SIFF Sighting: OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE (drama; France)

Tassoula reviewed the drama OUR SUMMER IN PROVENCE, which played at the 41st annual Seattle International Film Festival today.

The link can be found on her blog.

SIFF Sighting: 4 MINUTE MILE (Drama; USA)

Drew (Kelly Blatz) is a teenager from the wrong side of the tracks that doesn't want to end up like his crime-ridden family. Richard Jenkins plays the retired track coach destined to save him.

The chemistry between the two leads is strong and Seattle provides a beautiful backdrop to this heartbreaking story. Bring a hankie.

4 MINUTE MILE screened at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival.

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SIFF Sighting: BOYHOOD (Drama; USA)

"I thought there would be more."

The new Richard Linklater masterpiece Boyhood is filled with revelations like this that pass by so naturally you may miss them.

Ellar Coltrane (Mason) is phenomenal as a boy who ages 12 years before our eyes; Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke deliver pitch perfect performances as his parents, as does Lorelei Linklater who portrays his sister.

Don't miss it.

BOYHOOD screened at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF Sighting: IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE (Drama; Norway)

Jenny (Silje Salomonsen) is pregnant with her daughter Merete (Iben Osten Hjelle) when she's caught in the middle of a robbery.

Forced to defend herself, she begins shooting and hits two people. Sentenced ten years for murder, her family raises Merete until she is freed.

Once she's out of prison, Jenny, like so many, has trouble acclimating back to normal life. Though all she desires is to make a solid home for her daughter, she can't help but get caught up in the lifestyle of drugs and criminal activity that she was once a part of, which puts both of them in dangerous situations.

There's nothing much that's new here, but the story does serve as a reminder of how vital it is to isolate those caught up in such a lifestyle from their former demons.

Though I tired of the melancholy music playing over scenes of longing, I did quite like the main character and her sweet, endearing daughter. I rooted for them, even though some of the dramatic conventions were a bit overdone.

IT'S ALL MAKE BELIEVE will screen at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival on June 5 and 6. For tickets, go here.

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SIFF Sighting: STILL LIFE (Drama; United Kingdom)

John May (Eddie Marsan) lives a solitary life, quietly going about his business as a government worker tasked with finding the loved ones of the recently deceased.

He takes great care to honor each of the dead: He plans funerals (though sometimes he's the only one in attendance); saves cremains longer than rules dictate just in case a friend or family member turns up; and keeps a book of photographs to memorialize those he has helped (though they'll never know).

John is a pleasant man, but doesn't appear to have any friends—and that may be why his compassion runs so deep for the loners he's helping.

When his new boss tells him that his work is too "slow," and they're downsizing him to provide a more efficient service, he just has one more case to solve before he departs.

His research leads him to meet Kelly Stoke (Joanne Froggatt), a next-of-kin who appreciates his kindness during a time of great shock and sadness. Their journey is a story in itself, twisting and turning with unexpected developments.

Eddie Marsan gives an Oscar-worthy performance as the heroic May, representing the ultimate professional in a career that not many would want. Downton Abbey's Froggatt is a welcome surprise late in the film, and their chemistry is delightful.

From the simplicity of the scenes to the hollow sets, the vibe of the film is masterfully executed by director Uberto Pasolini. The quiet pauses allow the audience time to digest the weight of confronting death while still keeping everyone engrossed in the story.

This one is not to be missed, folks.

STILL LIFE will screen at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival (fittingly) on Memorial Day, May 26. For tickets, go here.

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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SIFF Sighting: 1,000 TIMES GOOD NIGHT (Drama; Norway)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that's definitely the case for war photographer Rebecca (Juliette Binoche), who has trouble tearing herself away from conflict to life a 'normal' life with her family.

This powerful, poignant drama, reminiscent of THE HURT LOCKER in the sense that the protagonist can't acclimate back to real life, examines not only the ramifications for those in the thick of the action, but also those left behind.

1,000 TIMES GOOD NIGHT will be shown at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival May 23 and 25. For tickets, go here.

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SIFF Sighting: STANDING ASIDE, WATCHING (Drama; Greece)

Modern-day Greece is struggling.

Amidst a game-changing financial crises, young citizens who are trying to make a life in larger cities are being forced to return home. This is the case for our main character, Antigone (Marina Symeou), who comes back to her depressed, coastal town to start over.

The pace is frustratingly slow as the film begins and we are introduced to the locals. What we soon learn is that this small community mirrors that of the American Wild West—violence and corruption dominate and everyone enduring it is either too tired or too scared to confront it.

Amidst abusive situations our heroine refuses to suppress her rage and accept that things will never change.

Having grown up in a male-dominated, Greek home, I both recognized the unbalanced strength and chauvinism of the men, and silently cheered as the strong women held their own.

It's not an uplifting look at what becomes of a society in ruin, but an honest one.

STANDING ASIDE, WATCHING will be shown at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival May 23 and 25. For tickets, go here.

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Cinebanter #128 - Nebraska

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula are underwhelmed by NEBRASKA. In The Last Five®, Michael attempts to turn his daughter into a film snob, while Tassoula sees several flicks in honor of her own birthday. The final segment features the hosts responding to listener feedback about their show on 12 YEARS A SLAVE, and announcing January's show. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Review of NEBRASKA

• Break

• 20:04 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 22:49 The Last Five®
• Break

• 53: 07 Listener Feedback (Jordan in Boston)
• 1:02:34 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: DOLPHINS; WHISPER OF THE HEART; TOY STORY 3; LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM and STORIES WE TELL. Tassoula's Last Five were: DELIVERY MAN; GREMLINS; THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE; REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE and SAVING MR. BANKS.

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, Mark Cummins and Vincent Do 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!

CInebanter #124 - FRUITVALE STATION and BLACKFISH

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula provide a double header of reviews: FRUITVALE STATION and BLACKFISH. In the Last Five®, Michael gets to a few new indies, while Tassoula continues her bender of HBO documentaries. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Review of FRUITVALE STATION

• Break

• 19:38 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 20:16 Review of BLACKFISH

• Break

• 44:33 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 45:00 The Last Five®

• 1:01:47 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: BEHIND THE CANDLEABRA; THE CRASH REEL;  GASLAND; SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE and CLEAR HISTORY. Tassoula's Last Five were: THE CHESHIRE MURDERS; MISS YOU CAN DO IT; THE DREAMERS; BLUE JASMINE and FORREST GUMP.

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: THE HUNT (drama; Denmark)

Lucas (Madds Mikkelsen) is a likeable kindergarten teacher about to win custody of his teenage son, starting a relationship with a new girlfriend.

Klara (Annika Wedderkopp) is the daughter of his best friend, who lives next door. She attends his school, confuses her words and unknowingly accuses him of sexual abuse.

With Oscar-worthy performances, the film is a heart-wrenching exploration of what can happen when one is wrongly accused.

THE HUNT screens June 6 at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. For tickets, click here.

SIFF Sighting: CHILDREN OF SARAJEVO (drama; Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Rahima (Marija Pikic) is a young, hard-working cook in Sarajevo. She and her brother Nedim (Ismir Gagula) were orphaned during the war and now she is responsible for taking care of him. He doesn't make it easy on her.

Though there is evidence of him being bullied, Nedim doesn't handle matters well, frequently engaging in bloody fights and getting reprimanded at school.

He blames Rahima's recent need to wear a headscarf as the reason for his troubles; she has frequent flashbacks to the war, which he is too young to remember, that fuel her faith.

The documentary footage of the actual war, spliced in as her memories, are especially powerful contrasted with the sounds of celebratory fireworks, which remind her of the grenades and sounds of war. Though the city has recovered, there are scars that will never heal.

Though undeniably bleak, there is hope in this story. Hope that comes from the love of a dutiful sister; hope that comes from the kind neighbors who befriend them and in Rahima's fierce independence.

It's just one more film that forbids us from forgetting the past--and that's a good thing.

CHILDREN OF SARAJEVO 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: EVERY BLESSED DAY (drama; Italy)

Guido (Luca Marinelli) and Antonia (Thony) are a couple very much in love. He works the night shift as a porter in a hotel; she is stationed at the front desk for a rental car agency. What they want together is simple: a baby.

They make love enthusiastically and often. They test and re-test for positive results. They seek advice from friends and help from doctors. They try fertility treatments. Nothing works.

As all of this is going on, they begin to lose sight of what's magical about their connection and bond. They forget why they even want a child so badly. Their compatibility is simply a casualty of the failure that Antonia can't get past in her depths of depression.

Guido tries everything to comfort her and emphasize that whatever is preventing them from producing offspring doesn't matter as long as they have each other. But it's too sad for her, and that sadness consumes.

Their story is one that will ring true for thousands of couples who have both been successful and unsuccessful trying to start a family of their own. It will also feel familiar to couples who have endured painful breakups as a result of one key thing they can't get past.

In the midst of this scenario, both of the characters are quite likable and sympathy will come easy for their situation.

It unfortunately represents a slice of life that is all too common.

EVERY BLESSED DAY will screen at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival on May 20  & 30. For tickets, click here.

Cinebanter #118 - CLOUD ATLAS

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula are left empty by CLOUD ATLAS. In the Last Five®, both hosts spend time in indie theaters for some new hits. They also respond to a Listener Last Five. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of CLOUD ATLAS

• Break

• 18:14 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 18:51 The Last Five®

• Break

• 50:09 Listener Last Five (Craig in Queensland)

• 1:02:36 Credits 

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: ARGO; THE SESSIONS; LOOPER; ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST and WARRIOR. Tassoula's Last Five were: THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER; THE BAD SEED; SYBIL; FLIGHT and DEAD POET'S SOCIETY.

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, and Vincent Do 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: TAKE THIS WALTZ (Drama, Canada)

Margot (Michelle Williams) and Lou (Seth Rogen) are a happily (if not immature) married couple going through the motions of life. He's a cookbook writer; she spends her days hanging out with Lou's alcoholic sister Gerry (Sarah Silverman).

When it is discovered that cute Daniel (Luke Kirby) is her neighbor, Margot tests the waters of infidelity.

The performances here are first rate, but the story and tone have trouble deciding what they want to be.


TAKE THIS WALTZ screened at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF Sighting: 6 Points About Emma (Drama, Spain)

Emma (Verónica Echegui) is a beautiful girl in her twenties, dying to become a mother. To achieve this, she sleeps with various men to try to get pregnant; not always telling them this is her goal. Emma claims she wants to love someone, but fears she is incapable of it since she does not become attached to her lovers.

Also, Emma is blind.

Germán (Alex Garcia) is the therapist that leads the group sessions she attends for persons of various disabilities. There are deaf lesbians, paralyzed women hungry for intimacy and mentally retarded men. It's a colorful bunch, and Emma emerges as the most confident and comfortable with the hand in which she's been dealt.

Soon, Emma adds Germán to her list of lovers and a series of events follows that makes her question her ability not to be hurt by her partners. It's just sex anyway, right? And she's using them too, right?

The thing I loved about this film was that the story, though focused on a disabled person, really had nothing to do with their disability.

Sure, we saw how much easier it was for Emma to be taken advantage of because of her blindness, but it wasn't the reason we were watching the film—and that's refreshing.

Verónica Echegui is delicate and strong all at once and reminded me of Natalie Portman throughout. Alex Garcia makes Germán someone you want to like despite his reprehensible actions.

If you're in the mood for an unconventional love story/dramedy, you shouldn't miss this film.

6 POINTS ABOUT EMMA will screen at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival next month with director Roberto Pérez Toledo in attendance. For tickets, visit the SIFF website.

SIFF Sighting: COMING HOME (Drama, France)

Gaëlle (Agathe Bonitzer), has been locked up for years in her kidnapper's cellar. Though he doesn't appear to be sexually abusing her, he does beat her and sometimes tie her up. 

In contrast, Vincent (Reda Kateb) also attempts to educate her, shares meals with her, takes her for walks in the forest and does his best to provide medical care.

She seems to develop a fondness for him, though she frequently slaps him and says she'll never love him. In a weird, warped way, they seem to care deeply about one another. One day when she is nearly an adult, he finally allows her to leave. And leave, she does.

Upon her return home, she is sent immediately to therapy, which also makes her feel like somewhat of a prisoner.

Her parents love her and were desperate to get her back, but once she's home they have no idea how to treat her. The same is true for her childhood friends—especially one who witnessed her kidnapping. He doesn't know why he felt the need to come and visit her, shares this with her and promptly leaves.

As if it wasn't hard enough losing your childhood.

Frédéric Videau's film is a psychological exploration of what happens in an authentic way between a prisoner and their captor. How human nature shapes one's feelings and emotions to cope with whatever is placed in one's path.

Agathe Bonitzer plays the lead role with the right mix of angst and fragility; Reda Kateb makes Vincent less a monster than we'd expect.

All in all a great film to spark debate about the complexities of such a relationship.

COMING HOME will screen at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. For tickets, visit the SIFF website.

SIFF Sighting: FUTURE WEATHER (Drama, USA)

Like so many American kids, 13-year-old Lauduree (Perla Haney-Jardine) is basically raising herself. Her mother, Tanya (Marin Ireland), has problems with addiction and her father is gone.

Ree channels her energy into her science experiments and develops a bond with her compassionate teacher Ms. Markovi (Lili Taylor).

Life is manageable until Tanya decides to pursue her dream of becoming a celebrity makeup artist and moves to California. She does not take Lauduree with her.

Afraid her science experiments will be compromised if she is forced to move, Ree keeps her mother's departure a secret until she is caught shoplifting and her grandmother Greta (Amy Madigan) discovers the truth.

Depressed about moving in with Greta (her mom's trailer is behind in rent), she turns to science for comfort and becomes borderline paranoid about the state of the ecosystem.

Her grandmother recognizes that Ree needs professional help, but does not have the resources to make that happen. Ms. Markovi, though concerned, says she "isn't equipped to handle" Ree's issues.

What writer/director Jenny Deller so brilliantly achieves in this quiet, slice-of-life saga is the painful reality of being an unwanted child.

Sure, Ree's mother and grandmother love her, but they are not remotely able to care for her in a healthy way, and lack the intelligence to learn how.

Perla Haney-Jardine's performance is riveting—reminiscent of Jennifer Lawrence's work in WINTER'S BONE. Her ability to convey the covering-up of pain is spectacular, and should open the doors to more substantial roles in the future.

Amy Madigan and Lili Taylor also deliver flawless turns as Greta and Ms. Markovi. Both have appeared in so many other films, it's a testament to how good they are that they can disappear into these characters and make us forget their previous work.

I can't recommend this film enough.

FUTURE WEATHER will screen at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival next month. For tickets, visit the SIFF website.