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: ETHEL (Documentary, USA)

Everyone knows about JFK; most people also remember his brother, RFK, but what about Robert's widow, Ethel?

Ethel Skakel married Robert Kennedy when she was just 22, and together they produced 11 children. Their love was true, and as she tells it, happened at first sight.

In this amazingly intimate documentary by Ethel's youngest child Rory, Ethel herself—along with many of her children—tells the audience about her years on this earth from start to finish.

From her idyllic childhood in a (strictly Republican) Irish Catholic household to her absolute love for her husband and his service to America, to raising 11 children mostly on her own, Ethel has lived quite a life.

The stories her children tell here are nothing short of hilarious (she once brought home a seal to have as a pet; she once stole horses from a neighboring property to feed them). Her spunk, her smile and her spirit even now shine bright and are presented beautifully here in this funny yet moving portrait.

The Kennedy men will always be remembered for their contributions to our society. This film reminds us that the women in their lives had a lot to do with their efforts.

ETHEL screened at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

Cinebanter #72 - UP

The MP3 of Cinebanter #72 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula rise to the occasion by reviewing the animated feature UP. In the Last Five®, Michael demands that Tassoula see a specific documentary before he elaborates on it, while Tassoula revisits an early Pixar favorite. They also respond to listener feedback and agree to disagree on Eli Stone. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 UP Discussion
• Break
• 20:31 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 21:23 The Last Five®
• Break
• 49:49 Listener Feedback/Eli Stone discussion
• 1:00:34 Credits and Outtakes

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Michael's Last Five in this episode were: THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN, THE GENERAL, DOLPHINS, DEAR ZACHARY: A LETTER TO HIS SON FROM HIS FATHER and HOLLYWOOD CHINESE. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: NINE GOOD TEETH, ANGELS & DEMONS, SISTER HELEN, A BUG'S LIFE and CHOP SHOP.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!