Winter's Bone, I Am Love, A-Team, Holy Rollers

WINTER'S BONE is a deadly serious film set in a poor Ozark community, and features a stripped down cast of professionals and locals to tell a mystery story of a young teen's struggle to find her father before the law takes her home. Dad is a dope dealer and maker, and he's on the run, so you have to think--how is he going to save the family home. But as the film progresses, you realize that something more sinister is in play, as her strange kin start lying and threatening her when all she wants is the truth. It's bare bones screenplay and solid direction keeps you riveted to the teen's plight, and even though her father is no good, you keep hoping that somehow she will prevail. Films don't get more self-contained than this. GRADE---- A

During the first screening of I AM LOVE during SIFF, I struggled with the grade that I would give this amazing film. Here is a familiar story handled in a stylish, fascinating manner. Tilda Swinton, Oscar winner for MICHEAL CLAYTON a few years ago, is the "star" and producer of this Italian film, and like fine tailored Italian suits, this film (with the hypnotic music and thoughtful photography) creates an artistic piece of great intelligence and refinement--we rarely get a film that demands so much of our attention and thought. A wealthy woman, living in a cocoon of money and privilege, finds herself emerging into a sensual reality through her daughter's blossoming sexuality and her own unexpected relationship with a much younger man, the best friend of her son. All the while, the family business is being bastardized into an international conglomerate much to (some of) the family's disgust. Obviously, all is not well in what seemed like, in the first carefully detailed sequence, to be a well oiled machine. This film is not for everyone. It is an intellectualized romantic saga of passion (food, love, nature) in a capitalistic world, and the final sequence is as wrenching and haunting as any you're likely to see. It has the power to blow you away if you are into it........ And to the handful of rude cretins who loudly and obnoxiously blasted the film in the dark before the credits had barely appeared on the screen at a second Seven Gables screening (there's another brief, eerie scene during the credits) with derogatory comments, I can only wish you are forced to watch the insipid HOT TUB TIME MACHINE for the rest of your lives.
I have to upgrade I AM LOVE to near classic status. New GRADE---- A-

Unfortunately, the creators of THE A-TEAM thought it would be clever and nostalgic to stretch out the opening credits of this new version of the TV hit from 20 years ago so that they showed a brief action scene, brief credit, (one actor's name), more action, another actor's name, etc,etc,etc,etc , so that the title (because you've forgotten by this time) THE A- TEAM appears jarringly nearly 25 minutes into the film!!!!!!!!! This was NOT a good idea, and it really pissed me off, but I have to say, that after the first half hour I finally started getting into the spirit of this fantastical action film, and the gung-ho cast including Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel and from last summer's surprise sci-fi hit DISTRICT 9, Sharlto Copley (the guy who starts turning into a giant human lobster---and he nearly steals this movie, too)---well, they are all good. Definitely a "giant bag of popcorn" movie. GRADE----- B-

A young Hassidic Jewish man studying to be a rabbi becomes innocently involved (at first) into becoming a drug mule for mobsters in this "based on a true story" thriller that feels very familiar, but because of the ethnocentric Jewish/Brooklyn setting becomes rather engrossing, in HOLY ROLLERS. GRADE----- B-

It's been around for two months, but finally caught up with the 2010 remake of CLASH OF THE TITANS. There are some impressive visual effects, but the film is played with deadly seriousness, and that makes if rather cold. In the 1981 version, the "GODS" were all played with great tongue in cheek by Laurence Olivier, Clare Bloom, Maggie Smith, Ursula Andress and others, and their bitchy, pithy retorts played off the cheesy, innocent special effects of the action scenes, and the film is remembered as campy and amusing. Rent the older version instead of this dud. A solid and unremarkable GRADE-----C

Hadn't seen BROADCAST NEWS (1987) for nearly 20 years, but I'm pleased to report it remains a witty, funny, intelligent comedy on the slow death of serious news reporters (and still going on today), and the sparkling cast of Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks and William Hurt reminded me of Stewart, Grant and Hepburn in PHILADELPHIA STORY. GRADE------ A-

Never did get around to seeing many people's favorite "teen-ager skipping school" movie, so FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986) came as a delightful surprise to me. There are many funny, cool, clever scenes and lines, and Matthew Broderick has never been so charming. GRADE------B

SIFF REPORT 3

Week three is better than average.

GRADE---A

WINTER'S BONE--(USA)--A poor Ozark girl trying to keep her family together must find her drug making dad who is on the run from the law before her house will be seized by the courts, but she stirs up dangerous family secrets. A remarkably succinct story and honest acting keep this harrowing tale gripping.

THE TOP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS--(New Zealand)--A brilliant documentary about a singing comedic set of twins, who for 30 years have entertained audiences with country music, yodeling, political protest and social commentary. They are unapologetically gay and out, and are one of New Zealand's most popular acts.


GRADE---B+

WHEN WE LEAVE--(Germany/Turkey)--Sad and harrowing tragedy of a young woman and child seeking independence from an abusive husband against societal restrictions.


GRADE--B

MAO'S LAST DANCER---(Australia)--Lush looking (music and dancing) true story of young Chinese dancer who tries to defect to USA. A very moving finale.


GRADE---B-

ONDINE --(Ireland/USA)--Fairy tale story of girl captured in a fisherman's net (his daughter thinks she is a "selkie"--half human and half seal) turns gritty by the end. The print screened was so dark and grainy that is was hard to see (apparently a light bulb needed replacing), and the film needed subtitles due to mumbled Irish (and other) accents.

THE DRY LAND--(USA)--Moving story of Iraq veteran have trouble adjusting to civilian life.

SON OF BABYLON--(Iraq)--A young Kurdish boy and his grandmother search for his father who was arrested 10 years earlier in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein's regime. They visit prisons and several mass graveyards. The two leads are remarkable and the mood is melancholic, but the lack of narrative strains your interest.

GRADE--C+

SKATELAND---(USA)--Better than you'd expect (from the title and description) teen angst drama set in the 80's. It's well acted, but we've seen this story before.

EVERY DAY---(USA)--A modern family struggles to juggle stress and change (father's roving eye, mother is sudden caregiver to cranky ailing granddad, teen son explores his sexuality, etc) but too many subplots dilute the effect. Despite strong cast (Helen Hunt, Brian Dennehy, Liev Schreiber, Eddie Izzard etc) this plays like an earnest made-for-TV film. Another HD film that is grainy and too dark to watch (see ONDINE above.)

COUNTDOWN TO ZERO--(USA)--Documentary on atomic fears and struggle for international disarmament is well make and makes strong point, but for me I felt like I'd seen and heard this argument before, and if you've been around awhile this will seem like it is preaching to the converted.