Month: March 2018

Film Review: SKIN DEEP, UK, Fantasy 

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How far would you go to recapture the passion of young love? How far would you go for vanity? How far would you go to put the spark back in your marriage? SKIN DEEP, a twenty minute UK film directed by Tim Willrich, tackles these complex problems through the lense of science-fiction.. When Millie feels unnoticed and unattractive in her stale marriage, she orders a mysterious miracle cream online. But it does more than just refresh her pores- it gives her an entirely new face and body. Initially attracted to the new look, the sparks fly between her and her husband- until Millie becomes obsessed with the many different bodies she can inhabited.  Increasingly uncomfortable with his wife regularly changing into a different person, the marriage becomes strained. Finally, Millie runs out of her product.

Metaphor intended, what makes SKIN DEEP a fascinating piece, is that it goes so much deeper than the surface. It is not simply a movie about a couple revitalizing their marriage with some new tricks- it is about a film about the illusions we engage in for love. It is a film that dissects the lengths we will go to for a sense of romantic security- and how those lengths often backfire is strange and horrible ways.

Gorgeous performances and wonderfully communicated despite the minimal (yet effective) script, SKIN DEEP is a strong, smoldering and fascinating science fiction film.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 FANTASY/SCI-FI Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

SKIN DEEP, 20min., UK, Fantasy 
Directed by Tim Willrich

Obsessed by appearance, a woman applies mysterious cream to help reignite her stagnant marriage. But when her skin peels away, her obsession soon turns his fantasy into a nightmare.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: BREAKER, Japan/Canada, Sci-Fi/Action

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BREAKER, an eleven minute Japanese-Canadian Science Fiction short, directed by Philippe McKie, will take you on a wild ride through time, space and technology. When our heroine, an advanced freelance technology hacker, has her own mind hacked by a digital data weapon, she is forced to follow the data weapons’ instructions to claim her own mind back. The data weapon can help our hero, but it is also desperate to get itself to a place with wifi, so it can upload itself out of her brain and into cyberspace where it can be safe. But when our heroine is badly injured, can the data-weapon help save- if not her body, her mind?

What makes this piece wonderful, other than the colorful quality production value, the stunning visual effects and the high-concept story, is the writing. Without spoon-feeding the crowd, this story carries with it the rich and complex world-building you expect to see in a feature, but are privileged to get in a short. BREAKER will pull you in with it’s entertaining surface layer of action and plot, but dig just a bit deeper and it leads you to think about the nature of our reality, our minds, what it means to be sentient and alive. For science-fiction lovers, it is a fascinating piece that will suck you in a leave you wanting more.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 FANTASY/SCI-FI Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

BREAKER, 10min., Japan/Canada, Sci-Fi/Action
Directed by Philippe McKie

In tomorrow’s Tokyo, the technologically-enhanced body of a young mercenary hacker is overrun by a sentient data weapon. Wanted, the parasitic A.I becomes her only ally as she is chased across the city by those seeking to salvage it.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: THE WRITER’S WOMAN, Mexico, Romance/Drama

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Hot and smoldering with intensity, THE WRITERS WOMAN is a piece about love, jealousy, and control. This 23 minute mexican film coming to us from director Leslie Aldana, is a masterful work of cinematic seduction.

Our heroine is in love with her husband. Her husband is in love with her. But he also has affairs. So she decides to have one of her own, with a beautiful woman he has been eyeing. And when the three all get together at last the tension is equal parts sexually exciting and painfully tense.

What is so vibrant about this film isn’t just the slowly burning sexual fire ever present within the characters, or the fantastic performances, or even the larger free-love philosophy constrained by societal stigma. What is fascinating is that this story revolves around a mature relationship- a couple that has been married decades. Unlike young love, so prone to jealousy and heartbreak, this relationship has stood the test of time and still falls victim to the fears and insecurities that claim so many young lovers. What THE WRITERS WOMAN reminds us, in its own tragic, beautiful and sensual way, is that we are never too old to hurt. Exceptional performances and gorgeously composed, THE WRITERS WOMAN will take your breath away.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

THE WRITER’S WOMAN, 23min., Mexico, Romance/Drama
Directed by Leslie Aldana

At the end of the 1940s, the poetess Helena is the couple of acclaimed writer Martin. She constantly knows that Martin has had different lovers, before the anguish of losing him decides to seduce the one who could become the next lover. A game of power and jealousy is transformed into a new love story, which fades the search for a structured love imposed by society for a free love regardless of gender.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: 116, USA, Romance/Experimental 

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A beautiful mature woman wakes up in a hotel with a beautiful young man. Sounds great yes? Certainly. What follows is an sizzling experimental romantic piece- the dialogue utilizing only lines from Shakespeare’s sonnets. 116, directed by Julia Campanelli, will delight a Shakespeare lover. And if you are not a lover of Shakespeare, then you will love the rich and sumptuous details loving woven into this piece. It sizzles and crackles with sexual energy and rich and lush sense of heavy dramatic style.

Being and experimental film, it is best to go into 116 with an open mind, as it is highly interpretive. We do not know the relationship of the man and woman (although we can guess, wink, wink) There sensual, passionate, dramatic yet playful struggles are not made overtly clear by the use of the minimalist interpretive scripts of Shakespeare’s sonnets. But 116 is a delight to watch. It has intensity, romance and sparkles with lust. Who wouldn’t love it?

116, 15min., USA, Romance/Experimental 
Directed by Julia CampanelliLove – no bed of roses.
A woman wakes up in a hotel room with a younger man at her side. She insists he leave, he resists, and the struggle begins.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: GOD CAME ‘ROUND, Italy, Romance/Comedy 

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This five minute romantic comedy from Italy is a bizarrely literal take on a music video. Sandeep (Deep Roy), a flower peddler who can’t catch a break, falls passionately in love with a beautiful passerby he believes to be the girl of his dreams. She, however, doesn’t feel the same way. Sandeep is dragged through depression, hope, despair and desperation while trying to win her affections.

Utterly hilarious with its vibrance, literal comedy and the wonderful performance stylings of Deep Roy, GOD CAME ROUND will make you laugh. A comical trip worthy of watching for its absurdist comic style and total commitment to literal humor. The piece sparkles with Deep Roy as the star and Derek Fey’s direction is sharp and effective. A film to sure to entertain.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

GOD CAME ‘ROUND, 5min, Italy, Romance/Comedy 
Directed by Derek Frey Down on his luck flower seller Sandeep (played by Deep Roy) pines to make a connection with the girl of his dreams.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: THE WEDDING SONG, Romance. USA

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This 13 minute romantic drama from the USA, is a charming and bright film about temptation, love and the power of music. When soon-to-be-married Mae decides to write a song for her husband for their wedding day she enlists the help of an old classmate to teach her to play the ukulele. But her new teacher Johnnie and her soon strike up a close and endearing friendship and quickles begins to sparkle with a tantalizing sexual energy. Equal parts innocent and dangerous, the two carry on their music lessons, all the while pursuing a goal of writing a love song- for the groom we never get to see.

Beautifully shot, fantastically performed and boasting an exceptional soundtrack, THE WEDDING SONG has the ability to do something all short films should strive to do- make you think. While we root for the lovers we see on the screen (Johnnie and Mae), we wriggle with discomfort for the relationship suspended in jeopardy (Mae and her fiance). Do they ever cross a line? You’ll have to watch and find out. THE WEDDING SONG will make you laugh, make your heart skip a beat, make you feel and most importantly- make you think.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

THE WEDDING SONG, 13min, USA, Romance/Drama 
Directed by Thia Schuessler & Rex New

When bride-to-be Mae hits a wall writing a song for her future husband, she solicits the guidance of her musician friend Johnnie, who helps her find the inspiration she was lacking.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: EASY, A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY, (USA, Romance)

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We all want a fairytale ending. Fairytales are not always being swept away to a castle to live a life of luxury. Sometimes a fairy tale is simply loving someone effortlessly, without fear of repercussion. Enter EASY, A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY. A love story about two high school boys in love. Although they belong to different faiths, and although one family is pleased and the other disapproving- their love is unchanged.

What is so special about this sweet, simple and beautiful film is that is speaks to something every person, from every walk of life can understand. That love makes you invincible, impervious to pain. Moments exist in our chaotic and terrifying world that save us from losing our minds- they are moments born out of love. They are moments that make fairytales things of reality. EASY A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY is about moments like these.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

 

EASY, A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY, 3min., USA, Romance/Drama 
Directed by Robert GuthrieTwo high school guys are in love. One’s Christian. One’s Jewish. A father disapproves – the other’s parents are thrilled. Who cares that it’s not perfect? They got this.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: WHAT IF?…. (Hungary, Romance)

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Hot with wit and hitting the ground running, WHAT IF…? Is a romantic drama from Hungary directed by Balazs Juszt. It follows a long-parted couple who now meet to pick up their children from dance class. The children they have with other people. The first part of their tale is the world where they recount what might have been- a romance they shared that died too soon, paths that parted too early and the fleeting promise of the world they could have had together. Sexy, witty and filled with sparkling dialogue the two dance the dance of lovers who knew each other once upon a time. The second half, however, shows what the world would be like for them had they stayed together. In this reality, their relationship is no less passionate, but it is ten times darker and more filled with tension. These are the lovers who have had their young love eroded away by a year after year of unaddressed problems.

WHAT IF is a story about never knowing the truth- but instead seeing the polar extremes of possibilities- the world of what might have been at odds with the world that was never meant to be. So what is the world are lovers really live in? What is their happy medium? That, is for the audience to decide.

Gripping, sensual and full to bursting with palpable emotion, WHAT IF…? Is a strong and engaging film. Spectacular performances make this film a powerhouse to watch.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

WHAT IF…?, 14min., Hungary, Romance/Drama
Directed by Balazs Juszt

When it comes to relationships, everyone has a story. Whether it’s the one that is, the one that could have been or the one that never was meant to be – one thing is for certain: we can only tell after the fact, and then it’s too late. Then we’re left to wonder, what if…?

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: VIOLET AND JUNE (Romance)

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VIOLET AND JUNE, a six minute Canadian Rom-Com from director Linnea  Ritland, is a delightful and charming in every way a Rom-Com should be. Endlessly popping with color and fun, the tone falls somewhere between the more lighthearted moments in Juno and the more whimsical moments of any great Wes Anderson piece.

Violet is in love. And all the wonderful oh-so-familiar romantic feelings that come along with being in love plague her. Except she is in love with her best friend June. Who has a boyfriend and is otherwise totally unaware of Violet’s affections. Doom, despair and melancholy will follow Violet as she falls into the vibrant and artistic world of her mind’s’ eye, and wrestles with her feelings.

VIOLET AND JUNE is a sweet, simple and utterly adorable comedy about coming out and coming of age. A playful and wonderful romp into the world young love.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

VIOLET AND JUNE, 6min., Canada, Romance/Comedy
Directed by Linnea RitlandViolet & June is a short film about falling in love, the terror of being alive in a cold heartless universe, and butts.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: JUGGERNAUT (Canada 2017) ***

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Juggernaut Poster
After a lengthy absence, a small town outlaw returns to his hometown, violently obsessed with the notion that his Mother’s death was not a suicide.

Director:

Daniel DiMarco

Writer:

Daniel DiMarco

Stars:

Amanda Crew, Jack Kesy, Ty Olsson

 

This JUGGERNAUT is not to be confused with the Richard Lester film of the same name that starred Richard Harris about bombs planted on a cruise liner.  JUGGERNAUT 2017 is a very different Canadian nitty-gritty family crime drama that America churns out quite well.  This one turns out pretty solid as well.

JUGGERNAUT is the story of two brothers, one good and one bad. Sounds like a parable (Caine and Abel) from the Bible.  Of course, good and bad are relative.  The protagonist is the ‘bad’ one for the obvious reason that not only is the bad one a more interesting character but there is a chance for redemption as well.

Saxon (Jack Kesy) has just been released from prison.  Saxon is, as described in the film, a misanthrope (a person who dislikes and distrusts all human beings).  He re-unites with his older brother, Dean (David Cubitt) in a small agricultural town in British Columbia.  Dean is the town hero, bringing jobs to the town.  Saxon learns from Dean that their mother has passed away while he was in prison, but he believes and goes out to prove that it was not suicide as stated in the death certificate.

A few incidents are too predictable. The first girl Saxon meets happens to be Amelie (Amanda Crew).  When Amelie confesses that she is Saxon’s brother’s fiancee, one can tell that thee is an affair that is just waiting to happen. 

There is a debate about bad person doing a good thing versus a good person doing a bad thing.   It is too obvious that the audience is made to consider which one Saxon is.  Not that it really matters to the plot.

To enhance the film’s nitty-grittiness, DiMarko often shoots in dimly lit settings with moody period music and songs.  Veteran actors Stephen McHattie (as bad guy Hank Sr.) and Peter McRobbie as the father also add to the atmosphere. The film has a side plot regarding Saxon’s estranged relationship with his father who favours Dean over him.  Here, there are EAST OF EDEN overtones especially felt during the reconciliation (well, sort-of) scene.

DiMarco paints a good character out of this chosen hero.  Saxon is described as dumb but not stupid.  Kesy, portrays Saxon with a rugged charm that eventually wins Amelie over.

The story moves along at a good pace but suffers from an odd ending which at least is unpredictable.  But he shoot-out ear the end is a bit of a cop out stretching the story’s credibility.

JUGGERNAUT is a satisfying small Canadian film that achieves what it set out to do, entertain with a story set in a grim atmosphere.  The film opens this week with a VOD/Digital release on March 27, 2018.  The film marked its world premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2017 as part of the Panorama program and was also screened at the San Diego International and Whistler Film Festivals.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBOs-_RB28o

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