Today was a good day. For the first time during this festival, I saw four movies in a row that I rated B+ or higher! If only the last movie had continued the streak...
Hachiko: A Dog’s Story (US) : A- (website)
I've cried to "Hachiko" and I'm not ashamed! You could say this is a blatant tear-jerker and heart-string-tugger, yet I don't think it is manipulative. The emotional power comes from the simple story - which is based on true events - and the fact the the dog is just so darn cute. If you love dogs, and you don't mind that gooey emotional stuff, go see this movie. It will bring out the love in you.
Kimjongilia (France) (Doc) : A- (website)
With elements of an art collage and a performance piece, this is a stunning exposé of a country where extreme oppression and atrocity are still going on today. By the way, the title means "The Flower of Kim Jong-Il."
talhotblond (US) (Doc) : B+ (website)
There are two documentaries in this festival that focus on the social impact of the Internet. "We Live in Public" (my rating: A) was about a genius millionaire; "talhotblond" is about a few ordinary people. The story, however, is far from ordinary: A middle-aged man forms an online sexual relationship with an 18-year-old girl, by pretending that he is an 18-year-old Marine soldier. The relationship escalates, another young man gets involved, and it all leads to some tragic consequences. Some viewers apparently thought this is a fictional film; sadly, it is not. As a documentary, this film is skillfully put together and fluently paced.
The Spy and the Sparrow (US) : B+
A stylish, well-written, and wonderfully acted character drama.
Flame & Citron (Denmark) : B
At $9 million, this is the most expensive Danish production to date, and it does look appropriately expensive. So what's the story? Let's see... There was a lot of gunshots, many deaths, some conflicts and disagreements, suspicion, Nazis... At the end, some texts tell us the future fates of some characters. I didn't feel that I really cared.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment