SIFF Sighting: SUMMERTIME (Romance; France)

Tassoula is intermittently covering #SIFF2016. Her first review of the festival, of the French film SUMMERTIME, is now available on her blog.

Read that review here.

SUMMERTIME will screen Wednesday, June 1 at AMC Pacific Place during the 42nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival. Go here to purchase tickets. 

SIFF Sighting: WORDS AND PICTURES (Romance; USA)

Jack (Clive Owen) is a film cliché. He's an angry English teacher with a drinking problem and a troubled relationship with his son.

Dina (Juliette Binoche) is an artistic spitfire on a mission to ignite her students since her physical limitations prevent her from being what she used to be.

One would assume they're destined to be together, and one would probably be right.

The thing that saves this formulaic story from being too sugar-sweet predictable is the incredible appeal of the two lead actors. Owen, despite the drunkenness, has never been more charming (though I missed his British accent); Binoche is both delicate and demonic in equal measure. You simply can't help but root for them.

As a writer (and full disclosure: former English major), I appreciated the defense of words; as a sucker for teacher heroes, I relished in the inspirational classroom energy.

Go see this one to enjoy it and find forgiveness in your heart for its faults.

WORDS AND PICTURES will screen at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival on May 17. For tickets, go here.

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SIFF Sighting: BLIND DATES (Comedy; Georgia)

A coach and a teacher (both male) are still single at 40, so they decide to take a risk, agreeing to blind dates with women who traveled from out of town to meet them.

Needless to say, the encounter is awkward.

The whole tone of the film is somewhat awkward in fact, but acts as a perfect metaphor for the navigation of love and romance "later" in life. In fact, the blind dates at the beginning merely set the stage for a series of unconventional events that are both sad and sweet, despite their irony.

Many of the scenes are dark; most are quiet, but they're sprinkled with enough surprises and twists to keep the audience intrigued as feelings develop and relationships blossom where you least expect them.

BLIND DATES will screen at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival on June 4 and June 8. For tickets, go here.

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Cinebanter #122 - BEFORE MIDNIGHT

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula are smitten with BEFORE MIDNIGHT, the third installment in their favorite trilogy of all time. In the Last Five®, Michael revisits a Paul Thomas Anderson hit, while Tassoula discovered a new European thriller. Tassoula also provides a wrap-up of her coverage of the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Review of BEFORE MIDNIGHT, Part 1

• Break

• 20:02 Review of BEFORE MIDNIGHT, Part 2

• Break

• 46:49 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 47:25 The Last Five®

• Break

• 1:09:44 Tassoula's Top 3 from SIFF 2013

• Break

• 1:20:32 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: RUDY; THE EAST; STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS; SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON 2; and THERE WILL BE BLOOD. Tassoula's Last Five were: THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DICK CHENEY; WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO AND JULIET; BEING FLYNN; THE HANGOVER III and THE PREY.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Reviews and/or notes of movies Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

SIFF Sighting: LOVE IS IN THE AIR (romance; France)

Julie (Ludivine Sagnier) is a woman living in New York, headed home to France to marry her boyfriend, who is a respected lawyer.

Antoine (Nicolas Bedos) is a mess—traipsing through life with one woman after another, none satisfying him for more than two weeks.

As often happens in romantic comedies, our two stars here have a "meet cute," and this time it's on an airplane in the seats right next to one another.

They both discover (Julie in horror; Antoine in delight) who they're seated with and we quickly learn they were longtime loves before Antoine did something horrible to wreck it all.

Through glasses of champagne and an abundance of turbulence, they recount their relationship for those within earshot and remember why they parted.

As often happens, the memories recalled make the mood bittersweet and the two must contemplate if they'll go their separate ways once the plane lands, or try one more time to be a successful couple.

Sagnier's manner is reminiscent of early Meg Ryan performances; Bedos nails his role as a careless playboy effortlessly, but what stops this film from being as charming as it wants to be are the continued formulaic scenarios.

The ending also risks leaving a bad taste in the mouth. Anyone who has ever had another person sabotage them for selfish reasons may not appreciate the resolution here.

The classic French Kiss would probably be a better option for those seeking a happily ever after rom com.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR screened at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF Sighting: JUMP (drama; Ireland)

Ever since Trainspotting hit theaters in 1996, directors have been trying to emulate it.

It will come as no surprise when this film, Jump, earns comparisons to the trailblazer since all of the hallmarks are there: crime; bloody fights; damsels in distress (who don't want help); fast music; dance clubs and depression.

Set in Northern Ireland on New Year's Eve, Greta (Nichola Burley) can't seem to successfully jump off of a Derry bridge because Pearse (Martin McCann), fresh from a fight, feels like being a hero. Soon they're bickering just like Jack and Rose from Titanic and he's determined to save her from herself.

Of course, there's a twist: Greta's dad (a mad crime boss) is after Pearse due to an earlier mess he got himself into, but of course, they don't know that as they're slowly (but really rapidly) falling in love.

Really, there's nothing wrong with the film except for all of the things I mentioned above. It has a decent story, fine actors and a frenetic pace to keep viewers interested, but it's nothing we haven't seen before.

JUMP will screen at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival on June 1, 2 and 5. For tickets, click here.

SIFF Sighthing: TWO MOTHERS (drama; Australia)

Lil (Naomi Watts) and Roz (Robin Wright) are friends who have been close since they were young. Now, they marvel at the two sons they've raised and spend long days on the beach watching them splash around.

Soon, Roz falls for Lil's son and vice versa. Like everything else, they navigate those love affairs together.

It's an emotional film for anyone who has ever had to choose between heart and head—and chose wrong.

TWO MOTHERS screened at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF Sighting: MIDDLETON (romance; USA)

Audrey (Taissa Farmiga) is dying to study at Middleton; Conrad (Spencer Lofranco) is reluctant to get excited about a school his dad holds so dear.

His Dad George (Andy Garcia, in a very tender performance) is a buttoned-up man in an unsatisfying marriage who falls for Edith (Vera Farmiga), Audrey's mom, when they separate from their children on the college tour.

This film captures the concept of a second "first love," and does so with sweet grace.

MIDDLETON had its world premiere at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF Sighting: 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK (Comedy, USA)

Julie Delpy brings her character Marion back as an older version of her neurotic self in this follow up to the witty 2 DAYS IN PARIS.

In this installment, Chris Rock plays her loving partner Mingus, who appears to be almost saint-like until his patience wears thin during a visit from Marion's obnoxious French family.

This ride through clashing cultures and true romance is a delightful romp, just as the first.


2 DAYS IN NEW YORK screened at the 38th annual Seattle International Film Festival.

Cinebanter #105 - BEFORE SUNRISE AND BEFORE SUNSET

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula gush at their favorite pair of romantic films, BEFORE SUNRISE and BEFORE SUNSET, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Cinebanter. In the Last Five®, Michael sees a profound documentary, while Tassoula revisits one of her favorite Michael J. Fox films. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of BEFORE SUNRISE, Part 1

• Break

• 24:38 Discussion of BEFORE SUNRISE, Part 2

• Break

• 40:05 Discussion of BEFORE SUNSET

• Break

• 1:10:06 The Last Five®

• Break

• 1:41:54 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: TREE OF LIFE, HOOPER, IMMORTAL BELOVED, HOW TO DIE IN OREGON and UGETSU. Tassoula's Last Five were: AMERICAN BEAUTY, LARRY CROWNE, TREE OF LIFE, LAST DAYS and DOC HOLLYWOOD.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Vincent Do, Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Reviews and/or notes of movies Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

SIFF Sighting: Summer Coda (Romance; Australia)

Heidi (Rachael Taylor) is like many other American girls—raised by a single mother with only a handful of memories from the days her father was still around.

Michael (Alex Dimitriades) is the operator of an Australian orange grove, who is trying to heal from his painful past.

Their meet-cute happens as Heidi is on her way to Australia to attend the funeral of her absent father and she hitchhikes into town. Michael, worried for her safety, picks her up and the two develop something that resembles friendship.

When Heidi is met with a less-than-pleasant reception from her stepmother, she leaves the family home and seek's refuge at Michael's house, becoming one of his orange pickers.

Feelings soon develop between the two, but they don't act on them because of the secrets they have yet to share with one another.

This all plays out with a quiet tension that's painfully real and also hopelessly romantic.

The actors and their situations are all believable, and the slow pace of the film can be easily forgiven since most of what we see throughout the narrative are beautiful places and beautiful people.

For a first feature film, director Richard Gray has done quite well.

I'm anxious to see his next project, which he is coincidentally filming in Washington state.

Summer Coda screened at The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

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Cinebanter #94 - INCEPTION

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula infiltrate each other's dreams of what a great film should look like as they disagree about INCEPTION. In the Last Five®, Michael sees the film of the book he read this summer, while Tassoula catches up with the buzz film of 2010.

The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of INCEPTION, Part 1
• Break
• 21:30 Discussion of INCEPTION, Part 2
• Break
• 45:34 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 46:09 The Last Five®
• 1:10:09 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: MY MOTHER, THE ROAD, BIG FAN, KISSES and GHOST TOWN. Tassoula's Last Five were: LOVELY AND AMAZING, EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, MADE IN HEAVEN, A SIMPLE PLAN and THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

This just in—it's LA DOLCE VITA, folks.

The decision has been made. The votes are in. The smoke has turned white.

Michael and Tassoula will be hosting another CINEBANTER CLASSIC for episode #69 and diving into Fellini's LA DOLCE VITA. That show will air on April 27.

In the meantime, check out new written reviews:

Michael recently saw ROMANCE.

Tassoula recently saw ADVENTURELAND.

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