

CRYING OUT---------Grade A-
Well acted film from Quebec, has a father, son and grandson all struggling with demons--mostly by trying to drown them with drink. The men are a mess, but the women are amusing because they love to gossip and boss. It is grim going at times, but the film feels real, and the scenery and characters are intriguing.

WIN/WIN---------Grade B
Not to be confused with the current Paul Giamatti film of the same title, this film from Netherlands chronicles the rise and fall of a young stockbroker with a mathematical penchant for knowing when to buy and when to sell, and how the emotional toll can create a dangerous and unhealthy environment.

VENICE---------Grade B-
We've seen lots of WW2 films, and this one suffers for it. A young boy is sent to live with the women relatives in an isolated Polish town instead of going on vacation in Venice as originally planned. When the basement floods in the decaying mansion they live in, he creates his own version of the canals of Venice. Unfortunately, with all those Nazis running around, you know how this will probably end.

SOMETHING VENTURED-----------Grade B+
Intriguingly sharp and witty documentary of the early days of Silicon Valley and venture capitalism. This is not subject matter that normally interests me, but I was entertained, amused, enlightened and now I know why creators/owners of successful corporations often end getting fired from their own companies.

SUBMARINE---------Grade C-
Despite a good cast (Sally Hawkins, Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine etc), this coming of age film is randomly written and directed, and the music and direction border on obnoxious. Over a decade ago, Noah Taylor used to star in these types of films--here he awkwardly plays the father. The teen actor at the center of the film seems to suck the energy out of his scenes. Ugh, worst of the week.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT BEING DEAD-----------Grade C+
This visually striking and unique looking Spanish film was directed by THREE men, and it feels very disjointed in it's visual style. Some scenes feel like they came out of different films altogether, so the film misses out on any dramatic punch. The story centers on a political dissident who lives hidden for 40 years in the basement of his lover's house, unbeknowst to her husband, who lives with her upstairs. A lot of potential seems lost here.


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Post script to last weeks blog--currently I cannot seem to go back in to edit or correct past blogs after they are first entered. ---The name of the gay horror/slasher film is HELLBENT (2005).