SIFF Day 8 (May 26): Paper Birds

I skipped SIFF today due to another commitment, but went over to Renton to catch the post-screening Q&A for "Paper Birds," which I saw (and loved) at a festival preview event.

Director Emilio Aragon is a warm and affable man and a fourth-generation comedian performer. He co-wrote the film by drawing from stories and anecdotes he heard from his own family; his father appeared in the film in a small but critical role. In answering the audience's questions, he talked about the inspirations behind the setup of the story, and his experience working with the talented group of actors, including the young kid. I asked a question about the film's art direction and cinematography. Emilio revealed that the art director used to work in opera but never before in film; and that the cinematographer was his right hand man in fighting with his producer. The final question was about the state of film industry in Spain. He commented that new technology has allowed a lot of talented young people to enter filmmaking, and he is optimistic about the future. He also said he still considers himself as "young", even though he is 52.

Here again is my review of the film, which will screen two more times this weekend:

Paper Birds (Spain) - A

If you are allergic to emotional stories, heart-tugging turn of events, and orchestra music that swells on cue, don't see this film. Otherwise, don't miss it! The complex and layered plot is accentuated with refined acting, atmospheric cinematography, and snazzy performance numbers. There are moments and elements that remind me of "Schindler's List," "The Sound of Music," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - not a bad class to be in. And the ending is perfect.

SIFF Day 7 (May 25): Language Barriers

Tyrannosaur (UK) - B(?)

Seriously. Some British films should be required to have English subtitles. The accents are so thick here that I think I understood less than 20% of the dialogue. Most others said they had a lot of trouble too, so I don't feel too incompetent. Anyway, based on what I saw, it's a solid film. The SIFF description made me fear that it would be super-gritty and super-intense the whole way through. Turned out it's not that bad (not that gritty and intense is bad), though some scenes are definitely brutal. It's not my favorite type of story, but "Tyrannosaur" is a well-made film with an appropriate ending.

Page One: Inside the New York Times (USA) (Docu) - B

The topic of online vs. print media is a highly relevant one in today's society. (I mean, you are reading this review through online media right now...) This documentary offers a fun ride-along with the daily grind at the New York Times, one of the biggest tentpoles in the print world. (What a snazzy office building!) There are some great characters and highly amusing stories that should make this an enjoyable watch for everyone. I would have loved to see the film dive deeper into some of the subpoints, or organize the various stories in a more connected way. Additionally, as a documentary filmmaker myself, I was bothered by the lack of technical finesse and consistency. A lot of the camera movements seemed unnecessary, and sound quality was bad in many scenes. Come on, you are interviewing the New York Times. Invest in a good microphone.

panel discussion following "Page One"

Apart Together (China) - A-

This film is a wonderful illustration of how cinematic languages can differ from country to country. The pacing is slower; the camerawork is restrained and pulled-back; and the characters don't generally wear their feelings on their faces. All these can sometimes make a painfully boring or detached movie - as I have unfortunately experienced in previous SIFFs - but in this case they help build a beautiful story that is quietly moving. Starting with a premise that's both interesting and challenging, the film walks a somewhat unexpected path before reaching a richly meaningful conclusion. As someone who grew up in China, I can say that the characters and their interactions feel very authentic, full of subtleties that I hope will not be totally lost on an American audience. Some old Chinese songs appear as significant supporting players in the film, in a way that unfortunately cannot be conveyed through subtitles.

OK, so that was 19 films over 6 days... I am taking a day off from SIFF tomorrow, then coming back to dive into the ShortsFest over the long weekend. See you soon!

SIFF: My Tentative Schedule

May 25 - May 30 (Subject to Change)

Go to http://www.siff.net/festival/index.aspx for full details and to buy tickets.

PAC: Pacific Place; EGY: Egyptian; HAR: Harvard Exit; NEP: Neptune; SIF: SIFF Cinema; ADM: Admiral; REN: Renton

(*) : Filmmaker guests in attendance

Wed May 25

4:30pm, NEP, "Tyrannosaur" (UK) (Drama)

7:00pm, NEP, "Page One: Inside the New York Times" (USA) (Docu) (*)

9:30pm, SIF, "Apart Together" (China) (Romance)

Thu May 26

4:30pm, TBD

Fri May 27

4:30pm, HAR, "An African Election" (Ghana) (Docu) (*)

7:00pm, SIF, ShortsFest Opening Night

9:30pm, SIF, Shorts Package "Thrilling Tales of Astonishment"

Sat May 28

All day, Shorts Festival at SIFF Cinema

Sun May 29

1:00pm, EGY, "The Whistleblower" (Canada) (Thriller) (*)

4:00pm, HAR, "White Irish Drinkers" (USA) (Drama) (*)

6:45pm, HAR, "Late Autumn" (South Korea/USA) (Romance) (*)

9:30pm, HAR, "Surrogate Valentine" (USA) (Music/Romance) (*)

Mon May 30

All day, Shorts Festival at SIFF Cinema

9:00pm, SIF, "Silent Sonata" (Slovenia)

SIFF: Forgot This One

I watched this one at a special preview event and highly recommend it!

Paper Birds (Spain) - A
Screening on May 26, May 28, May 29

If you are allergic to emotional stories, heart-tugging turn of events, and orchestra music that swells on cue, don't see this film. Otherwise, don't miss it! The complex and layered plot is accentuated with refined acting, atmospheric cinematography, and snazzy performance numbers. There are moments and elements that remind me of "Schindler's List," "The Sound of Music," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - not a bad class to be in. And the ending is perfect.

SIFF Day 6 (May 24): Against Expectations

Beginners (USA) - B

Oh, how I wanted to love this film. Ewan McGregor - one of the finest actors working today. Christopher Plummer - I don't think he is capable of being disappointing. And a premise that seemed full of potential. So how did I end up feeling so disinterested? All the tricks and quirks, from stock photo sequences to a subtitled dog, are quite effective. It's the overall story that I have trouble connecting with, particularly the girlfriend - I fail to understand what the relationship is about and why they are together. When I don't buy in the primary relationship, that pretty much kills it for me. The father's story is way more engaging. Unfortunately, the narrative structure of jumping back and forth between two timelines, while interesting at first, eventually started being distracting and disruptive. Despite all that, I still consider "Beginners" worth watching for the two actors alone.

Perhaps it served me right that I didn't act fast enough to get ticket to the Ewan McGregor tribute event, thus ending up watching this film under the horrible sound system at the Neptune? I heard many people complaining that they missed a lot of the dialogue. If I could hear everything better, that might have helped... Who knows.

A Lot Like You (USA/Tanzania) (Docu) - B+

Screening again on June 12

Seattle local Eliaichi Kimaro, born half-Tanzanian-half-Korean, went to Tanzania to find a deeper understanding of her paternal root. During her several years of filming, however, the focus shifted to somewhere else... and then to somewhere totally unexpected, when the issue of sexual violence and abuse came into the picture. In my conversation with her after the screening, Eli stated that she sees herself as an activist more than a filmmaker. This film is first and foremost for her own purpose (and a gift for her daughter); her process of shifting focus and, to a certain degree, the lack of resolution are reflected in the documentary as well. (There seemed to be strong interest from the audience to know what happened next after the film finished.) But like Eli said in the Q&A, the more personal and honest she went with the documentary, the more universal it became. Originally slated to be called "Worlds Apart," "A Lot Like You" is an appropriate title for a film that's so appropriate for today's ever-blending world.

"A Lot Like You" Q&A; post-film reception;

me with Eli, her mother, and her husband

SIFF Day 5 (May 23): Good Touch & Bad Trip

My tour of the SIFF venues continues today with the Admiral Theater in West Seattle. Some people dislike that venue; I don't really mind it. True, the screening room is so long that most seats feel too far away, and the projection is too dark. But the long room also means good viewing angle, and there is ample leg room.

Touch (USA) - B+

This half-Vietnamese, half-English film centers around the special relationship between a young Vietnamese-American woman Tam, who newly became a manicurist, and one of her clients, a Caucasian car mechanic who is trying to save his faltering marriage. By "special relationship" I don't mean an affair - It is indeed quite unusual and intriguing. The secondary storyline is about Tam's relationship with her parents, both currently and in flashback. The unconventional turn of events is not always convincing, and the multiple subplots seem to compete instead of gelling together. That said, "Touch" is a beautiful and touching tribute to the power of human connection as conveyed by physical touch. Writer/director Minh Duc Nguyen deserves major kudo for presenting a story that's both culturally authentic and universally relatable. This is a must-see for anyone who has a romantic streak.

"Touch" Q&A; me with writer/director Minh Duc Nguyen,

star Porter Lynn, and star Melinda Bennett

The Trip (UK) - C-

So much of this movie is built upon Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon's rambling, bantering, voice impressions and self-referential indulgence, that I imagine you would find it absolutely hilarious - if you are already a fan of Coogan, Brydon, and that particular style of comedy. I am not one, unfortunately, so this became a very long and very random sequence of footage to sit through for a few weak chuckles. The main story is thinner than Kate Moss and hollower than a tin can. The side points, including the numerous shots of beautiful food, are completely inconsequential and often pointless. By the time we got to watch Coogan and Brydon comparing their vocal ranges, I found myself playing a game in my head to see how many ways I can pronounce the word "insufferable."

SIFF Day 4 (May 22): A Great Mix

An awkward and lovelorn teenager; a gay love affair across party lines; a woman who chose to die on her own terms; an abandoned red couch; a tormented screenwriter stuck in a conspiracy theory. That was the wonderful mix that made up my rewarding SIFF experience today. I spent much of the day at Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center, a nice venue that offers a very comfortable viewing experience!

Submarine (UK) - B

A teenage boy struggles with everything from school bullies, parents' relationship (is one of them having an affair?), and of course girlfriend issues. It reminds me of "Rushmore," one of my favorite movies, except here the young man is less corky, more awkward, and dating a girl his own age. The dry humor works, and so do most of the metaphors and visual themes. I can't help feeling, however, that the film is trying too hard. As if the characters are not quirky enough inside, and have to act up to meet the demand of the story. At the end, I don't particularly feel like rooting for the little guy, or his relationship with the girlfriend.

Four More Years (Sweden) - B+

Screening again on May 23 & May 28

I've always said I want to see more gay love stories that are not so focused on being gay - i.e., love stories where the two people happen to be gay. Here we have one of those, and ironically I find myself wanting to see more about the "gay issues". After all, these two men are in politics, and one of them started off married to a woman. Maybe those are just less of a concern in Sweden than in the US? Anyway, "gay issues" aside, this is a love story that works, one that feels refreshingly authentic and warm without being overly cheesy (not counting the copious amount of cheese ingested by one of the characters). I wouldn't call it a romantic comedy or romantic drama, rather just a romantic story; although there are some very funny bits.

How to Die in Oregon (USA) (Docu) - A

This film will premiere on HBO on Thu May 26.

The first thing to clarify is that despite the opening sentence in the SIFF description, the Death With Dignity law is not about "euthanasia", which refers to physician-administered death and remains illegal. In "death with dignity", a person with a terminal diagnosis chooses to be prescribed a lethal medicine, and then chooses their own time to intake the medicine (which they must do on their own) and end their life, usually with loved ones and a non-profit volunteer on their side. Or, they could choose not to use it after all. Oregon was the first state to legalize such practice in 1994; Washington the second, in 2008. This documentary focuses on Cody Curtis, a bright and endearing woman in Oregon who chose to use the law, and the time she spent with her family in the final period of her life. More stories were filmed of people who used the law, but most of those didn't make it into the film (I wish more of them did). There is also a side story about Nancy Niedzielski, who fulfilled her late husband's final wish by advocating for the law's passing in Washington State.

me with Nancy Niedzielski

Death is never an easy topic, especially when it's so real - So this is a documentary where crying is not only normal, it is perhaps encouraged. But it is not dreary or tragic, as ultimately the film is about living. Director Peter Richardson did a marvelous job keeping the focus on Cody's emotions and her relationship with her family, and treating her story with the utmost respect. It is an important documentary that I highly encourage you to see, despite the reservations you may have in confronting the issue of death. After all, we all encounter death plenty of times in our lives, leading up to our own. Does it have to happen in the way that we currently assume based on modern medicine? Or could it be empowering to have more choices?

me with "Oregon" director Peter Richardson

Pinoy Sunday (Taiwan) - B

A seemingly trivial story about a red couch unfolds into a hilarious adventure for two migrant worker buddies, and then an unexpectedly touching lesson on life, friendship, and the haves vs. the have-nots. If this was an American or European film, I would expect there to be more to the story... A bigger ending or something. But this being an Asian film, such expectation proves to be unfitting. While I don't want to be too negative about such style difference, I do wish there was something more that came out of the story.

Everything Will Be Fine (Denmark) - B+

Screening again on May 27

A successful suspense thriller with a fine European sheen. A film that you might feel compelled to watch again after everything is revealed. It could be said that the resolution falls on the side of being manipulative. However, that is compensated by the depth of intrigue that opens up when you look back on the story in a new light.

So, there you go... 12 films in 3 days. A good start for my SIFF 2011.

SIFF Day 3 (May 21): LOVE Rocks

Today I braved the infamous folding chair seats an the Neptune, which is no longer a regular movie theater and currently undergoing renovation by its new owner, Seattle Theatre Group. Hopefully this is just growing pain, and the finished multi-purpose performance space will be wonderful.

Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (UK) (Docu) - B+

For someone like me, who is not well-versed in classic cinema, "Cameraman" is certainly a treat and a history lesson. This documentary brings us on a journey of Jack Cardiff's incredible long career, focusing especially on his love of the craft and how he brought his artistic vision into his collaboration with illustrious directors and movie stars. I would've liked to see the film dive deeper into Cardiff's inner world and the person he was outside of his film work. Even so, this is quite an enlightening documentary for film lovers. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go add some titles to my Netflix queue...

3 (Germany) - B

This being from the director of "Run Lola Run," you might expect emotional intensity, unusual circumstances, and clever split-screen sequences. There were some of those, but the real surprise was that the whole thing, while enjoyable, felt a little long and drawn-out. The core of the story, which finally emerged in the second half, felt like a soap opera, and rushed to a hasty conclusion. I wish this whole movie had been the first act, since I am quite curious what would happen next. Perhaps they were setting it up for a sequel?

Lope (Spain) - B

OK, correction. THIS is what's really like a soap opera. Since I'm not big on soap operas, I'll just say "it's good" and leave it as that. One question though: Were the women attracted to Lope because of his poems? Or his tall, handsome sexiness?

LOVE (USA) - B+

Without a doubt, "LOVE" is one of the most remarkable independent films you'll ever see. Started as a video project for the band Angels & Airwaves, it turned out to be a four-year-long passion project for first-time filmmaker William Eubank. In a DIY set that was literally constructed in a backyard and looked ten times more expensive than it should, Eubank meticulously constructed a haunting story of an astronaut who lost all contact with earth. Lead actor Gunner Wright truly carried the film with a stand-out performance that embodied his character's maddening experience. While I wish the film had developed more around the connections between the various story elements, it definitely left a strong impression on me. After seeing three other films with much higher budgets, it was this "small" film that inspired me the most today.

"LOVE" pre-screening introduction, fake astronauts and all

Me with "LOVE" director William Eubank

Me with "LOVE" lead actor Gunner Wright

SIFF Day 2 (May 20): "Where is the motivation?"

I should probably start with an explanation of my grade system.

A+: Among my all-time favorites (rare)

A: Superb, go see it for sure!

A-: Great, highly recommend

B+: Very good, definitely worth seeing

B: Good, recommended if you like the genre

B-: Flawed, but still OK

C+: Bad, with perhaps a few redeeming qualities

C: Spend the time on something else

D: Big mistake!

F: Scarred me for life (rare)

My general goal is to see films that are B or above, and minimize C-level or lower selections. Today, my first day at SIFF 2011 (I didn't go to opening night), didn't hit the bar but wasn't a total loss. Since I had evening plans, I caught the three daytime shows at Pacific Place.

Happy, Happy (Norway) - B-

I call this love-rectangle film "perfectly adequate and nothing more." In dealing with the age old topic of love and marriage, it didn't offer anything new or insightful. There are some things I find peculiar about the movie: The parents' relationship (or the lack of) with the kids, the plausibility of some plot points, and of course those songs... Overall though, it's nicely put together, and an OK distraction.

Ex (Hong Kong) - C

Hong Kong cinema has a knack for producing quirky, clever romantic stories. This, unfortunately, is not one of them. Everything looks good in this film, which successfully utilizes set design and cinematography to distinguish the numerous flashback scenes. The problem is that there is nothing underneath - no motivation, characterization or character development to speak of. By the end of it, I didn't know any of the characters better than I did at the beginning, nor did I have any revelation or resonance around the central theme of past relationships.

Interestingly, at this screening I ran into my friend Kathy Hsieh, writer and star of the popular Asian-American-romantic-comedy-episodic-play "Sex In Seattle." Kathy and I are in a writers' group together and, while waiting for this movie, I was working on character backstories for the play I am writing. After seeing the movie, Kathy and I agreed that it played as if the characters had no backstories whatsoever.

Venice (Poland) - B-

It's war time. People die. Children are forced to grow up fast despite their need for joy and fantasy. "Venice" features gorgeous, gorgeous cinematography and tight production, and it's easy to feel for these characters. That said, I once again felt somewhat detached from the story, which seemed like a common theme today. Was it me, or was it the movies? Also, I totally didn't understand the last scene. Even scarier, I didn't really care to understand it.

That was it for today. In the evening, I performed in a flash mob (whoo-hoo!!), then called it an early night so I can gear up for a full weekend ahead.

SIFF 2011: See Interesting Films First!

Seattle International Film Festival 2011 runs from Thu May 19 to Sun Jun 12. Once again, I have a Full Series Pass and will be hitting as many films as I can while still attempting to have a life.

After doing day-by-day SIFF reviews in 2009 and skipping it all together in 2010, I will once again attempt to do day-by-day reviews this year. I will also post my movie-going schedule, which I usually plan a few days in advance. You are welcome to join me for any of them! Of course, my plan is subject to change, especially since my pass gives me the freedom to switch plan last minute.

Zheng's Schedule: May 20 - May 24

Go to http://www.siff.net/festival/ for full details and to buy tickets.
PAC: Pacific Place; EGY: Egyptian; HAR: Harvard Exit; NEP: Neptune; SIF: SIFF Cinema; ADM: Admiral; REN: Renton
(*) : Filmmaker guests in attendance (a major plus for me)
Bold red font: Films I particularly look forward to

Fri May 20
11:00am, PAC, "Happy, Happy" (Norway) (Romance)
1:30pm, PAC, "Ex" (Hong Kong) (RomCom)
4:00pm, PAC, "Venice" (Poland) (Children/War)
SKIP: personal plans

Sat May 21
11:00am, HAR, "Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff" (UK) (Docu)
1:30pm, NEP, "3" (Germany) (Romance/Gay) - from the director of "Run Lola Run"
4:00pm, NEP, "Lope" (Spain) (Biopic/Period)
SKIP: personal plans
10:00pm, PAC, "LOVE" (USA) (SciFi) (*)

Sun May 22
11:00am, NEP, "Submarine" (UK) (Comedy/Teen)
1:30pm, EGY, "Four More Years" (Sweden) (RomCom/Gay)
3:30pm, REN, "How to Die in Oregon" (USA) (Docu) (*) - about assisted suicide
6:30pm, REN, "Pinoy Sunday" (Taiwan) (Comedy)
9:30pm, TBD

Mon May 23
4:30pm, TBD
6:30pm, ADM, "Touch" (USA) (Romance) (*)
9:15pm, ADM, "The Trip" (UK) (Comedy)

Tue May 24
4:30pm, NEP, "Beginners" (USA) (Family/Gay) - starring Ewan McGregor & Christopher Plummer
7:00pm, HAR, "A Lot Like You" (Tanzania) (Docu) (*)
9:30pm, EGY, "Fire of Conscience" (Hong Kong) (Action)

So... Bring it on!!

My Favorite Movies from 2009

A long over-due list of my favorite (narrative) movies from 2009! Disclaimers:

1. My criteria for "favorite" include: my connection with it on a personal level, my desire to see it again in the future, my likelihood of recommending it to others, and how strongly I feel that I want to make movies like it myself.

2. While I loved several documentaries from 2009, I've always had a hard time comparing documentaries against narrative films. So to simplify things, this list is for narrative films only.

3. There are still some big movies from 2009 that I haven't seen, so they are obviously absent from this list.

4. If you look back to my SIFF 2009 summary, you'll notice that my rankings for a few movies have changed. That's what happens over time...

Now onto the list:

1. Up in the Air
2. The Hurt Locker
3. (500) Days of Summer
4. Up
5. Avatar
6. Departures (2008 in Japan, 2009 in US)
7. A Single Man
8. Moon
9. Paper Heart
10. Precious

So there, my favorite (narrative) movies from 2009, as of today :-)

"Holiday Movies" I Want To See

The holiday season is coming, bringing along a slew of promising, fascinating, or simply strange movie offering. Here, in the order listed, are the top 5 that I want to see the most. And no, that certain vampire movie is not in there.

1. Precious (Nov 20 expanding)

For me to put a movie with Mariah Carey in it at the top of my list - that tells you how much I am drawn to "Precious". I heard someone describe it as a "heart shredder". Ouch. But the question is, will the movie transcend the tragedy and elevate my soul? "Monster's Ball" fell short by that standard, IMHO; I'm holding out hope for this one.

2. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Dec 25)

Is this gonna be Terry Gilliam's return to top form? The trailer looks pretty amazing, and there is no way I would miss Heath Ledger's final performance - not to mention Johnny, Colin and Jude who stepped in for him in the fantasy sequences.

3. Up in the Air (Dec 4)

From the director of "Thank You for Smoking" and "Juno", starring George Clooney in what looks like one of his most earnest roles. I don't even need to see a trailer.

4. Sherlock Holmes (Dec 25)

Guy Ritchie is hit-and-miss as a director, but having Robert Downey Jr. in such an iconic and meaty role, that's enough reason for me. Besides, it will be a nice bonus to see Rachel McAdams again!

5. A Single Man (Dec 11)

Feature debut from fashion designer Tom Ford? And it's gotten rave reviews? I'm hooked.

Honorary Mentions:

* Fantastic Mr. Fox (Nov 13)

I've always been a fan of stop-motion animation and Wes Anderson is capable of making fantastic movies. Or at least he used to.

* Nine (Dec 18)

Acting pedigree, it's got plenty. Visual feast, for sure it is. Will it be as cold and inaccessible as Rob Marshall's "Chicago" and (to a lesser extent) "Memoirs of a Geisha"? We'll see.

* Avatar (Dec 18)

Yeah, yeah, I guess it's a big deal... I suppose I will see it.

* It's Complicated (Dec 25)

A Nancy Meyers romantic comedy could be quite enjoyable, especially with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin playing triangle.

SIFF: A Second Chance

Selected films from SIFF 2009 will receive an encore presenatation this weekend. The two short film packages, in particular, will be a rare chance to catch these excellent mini-movies. I also recommend the following: talhotblond, Humpday, Swimsuit Issue, The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle. I am planning to see: The Cove, Morris: A Life With Bells on.

http://www.siff.net/cinema/seriesDetail.aspx?FID=158

SIFF 2009: A Summary

So, I finally feel like a worthy passholder! I attended a total of 75 screenings during this festival, for an average of 3 per day. Adding the commute and in-between time, it was like having an 8 hours/day, 7 days/week job for those 25 days... If you think that's unbelievable, know that some passholders saw a lot more, especially those who took advantage of the advanced press screenings (which I barely did). Still, 75 is plenty for me, and by far a new personal record. In the six years prior, I only averaged 32.5 per year, with a maximum of 43.

Even though I enjoyed the experience and caught a lot of good movies, I'm not sure I want to do this again in future years. I pretty much had to put my life on hold for 25 days, other than a few things here and there. (I did go out of town for the Portland Dragon Boat Festival. If I hadn't, I could've hit a total of 90...) With a few hundreds of films to choose from, SIFF is always an exercise in letting go and accepting my limits. In the grand scheme of things, a better life balance would serve me well!

Nine of the 75 screenings I attended were short film packages, so I actually saw 66 feature-length films and 70+ short films. Here is a list of my favorites among those 66 features (see previous blog entries for full reviews):

My Top Documentaries
This festival had a great selection of documentaries covering far-ranging topics and styles.

1. We Live In Public (US) - How will the Internet really impact our lives?
2. A Sea Change (Norway/US) - Imagine all the fish disappearing from the oceans...
3. Gotta Dance (US) - Seniors learn to dance hip-hop for an NBA team.
4. Kimjongilia (France/US/South Korea) - An artful and stunning exposé of North Korea.
5. Prodigal Sons (US) - Family stories don't get any more fascinating than this!

My Top Narrative Films

1. The Hurt Locker (US) - An incredibly gripping story of bomb techs in the Iraq war.
2. Paper Heart (US) - This mockumentary about love is sweet, light, and super-charming!
3. La Mission (US) - An outstanding ethnic/social/family/romance/character drama.
4. (500) Days of Summer (US) - An innovative look at the age-old question of love.
5. Moon (UK) - A thoughtful and unexpectedly satisfying sci-fi drama.
6. Welcome (France) - A.k.a. "The Swim Coach & The Illegal Immigrant Boy."
7. Hachiko: A Dog's Story (US) - An unapolegetic tear-jerker that is ultimately uplifting.
8. The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle (US) - A brilliantly bizarre comedy. Seattle-based indie!
9. North Face (Austria) - Intense mountain-climbing drama based on real events.
10. School Days With a Pig (Japan) - Fifth graders have to decide on the fate of their pet pig.

Best Actors
For whatever reason, I saw many strong male performances and no stand-out female performances.

1. Sam Rockwell, for playing a moon worker in isolation, in "Moon."
2. Mark Duplass, for strong performances in two indies, "Humpday" & "True Adolescents."
3. Benjamin Bratt, for playing a conflicted man in "La Mission."
4. Jim Sturgess, for a star-making turn in "Fifty Dead Men Walking."
5. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, for his mature performance in "(500) Days of Summer."

My Wishlist - Movies I Missed & Want To See

1. Departures (Japan) - Oscar Best Foreign Film winner and favorite among passholders.
2. Tetro (US/Argentina) - Francis Ford Coppola's new political drama.
3. Tears of April (Finland) - One of the "hidden gems" as rated by passholders.
4. The Cove (US) - Documentary audience award winner.
5. Sweet Crude (US) - Ambitious documentary by a Seattle filmmaker.
6. Morris: A Life With Bells On (UK) - Spoof comedy on English folk dance!
7. Marcello Marcello (Switzerland) - A charming story set in Italy.
8. Seraphine (France) - Story of a famous painter & house cleaner. Best Actress winner.
9. The Necessities of Life (Canada) - SIFF has a tradition of powerful films about the Inuit culture.
10. Fly Filmmaking Challenge 2009 - Don't know if I'll get a chance to see these very special films now that I missed them during the festival.

Finally, Isn't It Ironic...

that my three least favorite films of the festival are the Opening Night film ("In the Loop"), the Closing Night film ("OSS 117: Lost in Rio"), and a film from mainland China, my home country ("The Shaft").

SIFF Final Day (25): Reviews

Unmistaken Child (Israel) (Doc) : B+

A fascinating documentation of a lengthy search for the reincarnation of a Buddhist Lama. While I wish some of the details were explained in more details, the unassuming approach (using no narrations) allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the story with little distraction. Also features great camera work and music.

Fifty Dead Men Walking (UK) : B+

OK, I'm going by some blind faith here, since I missed about half of the dialogue due to those darn Irish accents. Even so, I could clearly see that this is a first-rate action drama based on real events from the conflicts between the Brits and the IRA. Jim Sturgess ("Across the Universe", "21") further establishes himself as a young star to watch. With a natural intensity and charisma, he easily steals the movie from his costar, Sir Ben Kingsley. Rating may be adjusted after I get to see it again with captions on.

Amreeka (US) : B

Six years after the invasion of Iraq and with a new President in office, perhaps we are finally at a place to look back on that time and see the story from a different side. This film successfully conveys some of the challenges and struggles faced by Middle Eastern immigrants during that uncertain time, without getting too sentimental or preachy. The physical appearance of the main character and the family-centered story may remind some of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," except this is a lot more serious and less chick-flicky. The first part of the story was filmed in Palestine, home country of writer-director Cherien Dabis.

OSS 117: Lost in Rio (France) : C+

A blatantly un-PC spy movie spoof, where the Bond-like agent 117 acts more like Austin Powers or the Pink Panther. While I did laugh along to many of the silly gags, it all got old really fast, and the whole experience was like eating a big Sundae with cheapo ice cream and dry, flavorless brownie base.

SIFF Day 24: Reviews

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.

SIFF Day 23: Reviews

American Primitive (US) : B+

During the post-film Q&A, we learned that this movie was almost entiredly based on the director's own family story. That level of authenticity adds to the gravity of the story, which is about two teenage sisters in the 1970s dealing with their father's homosexuality. The story is told from the viewpoint of older sister Madeline, and I have to say it's refreshing to have a teenager movie that's not about teenage rebellion, teenage depression, or teenagers doing very bad things! The movie is a little broad, a little cheesy, and secretly wholesome almost to a fault. Despite all that, it works, and I quickly felt bonded with Madeline's life and her various relationships. Although some people might have objections to the ending, I personally found it to be entirely satisfactory.

The Hills Run Red (US) (Horror) : B

I'm not a fan of horror movies, yet I somehow decided to watch this one. I enjoyed it, and got scared a lot without being completely spooked or scarred for life. In a genre that's so tired and overdone, this movie manages to be clever but not winky-winky. It's a throwback to old-fashioned horror and also has some good twists and turns, including a nice ending. Solid performances from the cast as well.

Youssou N'dour: I Bring What I Love (Senegal) (Doc) : B

A solid documentary on the power of music and the journey of a musician with grand aims. If you like African music then you would really appreciate this film.

Wonderful World (US) : B

No thanks to a title like "Wonderful World," I went into this movie with my cliche detector on high alert. And it did go off quite a bit... At the end though, I found myself caring about the main character (an expert performance from Matthew Broderick) and feeling connected to his journey. That's the sign of a good movie, right?

The Girl from Monaco (France) : C+

From the technical side, this is a perfectly fine film. The problem is, I simply couldn't buy into the motivations and decisions of the main characters. In the great words of Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler, "Really??" If the film had a different cast and they approached the characters differently, then I might have been able to like it.

SIFF Day 22: Reviews

North Face (Austria) : B+

This mountain climbing drama is closely based on the story of four climbers' 1936 attempt to summit The Eiger ("Ogre"), the last unconquered peak in the Alps. The story is told with such gravity and tension that it works wonderfully as a nail-biting thriller, and all the more so when you realize that this was a real-life story. The secondary storyline of the spectators down below successfully adds another dimension to the narration. Unfortunately, the fictional elements eventually step into the realm of sensationalism, which detracts somewhat from the power of the story.

NOTE: If you are interested in this topic, check out the 2004 documentary "Touching the Void," which I absolutely loved. It is not a pure documentary per se, since it utilized dramatic re-enactment to tell the story.

Afghan Star (Afghanistan) (Doc) : B

A fascinating look at the Afghan TV show that is the equivalent of "American Idol," this documentary works both as entertainment and as social study. You will be so grateful that you don't live in Afghanistan! (Especially if you are a woman...)

The Red Race (China) (Doc) : B

This film follows a group of young Chinese kids as they go through rigorous gymnastic training in hope of future glory. With no narration and virtually no interviews, this is a rare breed of a documentary. Such an "objective" and "slice of life" approach is consistent with the trend I see in a lot of Chinese narrative films, and it may not be something that most Western audience are used to. If you are OK with that, you may find this documentary to be very effective in what it sets out to convey. One particular shot, which stays on two young girls for what seems like minutes with no camera movements, is especially impactful.

SIFF Day 21: Reviews

My Suicide (US) : B+

The early part of this movie is an explosion of disturbing imagery, mixed-style animation, and profanity-laiden narration. If that sounds like MTV-generation stupidity, which I usually don't care for, know that it was all done so deliberately and creatively that it actually worked really well. The pace slows down later to allow the unfolding of a more traditional story arc, which is effective and thought-provoking. In the end though, I find myself wondering what the movie would've been like if the story was told in a straightforward way throughout. I'm afraid that for me, the extraordinary style did keep me at a certain distance from the underlying substance. In addition, the movie is decidedly rooted in the angst and frustration of the teen generation, and that's something I personally never identified with.

Overall, an impressive piece of art and a memorable viewing experience.

Garbage Dreams (US) (Doc) : B

This documentary about young people who process garbage for a living in the city of Cairo is well-constructed and touching, though a little too mellow and repetitive.

Cold Souls (US) : B-

Paul Giamatti alone makes this movie worth watching. I just wish the movie was move deserving of him.

During the Q&A, writer-director Sophie Barthes said she was tired of hearing the comparison with "Being John Malkovich." Unfortunately, given the storyline, such a comparison is inevitable, and "Being" was so brilliant that the said comparison doesn't do "Cold Souls" any favor. While the story is solid and the cinematography is successful, the implication of the core premise is severely underdeveloped, and the one scene that is the potential highlight turns out to be a major let-down. (Something very similar happened in "Being John Malkovich" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and both of those scenes were brilliant.)

So, thanks Paul... and sorry, Paul.

System Calibrated

While discussing my scoring systems with a friend, I realized that I had not been fully utilizing the scale of grades. Technically I graded the movies from D to A+, except I used both ends very sparingly, meaning that most movies were crowded around B and B+. I decided to "stretch out" the scale and essentially convert the old A- to A, and the old C+ to C. Here is the new system:

A+ : Exceptionally great movies, movies I absolutely love, best of the year or better.
A : Great movies that I absolutely recommend.
A- : Near-great movies with a few minor flaws, still highly recommend.
B+ : Good movies that are enjoyable, impressive and/or uniquely valuable.
B : Solid movies that pass the grade, worth seeing if it fits your taste.
B- : Just OK or so-so, with some clear flaws.
C+ : Not good, though there are one or two redeeming qualities.
C : My time would've been better spent elsewhere.
D : Gosh, why did I ever choose to see this??

SIFF Days 18-20: Reviews

Over the weekend, I was out of town for a nice break from movies. After coming back on Sunday night, I caught another movie and went right back into SIFF mode. One final week to go...

(500) Days of Summer (US) : A- (website)

Fans of clever romance movies rejoice! This one could be a new classic. Utilizing a successful non-linear time structure, this movie is full of genuine emotions and subtle humor, with stories and characters that are highly relatable. (According to director Marc Webb, some scenes and dialogues were lifted from the writers' own experiences.) The best thing about this movie is its rich visual language, with many creative storytelling devices put to great use.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (TV's "3rd Rock from the Sun," now all grown up) is highly impressive as the lovelorn Tom, while Zooey Deschanel embodies the charm of the title character rather perfectly. The soundtrack is also one to watch, following the tradition of "Garden State" and "Juno." Check out this movie in regular release later this summer!

Defamation (Israel) (Doc) : B+

A great documentary presents interesting opinions, raises challenging questions, and educates us on important topics. "Defamation" does all of those with ease and humor. While the movie talks about anti-semitism, it also serves as a discussion about dealing with the past. Do we continue to carry the burden from the past and let the negative events define us, or can we find a way to move on? With chilling quotes such as "never forgive, never forget," this movie will surely give you plenty to think about. For those who are familiar with the concept, it is all about the "victim mentality".

Krabat (Germany) : B

This is sort of a cross between "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" - I dub it as "Fellowship of the Black Magic." Visually, the movie looks impressive even without being as flashy as those big-budget epics. More importantly, it has a solid story that integrates many significant themes and brings everything to a satisfying conclusion. Features a star-making turn for David Kross (the boy from "The Reader").

Hansel and Gretel (South Korea) : B

A dream-like fantasy, a Burton-esque world with children behaving like devils, and a revenge horror movie in disguise. While the movie feels a little drawn-out, and the insanity undertone gets a little too much for its own good, it is still an enjoyable ride that leaves a lasting impression.

The Paranoids (Argentina) : B

The opening shot of this movie shows a toy gorilla falling slow-motion in the woods. Like that opening, the movie is a little odd, yet oddly charming.

Fruit Fly (US) : B-

If you ever wondered what a low-budget indie gay musical would be like, this is it. Watching this movie is somewhat like watching a high school theater production. You could tear it to shreds if you want; or you could decide to be forgiving and just enjoy. The songs are smooth and catchy, the story is perfectly adequate, and the characters are not as cliched as you might fear. You would be hard-pressed not to groove along to campy numbers like "Public Transit" and "We Are the Hag." All in all, a commendable and adorable effort.

The Square (Australia) : C+

This is one of those stories where things keep going badly, until people start dying left and right. Would've been decent material for a black comedy. However, the movie is dead serious (no pun intended), which just makes it not believable and not enjoyable. I wasn't thrilled or touched, in fact I was a little bored. The dog thing is cute though.

SIFF Days 13-15: Reviews

Welcome (France) : A-

A touching story that addresses the illegal immigration issue, with strong performances from the lead actors.

Prodigal Sons (US) (Doc) : A-

Not the best-made documentary per se, yet this is simply too fascinating to miss. In fact, don't even read the synopsis if you haven't. Just watch everything unfold and be ready to react and to think.

True Adolescents (US) : B+

A 30-something slacker/loser/unlikeable character goes on a camping trip with two teenage boys who really dislike him. Tricky situation for sure, and writer/director Craig Johnson succeeded beautifully in constructing a story that's authentic, organic and touching. Features a great cast led by the great Mark Duplass. Mark Duplass rocks. Check him out also in "Humpday," another wonderful Seattle indie.

Swimsuit Issue (Sweden) : B+

Like a happy version of "The Full Monty," this movie rolls along at a brisk pace and entertains the audience from the beginning to the end, without ever getting too slapsticky (thankfully!).

Kabei - Our Mother (Japan) : B

This is the story of a woman's strength, set against a revealing look into the political oppression in Japan during WWII. The quiet and plain approach of the film is confidently effective, yet it leaves something to be desired by the end. Features a masterful performance by Sayuri Yoshinaga.

The Shaft (China) : C

I am disappointed that my loyalty to my home country cinema was not richly rewarded in this case. This is one of those Chinese movies where I watch one thing happen after another, and I keep wishing that the time was spent to advance the plot in more meaningful ways. This three-part movie tells the story of a family in a small mining town, and the challenges they each face as they struggle to define their future against their past. The three episodic stories are fairly compelling, yet the family connection between the characters are severely underutilized.

SIFF Day 12: Reviews

A Sea Change (Norway) (Doc) : A

Not only does this film deliver some incredibly important information regarding ocean acidification, it is done very effectively through Sven's personal messages and hopes for his grandchildren. It is shocking to realize that the situation might be so dire that a large number of ocean species may already be destined for extinction. Yet there is hope in that the technologies and resources are in fact readily available, and it's only a question of whether/when we will take actions. No matter how things turn out for our oceans and all the fishes in them, one thing is clear: We must all take serious responsibilities for the world we are creating, not in the far future, but in our children's and even our own lifetime. A must-see for citizens of earth.

Boy (Philippines) : B

Apparently, this movie was accepted into and then rejected from the Singapore International Film Festival, because it showed romantic love-making between two males. And romantic it is indeed, making great use of fish tanks as both visual and storytelling devices. The movie also offers an intriguing look into the macho dancer culture in the Philippines.

The Wedding Song (France) : B-

SIFF Day 9-11: ShortsFest and more

La Mission (US) : A

Starring Benjamin Bratt and written/directed by his brother Peter Bratt, "La Mission" is an outstanding ethnic/social/family/romance/character drama that succeeds where so many other films have failed: It touches upon a large number of issues without any of them feeling forced or contrived. Benjamin Bratt bravely sinks himself into the leading role, and gives an extraordinary, richly layered performance. While the cheesiness meter does ramp up a little high at times, this is an authentic and powerful film that's well worth watching.

School Days With a Pig (Japan) : B+

A 6th grade teacher decided to teach his students a lesson on life by asking them to raise a baby pig, with the plan to eat it at the end of the school year. Or will they?? This is a wonderful family film that puts a large group of kids in the spotlight, in a way that's rarely seen in movies. It maintains a good balance by covering both the awe-inducing side of the story (kids playing with the pig) and the more serious, grown-up side (kids deciding what to do with the pig). I was highly impressed with the classroom discussion scenes - How did they film it so well with so many kids speaking so many lines? All the child actors are very believable, and adorable. My only negative comment is that the second half seems to drag on a little bit. Overall though, an excellent movie that's recommended for all ages.

Like Dandelion Dust (US) : B

An adopted child becomes the center of much turmoil when his birth parents want him back and the court orders his adopted parents to oblige. This is a well-made mainstream tear jerker; not a chick flick as the male characters are just as important and complex as the females. Cinema cynics will gladly point out the cliched elements and the tugging of the heart string. Even so, this is an engaging movie thanks to a strong cast (especially the child actor). For most of the movie, it is difficult to decide who you should root for. During the screening, a lot of sniffling was heard from the audience - I imagine that if you a parent, you may get very emotional watching it. I'm not a parent, and I still was almost brought to tears.

City of Borders (US) (Doc) : B

Snow (Bosnia/Herzegovina) : C+

Still Walking (Japan) : C+

Yes, I Can See Dead People (Hong Kong) : C+


ShortsFest Opening Package : B+
(Repeat screening Tue Jun 2, 9:15pm, Egyptian)

An excellent and diverse group of short films ranging from the lovely to the cute to the absurd to the controversial. You may not love them all, and you would still come to appreciate the art of short films. Next year, bigger venue please?

2081 (US): B
A surrealistic look into a future where equality is taken to extreme measures.
The Bake Shop Ghost (US): A
A heart-warming story with a lot of delicious-looking cakes to boot!
The Herd (Ireland): B
A deer with an identity crisis keeps hanging around a herd of cattles. What could the farmer do?
Love: C+
An inconsistent and disturbing piece on an extreme act of love in the face of death. For me, short film is not necessarily an appropriate medium for a provocative story like this, since there is no sufficient time to establish motivation or develop characters.
Next Floor: B
Absurd comedy never looked so exquisite... and somewhat disgusting.
Photograph of Jesus: B+
A funny and imaginative presentation about the photo archive and some of the real requests they receive.
Post-It Love: A-
Even the most cynical will smile at this really cute little love story!

Disclosures (shorts package) : B

Highlights:
Kudan (Japan) : A-
The Spam Job (US) : B
Sparks (US) : B

The Family Picture Show (shorts package) : A-

A wonderful collection that highlights many different looks of animation, from computer graphics to pencil drawings. Clever use of mixed media brings unique charm to two shorts, while two others present innovative methods that I have not seen before: "Western Spaghetti," where items such as bubble wraps and colorful yarns stand in for boiling water and spgahetti strands; "Maggie and Mildred," which takes on the look of needle point arts.

Highlights:
Babau (Italy) : A-
Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death : A-

The World of Possibilities (shorts package) : B-

Unanswered questions and ambiguous endings... Sometimes they work, and many other times they are just frustrating.

Response Abilities (shorts package) : B

Proof that while it might be easier to make a good short film (compared to making a good feature-length film), it's also difficult to achieve greatness.

The Cock Collage (shorts package) : B

While this package contains several nice ideas, there still is an unfortunate dearth of gay-themed short films with solid production value and high overall quality.

Sensory Overload (shorts package) : B+

Note to self: Don't judge a shorts package by its name. This is one that I was reluctant to see for fear of suffering through a large pile of experimental mumbo-jumbo. On the contrary, it includes a few very pleasant surprises, and even has a high quota of stories that make sense!

SIFF Day 8: Reviews

The Hurt Locker (US) : A

To call this "intense" or "gripping" is a huge understatement. From the beginning, "The Hurt Locker" drops us right into a different world, where lives hang on by a thread, and humanity only surfaces in brief glimpses. The movie does all its work with amazing honesty and constraint, without ever getting aggressively loud or overly sentimental. While the explosions and gun fights are effective, it is through many wordless moments that the movie really draws us in and shakes us to the core. In an excellent ensemble cast, Jeremy Renner stands out with a truly magnetic performance.

Carmo, Hit the Road (Spain) : B

Rembrandt's J'Accuse (Netherlands) (Doc?) : B-

SIFF Day 7: Review (only 1 movie today)

An Island Calling (New Zealand) (Doc) : B+

The story happened in Fiji, where an affluent gay white couple were brutally murdered by a native Fijian man. Was it motivated by anti-gay sentiment, racial tension, personal history, or political conflict? (Half of the couple, John Scott, was the director of Fiji Red Cross and assisted a group of hostages during a then-recent coup.) John's brother Owen was a driving force behind this excellent documentary, and he provided a strong sense of emotional resonance without ever coming from grudge or revenge. The movie took its time exploring the history of the Fiji society, allowing the story to unfold naturally as we learn about its background setting. The result was powerful, sensible, and thought-provoking.

SIFF Day 6: Reviews

Dancing Across Borders (US) (Doc) : B

Philanthropist Anne Bass discovered Sy, a teenage dancer performing in Cambodia, and sponsored him to come to the U.S. and train in classic ballet. What started as home video footage (to send to Sy's mom) eventually turned into a documentary project, which first-time filmmaker Anne Bass handled with love and care. We follow Sy through years of training and performances, which eventually led him to Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet. The power of this movie comes from the personal and artistic journey of Sy, allowing us to appreciate him as a beautiful person both inside and out. Wonderful performance footage, often showing dance pieces in their entirety, provided a great bonus. As a fan of dancing in general and a non-fan of ballet specifically, I was really impressed and touched by Sy's performances.

Moon (UK) : A- (website)

I expected to like this movie, and I did like it, but in a totally unexpected way. I thought this was a sci-fi suspense thriller; turned out it's more like a sci-fi character drama. The first act was kinda slow, and during the second act I seriously doubted whether the movie would work. However, the third act really pulled it off and turned in a very satisfactory ending. I'll take this over so many other movies that start strong and finish weak.

The look of this movie, a blend between old-school realistic and CG-based ultra-clean, was attractive and soothing. Sam Rockwell gave a pitch-perfect performance. In fact, the movie was written specifically for him - and he really delivered.

Zift (Bulgaria) : B

I took a gamble on this one since it didn't look like my usual kind of movie. The SIFF website stated "Genres: Cult, Detective/Mystery, Drama, Erotic, Film Noir, Thriller." Huh?? I’m glad that it turned out to be an enjoyable and enticing ride instead of a flashy mess. The story-telling devices and Noir elements worked well, the protagonist was fascinating and powerful, and it all led up to a memorable final act.

SIFF Day 5: Reviews

Gotta Dance (US) (Doc) : A- (website)

Grandmothers dancing hip-hop? Fun, fun, fun!! A group of seniors age 60 and above - 12 women and 1 man - were recruited by the New Jersey Nets to form a new dance team. Director Dori Berinstein ("Some Assembly Required") brings us through their journey of hard training, warm camaraderie, national fame, and audience adoration in this heartfelt and inspiring documentary.

We Live In Public (US) (Doc) : A (website)

Even though you may have never heard of him, Internet pioneer Josh Harris was a genius, a visionary, a weirdo, a dangerous force and a tragic figure all rolled into one. He jump-started the .com boom; built a web TV operation before most people even had the Internet; and ran an ambitious "Big Brother Extreme" in an underground bunker at the turn of the millennium. More than ten years in the making, this documentary is bedazzling in its technical details and unsettling in its social implications. Are we doomed to become slaves to the Internet? Do human beings ultimately crave intimate connections or unwittingly destroy them? Watch the movie and ponder away.

Today's SIFF audience received a very special treat when Josh Harris himself showed up for the post-film Q&A. In person he appeared calm, poised, and surprisingly "normal." Just don't ask him what he thought of the movie - He still hasn't watched it! I asked him about the ultimate goal and motivation behind all the provocative "experiments" he put on. He explained that he wants to "implement" where our society is heading toward, so we can all see what it's like in reality. Whether people choose to follow that path, or choose something different, that's not his concern. Indeed, this ultimate techie sees himself as an artist, an illustrator of our future. Something interesting to keep in mind when you watch this movie.

I Know You Know (UK) : B

A coming-of-age drama and suspense thriller (in a mild sense), this film features a stand-out debut performance from a young Arron Fuller, and a memorable turn by Robert Carlyle ("The Full Monty") as his father. The story, though not as rewarding as the lead performances, gets told in a polished and enjoyable fashion.

Warlords (Hong Kong/China) : B (website)

From "The Banquet" to "Curse of the Golden Flower" to this... The Chinese cinema seems to have taken on an obsession with Shakespearean tragedies. It's a solid piece of war epic, with three solid male leads and some solid character conflicts. Just remember to stay away if you are afraid of seeing blood.

Baby Love (France) : B-

A gay couple, one desperately wanting to have kids and the other one adamantly against it. Plus, gay couples are not allowed to adopt in France (for now). Many of the plot turns are cliched, though as a whole it's still enjoyable to watch. In other words, it's not bad. Just one major bone to pick: The film shows part of a straight sex scene, but cuts away just when two men start getting intimate. A strange double-standard to have for a supposedly gay movie.

SIFF Day 4: Reviews

$9.99 (Israel/Australia) : B+ (website)

A claymation movie that's gritty and cryptic, instead of cutesy and sleek? I'm there! My friends and I had a lengthy discussion afterwards about the characters, the endings, and those unexpected PG-13 moments. That makes it a good movie, right?

Pop Star On Ice (US) (Doc) : B+ (website)

A documentary that follows Johnny Weir, the openly flamboyant U.S. champion figure skater, through three years of triumph, frustration, hard work, and self-expression. Taking a restrained yet self-assured approach, the film lets all the different sides of Johnny Weir come through, without either demonizing or idolizing this undeniably intriguing young man.

I'm No Dummy (US) (Doc) : B (website)

If you are ever curious about ventriloquists (or "vents"), this is a good documentary for learning about these brilliant comedians and character actors. The attraction of this film comes not from innovative storytelling or dramatic setups, but simply from the talent and charm of the performers. The best part about seeing it at SIFF was that three ventriloquists were on hand for a Q&A session - or rather, an impromptu performance session. That was quite a treat!

SIFF Day 3: Reviews

I love movies! Today I caught two that I really liked, and they were so different from each other - innocent vs. nasty, real vs. surreal - yet they were both quirky, refreshing, and creative. Throw in another solid documentary and a campy comedy, and a little time spent at the Folklife Festival, I got myself a great day!

Paper Heart (US) : A

Cute, warm and romantic, this pseudo-documentary about the realness of love might make you wish it was all real. See it if you get a chance!

The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle (US) : B+

Black comedies with unusual visual elements tend to be plagued by two problems: One, when substance is sacrificed in favor of style; two, when the story gets too strange for its own good and loses all its color and steam before the end is in sight. It's impressive that "Little Dizzle" by and large avoided both of those problems. Memorable characters and wonderful acting round out what it takes to make a great piece of entertainment. The opening sequence is brilliant, and so are several other sequences throughout the movie. Unfortunately, I'm not too sure about how the story resolved at the end.

Trimpin: The Sound of Invention (US) (Doc) : B-

Documentary about a brilliant artist/musician/engineer/inventor. I wanted to see more!

Chef’s Special (Spain) : B

Campy, soapy fun.

Also, the opening night film:

In the Loop (UK) : C

A political satire that focuses more on antics than storylines.

SIFF Movie Reviews

Before the festival officially starts (tonight), here are a few reviews from press screenings:

Humpday (US) : B+ (website)

Seattle filmmaker Lynn Shelton tells an intriguing story based on the real-life "Humpfest," an amateur porn festival organized by "The Stranger." Two long-lost friends, both straight male, reunite after embarking on very different life paths. On a dare (or is it?), they decide to enter the Humpfest by filming themselves having sex. Did I mention one of them has a wife? So here we are, a hotel room, two straight dudes, and a video camera. What's next?? Despite the sensationalistic premise, Lynn and her two leading men handled the story with an admirable sense of honesty and subtlety, allowing you to connect with the characters and ultimately feel for them.

Tulpan (Kazakhstan) : B-

A young man returns from the military and joins his relatives in the steppe, with the goal of acquiring both a herd and a wife. He is quite taken with the neighbor's daughter, Tulpan, even though his proposal was rejected and he hasn't even seen her in person. The characters are moderately charming and the story is laid back... Perhaps too laid back. At times, the movie feels about as exciting as being stuck in a sandstorm on the steppe. Verdict: Enjoy with a healthy dose of patience.

Art & Copy (US) (Doc) : B-

This documentary about art in advertising is masterful, enjoyable, informational, yet slightly disengaging. It was as if the director had no concern over whether the audience was interested in the topic... Kinda ironic for a movie about advertising, don't you think?

SIFF 2009 - Bring It On!!

14.
23.
27.
43.
27.
41.
34.

These are the numbers of screenings I attended at each year's SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival) starting from 2002, my first year living in Seattle. Since 2003, I've purchased a full-series pass every year. Many pass holders attend 60+ screenings during the festival, and some even go above 100. For me though, due to work and other activities (such as dragon boating), I always had limited capacity for racking up big numbers.

This year, I am self-employed, I am no longer the captain of my dragon boat team, and I only have one scheduled weekend away during the festival. So, let's see what number I can pull off!!

* NOTE: I use the term "screening" to refer to one time block of film(s), or one "sitting." Most screenings consist of one feature-length film. Some are "shorts packages" that each contains a number of short films; some others include one feature-length film and one short film. SIFF typically plays close to 300 feature films and shorts packages during its 25-day run.

Summer Movie Reviews

The summer movie season has kicked off with a densely packed May schedule. For me though, with SIFF starting, "regular" movies may have to wait ("Angels & Demons," "Terminator Salvation," "Up").

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" : B- (It's flawed)

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and a slew of new characters from the X-Men universe - Those were enough reasons for me to watch this movie at its opening midnight show. Unfortunately, my optimism was not returned in favor. I liked all the characters, and most actors did a fine job settling into those characters. However, the script and the directing left much to be desired. Even worse, there were more than a few moments of let's-assume-the-audience-is-dumb, which is a surefire sign that the movie is not that intelligent either. Finally, as much as I enjoyed watching Wolverine charging around looking angry, I wish some of the other characters had received more screen time.

"Earth" : B+ (Very good)

True, this documentary is simply a condensed version of the TV series "Planet Earth." Even so, there is plenty of larger-than-life footage that deserves the big screen treatment, which means you gotta see this one in a movie theater! (It's probably not gonna be crowded, so you can pick a good seat.) The movie employs a loose storytelling structure that worked well, and moves at a brisk enough pace to keep me interested. I did find it jarring that several animal hunting stories were left unresolved, maybe in an effort to maintain a "G" rating??

"Star Trek" : A- (Great movie!)

Smart, exciting and precise, this is what a summer blockbuster should be like!! I knew next to nothing about the "Star Trek" TV series and previous movies, and I found this one to be perfectly accessible for me. My biggest worry before the movie was: "How long would it take for me to stop thinking, 'Hey, there's Sylar!'" (the Zachary Quinto connection). Thankfully, it didn't take that long.

In comparison, I was disappointed that the opening weekend gross of "Star Trek" ($79m) fell short of "Wolverine" ($85m). One week later, it turned out that there is justice after all. "Star Trek" dropped by only 46% in its second weekend, compared to 69% for "Wolverine." Which means that when all is said the done, "Star Trek" will be the one laughing its way to the bank.

Spring Movie Reviews

Didn't see too many movies this spring so here they are:

"Coraline" : A- (Great movie!)

I've always been a fan of stop-motion. Here, director Henry Selick ("The Nightmare Before Christmas") constructs a colorful, imaginative and moody world for Coraline, a braver, more determined version of Alice experiencing her own bizarro Wonderland. Stake is high as Coraline must rescue her own parents as well as several kids from the grasp of... Well, the story is not all that important (or perfect). What matters is that by the end of the movie, I not only enjoyed the visual feast, I also fell in love with Coraline... and her silent buddy boy.

Incidentally, I watched the movie in 3D. Not a bad trick... I just wish my 3D glasses were constructed better and didn't cause double-images.

"I Love You, Man" : B+ (Very good)

I went to this movie for one reason, and liked it for the same reason: Paul Rudd. His undeniable likeability and relatability carried the story and gave it a heart. I even forgave his character for performing one of the unforgivable comedy shticks in my book, known as projectile vomiting. Jason Segel's character also added enough intrigue to keep things interesting.

Oscar: My Final Score

So at the end, it was 15-6 for the 21 categories where I made my predictions. I didn't do the three Short categories (Live Action, Animated, Documentary) because I knew next to nothing about the nominees. My last-minute guesses succeeded for 1 out of the 3.

With "Slumdog" dominating the buzz, it was an easy night for forecasters, so my "score" was only OK. A summary of my downfalls:

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Penelope Cruz won instead of Viola Davis. I underestimated the importance of career track record (for Cruz) and the hold-back from limited screen time (for Davis). This is reminiscent of last year, when Ruby Dee was nominated for a brief and intense role in "American Gangster," and the award went to Tilda Swinton... I also thought this might be the one category where they recognize "Doubt"; that didn't happen and "Doubt" went home empty-handed.

BEST ACTOR: Sean Penn won instead of Mickey Rourke. Very simply, I figured too many people disliked Sean Penn - he even admitted as such in his acceptance speech - though that did not stop his win. A singular spectacular performance, like Mickey Rourke's, can definitely win in some years... Just not this time.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: "Departures" (Japan) won over "Waltz With Bashir" (Israel). "Waltz" has a winning record and is completely fascinating to me, although I wasn't familiar with the other four nominees so I'll reserve comments until I see "Departures."

BEST FILM EDITING: On a whim I picked "The Dark Knight," and deep down I really knew it would be "Slumdog Millionaire." Duh.

BEST SOUND EDITING & BEST SOUND MIXING: The two forever confusing categories. I predicted "Wall-E" for Editing and "The Dark Knight" for Mixing, and I was only half-half-right. "The Dark Knight" won for Editing and "Slumdog" took Mixing.

Overall, I thought it was a great Oscar year with multiple win-worthy contenders in every major category. Best wishes for 2009!

Oscar: Other predictions

ORIGINAL SCORE: Slumdog Millionaire
ORIGINAL SONG: "Jai Ho," Slumdog Millionaire
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Waltz with Bashir
ACTOR: Mickey Rourke
ACTRESS: Kate Winslet
DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle, Slumdog
FILM: Slumdog

Oscar: Editing

Although I previously predicted "The Dark Knight," I have to say it's probably gonna be Slumdog again.

Oscar: More technical categories

I hope I remembered the difference between Sound Editing and Sound Mixing correctly...

SOUND EDITING: Wall-E
SOUND MIXING: The Dark Knight
VISUAL EFFECT: Benjamin Button

Oscar: Documentary

Feature: "Man On Wire" is the one with the heat. Unfortunately I haven't seen it. I did watch "Trouble The Water" at SIFF and loved it, so I would be celebrating in the off chance that it wins!

Short: No idea!

Oscar: Best Supporting Actor

If it's not Heath Ledger, I would be falling off my chair.

Oscar: Makeup

It's gonna be Benjamin Button's #2!

Oscar: Costume Design

My prediction: If they gave it to "Marie Antoinette," they are probably gonna give it to "The Duchess."

Oscar: Art Direction

Benjamin Button!!

Oscar: Slumdog vs. Benjamin

The big battle this year, as everyone knows, is Slumdog Millionaire vs. Benjamin Button. Since I have seen both, I can make my honest evaluations on their head-to-head battles:

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Should win: Slumdog Millionaire
Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

BEST SOUND MIXING
Should win: Neither (The Dark Knight)
Will win: The Dark Knight

BEST EDITING
Should win: Neither (The Dark Knight)
Will win: The Dark Knight

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Should win: Benjamin Button
Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Should win: Benjamin Button
Will win (already won): Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR
Should win: Danny Boyle (Slumdog)
Will win: Danny Boyle

BEST PICTURE
Should win: Benjamin Button
Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Oscar: Animated Feature

Wall-E, DUH!

Oscar: Screenplay continued

1:1 so far :-)

Best Adapted Screenplay: What a heavyweight category!! All five deserve it to a certain degree, and I of course root for my favorite, Benjamin Button. However, I'm pretty sure this is gonna be the start of Slumdog's winning tally for tonight.

Oscar: Screenplay Predictions

OK, 0:1 so far after Best Supporting Actress :-

Best Original Screenplay prediction: Milk, although wouldn't it be a hoot if Wall-E wins??

My Last-Minute Oscar Prediction

It's 5:39pm and Hugh Jackman is still doing his opening number, so I'm not too late to publish my forecast :-)

Oh, they are about to hand out Best Supporting Actress... For this one, I'm rooting for Viola Davis, although I wouldn't be surprised if Penelope Cruz gets it.

More later...

We're done shooting!

Successfully finished film shoot for my short "Family Time" today! Yay!! It was so much fun :-)

More later...