AURORA--Finland--Engaging and amusing comedy drama of a serious Iranian refugee and his daughter trying to stay in Finland, and he seeks the help of a flaky, hard partying nail salon worker. They have little in common, so of course you know at the start that they will end up together. Still there are quirky surprises along the way. GRADE--------B+
SIBEL--Turkey--Mute young woman is ostracized by village women, then she finds a strange man deep in the wood who is near death and nurses him, endangering her father's role as town mayor. GRADE---------B+
A THOUSAND GIRLS LIKE ME---Afghanistan--Documentary of young woman who was repeatedly raped and impregnated by her father. She is ignored by local political and religious figures (and her male family members!) until she contacts the media, and becomes the first woman to formally charge her father of sexual crimes. Despite subject matter, the film is hopeful and encouraging. GRADE-----B+
MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN--USA---Well done documentary about making of ALIEN (1979) and specializing on the infamous chest bursting scene. Engrossing, especially for film buffs and sci-fi and horror fans. GRADE--------B
RETROSPEKT--Netherlands--The non linear storyline can be confusing and the odd background music which plays like Gilbert and Sullivan choruses are quite bizarre, but this story of domestic violence is mostly riveting. GRADE----------B
THIS IS NOT BERLIN--Mexico--Older teens and early 20's find growing up tough in 1986 Mexico City as they experiment with politics, sexuality, drugs, and rock and roll. GRADE-----B-
THE CITY OF LAST THINGS---Taiwan/France--Ambitious three part story told in reverse doesn't always hold logic together, but it is intriguingly filmed. GRADE-------B-
PIGEON KINGS--USA--Fitfully interesting documentary from southern California about (mostly) black men from poor communities that have formed clubs that train certain pigeons to fly in formation, and amazingly the pigeons somersault through the air (!!!!!) I wanted more somersaulting pigeons and less talk, but there's a fascinating (at times) film here. GRADE-----------C+
_____________The GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE Awards were given to certain fine achievements in these SIFF films and were mostly selected by SIFF--and they included TEL AVIV ON FIRE (audience award) and the jury prizes went to HOUSE OF HUMMINGBIRD, EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF CELESTE GARCIA, AWAKENING Of THE ANTS, INTERNATIONAL FALLS and QBALL. WE ARE THE RADICAL MONARCHS (Documentary), SIBEL (Actress) and ALL ABOUT ME (Actor) round out the other awards.
A little less than 200 viewers voted for the Fool Serious (Full Series) group and vote on every film they have seen at SIFF--that ranges from about 25 to 150 films (I saw 118 films this year--more than 165 other voters.) The favorite films for the FOOL SERIOUS group included
SIBEL, THE INVISIBLE WITNESS, YULI, FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE, YOMEDDINE, REMI-NO BODY'S BOY, OFFICIAL SECRETS, MINUSCULE/MANDIBLES, SONS OF DENMARK and ONE LAST DEAL. Top documentaries include--RAISE HELL: LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS, FOR SAMA, STUFFED, Q BALL, and MAIDEN.
Breaking down the FOOL SERIOUS awards, best film went to HONEYLAND, worst film to CELEBRATION, Best Director to SONS OF DENMARK, Cinematographer to VOLCANO, Script to INVISIBLE WITNESS, Music to BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, Actor to YOMEDDINE, Actress to SIBEL and Guilty Pleasure to SWINGING SAFARI.
If and when these films open for regular runs at theatres or Netflix or cable, I will write a more detailed review of them. Here are the first films I saw this week after SIFF-----
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2--Perhaps even better than the first outing, this animated feature had some great laughs--as last time I especially enjoyed Kevin Hart's voicing of the sarcastic puffy white dog Snowball and Harrison Ford was a world weary sheep dog. I giggled and laughed consistently through the whole film--the perfect first film to follow SIFF! GRADE------B+
ROCKETMAN--This unique way of presenting the life and times of Elton John begs to be called the world's first psychotherapy musical--the story is told as flashback from the group session of the therapy Elton John ended up at during his lengthy stay at a session for drying out from his obsession with sex, drugs, alcohol, and various heartache. As he got more fame and money, he became more miserable, hostile and disappointed in life. and apparently he was deeply conflicted about his homosexuality. Thank god the film and many scenes are presented through the presentation of spectacular song and dance routines, or we'd all need therapy after seeing this visual, creative story. The drug and alcohol abuse become overbearing at times, but the musical numbers help the story go down better. This is more than I ever wanted to know about Elton's personal life, but I feel certain that at long last he has found some comfort from his younger persona, and of course the music is toe tapping and effective. GRADE------B+
THE HUSTLE--This low brow comedy is lifted due to the slapstick humor and mugging of Rebel Wilson, who gets much more to work with here than in her last sequel of films playing "the fat one" in the PITCH PERFECT films. She actually steals the film from Anne Hathaway, who gets stuck with playing the "straight man" part, although she, too. is amusing at times. This is a remake of the Michael Caine/Steve Martin con man film DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS 1988, which itself was a remake of the original film BEDTIME STORY 1964 featuring Marlon Brando and David Niven. The plot is pretty clever, with the cons conning the cons, and one can see why a remake with two women would be irresistible. I only wish it had been funnier and wittier. Still, it was a fun one to watch. GRADE--------------B-
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
SIFF Screenings Saturday 1 Jun--Wednesday 5 June---Best Bets---HOUSE OF HUMMINGBIRDS, DRIVEWAYS, HALSTON, AN ALMOST ORDINARY SUMMER, LONG TIME NO SEA, THE GROUND BENEATH MY FEET, FOR SAMA, THE REALM, MAN WHO BROUGHT THE MOON, TIMELESS BEAUTY
HOUSE OF HUMMINGBIRD--South Korea--A much deeper and subtle film than last year's award winner EIGHT GRADE to which this Korean film is being compared, this scores on so many levels dealing with sexuality, abuse, family, friendship, loyalty, etc,----it's a stunning beauty. GRADE-------A
DRIVEWAYS--USA--A moving and subtle surprise had many viewers bursting into tears during the final moments--including myself, as mother and son try to clean out a hoarder's house of a dead relative. GRADE--------A
AN ALMOST ORDINARY SUMMER--Italy--Cheerful, heartfelt comedy/drama with joint families brought together by their patriarchs coming wedding. GRADE--------B+
THE GROUND BENEATH MY FEET--Austria--Pressures of a high profile job, a boss who is her lover, and a psychotic sister in an institution bring stress and paranoia to a stressed out overachiever. GRADE--------B+
TIMELESS BEAUTY--France/China--Lives and careers of older (above age 55) models and how interesting and unique they are. Also profiles are plus sized models and those with unusual faces and skin. GRADE-------------B+
THE REALM--Spain---With it's pulsing disco like instrumental score and fast pacing, this film is engrossing to watch, even if the plot details are rushed by and it's not really clear until near the end what exactly is at stake. GRADE -------------- B+
THE MAN WHO BOUGHT THE MOON--Italy/Argentina--The comic magic realism eventually pulls you into the silliness of the plot and into a strong, satisfying finale. GRADE------B+
LONG TIME NO SEA--Taiwan--Local teacher becomes a surrogate father for lonely boy whose father works far away, with his grandmother helping him survive. GRADE-------B+
HALSTON---USA--Life and death of fashion icon in the 1980's gets a slick, informative outing, especilally fascinating for those interested. GRADE--------B+
FOR SAMA--United Kingdom/Syria--While the film is technically rough due to a hand held camera, there's no denying the power of a young mother with baby and her doctor husband trying to help patients during the six month bombing of Aleppo by the Syrian President, and Russia. Still, it's painful, unpleasant viewing. GRADE--------B
ENAMORATA--Mexico--From 1946 comes this beautifully restored film (by Martin Scorsese) of this epic romance (with humor) of a rich woman being pursued by a vulgar revolutionary. The plot may have been borrowed from Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.
GRADE--------B
AWAKENING OF THE ANTS--Costa Rica--Simple,charming story of a young family, but wife doesn't want any more children, against husband,s wishes. GRADE--------B
TROOP ZERO-----USA---Oscar winners Viola Davis and Allison Janney and also Jim Gaffigan add some impressive gravitas to this story of misfit girls trying to be scouts and winning a contest that would sent their voices on a record into outer space. Sweet, charming, and sometimes very funny and sad. GRADE--------B
PREMATURE--USA----Good title for this immature script about black teen pregnancy and resolution. I rolled my eyes a lot and tried to keep from talking back at the screen during the banal and frequently profane dialogue. GRADE-------C-
I DO NOT CARE IF WE GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS BARBARIANS--Romania/Czech Republic--Obscure and boring political discussions may be of more interest for Romanians steeped in cultural politics and historical references, but more traditional movie goers may want to flee the theater as myself and several dozen viewers did in the first 45 minutes. GRADE------D
BURNING CANE--USA--Poor technical qualities including garbled sound, photography in dark rooms, and extreme hand held camera scenes, make this one film that had some walkouts, including myself by the 45 minute mark. I realize the filmmaker is only 18, but there's not much to praise in this grim tale of religious and alcoholic abuse. GRADE------------D
DRIVEWAYS--USA--A moving and subtle surprise had many viewers bursting into tears during the final moments--including myself, as mother and son try to clean out a hoarder's house of a dead relative. GRADE--------A
AN ALMOST ORDINARY SUMMER--Italy--Cheerful, heartfelt comedy/drama with joint families brought together by their patriarchs coming wedding. GRADE--------B+
THE GROUND BENEATH MY FEET--Austria--Pressures of a high profile job, a boss who is her lover, and a psychotic sister in an institution bring stress and paranoia to a stressed out overachiever. GRADE--------B+
TIMELESS BEAUTY--France/China--Lives and careers of older (above age 55) models and how interesting and unique they are. Also profiles are plus sized models and those with unusual faces and skin. GRADE-------------B+
THE REALM--Spain---With it's pulsing disco like instrumental score and fast pacing, this film is engrossing to watch, even if the plot details are rushed by and it's not really clear until near the end what exactly is at stake. GRADE -------------- B+
THE MAN WHO BOUGHT THE MOON--Italy/Argentina--The comic magic realism eventually pulls you into the silliness of the plot and into a strong, satisfying finale. GRADE------B+
LONG TIME NO SEA--Taiwan--Local teacher becomes a surrogate father for lonely boy whose father works far away, with his grandmother helping him survive. GRADE-------B+
HALSTON---USA--Life and death of fashion icon in the 1980's gets a slick, informative outing, especilally fascinating for those interested. GRADE--------B+
FOR SAMA--United Kingdom/Syria--While the film is technically rough due to a hand held camera, there's no denying the power of a young mother with baby and her doctor husband trying to help patients during the six month bombing of Aleppo by the Syrian President, and Russia. Still, it's painful, unpleasant viewing. GRADE--------B
ENAMORATA--Mexico--From 1946 comes this beautifully restored film (by Martin Scorsese) of this epic romance (with humor) of a rich woman being pursued by a vulgar revolutionary. The plot may have been borrowed from Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.
GRADE--------B
AWAKENING OF THE ANTS--Costa Rica--Simple,charming story of a young family, but wife doesn't want any more children, against husband,s wishes. GRADE--------B
TROOP ZERO-----USA---Oscar winners Viola Davis and Allison Janney and also Jim Gaffigan add some impressive gravitas to this story of misfit girls trying to be scouts and winning a contest that would sent their voices on a record into outer space. Sweet, charming, and sometimes very funny and sad. GRADE--------B
PREMATURE--USA----Good title for this immature script about black teen pregnancy and resolution. I rolled my eyes a lot and tried to keep from talking back at the screen during the banal and frequently profane dialogue. GRADE-------C-
I DO NOT CARE IF WE GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS BARBARIANS--Romania/Czech Republic--Obscure and boring political discussions may be of more interest for Romanians steeped in cultural politics and historical references, but more traditional movie goers may want to flee the theater as myself and several dozen viewers did in the first 45 minutes. GRADE------D
BURNING CANE--USA--Poor technical qualities including garbled sound, photography in dark rooms, and extreme hand held camera scenes, make this one film that had some walkouts, including myself by the 45 minute mark. I realize the filmmaker is only 18, but there's not much to praise in this grim tale of religious and alcoholic abuse. GRADE------------D
Saturday, June 1, 2019
SIFF Screenings Tuesday 28 May--Friday 31 May---BEST BETS------MARIA (aka WATCH LIST), SOCRATES, RAISE HELL: LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVANS, GHOST FLEET, MIDNIGHT FAMILY, and IN FABRIC
MARIA (aka WATCH LIST)--Philippines--Splendid lead actress (Alessandra de Rossi) highlights this intense thriller about woman struggling to support her family after her husband is killed and she must become involved in corruption underground. GRADE-------------A
RAISE HELL: LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS--Political satirist and writer who skewered Texas political idiot conservatives. She has a biting sense of humor. GRADE---------A-
SOCRATES--Brazil---Short but concisely powerful drama of 15year old who wants to make his own way after his mother dies unexpectedly. Some annoying hand held camera work lessens the impact. GRADE---------------B+
GHOST FLEET--USA--Documentary of human rights organization that tries to stop the kidnapping of young men who are enslaved on deep sea fishing boats. Final 20 minutes are among the most moving of any film this year. GRADE--------B+
WIDOW OF SILENCE--India--Her husband has been missing for 7 years, yet the local government official persists in sabotaging the widow's request to have him declared dead so she can continue her life. She rides a taxi weekly with a talkative, poetic driver, and must deal with an ailing mother in law. The ending of this quiet, leisurely film has the the biggest corker (surprise) of
of any film so far this year. GRADE-------------B+
THE BIGAMIST--USA--Director and actress Ida Lupino's best film, about a man who struggles to keep two separate families together, in this beautifully restored drama, which also stars Joan Fontaine, Edmond O'Brien, and Edwin Gwinn. The biggest surprise is the courtroom scene that ends the film where the judge has the last, wisest word. GRADE------A-
STORM IN MY HEART--USA/Scotland--A two for one film! Director Mark Cousins (THE STORY OF FILM: ODYSSEY, EYES OF ORSON WELLS,etc) runs the complete films of SONG IN MY HEART with Susan Hayward and STORMY WEATHER with Lena Horne on the screen side by side, with the sound moving from one film to another to highlight the more interesting music or song or dialogue. Each film was produced by the same Hollywood studio, the actresses were born on the same day in Brooklyn, the films used the same technicians, all to highlight the different projections of the actresses career's. It doesn't always work, but I can testify that STORMY WEATHER gets more screen and sound time---scene for scene it had more entertainment value, and I was spellbound by the this audacious experiment. GRADE--------B+
IN FABRIC--United Kingdom--Here's the ultimate Guilty Pleasure in this lush production of a killer red dress--those that wear it ultimately die!!!!! Droll, sly humor and strong production values make this viewing a kinky pleasure. GRADE-----------B
MEETING GORBACHEV--United Kingdom/Germany--Werner Herzog is the interviewer and one of the directors in this interesting documentary that highlights the career of Gorbachev political
life, especially involving Perestroika and glasnost (openness.) GRADE---------B
MIDNIGHT FAMILY--Mexico--Documentary of family run EMT ambulance service in Mexico City, complete with corrupt cops and a skeptical public that needs the service but doesn't want to pay for it. Filmed in a vivid you are there manner, the film is engrossing. GRADE-------B
WHAT DOESN'T KILL US--Germany--Episodic drama balances a dozen characters and their relationship, some which surround a therapist and other family members. It is a smoothly made film but difficult to keep track of people and relationships. GRADE----B-
PIRANHAS--Italy--The gang members get younger in this violence filled familiar story about shakedown, toxic masculinity and murder. Lots of handheld camera work following characters from behind make watching this film an unpleasant experience. GRADE-------C+
THEM THAT FOLLOW--USA--It doesn't help that the two leading young men look so much alike that it took me 20 minutes to realize that the leading actress had two suitors. This modest drama of religious repression felt underwhelming and familiar. GRADE-----------C+
THE DAYS TO COME----Great Britain--Nine long months in the life of a fetus, from conception to birth is revealed from the parents POV in tedious fashion----Long arguments ensue about is she or isn't she pregnant, should we abort or not, when should family/friends be notified, what name should be used, plus the longest hospital explicit birth scene ever. CALL THE MIDWIFE on PBS does this all in one hour with 2 or more births in each episode, and throws in a lot of more entertaining drama to boot. GRADE-------C+
THE DIVE----Israel--I thought this was a comedy about college boys living in a messy frat house--but it's really about a dysfunctional family living in a kibbutz, dealing with the death of their father, and the having to go back to the military. All three young men (who actually do live in messy rooms) have issues with violence, and spend much of the film yelling at each other. An uneasy and unpleasant film to watch. GRADE---------C
GOOD GIRLS--Mexico--A rich woman slowly, slowly, slowly realizes that her husband is broke and nearly bankrupt as she goes out shopping nearly daily. The film has no style or point of view---is it a satire? or a melodrama? or tragedy. It seems to be nothing at all, and it is boring as well. GRADE---------C
A DOG NAMED MONEY--Ireland/United Kingdom---It works best as an extended music video--P.J Harvey travels the word to appropriate stylistic sounds and lyrics. For Harvey fans only.
GRADE---------C
GREENER GRASS--USA--Unfunny comedy looks bright and colorful but empty humor and lack of coherent plot spoil any satire elements. This might be the worst film I've ever seen at SIFF, but to be fair there were a couple women who giggled through this soulless affair. GRADE------F
RAISE HELL: LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS--Political satirist and writer who skewered Texas political idiot conservatives. She has a biting sense of humor. GRADE---------A-
SOCRATES--Brazil---Short but concisely powerful drama of 15year old who wants to make his own way after his mother dies unexpectedly. Some annoying hand held camera work lessens the impact. GRADE---------------B+
GHOST FLEET--USA--Documentary of human rights organization that tries to stop the kidnapping of young men who are enslaved on deep sea fishing boats. Final 20 minutes are among the most moving of any film this year. GRADE--------B+
WIDOW OF SILENCE--India--Her husband has been missing for 7 years, yet the local government official persists in sabotaging the widow's request to have him declared dead so she can continue her life. She rides a taxi weekly with a talkative, poetic driver, and must deal with an ailing mother in law. The ending of this quiet, leisurely film has the the biggest corker (surprise) of
of any film so far this year. GRADE-------------B+
THE BIGAMIST--USA--Director and actress Ida Lupino's best film, about a man who struggles to keep two separate families together, in this beautifully restored drama, which also stars Joan Fontaine, Edmond O'Brien, and Edwin Gwinn. The biggest surprise is the courtroom scene that ends the film where the judge has the last, wisest word. GRADE------A-
STORM IN MY HEART--USA/Scotland--A two for one film! Director Mark Cousins (THE STORY OF FILM: ODYSSEY, EYES OF ORSON WELLS,etc) runs the complete films of SONG IN MY HEART with Susan Hayward and STORMY WEATHER with Lena Horne on the screen side by side, with the sound moving from one film to another to highlight the more interesting music or song or dialogue. Each film was produced by the same Hollywood studio, the actresses were born on the same day in Brooklyn, the films used the same technicians, all to highlight the different projections of the actresses career's. It doesn't always work, but I can testify that STORMY WEATHER gets more screen and sound time---scene for scene it had more entertainment value, and I was spellbound by the this audacious experiment. GRADE--------B+
IN FABRIC--United Kingdom--Here's the ultimate Guilty Pleasure in this lush production of a killer red dress--those that wear it ultimately die!!!!! Droll, sly humor and strong production values make this viewing a kinky pleasure. GRADE-----------B
MEETING GORBACHEV--United Kingdom/Germany--Werner Herzog is the interviewer and one of the directors in this interesting documentary that highlights the career of Gorbachev political
life, especially involving Perestroika and glasnost (openness.) GRADE---------B
MIDNIGHT FAMILY--Mexico--Documentary of family run EMT ambulance service in Mexico City, complete with corrupt cops and a skeptical public that needs the service but doesn't want to pay for it. Filmed in a vivid you are there manner, the film is engrossing. GRADE-------B
WHAT DOESN'T KILL US--Germany--Episodic drama balances a dozen characters and their relationship, some which surround a therapist and other family members. It is a smoothly made film but difficult to keep track of people and relationships. GRADE----B-
PIRANHAS--Italy--The gang members get younger in this violence filled familiar story about shakedown, toxic masculinity and murder. Lots of handheld camera work following characters from behind make watching this film an unpleasant experience. GRADE-------C+
THEM THAT FOLLOW--USA--It doesn't help that the two leading young men look so much alike that it took me 20 minutes to realize that the leading actress had two suitors. This modest drama of religious repression felt underwhelming and familiar. GRADE-----------C+
THE DAYS TO COME----Great Britain--Nine long months in the life of a fetus, from conception to birth is revealed from the parents POV in tedious fashion----Long arguments ensue about is she or isn't she pregnant, should we abort or not, when should family/friends be notified, what name should be used, plus the longest hospital explicit birth scene ever. CALL THE MIDWIFE on PBS does this all in one hour with 2 or more births in each episode, and throws in a lot of more entertaining drama to boot. GRADE-------C+
THE DIVE----Israel--I thought this was a comedy about college boys living in a messy frat house--but it's really about a dysfunctional family living in a kibbutz, dealing with the death of their father, and the having to go back to the military. All three young men (who actually do live in messy rooms) have issues with violence, and spend much of the film yelling at each other. An uneasy and unpleasant film to watch. GRADE---------C
GOOD GIRLS--Mexico--A rich woman slowly, slowly, slowly realizes that her husband is broke and nearly bankrupt as she goes out shopping nearly daily. The film has no style or point of view---is it a satire? or a melodrama? or tragedy. It seems to be nothing at all, and it is boring as well. GRADE---------C
A DOG NAMED MONEY--Ireland/United Kingdom---It works best as an extended music video--P.J Harvey travels the word to appropriate stylistic sounds and lyrics. For Harvey fans only.
GRADE---------C
GREENER GRASS--USA--Unfunny comedy looks bright and colorful but empty humor and lack of coherent plot spoil any satire elements. This might be the worst film I've ever seen at SIFF, but to be fair there were a couple women who giggled through this soulless affair. GRADE------F
Monday, May 27, 2019
SIFF Screenings Wed May 22--Mon May27th------Best Bets------TOP END WEDDING, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, #FEMALE PLEASURE, WHAT SHE SAID: THE ART OF PAULINE KAEL, BOTERO, ,
TOP END WEDDING--Australia--It's a slow start for the romantic comedy/drama, but it quickly wins us over with very likeable characters and some consistent laughs. The ending is very moving and funny at the same time. I ended up seeing this twice. GRADE------A
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT---It might help if you are already a Bruce Springsteen fan, but this film feels exhuberat thanks to great music, singing, and a beautiful youthful performance in the lead. It opens wide in August, and deserves to be a mammoth hit. GRADE---------A
#FEMALE PLEASURE--Switzerland--Five different women from five different religious backgrounds find that male repression of female sexuality is universal. Most effective is a scene of a Somali woman who experienced female genital mutilation as a child, and in one scene demonstrates on a large clay shaped vulva how the genitals are cut using a large shears. That scene alone could change the minds of millions around the world. GRADE------------A-
WHAT SHE SAID: THE ART OF PAULINE KAEL--Lovers of film, and fans of Pauline Kael's acerbic criticism for many years in THE NEW YORKER magazine should be in cinematic heaven with this engrossing documentary. The nearly full screening seemed to reignite an interest in reading her reviews. GRADE--------------A-
THE APOLLO--USA--A smart, exhaustive documentary on the history of Harlem's epic theatre which has featured nearly every major African American entertainer since 1934, including the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, the Temptations, etc. The film was produced by HBO, so we can expect it to show up later this summer on cable. GRADE------A-
BOTERO--Canada--A splendid documentary about Fernando Botero, a painter and sculpturist whose work is admired and recognized world wide, even if the name doesn't ring a bell with you right now. His out put is tremendous, and new work is still being produced. GRADE--------A-
TEL AVIV ON FIRE--France/Israel/Belgium--When I scanned the descriptions, I assumed this film was a documentary. I was so wonderfully wrong. A dim witted man accidentally becomes a writer on a popular soap opera that features a romance between an Israeli and Palestinian couple. He then becomes entangled with an official at a traffic check point who begins to tell him what to write about. It's satire and humor at it's delightful best. GRADE---------B+
WINTER FLIES--Czech Republic--A 15 year old boy steals a car, picks up his 12 year old friend and later a young girl, then have a joyride abound the country is this likable road trip film...the kids are funny, sad, goofy and kind of smart. One scene has them both falling asleep at the wheel in the middle of the night--sort of a magical realism moment. GRADE------B+
ENORMOUS: THE GORGE STORY--USA--Here's a swift, historical documentary on the music/vineyard that is the Gorge, complete with samplings of talking heads and snippets of the many musical greats that have played there including Dave Mathews, Jason Mraz, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, and many many more. GRADE-----------B
ORANGE DAYS--Iran--She struggles to run an orange orchard in Iran, but all the men, including her husband, her ex-boss, and coworkers are liars, cheats and/or pigs. She's having a tough year. GRADE------------B
MINUSCULE-MANDIBLES FROM FAR AWAY--The backgrounds are real, but the many bugs (mostly ladybugs) are animated in this sometimes tedious story of a stowaway, and the father who tries to track him down. Still, different and mostly interesting to watch in this wordless visual story. GRADE-------------B-
ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE--Hungary/Germany--Another fascinating animated film with realistic visuals set in the Angolan civil war. I didn't know much about the politics of the battles--basically the plot has a reporter making his way to the front, and then back again, but the animation is quite effective at times. GRADE-----------B-
THE INNOCENT----Germany--Weird, spooky, ethereal story of conservative woman who becomes influenced by the devil (who may be her supposedly dead ex-lover?) and experiences a change in her life to include her sexuality. Some scenes don't make a lot of sense, but the film feels like a bad dream at times and is quite hypnotic at other times. GRADE----------B-
CELEBRATION--France--This strange, somber documentary of Yves Saint Laurent's final days should have been called DIRGE---there's no happiness, no fashion on display, he walks around seemingly in a coma, and the odd soundtrack consists of buzzes (like a fire drill) or inappropriate opera. It felt like someone had access to some discarded film clips from other movies and edited them together. Not exactly boring, but not much to celebrate either. GRADE---------C+
FAMILY PICTURE SHOW--This shorts program was geared for kids but I (and I think many of them) was bored with the first 6 selections, so I opted out of the final half. GRADE------C
BEFORE THE VOWS--Ghana--A soon to be married young couple decide that a last fling with their exes would to best for their future relationship--of course this leads to trouble. The look of this film is bright and colorful, and the couple are beautiful actors, but the soap opera dialogue and cliched story become too much to believe. GRADE-------C
WE TAKE THE LOW ROAD--USA--This low budget film has some good ideas--billionaire medical CEO's make millions off the suffering of lower income people, who die early when they can't afford medical expenses, but things go terribly wrong, naturally, when three young adults try to rob a CEO and the trail of blood becomes quite long. It wants to be a modern western (think WIND RIVER or HELL AND HIGH WATER) but the actors aren't quite up to task. GRADE----------C
CRYSTAL SWAN--Belarus--The leading lady is feisty and watchable, but someone forgot to write an engaging script and the story is dull. GRADE---------C-
GLITORIS MAXIMUS----This shorts program, supposedly about female sexuality, was disappointingly dull except for the final short, which has a teen strapping on a strap on (in a public park!) to tease her boyfriend and shock the other friends around. The couple finally goes to a more private area and her boyfriend actually starts to play around with her new toy. GRADE-----------------C- but the final short called F*** You gets a GRADE------B
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT---It might help if you are already a Bruce Springsteen fan, but this film feels exhuberat thanks to great music, singing, and a beautiful youthful performance in the lead. It opens wide in August, and deserves to be a mammoth hit. GRADE---------A
#FEMALE PLEASURE--Switzerland--Five different women from five different religious backgrounds find that male repression of female sexuality is universal. Most effective is a scene of a Somali woman who experienced female genital mutilation as a child, and in one scene demonstrates on a large clay shaped vulva how the genitals are cut using a large shears. That scene alone could change the minds of millions around the world. GRADE------------A-
WHAT SHE SAID: THE ART OF PAULINE KAEL--Lovers of film, and fans of Pauline Kael's acerbic criticism for many years in THE NEW YORKER magazine should be in cinematic heaven with this engrossing documentary. The nearly full screening seemed to reignite an interest in reading her reviews. GRADE--------------A-
THE APOLLO--USA--A smart, exhaustive documentary on the history of Harlem's epic theatre which has featured nearly every major African American entertainer since 1934, including the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, the Temptations, etc. The film was produced by HBO, so we can expect it to show up later this summer on cable. GRADE------A-
BOTERO--Canada--A splendid documentary about Fernando Botero, a painter and sculpturist whose work is admired and recognized world wide, even if the name doesn't ring a bell with you right now. His out put is tremendous, and new work is still being produced. GRADE--------A-
TEL AVIV ON FIRE--France/Israel/Belgium--When I scanned the descriptions, I assumed this film was a documentary. I was so wonderfully wrong. A dim witted man accidentally becomes a writer on a popular soap opera that features a romance between an Israeli and Palestinian couple. He then becomes entangled with an official at a traffic check point who begins to tell him what to write about. It's satire and humor at it's delightful best. GRADE---------B+
WINTER FLIES--Czech Republic--A 15 year old boy steals a car, picks up his 12 year old friend and later a young girl, then have a joyride abound the country is this likable road trip film...the kids are funny, sad, goofy and kind of smart. One scene has them both falling asleep at the wheel in the middle of the night--sort of a magical realism moment. GRADE------B+
ENORMOUS: THE GORGE STORY--USA--Here's a swift, historical documentary on the music/vineyard that is the Gorge, complete with samplings of talking heads and snippets of the many musical greats that have played there including Dave Mathews, Jason Mraz, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, and many many more. GRADE-----------B
ORANGE DAYS--Iran--She struggles to run an orange orchard in Iran, but all the men, including her husband, her ex-boss, and coworkers are liars, cheats and/or pigs. She's having a tough year. GRADE------------B
MINUSCULE-MANDIBLES FROM FAR AWAY--The backgrounds are real, but the many bugs (mostly ladybugs) are animated in this sometimes tedious story of a stowaway, and the father who tries to track him down. Still, different and mostly interesting to watch in this wordless visual story. GRADE-------------B-
ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE--Hungary/Germany--Another fascinating animated film with realistic visuals set in the Angolan civil war. I didn't know much about the politics of the battles--basically the plot has a reporter making his way to the front, and then back again, but the animation is quite effective at times. GRADE-----------B-
THE INNOCENT----Germany--Weird, spooky, ethereal story of conservative woman who becomes influenced by the devil (who may be her supposedly dead ex-lover?) and experiences a change in her life to include her sexuality. Some scenes don't make a lot of sense, but the film feels like a bad dream at times and is quite hypnotic at other times. GRADE----------B-
CELEBRATION--France--This strange, somber documentary of Yves Saint Laurent's final days should have been called DIRGE---there's no happiness, no fashion on display, he walks around seemingly in a coma, and the odd soundtrack consists of buzzes (like a fire drill) or inappropriate opera. It felt like someone had access to some discarded film clips from other movies and edited them together. Not exactly boring, but not much to celebrate either. GRADE---------C+
FAMILY PICTURE SHOW--This shorts program was geared for kids but I (and I think many of them) was bored with the first 6 selections, so I opted out of the final half. GRADE------C
BEFORE THE VOWS--Ghana--A soon to be married young couple decide that a last fling with their exes would to best for their future relationship--of course this leads to trouble. The look of this film is bright and colorful, and the couple are beautiful actors, but the soap opera dialogue and cliched story become too much to believe. GRADE-------C
WE TAKE THE LOW ROAD--USA--This low budget film has some good ideas--billionaire medical CEO's make millions off the suffering of lower income people, who die early when they can't afford medical expenses, but things go terribly wrong, naturally, when three young adults try to rob a CEO and the trail of blood becomes quite long. It wants to be a modern western (think WIND RIVER or HELL AND HIGH WATER) but the actors aren't quite up to task. GRADE----------C
CRYSTAL SWAN--Belarus--The leading lady is feisty and watchable, but someone forgot to write an engaging script and the story is dull. GRADE---------C-
GLITORIS MAXIMUS----This shorts program, supposedly about female sexuality, was disappointingly dull except for the final short, which has a teen strapping on a strap on (in a public park!) to tease her boyfriend and shock the other friends around. The couple finally goes to a more private area and her boyfriend actually starts to play around with her new toy. GRADE-----------------C- but the final short called F*** You gets a GRADE------B
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
SIFF Screenings Week 4 May 17-May 21--Top FIlms--INVISIBLE WITNESS, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER: FREAK AND CHIC, FARINELLI, URGENT, A FAITHFUL MAN, ALL ABOUT ME, GOOD KISSER
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
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
Thursday, May 16, 2019
SIFF Screenings Week 3---May 13-16--OFFICIAL SECRETS, THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES, DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME, BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON, RUNNING WITH BETO, SAUVAGE/WILD, EMMA PETERS, LE CHOCOLATE DE H, KITARU plus TOLKIEN
OFFICIAL SECRETS--Great Britain--Kiera Knightly expertly portrays a whistle blower who illegally publishes a top secret document that admits to lying about the Weapons of Mass Destruction, which throws England (and other countries, including the USA) into an the Iraq War. The film works as an excellent, gripping thriller from start to finish. GRADE------A
THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES--Canada--Riveting documentary about a young woman who spends a year studying and filming giraffes in Africa, then writes the definitive book on their behavior, plus more than a dozen other books, but is denied university tenure because of sexist attitudes in the 1950's. GRADE-----------A
DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME---USA--Smooth, informative documentary about Crosby--he was abrasive and struggled with drug addiction, and now towards the end of his life , Stills, Nash, and Young have all written him off. But you have to admire his talent and the talent of those characters who surrounded him, especially in his earlier days, like Joni Mitchell, Cass Elliott, and others who are discussed in this film. GRADE-----------B+
BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON--USA--Breezy, amusing comedy/drama of an overweight 30 year old with low self esteem, who finally decides to change her body and her attitude by training for a marathon race. Beautifully funny and sad performance by Jillian Bell. GRADE--------B+
RUNNING WITH BETO--USA--Engaging documentary about an engaging politician Beto O'Rourke who nearly beat lying Ted Cruz in the senate Texas race in 2018. GRADE-----------B
KIFARU--USA--The first half of this documentary is quite dull, but at the half way point, the last northern white rhino in the world becomes fatally ill, and the film becomes shockingly moving.
GRADE---------B
EMMA PEETERS--Belgium--This slight, superficial Belgium comedy features a struggling actress convinced her acting days are over at age 35. Her plans to commit suicide are interrupted when she meets the handsome funeral director. GRADE----------B-
SAUVAGE/WILD--France--A young male prostitute seeks love even when being degraded and abused, in this explicit and disturbing character study. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to accept help or love when it is offered. Rough stuff--which caused several dozen walk outs at the press screening. GRADE---------------B-
LE CHOCOLATE DE H--Japan--The trouble I have with many foodie movies: I'd rather be tasting/eating the subject (in this case award winning chocolate from a master chocolatier) than listening to talking heads admiring the product. Sometimes boring, sometimes amusing, sometimes moving. GRADE-------C+
PLUS--not from SIFF
TOLKIEN--Great Britain--A stylish, well mounted (if a bit restrained) telling of the academic career of J.R. Tolkien and his friendships/fellowships with three of his university mates, which helped contribute to his future middle earth books. GRADE---------B-
MY FAVORITES FOR THIS OPENING WEEKEND at SIFF:
JIM ALLISON: BREAKTHROUGH
THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES
THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE
YOMEDINE
MAIDEN
WILD ROSE
THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES--Canada--Riveting documentary about a young woman who spends a year studying and filming giraffes in Africa, then writes the definitive book on their behavior, plus more than a dozen other books, but is denied university tenure because of sexist attitudes in the 1950's. GRADE-----------A
DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME---USA--Smooth, informative documentary about Crosby--he was abrasive and struggled with drug addiction, and now towards the end of his life , Stills, Nash, and Young have all written him off. But you have to admire his talent and the talent of those characters who surrounded him, especially in his earlier days, like Joni Mitchell, Cass Elliott, and others who are discussed in this film. GRADE-----------B+
BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON--USA--Breezy, amusing comedy/drama of an overweight 30 year old with low self esteem, who finally decides to change her body and her attitude by training for a marathon race. Beautifully funny and sad performance by Jillian Bell. GRADE--------B+
RUNNING WITH BETO--USA--Engaging documentary about an engaging politician Beto O'Rourke who nearly beat lying Ted Cruz in the senate Texas race in 2018. GRADE-----------B
KIFARU--USA--The first half of this documentary is quite dull, but at the half way point, the last northern white rhino in the world becomes fatally ill, and the film becomes shockingly moving.
GRADE---------B
EMMA PEETERS--Belgium--This slight, superficial Belgium comedy features a struggling actress convinced her acting days are over at age 35. Her plans to commit suicide are interrupted when she meets the handsome funeral director. GRADE----------B-
SAUVAGE/WILD--France--A young male prostitute seeks love even when being degraded and abused, in this explicit and disturbing character study. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to accept help or love when it is offered. Rough stuff--which caused several dozen walk outs at the press screening. GRADE---------------B-
LE CHOCOLATE DE H--Japan--The trouble I have with many foodie movies: I'd rather be tasting/eating the subject (in this case award winning chocolate from a master chocolatier) than listening to talking heads admiring the product. Sometimes boring, sometimes amusing, sometimes moving. GRADE-------C+
PLUS--not from SIFF
TOLKIEN--Great Britain--A stylish, well mounted (if a bit restrained) telling of the academic career of J.R. Tolkien and his friendships/fellowships with three of his university mates, which helped contribute to his future middle earth books. GRADE---------B-
MY FAVORITES FOR THIS OPENING WEEKEND at SIFF:
JIM ALLISON: BREAKTHROUGH
THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES
THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE
YOMEDINE
MAIDEN
WILD ROSE
Saturday, May 11, 2019
SIFF Press screenings Week 2--Favorites include YOMEDDINE, THE NIGHTINGALE, WILD ROSE, HONEYLAND, ANTHROPOCENE: HUMAN EPOCH plus ON DEMAND-----LE RIDE!
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
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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