So I'm back with my annual Filmfest DC review. I saw eleven this year and the best part is I achieved it all seeing it with friends and family, old and new and young ;).
The Sandman - I thought this was one of the best films, precluding that I didn't see 5 Broken Cameras or Monsieur Lazahar which also got top faves from the audience. I'm into nihilistic dream-sequence dramas with an actual story line and good acting while taking place in an absurd fantastical almost real setting, kind of like one of my faves, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Abu, Son of Adam - I like this film because it kind of reminds me of my pops. Except I didn't think it was good enough to warrant a Academy Awards submission.
Facing Mirrors - Five star movie, although the post-text will have you believe the Iranian government is progressive because it allows sex change surgery and will provide loans for the operation. The story is heart-rending, with some of the finest character acting I've seen anywhere.
Terraferma - Good movie if it hadn't been shown in conjunction with Facing Mirrors or The Sandman. It was a subtle drama and emotional at once.
Goodbye - This movie trapped you in the theater with thoughts of escape. It's the point of the whole story (or lack thereof), the purpose of the film is better described through the background of its actual director, his first since being released from Iranian prison.
Crazy Wisdom - really nice glowing documentary on Tibetan lama Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who brought Eastern Buddhism to the West.
Blood in the Mobile - a Micheal Moore-esque documentary. Heart-rending video footage shows enough damning evidence as does a corporation's inability to eloquently rebuff questions surrounding its supply chain. Not as relevant once one does some homework though.
War of the Arrows - epic historical war drama from the Republic of Korea. Lots of China bashing and cheering for the good guys. Feel good film, worth seeing on the silver screen.
Almanya - Welcome to Germany - one of my favorites, tells the story of Turkish immigrants to Germany, its plot of East colliding with West with hilarious results is applicable to immigrants' stories in any Western country. I laughed, I cried, I'm glad I spent time to watch this movie.
Cousinhood - crowd favorite, I thought it was in the realm of 'Last Kiss' and 'The Hangover' (read Dude flick). Certainly shows men's vulnerabilities but the portrayal of women, particularly the supporting actress who plays Martina was so one-sided. The women's character were essentially caricatures: the Mother, lover, angel Martina, the crazy controlling banshee Tona, and bitchy whore daughter (forget her name), insecure indecisive ex-fiancee. I had too much trouble suspending my disbelief on the lack of character development in the women to really enjoy the movie. There's a reason why this director is still single (maybe unrealistic expectations of women?) but I will give him a pass for dealing with the peculiarities of producing reasonable length films.
The Policeman - a film for those more familiar with traveling in Israel and perhaps the peculiarities of policing and defending that nation. I liked it because it reminded me of Israel: Eastern Europeans in the Mediterranean. It might be somewhat prophetic as well.
The Sandman - I thought this was one of the best films, precluding that I didn't see 5 Broken Cameras or Monsieur Lazahar which also got top faves from the audience. I'm into nihilistic dream-sequence dramas with an actual story line and good acting while taking place in an absurd fantastical almost real setting, kind of like one of my faves, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Abu, Son of Adam - I like this film because it kind of reminds me of my pops. Except I didn't think it was good enough to warrant a Academy Awards submission.
Facing Mirrors - Five star movie, although the post-text will have you believe the Iranian government is progressive because it allows sex change surgery and will provide loans for the operation. The story is heart-rending, with some of the finest character acting I've seen anywhere.
Terraferma - Good movie if it hadn't been shown in conjunction with Facing Mirrors or The Sandman. It was a subtle drama and emotional at once.
Goodbye - This movie trapped you in the theater with thoughts of escape. It's the point of the whole story (or lack thereof), the purpose of the film is better described through the background of its actual director, his first since being released from Iranian prison.
Crazy Wisdom - really nice glowing documentary on Tibetan lama Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who brought Eastern Buddhism to the West.
Blood in the Mobile - a Micheal Moore-esque documentary. Heart-rending video footage shows enough damning evidence as does a corporation's inability to eloquently rebuff questions surrounding its supply chain. Not as relevant once one does some homework though.
War of the Arrows - epic historical war drama from the Republic of Korea. Lots of China bashing and cheering for the good guys. Feel good film, worth seeing on the silver screen.
Almanya - Welcome to Germany - one of my favorites, tells the story of Turkish immigrants to Germany, its plot of East colliding with West with hilarious results is applicable to immigrants' stories in any Western country. I laughed, I cried, I'm glad I spent time to watch this movie.
Cousinhood - crowd favorite, I thought it was in the realm of 'Last Kiss' and 'The Hangover' (read Dude flick). Certainly shows men's vulnerabilities but the portrayal of women, particularly the supporting actress who plays Martina was so one-sided. The women's character were essentially caricatures: the Mother, lover, angel Martina, the crazy controlling banshee Tona, and bitchy whore daughter (forget her name), insecure indecisive ex-fiancee. I had too much trouble suspending my disbelief on the lack of character development in the women to really enjoy the movie. There's a reason why this director is still single (maybe unrealistic expectations of women?) but I will give him a pass for dealing with the peculiarities of producing reasonable length films.
The Policeman - a film for those more familiar with traveling in Israel and perhaps the peculiarities of policing and defending that nation. I liked it because it reminded me of Israel: Eastern Europeans in the Mediterranean. It might be somewhat prophetic as well.
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